Jordan Slusher was the first to receive the Legatus Christi award. This is his story.
Jordan was a true ambassador of Christ and a proud University of North Carolina Charlotte 49er. He was a significant leader in the Ratio Christi chapter at UNCC and an intelligent, winsome, engaging, Christ-centered young man who actively engaged people in conversations that count. His generous friendship and winning smile came from his love for Christ.
Jordan had a particular passion for reasoning with atheists and attended the “Reason Rally” in Washington D.C. with other Ratio Christi students in order engage those without Christ. He encouraged others time and time again to “win the person, not the argument” and was focused on relationships while being a rigorous thinker and excellent apologist. He led many of his friends to Christ and encouraged many more.
To our great loss, Jordan was received into the embrace of the Savior following a hiking accident on June 9, 2012. He was an exceptional young man who exemplified the hopes and goals for Ratio Christi students.
Jordan believed that God would use him in a big way. We believe that his legacy with Ratio Christi and beyond is just beginning. At exactly the time we were developing this certificate program, we lost Jordan. Many of the Ratio Christi leaders and students in the area went to his memorial service. After the service Rick Schenker, President of Ratio Christi, received a call saying, “Jordan Slusher exemplified everything we want to accomplish with students on campus. Jordan was a kind and gentle apologist for Christianity, and an amazing evangelist. He was truly an “Ambassador for Christ.” So in July, Rick Schenker, Joshua Erlien, Ratio Christi Chapter Director at UNCC, and Blake Anderson, RC staff, visited Jordan’s parents, Randall & Melissa, asking them if they would be willing to accept Ratio Christi’s first
Legatus Christi Certificate. They graciously agreed to receive this honor in memory of their son.
On October 18, 2012 at Ratio Christi’s second annual Symposium for leaders and students, the
Legatus Christi Certificate was posthumously awareded to Jordan Slusher. Joshua Erlien, who had the priviledge of working with Jordan at UNCC, gave tribute to Jordan’s life and his parents’ godly influence. Jordan’s mother, father, and sister were present to receive the award.
In the weeks before Jordan’s accident he had told his parents that he felt that God would use him in a significant way, and that he was willing to be used by God. Less than a week before he died, he had painted a Greek phrase in large white letters on his dark green (UNCC’s colors) bedroom wall: Βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην It was not until after his memorial service that someone translated the Greek to recognize that it is from 1 Corinthians 13:12, “
For now we see in a mirror in a riddle, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” This powerful passage is not only a reminder that Jordan is now in the direct presence of the God whom he loved and shared with others, but also a reminder to every Ratio Christi leader and student that the goal of our weak and imperfect learning is seeing God face to face. As apologists in this world, we have limited knowledge of God, although He has full knowledge of us. Our great hope, the truth of which was demonstrated by Jesus’ historical/factual resurrection, is that one day our knowledge of God will be direct and unimpeded.
Randall Slusher, Jordan’s father, told of Jordan’s love of the Gospel and held up the Bible Jordan had with him at the time of the hiking accident. The entire family has been an inspiration and witness to the power and truth of the Gospel through the most difficult times. Jordan and his family are truly Ambassadors of Christ.
(Rick Schenker)
We trust that Jordan’s life will be an inspiration to every Ratio Christi student. Ratio Christi’s desire is to help disciple students to become like Jordan: pursuing academic excellence, demonstrating Christ-like character, and practicing enthusiastic evangelism. Every Legatus Christi Certificate awarded in the future will be in honor of Jordan Slusher.
(In Loving Memory, May 17, 1991 ~ June 9, 2012)“Win the person…not the argument.” ~ Jordan Slusher
“This world won’t define my Hope!” ~ Jordan Slusher
