My name is Victor N. Dufour. I was born on November 15, 2006, and grew up on the outskirts of a small town in southern Indiana called Salem. Our family lived on a large plot of land about fifteen to twenty minutes from town (depending on whether Mom or Dad was driving). From the age of eight until eighteen, we attended a church an hour away from home.

Being homeschooled made it harder to form friendships, since I mainly saw people at church. Thankfully, I started mixed martial arts classes when I was six and continued until I was eighteen, which helped me stay connected socially. I was also blessed to grow up in a big family—I’m the second youngest of six children, with three older sisters, one older brother, and a younger brother.

Raised in a Christian home, I heard the gospel often, but it didn’t truly resonate with me until around age eight. When two of my siblings were saved, I began asking questions, but I still didn’t fully understand. Eventually, in a Jr. Church setting, I was confronted with the reality of my sin, the judgment I deserved, and the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Though I don’t remember my exact words or the date, I know that I trusted Christ as my Savior that day.

Because I didn’t come from a background of addiction or outward rebellion, my salvation didn’t produce a dramatic external change at first. I struggled with doubt until one day when I shared my lack of assurance with my brother. He reminded me, “If you are truly trusting Christ, then your salvation doesn’t depend on you—it depends on Him. Your testimony is not ‘I did,’ but ‘He did.’” Since then, I haven’t doubted my salvation, even though my spiritual growth has had its major ups and downs.

As a teenager, I wrestled with sin, yet God pursued me with love and drew me back to Himself. Over time, He gave me a desire to preach and pastor. After a long struggle of surrender with that calling, I can confidently say God won. I am now pursuing the desire for ministry that God gave (1 Tim. 3:1). In that pursuit, I served as a counselor at Northland Camp and Conference Center, where I formally met Jeremy Frazor. By the end of camp, God worked it out for me to join Jeremy’s ministry team, traveling and serving in evangelism.

I am excited for this next season of life as we travel this semester —to grow personally, to be changed and used by God to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:14), and to see Him save souls as the gospel is preached (1 Cor. 1:22–25).

~ Victor