Press Releases
Teen website shares inspiring real-life story
November 16, 2005
Staci’s Story (StaciStory.com), a new website created in memory of a 16-year-old Florida student who passed away in March 2005, launched today with the purpose of sharing her inspiring story and life testimony. The site was created by Global Media Outreach, a coalition of Internet ministries of Campus Crusade for Christ International.
Staci Stephens was a bright and beautiful 16 year old high school student, who impacted the lives of so many of her friends and peers. Around her school campus she was known for her love of God and people.
Staci passed away on March 13, 2005 from Viral Myocarditis. Staci attended a public high school in Orlando, Florida. She came home from school on Friday morning not feeling well. By Sunday morning her heart had stopped. Fourteen months earlier at a Student Venture conference, she had decided to become a follower of Jesus. During her last year, she helped others learn how to have a relationship with God and described what it meant in her own life. Staci’s dream was for everyone to have the chance to find Christ and to live with God forever. Because so many people were impacted by her death and testimony, a young Global Media Outreach staffer named Michael decided to design the website so that others could experience the change in her life.
“Staci’s public demonstration of her decision to follow Jesus Christ has made a huge impact since her death in Florida and at her high school,” said Chuck Klein, Director of Student Venture. “Our desire is to share her story with the rest of the world so others can experience the legacy of hope and truth that Staci gave to so many teens at her school.” The site provides a video production of Staci’s life and legacy, and her friends’ reaction to her life.
Visitors to the site are also able to open up a dialogue with Student Venture volunteers through GMO’s Ministry Response Center. Students can get more information on having a relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as learn how to connect with a Christian community or student ministry in their own school.
“The mission of Global Media Outreach is to provide every man, woman and child with the chance to experience the gospel,” said Walt Wilson, founder and chairman of Global Media Outreach. “Staci’s story is a great example of how these websites can present the message to people that God loves them and has a plan for their life using multiple mediums including video, pictures and text.”
About Student Venture
Student Venture is the high school and junior high ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Since 1966, the ministry has been reaching out to teenagers with more than 1300 full-time staff, Student Venture affiliates, and local community volunteers. Student Venture is a contributing member of the Campus Alliance and National Network of Youth Ministries©. Through the Campus Alliance, Student Venture and 40 other national organizations are working hand in hand to help develop campus movements so that every student at every campus has the opportunity to grow in character and know Christ.
About Global Media Outreach
Global Media Outreach is a coalition of Internet evangelism ministries of Campus Crusade for Christ. The mission of Global Media Outreach is to utilize the core principles of Campus Crusade (winning people to Christ; building believers in their faith; and sending them to win, build and send others) through creative and proactive use of Internet-based communication technologies.