I felt as though my faith and understanding in God was much deeper and theologically based than it was before. The program pushed my thinking, the way I viewed faith and even the way I read my Bible.

 

Why did you attend the program? 

My uncle was a former professor at Northwest University and had reached out to my parents about this new program called “Summer Journey.” It was aimed towards high school students who desired to be pushed and grow in their faith theologically. I was encouraged by my family to attend since I was wanting to dive deeper into my faith and wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do post-graduation. As I thought about attending, there was something in my mind that simply told me this was something I should do.

Additionally, being from Arizona, I was eager to finally see the beautiful Pacific Northwest and this program allowed me the opportunity to do so. So, with those two things in mind, I applied. Little did I know, by attending this program, I actually found the school I’d later attend full-time and the calling the Lord had placed in my life.  

Going into the program, I was really struggling with what exactly God had in store for me. I was entering my senior year of high school and had no clue what I felt like I was supposed to do next. I was unsure of the part I played in God’s story and how he would use me and my life for something good. It was as if I was always asking myself, “What’s next?” and could never find the answer. I was fortunate to have found that answer after a few days of attending the program.  

 

How was your experience during the event?  

I had an incredible experience while attending the Summer Journey program. We had the chance to sit in and hear from professors of the College of Ministry at Northwest University. They explained what it meant to be a part of the story of God and the roles we now had. After each lecture we got the chance to sit down with our small groups and talk about what we had just learned.

Our mentors continued to push our thoughts with great questions, and it allowed for the conversations to continue. On top of that, we also had many opportunities to have fun outside of the classroom style learning. My year, we got the chance to go to a Mariners game and backpack in the mountains, all while making new friends with people I’d never have had the opportunity to meet before! 

 

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time? 

During my time there, I had the opportunity to not only grow and learn the Bible in a new and deeper way, but I also learned exactly what the Lord was calling me to do. For the last year prior to this event, I had felt an urge to go into ministry. The only thing was, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly that looked like. For the closing ceremony, one scholar was selected to speak on behalf of all those who attended; I just so happened to be selected. I eagerly wrote my speech and had the opportunity to share it in front of everyone (and those who came to celebrate with us). 

After I had finished, I felt as though speaking and preparing words for the public was something I wanted to continue to do and pursue. Later in the day, the director of the program came up to me and encouraged me to pursue ministry, but more specifically preaching. I kept this in the back of my mind as I prepared to go home. Following that summer, I prepared for my senior year of high school where I was given many more opportunities to write and speak. The encouragement I received from this program pushed me to have the courage to give the student speech at my high school graduation and decide to pursue a degree in Pastoral Ministry at Northwest University.  

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

After my time, I definitely felt more equipped for the future than I had before. I felt as though my faith and understanding in God was much deeper and theologically based than it was before. The program pushed my thinking, the way I viewed faith and even the way I read my Bible. I was always someone who took what I read and never really thought to consider all that the book or documents were offering. Additionally, I had the chance to read from different scholars who studied way before my time and understand how they interpreted faith and God. It opened my eyes to realize so much more than what I had originally thought.  

 

What was the best thing about attending? 

I wish I could simply answer with “everything!” because I truly did enjoy every part of my experience attending this program. However, if I did have to pick one thing, I would have to say the best part of attending this program was the opportunities it allowed and created for me in the future. I attended the program in 2017 as a scholar and in 2019 had the opportunity to attend the program again, but this time as a mentor. I had the chance to be on the other side of the program, pushing and helping students learn their role in God’s story. Both my times being a part of the program grew my faith and reassured me that ministry is exactly where God has called me and exactly where I want to be.  

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future?  

Because of my experience at this program, I am currently studying full-time to earn my degree in Pastoral Ministry. My hopes and dreams are to one day use that degree to become a youth pastor and serve full-time in the church. I truly found Jesus in high school thanks to the youth pastor and mentors I had at the time. I believe that junior high and high school is a great time to reach and encourage youth students, because for many it is their most vulnerable and challenging age.  

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend? 

The one thing I would encourage someone who was thinking about attending would be to simply to go for it and give the program and the Lord the chance to open your eyes and change your life when it comes to your faith. At first, the program might seem odd or not for you, but I promise if you give it a chance, you’ll have the time of your life growing with God and meeting new friends along the way that you just might keep forever.  

This is one of the few places that I felt a true sense of belonging during my high school years.

 

Why did you attend the program?

More than anything else, I choose to attend the Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics in search of a community. Before the Academy, I was failing to find fulfillment in church and in my individual faith; there were too many ignored paradoxes that caused me to remain in the realm of dissatisfying obedience rather than stimulating curiosity. I went around religious questions instead of pursuing them head on. Science, revelation, miracles, evil, etc, all of these topics remained unquestioned. 

My church growing up could not have been more supportive and impactful to me, but there were still far too few resources available to explore these questions, which was certainly not the fault of my church but of certain stigmas within Christianity in general. Hearing about the Academy was a wake up call. Reading the brochure gave me the idea that these questions can be and should be pursued. As soon as I had this realization, I knew I was in. I certainly could not allow myself to miss such an opportunity when I knew that there was a community out there for curious, faithful people like myself. What a truly awesome concept!

 

How was your experience during the event?

I have attended the Academy four different times, and there are plenty of reasons why I continue to come back. Each year renews within me a feeling of pure joy and optimism, a greater understanding of the goodness within others and meaning within myself. Whether it be an invigorating science discussion, a workshop on vocation, a funny recreation game, a faith-filling mentor group session, or a beautiful worship, fulfillment—that which I so desperately craved—is found at virtually all moments during the Academy.

Through the Academy I have established meaningful relationships with staff, enduring friendships with like-minded individuals, a beautiful new interpretation of the world and a far better understanding of science. Bringing all of these aspects together creates a week of beauty, where doors are unlocked and lightbulbs are turned on for all who enter.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after?

The most common description of the Academy given by participants is this: life-changing. Yes, the week itself is exciting and fun, but it is the lasting impressions that really make the Academy special. I can speak of this firsthand. Before my first Academy, I was one who enjoyed school and worked hard at it. However, my intentions were wrong; I worked hard as a means to getting good grades rather than pursuing knowledge in itself.

The Academy completely flipped this around. No longer was I pursuing knowledge to get good grades. Sure, that was still important, but curiosity became so much more than that. I wanted to learn as much as I could about this complex world and its history for no reason other than the goodness it brought about. After pursuing this knowledge, I was able to look at the world through a much different lens, one that always considered ethical dilemmas, multiple perspectives, and vocation.

Beyond a love for learning, the Academy taught me how to think critically about issues within my faith, knowing that wherever reason took me, I would have a family that supported me. It is because of this that I am now a philosophy major at Gustavus; learning to think for myself about big issues has led to such fulfillment that I hope to always pursue it.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

One of the central ideas of the Academy is vocation. Essentially, vocation is one's general calling, not just pertaining to one’s career but also considering one’s roles within their families, communities and relationships. Through various activities, all participants work extensively to decipher their own vocation, an important understanding during our pivotal youth years.

Individually, I have learned how to ethically pursue my interests and callings through the Academy, giving me a far better understanding of self. The Academy has brought into existence so much of what I am supposed to be, and because of that I am eternally grateful.

In terms of the world, the Academy has given me such a better understanding of its complexity. The four years that I have attended have had the following scientific topics: reproductive technologies, soil/microbes, climate change and cancer. These large topics, when studied through an ethical and religious lens, have helped me understand this complex world we live in, and anyone who has gone on the same journey can attest to how satisfying that is.

Finally, the Academy has taught me that the most important thing that a church can do is teach and support. It is so important that the ministry embrace science and open-minded discussions on religion; we are living in a time where ignorance cannot be justified. However, these conversations are challenging, often yielding existential difficulties and other worries. Rather than attempting to stop these thoughts, ministry needs to be supportive. The church needs to genuinely promote these internal challenges and help all who are going through them. Otherwise, students and congregants in general will be far too scared to consider these topics and miss the fulfillment that comes with them.

 

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending?

Absolutely! As already mentioned, having a far better sense of my vocation has given me confidence that I will always pursue that which I’m passionate about, in all relationships and responsibilities in my life. Knowing this, I can live in the present moment, trusting that my increased sense of self will guide me in making life decisions.

Beyond my individual future, the Academy has taught me how to act with love and justice. The world that we are living in demands love and justice, and open-mindedly looking at questions with an ethical lens has resulted in a newfound view of all contentious questions. While we largely discuss ethics in terms of specific scientific questions at the Academy, I have learned how to ask similar questions about other issues. From this, I am confident that I can have a future that always considers justice and love.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

Hands down the best part about attending the Academy is the people. This is one of the few places that I felt a true sense of belonging during my high school years; like-minded peers and supportive faculty essentially guaranteed that this would be the case. There are so many cool people that attend the Academy: friends that I continue to stay in touch with, mentors who I have established such close friendships with, and more.

Everyone who attends is willing to explore the same world as me, and that enough is worth something. But beyond that, the friendships established—through mentor groups, recreation activities, and just hanging out—make the Academy what it is. Fortunately, as a current student at Gustavus, I have been able to stay in touch with many Academy people as they, too, are now Gusties!

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future

I have always been very involved in ministry and my church, but the Academy has certainly changed how I go about doing it. Not only have I reoriented my number one value in ministry to be nothing other than support, but I have also learned how important science and open-minded religion are within ministry.

Everyone deserves to continue to learn in a welcoming place, and as one who is involved in ministry, I hope to help as many people as possible achieve that; that is certainly a part of my vocation. Granted, I am far from an expert in these discussions on science, but that does not matter. What matters is that I am willing to explore them and support others as they do as well. This should be one of the central aspects of ministry, taught to me by the Academy.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

You are smart enough. You are faithful enough. You can be a part of this group.

Everyone is welcome at the Academy. In fact, it is one of the most welcoming environments I have ever been a part of, but it makes sense as to why it is: the Academy values open-mindedness. People are fully open to others who may look or act differently, and that is what makes it so beautiful. Similarly, I hope my description of the Academy has not made people think that it is only for the smartest students. That is far from the truth. Everyone has the ability to contribute to the discussion at the Academy, and the presenters do such a great job of speaking to people of all different understandings.

No matter where your interests are, there is something that the Academy has to offer you. Take a chance! Even if this is something that you traditionally would not do, give it a shot. You will be amazed at how good and impactful a decision going to the Academy is. Cheers to that!

The best thing about attending was learning and being able to ask questions about God that I never felt brave enough to ask before.

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended The Summit because one of my faith mentors recommended I go. He had seen in me the desire to learn more about who God is and what purpose he had for me. Honestly, I didn’t know what I was signing up for and felt nervous because I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know any of the other youths attending.

However, when I was filling out the application and answering the personal essay questions, I realized that whatever this program was, it was serious. From the questions, I knew that The Summit looked for youth who were serious about their commitment to God. Such questions were, “Are you involved in your church?” “How do you experience God’s presence?” “How does God speak to you?”. 

These same questions brought me doubt about my own commitment to God. At the time, I was questioning my worth. I would ask myself, “Am I even enough for God to use? If so, why do I lack talents and gifts when everybody has them? Why do I keep missing the mark? Is there even a point in trying to follow God’s purpose for my life?”

I grew up in the church, but we never used our time to self-reflect on these questions. No one would be honest about having these questions to begin with. 

 

How was your experience during the event? 

I would describe my experience at the Summit as restful, contemplative, Spirit-filled and healing. We took a break from our day-to-day activities and focused only on listening to God, ourselves and each other. For example, we spent time doing activities we all enjoyed but didn’t do enough of. We spent whole evenings without our phones, and in the morning we spent time outside reading scripture and reflecting on it. We worshiped and prayed together, we napped, we played games, we exercised and we made new friends. This rhythm allowed me to rest, to be patient and loving towards my peers, to be vulnerable and to focus on listening to God and my needs.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

One of the main changes I noticed after The Summit was that I was more confident about my future and about my identity. I didn’t have everything in my life figured out, but I had the confidence that God would be helping me and guiding me. I also saw myself as a beloved daughter of God, which made me feel more confident about myself and less worried about what other people thought about me. In a way, I felt free, which I hadn’t felt in a long time. 

 

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world or ministry at this time?

Something I learned about myself is that my primary identity is to live as a beloved child of God. I also learned that as God’s child I have a responsibility to share with the world God’s love and light. This is my ministry and every Christian’s calling. We all have different gifts and talents, thus our ministry work looks different. However, all ministries have the same goal: to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Our vocation, careers and ministry are our secondary calling. We need to be secure in our primary calling before we can use our gifts in ministry. 

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

I felt better equipped after attending because we discussed Christian beliefs that I had always heard and even held, but never quite understood. I still have a lot to learn, but I do feel more equipped in the sense that after The Summit I can better understand who God is and who we are in accordance with him. 

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The best thing about attending was learning and being able to ask questions about God that I never felt brave enough to ask before. The second best thing about attending was the community. They were all excited for the week and they were also comforting and welcoming. The community was also very open to being vulnerable. We didn’t know each other, but we were vulnerable with one another because we knew that everyone in the program was there for the same reasons. 

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

I have been involved in different ministries. At my college, I was part of the prayer team, which met every week to pray for one another’s needs. I was also the facilitator for my small group’s Bible study. I also participated in a summer missional internship that changed my life. I plan to continue to engage in ministry, but I honestly don’t have a specific ministry or plan for that. I trust that God will send me where the world’s needs and my greatest joys meet. I do want to be a clinical counselor for children and families, which I consider a ministry. 

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

I would advise them to not be afraid or nervous to attend. They may not know what to expect or they may not have friends attending, but everyone is probably as clueless and nervous as they are. They will soon make friends and begin to feel more comfortable because everyone in the program is welcoming, caring and loving. God will be with them during and after the program, surrounding them with people who will mentor them and bring them joy. 

 

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

I would like people to know that the work done for youth in these programs is very much needed. Youth’s faith is not taken seriously enough and it is not nurtured enough by adult Christian leaders. The youth want to go deeper in their faith and they have deep theological thoughts and the desire to work for God’s kingdom. The problem is that they don’t often have a Christian community where they can ask questions and feel supported. Programs like the one I attended, The Summit, are wonderful places for youth to find this kind of community in which they can grow in their faith and in their knowledge of the Christian faith.

I always had strong faith and was also an athlete, but I never thought to bring the two together until the Institute, and that really helped form my life.

 

 

Why did you attend the program?

Originally, our head coach called the leaders of the team, those who were going to be the captains of next year’s team, to tell us about the Faith and Sport Institute (FSI): Running the Race Well at Baylor and how he thought it would be great to help us develop our leadership skills. He really urged us to apply for it. I became very excited about it when they reached out to me and offered me a scholarship. I could tell they wanted me to attend. 

There were decisions and questions I was struggling with prior to the program. I had a position change in football from freshman to sophomore year, and another from sophomore to junior year, and I was being heavily recruited in my new position junior year. For the senior season, my coach asked me to go back to my original position and said that’s what the team really needed me to be. I was struggling with that decision because I knew it would hurt my recruiting a lot to change back. Going into the Faith and Sport Institute really helped me learn more and make that decision.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

This was an experience that I will never get over. Going in, I had a cousin and two childhood friends with me, and they were the only people I knew. I was really scared, but we all became a big family. The family environment we created made us all trust each other. Two days in, people were crying, expressing their emotions and not holding anything back. They were being vulnerable. Having that atmosphere and that family feeling is an experience I can never get over.

At other church and sports camps I’ve been to, we really didn’t have time to have fun with friends and get to know each other and be vulnerable, but at FSI it wasn’t just about learning the Bible, it was about applying Christianity to our sport, and that helped me make my life one. I always had strong faith and was also an athlete, but I never thought to bring the two together until the Institute, and that really helped form my life.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after?

At the Institute, all of our teams had to find focal points in the beginning. I thought of “Look to the hills from whence cometh my help,” and that became my team’s focal point. Whenever things got hard during the camp, I would say “Look to the hills.” All of the other teams, mentors and camp leaders were doing this as well, and after the Institute I found myself continuing to do this. When things got hard I just kept telling myself that.

We were also taught to invite God on to the playing field. Afterwards, I would find myself praying before every game and inviting God on to the playing field with me, and I feel like that really was a change in me and was one of the bigger changes I made from the camp.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

I learned for myself that when things get hard to look to the hills, like I previously mentioned. We also did the homeless simulation at the Institute, and through that I learned more about the world and realized that not everyone has the same opportunities, chances and luxuries that I have. That experience changed my view of the world. 

I also learned to make my sports ministry and my Christian ministry one, and to make myself one with this ministry. This helped me once I came to college. I came to play football but realized after a few weeks that playing football was not something I really wanted to do. I leaned hard on my training from camp and what I learned about love and hope, which helped me make my decision to end my football career and focus on my Christian ministry, and to feel good about that decision.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

Yes, and I actually still have my pamphlet where we took notes about love, hope, faith and learned about having a magnanimous soul. It helped me do an inner check and now I feel like I’m more strong in my faith, knowing that I am who I am and knowing that God will always be there to stand beside me.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The best thing about attending to me was The Great Race, although it was the most grueling thing I’ve done. The Great Race is a three-mile obstacle course for athletic training, but it also combined faith and spirituality. We all had to carry a wooden cross together, just like Jesus carried the cross, and all teammates had to have their hands on it while we traveled. It definitely was my favorite part because of the team atmosphere. Being able to compete with other Christians, going through that and holding the cross together, not being able to leave your teammates behind and having to find a common pace, traveling through the different steps that Jesus traveled through, was all amazing. And my team actually won which I loved. It helped me learn more about discipline as well.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

After the program ended I went into my senior year, and I became the financial secretary for my church’s district organization. After I graduated, I decided I wanted to continue my ministry and run for president of our state’s organization. Over the next five months of the campaign I was constantly being questioned about why I wanted to do this. This was around the same time I decided to focus on continuing my ministry outside of the sports realm. I lost the election by two votes, but I was appointed first vice-president, so I continued my ministry that way. Before COVID-19, I was also able to teach elementary Sunday school at my church. 

My ministry is teaching his word to my age group, and trying to let them know that he will always be there for them. I am getting more into his word and studying the book of Samuel, and I think my calling is to continue to stand and profess his word.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Definitely attend! Don’t let your thoughts hinder you from experiencing the camp. The first day is hard, but experience it to the fullest. Don’t be scared to be vulnerable - it makes the camp better. Take in everything you can and the entire experience. Give it a try! It’s worth it.

 

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

The camp experience helped a lot with my leadership skills and qualities I needed, both in sports and in life. It helped me become a better co-captain in high school and lead my team to a championship with my teammates. I was able to teach my teammates many of the principles I learned at camp.

These people assumed I was capable, and through their quiet encouragement, I began to believe that they were right.

 

Why did you attend the program?

As a rising high school senior, I was beginning to encounter a lot of the typical, “So what do you want to do with your life?” questions in conversation. I found myself frustrated by the amount of pressure and expectation I felt was being placed on me as a seventeen-year-old who knew nothing about the world. When I heard about Trailhead as a program that gave people my age tools to "Seek God's Call," I decided that instead of complaining about how unprepared I felt for the future, I could start preparing myself by attending Trailhead. 

 

What kind of questions or decisions were you struggling with?

Rather than wrestling directly with the question, "What do I want to do with my life?" I felt that I wrestled more with "How am I, at seventeen, expected to know the answer to a question like that?". I also felt that such questions were often limited to certain kinds of answers, namely ones that focused on a major and a career. I struggled a lot with the amount of expectations that I felt were being placed on me. Talking to others my age and hearing statistics about how commonly people change their major these days, I felt dishonest giving people confident-sounding answers to the questions they asked about my future. 

I guess my biggest struggle was finding a way to express myself as the clueless, unprepared child, who was ready for an exciting and disorganized adventure, that I felt I was when people seemed to expect me to be an ambitious, driven young adult confidently working towards a career. It was like people set out a map in front of me labeled "My Future" and asked me to chart a clear course, when all I wanted to do was explore freely, to get lost in the hills of the theatre arts department for a while, to camp out in “Desert of Undecided,” to wander aimlessly through the “Forests of Philosophy,” before eventually summiting the mountain of my true major. Not to mention that this map they laid out often used only academic markers. What about my spiritual growth? What about my ambitions to form lasting relationships? 

 

How was your experience during the event? 

At Trailhead, I was repeatedly surprised by how natural and fitting it felt to participate in reflective activities like lectio divina and listening groups. As a naturally introspective person, I felt very at home in an environment where deep reflection, silence and listening were valued. 

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

One of the biggest changes I noticed in myself was my perspective on what I abstractly referred to as "darkness." As an overly idealistic and optimistic person who had been sheltered for most of my life, I was terrified of being exposed to the darker realities of the world: violence, pain, vulgar language - all less than ideal. I feared that seeing the brokenness of the world would cause me to lose all hope, so I actively avoided the "darkness." 

At Trailhead, we had a lesson that focused on chronic pain and suffering that completely changed my perspective on this. As unhappy as I was that at the beginning of the session I was being exposed to the suffering in the world, I walked away astonished by a truth that should have been obvious to me from the beginning: even in the darkest of circumstances, God is still at work. Since then, I have seen darkness not as something that might snuff out the light, but as something that makes the light all the more beautiful and visible in contrast.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

Trailhead helped expand my understanding in a lot of areas. The program deepened my appreciation for art, created in me an awareness of the kind of social issues facing America, challenged my perspective on human suffering and enriched my understanding of hope. It helped me realize how much I still have to learn about the world, but in a way that made me feel excited rather than overwhelmed by all that I didn't know.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

Trailhead made me feel much better equipped for the future in multiple ways. Firstly, the program provided me with a lot of information about how certain parts of the world work. The tour of the Westmont campus and the city of Santa Barbara gave me a better understanding of what life in college might look like, and the sessions we had on art, chronic illness, race and justice and hope exposed me to a lot of important and valuable ideas. 

In addition, we were provided with a lot of resources for self-reflection, from practicing lectio divina to making collages, from going on a silent hike to sorting through our values on cards. The aspect of Trailhead that I found most helpful in making me feel prepared for the future was the way that those involved with the program treated its attendees. They believed in us and in our ability to learn, grow and make the world a better place. The amount of time, attention and effort that they invested in all of us filled me with a sense of optimism about my ability to handle the future. These people assumed I was capable, and through their quiet encouragement, I began to believe that they were right.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

It was very fulfilling and encouraging to me to find a community so dedicated to seeking God and thinking deeply. The best part about attending Trailhead was being in the environment that the program created - one of peace, honesty and earnest seeking.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

Since experiencing the community created at Trailhead, I've looked for opportunities to create similar communities in my own life. The year after Trailhead, as a senior going to a Christian high school, I worked really hard to be a spiritual leader of the school, mentoring people younger than me and trying to create similar places for reflection and honest conversation. As a writer, I've also tried to use art to address issues that I've encountered in the world, writing a play that encourages people to see others as human beings instead of labels and writing poems that challenge people to think outside of themselves.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Come in with an open mind and an open heart. What Trailhead has to offer could change your perspective and possibly even your life if you let it.

Attending YTI was single-handedly the most transformative event of my entire life and still impacts me to this day.

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) purely because my parents told me I was going, not because I wanted to go. Another family at my home church recommended YTI because their daughter had attended years ago, and that's how I ended up at YTI. I had no clue what YTI was about, what it would involve, or what it would have to do with me. I honestly thought it was just another regular summer camp my parents were putting me in to keep me busy during the summer.

 

What kind of questions or decisions were you struggling with?

I really wasn't struggling with any questions that I knew of at the time, again because I didn't know what YTI really was or what it was about. Obviously experiencing it first-hand was a huge shock to my reality and my world in a positive way.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

Attending YTI was single-handedly the most transformative event of my entire life and still impacts me to this day. It was so unexpected but so needed for me at that critical age and time-frame where I was ending my high school career and beginning my college career and entering young adulthood. My experience was challenging, comforting and uplifting. It consisted of a lot of deep soul-wrenching work that not only challenged my views but also challenged me to find and experience God in a deeper, new, authentic, real and lasting way.

 

What did it feel like to be there?

To be at YTI at a beautiful campus like Emory University in the buzzing city of Atlanta, Georgia, is like no other. Being in the atmosphere just somehow pushes you to want to learn and inquire more. The YTI staff and coordinators allowed us to engage with the local Atlanta community and this really did a wonderful job of expanding some of the theological practices, thoughts and ideas that they shared with us. Along with the practical in-group session studies we did, the out-of-group sessions we had were just as informative in building my new theological understanding and worldview.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

The biggest change I noticed when I returned back home after attending YTI was just how unsatisfied I was with the status quo that I had learned my entire life in my community, from my church, to my school, to my beliefs and practices. I felt boxed in after attending as life-giving and diverse an experience as YTI. The biggest change I noticed was just how unsettled I was with the norm and how I wanted to continue to push the boundaries after attending YTI.

As a result of this discontentment, when I went off to college I left God, the church and the Christian faith because I had a hard time reconciling the two differences of having an experience like YTI with coming back home to my community and still experiencing the same status quo there. It was so hard for me to reconcile the two that I left the church and the faith. As a result, it took me several years to come back to the faith. Once I was able to do that and really figure out who God was for me, I was able to perceive God in a new way.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

The primary point I learned from this experience is how boxed in we all are in our own worlds and the importance of expanding our view of the world. Attending YTI revealed to me how diverse and vast God in the Christian faith is. That was probably the most healing and empowering realization for me. Realizing that there are so many different ways to worship, praise and pray to God was transformative for me. I always make it a point, whether I'm relaxing or working, to push myself to read and understand different thoughts of the Christian faith from around the world. I want to make sure that I can continue to understand God in a new way, not just based upon Western understanding but a global understanding.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

I would be so bold as to say that every single student and peer who attended YTI with me are, without question, better prepared for the future and better prepared for what is to come, even so many years after attending the YTI program. What the YTI program did for us at a young age was stretch and challenge our norms and beliefs based upon the environments and cultures we came from. The program helped reveal to us how God can fit into many diverse beliefs and thoughts. That really applies to every occupation any of us eventually went into. As a result of YTI, I think we are all more open and can think critically about a lot of different ideas, views and beliefs. I think the diversity of so many beliefs in our own Christianity really left an indelible impact on us internally. It continues to allow our perception of the world to change, and will for the rest of our lives.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

For me, the best thing about attending YTI is the deep relationships that you make at such a young age with your friends and your peers. These relationships are a result of so much deep soul work you go through during the program. YTI does an amazing job of drawing students in from all across the globe and country. As a result, you meet so many different people from so many diverse backgrounds and realities. Those relationships and friendships really do last a lifetime, and that's something so unique to go through at a young age. The lifetime friendships that are born are so deep and authentic. That is one of the best things about YTI and this even includes relationships with staff.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

Attending YTI was the catalyst that would, around nine to ten years later, activate my calling to go into the ministry and work on becoming an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and to attend seminary. Without attending YTI I can confidently say that I don't think I would be on the path I am now in the place I am now. YTI was really one of the biggest life events that led me into the ministry and gave me a lot of the skills and talents I put towards the ministry. I also think it's important to add that I'm attending seminary at Emory University Candler School of Theology currently, the place where I first activated my calling ten years ago. God has a unique way of working in which it all comes back around full circle.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

The biggest piece of advice I think I would share with someone who is interested in attending the program is to keep an open mind, an open heart and prepare to do some challenging work. It is really hard to prepare someone for a YTI experience because there's literally nothing like it. If you go in with an open mind and heart and are willing to learn and challenge yourself you will come out as not only a better theological student, but as a better human being for the rest of your life. What the world needs at this point in time are people with a wide and broad worldview who are willing and able to challenge some of the norms in order to continue helping it evolve to be the place we all know it should be.

 

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

The last thing I want to share with people is that if you are a parent or pastor who is thinking about or curious about putting your child in the program, allow me to be the first to say you should do it. I can't emphasize enough the impact it has at that critical age where you're entering college and ending your teenage years. Having a moment that challenges and questions your beliefs as a young person prior to college has a huge impact on your life. You enter college with more confidence because you’ve done the hard work of beginning to figure out who you are in the world.

I took a small leap of faith and I went, and it was the best faith experience I have ever had in my life. 

 

Why did you attend the program?

The first year that I attended The Summit was in 2018. It had been recommended to me by my childhood youth director. Initially, I was very unaware about what the week would have in store for me, but over time the idea of attending grew on me. All I knew was that the disciples would be looking into what God is calling them to do in an occupational manor. 

We would end up doing this by taking the Birkman Personality Assessment and looking at where our great joys met the world's great needs in order to discover our vocation. The short version that was described to me was that we would look into how we as Christians can incorporate God in our occupations and careers. So, I took a small leap of faith and I went, and it was the best faith experience I have ever had in my life. 

The Holy Spirit was certainly encouraging me to go. Looking at it now, I think I wanted to go mostly because deep down I was searching for the next step, some movement, anything to reignite my interest in God. Up until the Summit, while I was a devout Christian, I had never actively pursued a quality relationship with God. The week would flip that around.

 

How was your experience working with the program?

At the Summit I was greeted by like minded people and some familiar faces. I knew a few of the other disciples and leaders, but for the most part the community was new. The group was quite inviting, which allowed me to open up and be myself, even embarrassingly so at times. Everyone lived in the dorms at the college in groups of two. We ate in the cafeteria and made use of most of the campus throughout the week. 

In regards to the faith portion of the week, the experience was very engaging and immersive. The questions and conversations were deep and challenging. Our minds were pushed to the limits and it felt great.

 

What was the best thing about working with the program?

I didn't realize it until I went to the Summit, but for most of my life I had been forgetting about God. I had never kept him in mind outside of church and I had never taken the time to realize what an amazing resource he is. The Summit taught me to communicate with him in a broader range of emotions, to not be so affixed to a single idea during prayer and to spend more time than ever before listening for his voice. 

As a result, I express more gratitude than ever before. I thank God for the good, the seemingly coincidental occurrences and for the troubling things in life for what they will make of me. When I make a request of God it is no longer for desired outcomes or for results. Instead I ask for opportunities. Opportunities to seize a desired outcome for myself and to find good in the most undesirable scenarios.

 

What do you think this program helps students learn about themselves, the world or ministry?

My first year in the Summit, as advertised, had a large focus on yourself and learning more about yourself and your connection with God. We discovered our vocation and how to incorporate our faith life within it. From the assigned personality assessment that I took, I learned about how I think, work and how others perceive how I operate. 

The results described how I function under stress or when I am most comfortable, what kind of environment I am most productive in, the things that best incentivise me, the way I take on leadership roles, my thought process, the way I express my opinions and thoughts, the ways that I devote my time and energy and my social energy or how I communicate. 

The results also explained how my personality would be best used in the workplace. For instance, I was advised against teaching or doing library related work, but my strongest area was in "Construction and Extraction," followed by "Business and Finance." These areas included jobs such as construction, carpentry, electrical work, auditing, giving financial advice and accounting. These recommendations included some surprising things as well, for example "Protective Services" such as law enforcement and firefighting. Considering that the test said that I am straightforward, a natural authority figure and can easily devote full attention to a given task, it made sense. 

This was a repeating theme in the test results. All of my peers and I would repeatedly say things like, "This is so me" or "Yeah, I can see that in myself,” and it felt nice to be so understood, even if it was from a packet of paper test results.

 

Do you feel students were better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? 

After not only one but two years of the Summit, I can undeniably say that I am not only better equipped for my future, but also more confident in it. I have a better relationship with God now than I ever have before in my life, and I am thrilled for not only the next steps in my faith life, but in my life's journey as a whole.

 

What was your favorite part of the program? 

The best part about having been through the Summit is that it introduced me to the Wesleyan Band Meeting, an amazing way to interact with other people of the same faith. At least from my experience, discussing my religion and personal faith experience outside of church is never an easy thing to do, but the Band has completely changed that. 

I certainly can't explain it as well as it has been explained to me, but in short, a Wesleyan Band Meeting is a group of at least two or more people, usually no more than five or six, who come together in God's name and discuss their deepest faith experiences. There are two sets of questions that can be used in these discussions, the original five and an advanced set, all of which are meant to draw out your deepest feelings to strengthen your connection with God. 

Some of the questions include, "How is it with your soul?" "Do you have any sins to confess?” and "What do you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you to do?". The primary goal of the meeting is not to be a time for confession, but instead for honesty, both with yourself and with God. It is not a time for advice or commentary from the other members of the Band and one of the best parts is that the meeting is completely confidential. 

A key part of the group is that before you start meeting, you decide to not share what's said in the meeting with people outside of the group. Being able to truly speak your mind is one of the greatest beauties of the Band. And while sometimes attendance or regularity of the meetings can be inconsistent, all of the members trust each other and we all have an interest in the Band. My Band has become a "rock" for me to build my life.

 

Did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement in general?

After two years of attending the Summit as a disciple (participant), I have since returned this last summer as a Trail Guide. While my participation in church has not increased significantly since, in my personal faith life and in Boy Scouts I have encouraged strengthening my relationship with God.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to lead a program like this?

As far as I know, eligible youth to be disciples are primarily recommended by a youth leader or reached out to by a previous Summit attendee. If you are offered an opportunity to participate, I highly recommend that you do. The experience was life changing for me, and I know that for anyone else with an open heart and mind to God it can be for them as well. 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended Encuentro primarily due to the recommendation of my Godmother who was familiar with Encuentro. She explained it and I immediately knew it would be perfect for me. I knew this would be a chance for me to express my faith with other high school students, as well as continue to grow spiritually. 

At the time, I was struggling with finding my purpose in life. My mind was taking me in so many directions that I felt I needed help listening to God’s calling. I hoped Encuentro would allow me to talk with others and gain more perspective of His will for me.

 

How was your experience during Enceuentro? 

I had the best experience of my life during my week at Encuentro. I met so many amazing people that I was able to easily relate to because of my faith and other shared interests. It felt refreshing to be around like-minded people who were going through some of the same struggles I was. 

Having the ability to openly and freely talk and express my feelings to others was something that I longed for, and having that chance helped me feel much better and reassured.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

I felt more reassurance and trusting of God’s plan for my life. I also felt re-energized and refreshed spiritually, and was more prepared than ever to go out and spread His word through my faith and actions. Encuentro gave me the foundation to take on a bigger role at my church and help me lead through different ministries around the parish.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry?

I learned to be a lot more receptive to God’s calling and that maybe not everything required so much looking into and overthinking. If I was meant to do something, I realized that God would make it readily apparent to me. I also learned that I am a fighter and will not let things overwhelm me. 

I was struggling at the time with a major, unknown health issue, and having the opportunity to pray over it and talk about it let me know that I had the support and prayers of others. Those moments taught me to fully trust God and allow Him to lead me through any obstacle, no matter how hard it may seem.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future? 

I do feel a lot more prepared for the future after attending Encuentro. I found ways to be more open and trusting to God’s plan. I also felt more sure about what I was doing and that I would be well prepared to face any challenge thrown my way.

 

What was the best thing about Encuentro?

The best thing about attending was the nights we sat around and shared our stories. After hearing others share their stories, it gave me the confidence and comfort to open up about what had been bothering me for over a year. 

The year before Encuentro, my grandfather had passed away, and during that time, I held on to so much regret for not being able to be there with my grandfather in his last moments. I had so many questions and struggles, and letting it all out took a major weight off my chest. That vulnerability and comfort with the other participants is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

We all had a big group hug after sharing our stories, and the love I felt in that room was indescribable. That moment was by far the best moment of Encuentro—and one of the best moments in my life.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

I engaged a lot more in ministry when the program ended. Myself, along with two other Encuentro friends/participants helped to create, organize and carry out a retreat for altar servers at our church. Additionally, I become much more involved with my church’s Life Teen program. I began helping to organize events, lead small group discussions and various other tasks for the program. Encuentro gave me the foundation to go out and more fervently live a servant’s life.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

I would tell anybody thinking about attending Encuentro to go ahead and do it. Go in with an open mind and be willing to interact with others. Choosing to attend the program was one the best decisions of my life, and I will forever hold close the memories I made at Encuentro. Choosing to go to the program will be something that you will never regret. Go to Encuentro and be willing to be receptive to God’s word and the words of others. Most of the participants will be in similar situations as you, and the advice and wisdom they can provide will help you get through any situation you face in life.

As a youth pastor, I have never encountered a Christian education curriculum like it. The program encourages students to love themselves fully and deeply. Its impact is invaluable.

 

What do you see as the value of the program?

The Youth Hope-Builders Academy is intentionally designed for African American youth. As a youth pastor, I have never encountered a Christian education curriculum like it. The program encourages students to love themselves fully and deeply. Its impact is invaluable.

 

How was your experience working with Youth Hope-Builders Academy?

My experience was wonderful! The lessons were easy to follow and adaptable for my context. The students were engaged, and it was evident that they enjoyed, and were challenged by, the experience. The initial training provided by Dr. Anne Wimberley and her team was phenomenal as well. We were able to hear success stories from congregations and organizations of varying sizes, and the stories of alum drove home the significance of this program.

 

What was the best thing about your experience?

The best thing about working with YHBA was the youth. The students were creative, insightful and bold. The beauty of this curriculum is that it can reach the shyest of kids. I often found that more reserved students tended to share the most. The youth were empowered to share their thoughts, and their confidence grew as their voices were affirmed.

 

How did you see students change during and after their participation?

The body image and conflict resolution sections were most impactful for our congregation. The students wrestled with societal beauty standards that they could quickly recognize as well as others that they thought they were actively avoiding, particularly the boys. 

The young men realized that they received messaging about their hair and bodies in some of the same ways that young women did. They, too, fell prey to manipulating their hair to be accepted (i.e., getting texturizers to loosen their curl patterns, wearing close haircuts or using multiple hair products to achieve the look of waves). 

After the program, I noticed that some students began to embrace their natural hair texture and were gentler with themselves and their bodies. Fat-shaming also decreased.

The conflict resolution section allowed students to identify their conflict resolution styles and adapt them as needed. The attention that YHBA gives to intracultural and intercultural conflict is incredibly helpful. It allows youth to navigate the racism and white supremacy they face within society and how that impacts their interactions with one another in their community. All youth seemed to walk away with increased self-awareness and compassion.

 

What do you think students learned about themselves, the world or ministry through this experience?

Youth Hope-Builders Academy is a truly holistic program. It deals intimately with the entire person: emotional, spiritual, psychological and physical. Youth are encouraged to love themselves for who they are, and to actively fight against societal pressures to change or confirm in negative ways. As they grow in self-love, they also learn how to love others better and see themselves as connected to a broader community.

 

Do you feel students are better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? 

I do think that students are equipped for their next stage in life. The program gave them increased confidence and helped several to assert themselves. Some students have also gone on to serve in leadership positions in youth ministry, the larger church and their communities.

 

How did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement in general?

YHBA requires "multiple hands and heads." Working alongside lay members who were dedicated to youth and their spiritual formation was great. It helped to strengthen me as a facilitator and enhance the experience for the students.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to lead a program like this?

My advice for someone leading this type of program would be to journey through the YHBA curriculum yourself, before leading students. It is essential to revisit your past and to negotiate emotions before facilitating the experience for others. This helps leaders to truly facilitate and not to “bleed” on the students due to unresolved trauma and psychological wounds. I found the experience to be quite healing myself.

It was the first time I felt comfortable asking deep questions about my faith and was not afraid of being a bad Christian because of my doubts and curiosity about the uncomfortable parts of my spirituality. 

 

Why did you attend a YTN program? 

My first time attending the Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics was the summer after my freshman year of high school. This was the inaugural class of the Gustavus Academy. I learned about this program from my pastor who felt like it would be a good opportunity for me. At my home church, I never really clicked with my youth group and I consistently felt as though all the exploration of my faith was very surface level. Additionally, I have always thought very logically—using science and reasoning to understand the world I live in. Instead of embracing that aspect of my identity in my faith life, I ignored it. When I was presented with the opportunity to attend the Gustavus Academy, I was excited about this new way of thinking. It was the first time I felt comfortable asking deep questions about my faith and was not afraid of being a worse Christian because of my doubts and curiosity about the uncomfortable parts of my spirituality. 

 

How was your experience during the event? 

I have attended the Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics since its beginnings in the summer of 2016. It is incredible to be a part of a community of learners, thinkers and fearless explorers. While at the Gustavus Academy, I not only felt intellectually challenged, I also felt heard and valued. From the leadership team, to the mentors, to the fellows involved in the Academy, each individual brings their own lived experiences as we all learn together. The week long program brings together people from all walks of life and creates an environment where all members are respected and appreciated.

 

How are you different?

Being a part of the Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics has changed how I view the world. I have become more able and equipped to look at challenges our world faces in a more holistic way. My involvement in the Gustavus Academy has fostered my ability to respond to and address issues by drawing on scientific reasoning and my spirituality. Additionally, I have learned to be comfortable with the uncomfortable—asking questions that I once felt scared to ask, exploring topics that have before seemed ‘off limits’ and using science and faith together to solve problems.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world or ministry at this time?

When exploring tough issues, it is easy to get bogged down in the negativity. However, one of the most important and impactful things that the Gustavus Academy has taught me is how to have hope. As I continue to learn more about the world I live in, I find myself seeing hope for the future—even with all the disaster, destruction, and suffering present in our world today. But this is not an innocent hope that comes from ignorance. This is a hope fueled by science and faith and an understanding of the power that these things hold. 

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

To be honest, the future is definitely scary right now. The Academy does not alleviate this fear. However, my experience has helped me to manage this fear and see hope for the future. Especially when sitting in a room full of individuals who deeply care about the injustices and suffering occurring in our world brings me comfort. So yes, I am scared for the future. But I also am hopeful. Hopeful because I know there are people just like me who want to enact change and will use every bit of their influence, intelligence, and strength to create a better future for us all.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The connections and community that is created in one short week are absolutely incredible. One of the most memorable and impactful parts of the Academy are the people. Not only do you become very close with your specific mentor group but you are also able to make connections with everyone involved. Some of the best discussions spark from lunch chats with presenters or transitional walks from one building to another. The Gustavus Academy draws people from all different walks of life, bringing diverse perspectives and understandings to the topics we are discussing. 

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

The Gustavus Academy opened up opportunities for me to be involved in ministry at Gustavus. I am currently a student worker for the Chaplain’s Office at Gustavus Adolphus College. This is an incredible experience as I am able to work closely with members of the Gustavus Academy leadership team and embrace my gifts and talents in an impactful and meaningful way. It also allows me to continue to explore my faith in new ways.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend a YTN program?

Going in with an open mindset allows you to get the most out of the experience. When exploring difficult topics and hard questions of faith, it is easy to get stuck in one way of thinking because it is more comfortable. But once you are okay with being uncomfortable, you open up new ways of thinking and learning that would otherwise be impossible. Being willing to explore these tough subjects comes from a willingness to ask tough questions and be okay with the unknown, because we do not have all the answers. The sooner we are able to explore without coming to a complete answer, the more equipped we are to grow in our faith and embrace the curiosity necessary to engage deeply with difficult topics.

FSI provided me with a personal outlet to serve and do on-the-ground ministry in a sphere which I feel passionate about: the sports world.

 

What do you see as the value of the program?

Faith and Sport Institute (FSI): Running the Race Well is a space that cultivates authenticity, vulnerability and self-exploration. We guide students to explore their own emotions and experiences in order to better understand themselves. 

FSI promotes theological learning that is both intellectually stimulating and experiential. We provide students with practical tools to live out their faith boldly in their everyday lives. FSI also provides like minded community. Students leave our retreat with new friends who are also striving to follow Christ and honor God within their sport and lives.

 

How was your experience working with the program?

I had an extremely positive experience working with FSI. I was placed into positions that both utilized my gifts and challenged me in beneficial ways. I really enjoyed partnering with other adults while getting to spend time with and invest in youth.

 

What was the best thing about working with your program?

I feel very strongly about FSI’s mission, so it was very easy for me to get on board. My personal values align with those of FSI, to serve and empower youth to be great in God’s way, both in sports and in life.

 

How did you see students change during and after the program?

I witnessed students become more vulnerable with others in small group time, gain confidence while interacting in larger groups, and during retreat activities, demonstrate leadership in the ways they served one another. In team activities, they grew bold in their uninhibited worship, practiced faith in their learnings about who God is and showed passion in their realization that they have many God-given talents.

 

What do you think this program helps students learn about themselves, the world, or ministry?

FSI teaches students that God’s character makes him the only one worthy of their worship and their identity is rooted irrevocably in Christ, not their performance or reputation. Excellence requires discipline and intentional habits. I think it also helps students learn to have hope in trials happening right now and hope for a future, and shows that they are uniquely gifted and positioned by God to serve his kingdom rather than their own.

 

Do you feel students were better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? 

Students that attend FSI are equipped with faith in God and confidence in themselves. They also obtained a theological foundation applicable to all areas of life. And they had positive experiences making new friends with people who are different from them.

 

Did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement in general? 

My role with FSI has shaped my career in the way that I have served as an intern, a part-time staff member and now a full-time staff member. FSI provided me with a personal outlet to serve and do on-the-ground ministry in a sphere which I feel passionate about: the sports world. I learned an abundance of practical ministry, professional and leadership skills in working for FSI. 

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to lead a program like this?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to start serving, just start serving. There is no job too small or too miniscule. Consider your passions and communities and serve people by listening, encouraging and challenging them. 

My participation in the program allowed me to become closer with many of my peers and exposed me to opportunities I would have otherwise never experienced. The Bridge Builders helped me through my grief and extinguished my growing cynicism and self-doubt.

 

Why did you attend the program?

In all honesty, I joined Bridge Builders for something else to do during my sophomore year in high school. However, I experienced a loss in December of 2017 that shook my faith and seeded it with doubt. Bridge Builders served as a place for me to cope with that loss without having to talk about it.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

The Bridge Builder program was very welcoming and gave many students a place to share while also encouraging faith and scholarship.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

My participation in the program allowed me to become closer with many of my peers and exposed me to opportunities I would have otherwise never experienced. The Bridge Builders helped me through my grief and extinguished my growing cynicism and self-doubt.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

During my time in the program, I realized that despite what we see in the media there are good people in the world that care. 

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

I do feel better equipped for the future before me. Thanks to Bridge Builders I have been given perspective and general people skills I was sorely lacking.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

Since the program, I have served as a guest speaker at many youth programs and church services, as well as worked to rebuild the community service organization I co-founded in high school. 

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

DO IT! The people at Bridge Builder's Tuskegee care and there is something there for everyone.

The program didn’t give me all the answers, but it did give me the curiosity to look for the answers myself: to research, to actively make change and to study the Bible. The program plants the seeds and from there you just grow. 

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended ENGAGE: Youth Theology Initiative because I have an elder and family friend at my church who mentioned the  program to me. He and my dad thought I had good leadership potential and that I would benefit from learning more about racial injustice and reconciliation with the church. They also thought it was important for me to interact with different theologies at a young age. At first, I thought it was just going to be another church camp and I wasn’t excited to go, but I’m so glad I did.

I had just gotten baptized prior to my first time at the program, and as a new Christian I was struggling with being thrown into something so important so soon. I felt I had more work to do on myself and needed to work on speaking up more and learning about racial reconciliation. I felt it would be hard for me to jump into something like Engage so early on. I also thought about going into ministry and still do now. I grew up as an elder’s kid and I’ve always had a talent for speaking publicly about God. I thought about turning that into a career and the program really helped me explore more of that and answer those questions.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

The experience is a rollercoaster. The people there are amazing and the friends you make while you’re there become lifelong friendships, even though you’re only with each other for ten days. I still talk to people from my first time at Engage, which was two years ago. We get serious and learn about what’s going on in the world, which can be a shock. It was definitely beneficial for me to have a dialogue and interact with others about these things. It’s fun, but it can get heavy and you have to be prepared for that. This is serious stuff they are preparing you for.

The staff is also amazing. Clare has been very helpful, especially with my decision about Lipscomb. Attending the program was my first time on Lipscomb’s campus, and I wasn’t even thinking about college at the time as I was in 10th grade, so she really helped me make that decision. I still keep in touch with all of the staff and still look to them as mentors and friends. I know that they have my back with anything that I choose.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

I became even more vocal about my faith after the program. It also helped me to be more vocal about things I knew weren’t right and reassured me that I’m on the side of justice. I became more comfortable with the fact that not everyone is going to agree with me when I say something is wrong, but there are other people in my corner to help me know I’m not alone. These were big changes that happened as a result of the program.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

About myself, I learned that I have to take in what I believe and not just something my parents or elders believe. I have to create my own theology and be comfortable in doing that. At the time, it was difficult because of the church I grew up in. I had to learn how to be accepting of other denominations and religions and learn how to be inclusive of people who are different from me. I also confirmed that my theology is following the greatest two commandments in the Bible, loving God and loving others as yourself. That solidified how I want to go about conveying the Gospel to people.

About the world, I learned a lot about the history of the church, its background and how it has been exclusive of people who are different. I learned more about the inequalities in the church, especially regarding women, people of color and minorities and LGBTQ people. I learned about the church’s role in that and where it can improve.

Regarding ministry, the program opened my eyes to the fact that you don’t have to be a preacher to be involved with ministry. That’s not the only role there is. You’re actively participating in ministry just by being a child of God and telling other people about that. 

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future? 

Yes, I do feel better equipped for the future. The program didn’t give me all the answers, but it did give me the curiosity to look for the answers myself: to research, to actively make change and to study the Bible. The program plants the seeds and from there you just grow. 

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The best thing about attending were the other campers. Everyone was so respectful of others, even if they had different opinions. We all listened to each other. It was awkward the first few days because no one knew each other, but after those first days we all became best friends. The people there were definitely the best part.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

I’ve attended a few protests and have been more involved in social justice since the program. I’ve also been getting more involved on Lipscomb’s campus and in trying to make it more inclusive for people of color. I joined the Black Student Union and Collegiate 100 and participating in things like that on campus has helped me show people of color that this is a place that can welcome them.

In the future, I definitely want to see whether divinity school is the right fit for me. Otherwise, I will try to take on more of a leadership role in church. I also might plant a church somewhere and am considering that.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Be willing to hear out all problems. Be open minded and don’t react to everything you hear immediately. Really listen to what you’re hearing and wrestle with it. I think every kid should go through a program like Engage. That way, they’ll be able to see people that are different from them and be ok with that. I loved the program.

 

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

It’s a challenge, but it’s a good challenge to have and a good problem to run into. Sometimes you’ll cause trouble, but like John Lewis said, “Get into good trouble.” So get into that good trouble!

I often consider my experience working with this program one of the most formational things I truly have ever been a part of.

 

What do you see as the value of the program? 

In my eyes, the One Bread One Cup program at St. Meinrad provides everyone involved with an authentic experience into the beauty of liturgy and community. Following the Benedictine’s model, all of the high school and adult participants receive a glimpse into the monastic way of life, which I believe has the power to work wonders for the soul. 

Everyone coming to the Hill (St. Meinrad) brings “life” from the outside, whether that is school, work, family, or just general busy-ness and stress. Over the course of the five-day liturgical conference, the students have the opportunity to dive deep into theological reflection groups (small faith sharing groups) to talk and pray. 

The unique and special part about this program, though, is that the students do not just dive into faith sharing groups, but they also receive an immersion into the beautiful liturgy of the Catholic Church, both the liturgy of the hours and the mass. To navigate this five day journey, the students have amazing college interns as leaders who are there to journey with them. I believe an experience like this opens a door in the students’ hearts to pursue Christ in a new way - through community but also in the liturgy.

 

How was your experience working with the program?

I often consider my experience working with this program one of the most formational things I truly have ever been a part of. Three factors contribute to this – the community, the liturgy and the Hill.

As part of the collegiate intern community, I became a better man, friend, minister and Catholic. Through the sharing of meals, prayer and frisbee games, I learned so much about others as well as myself. This community also consisted of lay staff members and a monastic presence that provided a true sense of stability and guidance over the course of the summer.

As a convert myself, I had become intrigued with the mass and the liturgy in my latter years of high school, but the liturgy at St. Meinrad, whether that be with the monks or as an intern or conference community, is something I had never felt before. I think one comes to appreciate and acquire a sense of true love for the liturgy when they have the opportunity to actively participate and help lead. Whether that is through bringing up the gifts, reading at mass or chanting the psalms, it makes the glimpse of heaven of the liturgy just a bit bigger.

St. Meinrad, the Holy Hill, is a truly sacred ground. From the beautiful Archabbey to Monte Cassino to the monks who walk the grounds each day, St. Meinrad has the ability to draw the best out of people, and when I say best, I mean a process where the true and holiest versions of self very slowly become exposed. As part of the intern interviews, all applicants spend one night at the Hill, and many say that this one night has changed them for the better forever even if they do not work as an intern.

 

What was the best thing about working with your program?

The best thing about working with the program is that the entirety of the program is focused on Christ through the liturgy. The focal point is never myself, the high school participants, the adults or even the monks. The focal point is Christ. Whether we are in the chapel or preparing the high school students to lead liturgy in the chapel, there is a common direction. With this being said, the meals, games and conversations all allow fellowship and friendship to arise.

I believe that our faith is rooted in relationships. Firstly, our relationship with God, and secondly, our relationship with others. I leave every high school conference with a deepened appreciation for my relationship with God and so many new, awesome people!

 

How did you see students change during and after the program?

My hope for each conference is that students emerge as better versions of who they are truly meant to be. For some, this is a renewed sense of faith and life that eases burdens they might have been carrying because they were able to attend reconciliation and talk in their theological reflection group. For others, you see them emerge as leaders based on how they took charge of their role in the liturgy. Oftentimes for some, you will see a true excitement about their experience at St. Meinrad with the liturgy and a genuine desire to go back to their youth group and begin to be more active. All of these are blessings and all of these are gifts that come from OBOC. It is really neat to see who receives what gift.

 

How do you think this program helps students learn about themselves, the world, or ministry?

I believe the One Bread One Cup Program helps students receive an authentic experience with a ministry they might not be as familiar with. What makes this program so unique and needed in this world is that it trains young men and women in the liturgy, including both the mass and the liturgy of the hours. Students have the ability to break away from negative stereotypes about being religious, being Catholic, or what have you, and they receive a true glimpse into the foundation of the Catholic Church – the liturgy. I believe this will forever change these young men and women’s viewpoints on ministry and their place in the Catholic Church.

 

Do you feel students were better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? 

I believe a true cornerstone to this program is that it is led by college interns, ranging from 18-22 years old. The college interns serve as catechists, theological reflection group leaders and more. Over the course of the week, the students get to engage with and learn from the college interns. They also get to listen to a discipleship panel, often hearing from a variety of people including vowed religious, ordained priests, lay people, one of the college interns and married couples. In addition to this, there is a lot of time to just talk and pray with one another about hopes and dreams. Through the exposure to a lot of various ways to live one's call to holiness, I believe the high school students become better equipped in discerning their own next steps.

 

Did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement in general? 

Absolutely! My experience as an intern has greatly shaped my career and ministry engagement. During my college experience, I was able to help lead the RCIA program on campus as well as help out with other campus ministry opportunities. One of my favorite things is to journey with people on their walk of faith while realizing that we are all learning and growing together. Based on the skills and knowledge from OBOC, I felt more equipped to serve in these ways. 

Today I serve as a Social Studies Educator at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis where I am excited to be part of a rich culture of the faith. I am hoping I can put some of my experience to use with school liturgies, retreats, in the classroom or just through conversations with students.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to lead a program like this?

Never look at yourself or your past and say you should not lead a program like this. God calls us to a renewed sense of holiness and we all can inspire others by being the truest versions of ourselves. Go for it – my prayers are with you.

It felt like we were in a safe space and we were never judged based on how we expressed ourselves.

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended the Bridge Builders program for several reasons. Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to learn more about myself and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. My best friend’s mom thought it would be a great program for us to be involved in.

During the program, I was struggling with voicing my opinions and expressing myself. I was unsure about what kind of schools I wanted to attend after high school.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

My overall experience was GREAT! I met so many different kinds of people and I loved being there. During the program, I became closer with my classmates and I learned more about their personal struggles and experiences.

It felt like we were in a safe space and we were never judged based on how we expressed ourselves.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

During my last year of the program, I noticed how I became more confident in expressing myself and I knew I wanted to attend a Historically Black College/University. I also decided to get baptized earlier this year in January and I have since become closer with God and my inner self.  

As a result, I am a totally different person than I was when I first started the program. I have grown tremendously! I am stronger mentally and emotionally. Although I am still growing, I know who I want to be. I am confident and able to express myself willingly.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

At the time, I learned that I did not know God (or I wasn’t trying to), I did not know myself and I had not developed a plan for after graduation because I was only in ninth or tenth grade.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The best thing about attending the program was having the opportunity to tour HBCUs in different states and connecting with different kinds of people.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Get everything you can get out of the program. Do not be afraid to express yourself. If you need help with anything, ASK. There is no such thing as a dumb question. Learn as much as you can and use it to your advantage. 

I found that in my favorite and most memorable discussions, I asked the most questions. 

 

Why did you attend the program?

My relationships with mentors and leaders started to take early form around middle school. Their insight and guidance in my decision making through high school led me through times of challenges to good, healthy living. Being a very relational person, I wanted to explore the type of lifestyle I want to aim for and explore how God fits into the plan, all in a small setting with inspiring people and experienced leaders around me. 

I attended Trailhead during the summers of my junior and senior years when applying for colleges was in full swing. I was torn between a couple of schools and was being sold different academic paths that I did not know how to navigate. Besides seeking guidance from the faculty that was made available to me, I looked forward to questioning the Westmont student leaders because I was interested in their experience at college.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

Trailhead was different from any summer camp I attended because I only knew one person going into it. Before we made the trip to Santa Barbara, our mentors from home encouraged us to spread our wings and pursue the other students attending. It was awkward at first, but after an evening of ice breakers and a full day together the community I hoped to find was there. We shared a lot of laughter and fun. 

Trailhead was moving because it was the first time my thinking was called to a higher level in our discussions. The questions and thoughts we were guided through seemed big, but the best part was the small conversations we had between breaks with the speakers and student leaders. They encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones and were not satisfied with, “I don’t know.” We were engaged and our thoughts were vocalized and heard. Those were the moments when I felt my eyes open and my perspectives change.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The Trailhead experience is best enhanced when its participants are curious and willing to ask questions. Not only does this add to the depth of information discussed, but it also tailors the conversation to the audience. I found that in my favorite and most memorable discussions, I asked the most questions. 

My favorite talk was on Game Theory led by Professor Manlapig. I enjoyed strategizing and trying to outwit my partners in a simulation he set up. He explained all of the different choices we could make and the different outcomes that could occur. The greater the number of points won, the greater the risk of losing all of your points. 

This paradox really upset me because I wanted to win, but I didn't want to risk it. I remember asking him why people did not make the other choice, which was to split the rewards evenly. He explained that the option did sound ideal; however, no one would win and you can't always guarantee that your competitor will work with you. Well, I didn't believe in my ability to convince my competitor to work with me, so I took risks and ended up losing a lot of points. The experience was a small part of my decision to attend Westmont, and today Professor Manlapig is one of my teachers and academic advisors in college.

The way I look at life has completely changed. I’m much more intentional in my thinking and interactions with the people around me.

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) because I was struggling at the time with my faith and wanted to gain a new perspective so that I could better understand why we do the things we do in religious practices. I was also interested in gaining a theological perspective on social justice issues since my school doesn’t really explore those “touchy” subjects.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

It was eye-opening. My expectations were very low, and I honestly thought it was going to be some shallow exploration answering some of the more obvious questions. Once I got there, however, I was blown away at how deep into conversations we would dive, asking questions students usually wouldn’t think to ask in a normal classroom. I felt a sense of camaraderie as we spent more time talking and diving into concepts that you wouldn’t even think about if you weren’t pushed. It’s a time I don’t think I could ever forget. 

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

The way I look at life has completely changed. I’m much more intentional in my thinking and interactions with the people around me, interpreting, analyzing and examining people’s words, actions and demeanor. I look at the world in small systems now, rather than thinking there’s this one superpower governing us all. Now, I don’t determine how I should treat people. Now, I give people my respect and try to do good by them, regardless of who they are.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

I learned how ignorant I was of the world. I learned that the world is constantly changing and how much people of all walks of life truly intersect with each other. I learned that I have a duty as a young person to contribute my energy to those who need it most: those within my community.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

I do feel better equipped because I feel more sensitive to what’s going on around me and I’m able to communicate my thoughts more effectively than I used to.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

The best thing for me is that they break the typical hierarchy of teacher and student. Rather, they come with the notion of “we are all here to learn together and learn from each other.” I believe that’s what encouraged me to be able to be open and expressive about what I was thinking, which helped me have the best experience that I could.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Be prepared to be pushed intellectually and morally. There are going to be concepts you may not understand, or there may come a time when a question is asked that makes you look at something from a different view.

The experience at OBOC is unlike any other. There is a certain peace and welcoming presence at Saint Meinrad that has been unparalleled in my life. I felt, in the span of a few days, as though I had a real home.

 

Why did you attend the program?

My first time at One Bread One Cup was during the summer after my freshman year. I was only invited to go because someone else had dropped out of attendance and my parish had been allotted three spots. I initially agreed because I believe that there is not an opportunity that isn’t worth trying. However, I was simultaneously apprehensive because I didn’t know what experience I was in for. I only knew two other people who would be there, one of whom was my brother and the other his friend. I was worried I would be terribly out of place, but my fears were quickly put to rest upon arrival.

 

How was your experience during the event? 

The experience at OBOC is unlike any other. There is a certain peace and welcome present at Saint Meinrad that has been unparalleled in my life. I felt, in the span of a few days, as though I had a real home. Everyone I met had come to OBOC with an open heart, wanting to be the truest version of themselves, which made it incredibly easy to connect with people and form true bonds. Though I was nervous going into the week, I wholeheartedly embraced my time there and that made all the difference. Each day I woke up with a feeling of complete happiness and there wasn’t a single event that I didn’t enjoy.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed after? 

Coming back home from OBOC was like being woken up from a wonderful dream by a bucket of ice water being thrown over me. I felt blissful all week long and I hated having to go back to “reality” after my perfect week. When I was at OBOC, I felt like a different person. I was the person I wanted myself to be. It took me a couple of days and a tearful conversation with my mom to realize that the “me” I had been at OBOC was still in myself and that I had not only gone on the retreat for myself, but to be a service to my community. In the weeks following my return, I became more involved in my church by lectoring and helping plan masses. To this day, I think of the bright, excited, open-hearted person I was at OBOC and I strive to hold on to those qualities in myself. Indisputably, OBOC made me into a better and happier person.

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world, or ministry at this time?

Before One Bread One Cup, I believed in God. I never doubted his existence, righteousness and power. After One Bread One Cup, I loved God. I wanted to live my life in service to him and feel his love envelope me. Attending OBOC gave me the opportunity to bond with others in my position and discuss perspectives on faith that I’d never considered before. That opportunity, combined with the daily theological workshops, prayer time and several sacraments resulted in me finally feeling on fire for my faith.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending? 

Going forward in life, I am incredibly grateful to have grown from One Bread One Cup. I learned invaluable things about my faith, but outside of that I also learned a myriad of practical skills. I am a much better public speaker due to the training I received in my Liturgical Formation Sessions. Additionally, OBOC made me open myself up to new people and experiences, so I feel excited for the future because I now know how to remain true to myself and my values despite fluctuating environments.

 

What was the best thing about attending?

While there were countless amazing aspects to One Bread One Cup, the best overall part of my experience was the peace that I felt while there. The easy calm was a beautiful, wonderful gift and I have carried that peace within me ever since I left. It has given me a reprieve when I most needed it. 

What I felt at OBOC was evidence to me that all my worldly troubles would someday melt away, leaving just me and God and feeling forgiven and entirely accepted. I got my own tiny taste of heaven while at Saint Meinrad and it has made me endlessly comforted ever since.

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program, or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

My first time attending One Bread One Cup, I was in the Proclamation of the Word Liturgical Formation Session (LFS). Following that I became a lector at my church. My second year at OBOC, my LFS was Preaching in the Liturgy of the Hours. Initially, I doubted that this would really lead me to much more than improved expression in my theater class, but I actually found a passion for preaching and went on to deliver witness talks at Confirmation retreats for my parish, events for other parishes in my town and even the 2019 National Catholic Youth Conference. Thanks to my time with my Preaching LFS, a whole new path has been opened to me and I plan to find a career that enables me to continue preaching to others about faith.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

If you have the chance to go to One Bread One Cup, take it. Take it and do it up right. Fully participate in every workshop, take the time to be honest with yourself and God, contribute to conversation, be loud, be friendly, be kind, talk to new people, holler and run while playing Ultimate Frisbee, wake up early for prayer with the Monks, wear your goofiest hat and dance your heart out at the Crazy Hat Dance and never tell yourself that you’re less holy or at home than anyone else there. Almost everyone goes into a new situation and feels like a fish out of water, but if you immerse yourself in the experience you’ll find that, without even trying, you developed lungs and legs. OBOC was one of the best experiences of my life, and if I had been too timid and surrendered to the voice in my head telling me to go back to my room, I never would have become the person I am today. So take your chance and rejoice in it!

 

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

OBOC offers an unmatched atmosphere of community love. I was enamored with the experience after my first year and upon returning for a second summer I was heartbroken. I was with a new group of people in the second year and I missed my old friends. I wanted to go home, but I knew that was an impossibility. So, after my first silently despairing hour, I made the decision to try to enjoy myself. I had an entirely new experience; it was different from the year before in every way, but equally as impactful and moving. I believe that is due to that unique atmosphere. I don’t know for sure what creates it, but it is my belief that everyone who attends OBOC comes with the opportunity to present themself as the person they want to be, and in doing so they let go of their judgement of other people and replace it with hope. Thanks to One Bread One Cup, I was able to have my hopes fulfilled.

This program helps students feel empowered to ask questions, see multiple viewpoints and dig deeper into answers without fear of doubt invalidating their understanding of the world. 

 

What do you see as the value of the program?

I saw students struggling with how to reconcile the perceived conflict between science and religion, which was either learned explicitly or avoided. It is always framed as a debate rather than a dialogue where they coexist and inform one another. The fellows (our name for the students who attend the academy) learn this through discussion and self-reflection, the academy itself provides resources and the space to question what they know. The program is priceless!

 

How was your experience working with the program?

Fantastic! I heard about The Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics its second year, my sophomore summer of college. I applied and thought I knew what it would look like: learning, planning, then teaching the fellows. After the first day of the Summer Intensive, it became clear it would be a collaborative space between everyone. We ended up mirroring what we were learning. 

 

What was the best thing about working with your program?

The best thing about working with the program was the community of students, including the presenters, organizers, mentors and fellows. Everyone learned from one another in an uplifting way, seeking out opportunities to learn through art, discussion, reading and reflection. The academy is intersectional and different every year based on the theme, people involved and the world. It isn't isolated or static. It always evolves and strengthens the same mission. 

 

How did you see students change during and after the program?

I saw them open up to one another and the mentors. I saw them challenge what they and what the presenters knew, unafraid to ask questions and dig into the answers. I saw them grow in vulnerability with one another and form friendships from knowing no one. From my time at the Academy, I know those friendships last from year to year. One fellow, who at the start of the week was very skeptical, at the end of the summer intensive gave a presentation that explained his doubts surrounding faith and science that the academy didn't shame him for. 

 

What do you think this program helps students learn about themselves, the world, or ministry?

I think it helps students feel empowered to ask questions, see multiple viewpoints and dig deeper into answers without fear of doubt invalidating their understanding of the world. It shows an evolving faith that reacts to the world in practice. It shows different people living their vocations in a variety of ways while joining together through a commonality. 

 

Do you feel students were better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? If so, how?

At the end of the Summer Intensive, we ask students to develop something they will present to their communities back home. This can take on the form of a vision board, a song, powerpoint, or anything they are called to share. This step empowers them to bring what they've learned and discovered home. Again and again, students return to the academy either as fellows or senior fellows. It is a testament to how the learning never stops. 

 

Did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement in general? If so, how?

Absolutely! The Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science, and Ethics sparked a joy of interdisciplinary learning, conversation and advocacy in the ways we are individually called to. I am informed and empowered through what I've learned at the academy: bodyself, activism, intersectionality in dialogue, exploring the physical world around us, new ways of worshiping, asking questions, engaging faith and doubt as an important part of faith. I've grown from the experiences as much as the fellows. 

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to lead a program like this?

It is interdisciplinary work that is endlessly collaborative. You will try something then learn to do something even better from people who are passionate about seeing success. No year will look the same.  

FSI gave me practical and useful tools to cope with my anger. Two important tools I use are focal points, reminding me that I am playing for the glory of Jesus, and any time I step on the court I remember that I am representing Jesus. 

 

Why did you attend the program?

I attended Faith and Sport Institute (FSI): Running the Race Well after being invited earlier in the year. I knew nothing about it before applying to attend.

 

How was your experience during FSI?

I enjoyed every minute of FSI. It pushed me farther than I ever thought that I could be pushed. I grew so much in my faith and pursuit of Jesus. It felt like such a privilege and a blessing to be invited to such a spectacular and top-notch program.

 

What were some of the changes you noticed in yourself during this experience?

I felt free and full of peace after leaving FSI—like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. All of the pressure that I used to put on myself, specifically in sports, just didn’t seem to matter as much anymore. I know that Christ has called me to so much more than just sports, but it is also powerful and he uses sports for his glory. 

I grew in love as well. Sports used to make me angry if I wasn’t perfect at something or if someone like an opponent or teammate upset me. FSI gave me practical and useful tools to cope with my anger. Two important tools I use are focal points, reminding me that I am playing for the glory of Jesus, and any time I step on the court I remember that I am representing Jesus. 

 

What did you learn about yourself, the world or ministry?

I learned that it is okay to be passionate about things, even to the fullest extent sometimes known as “extra” because the Lord gives us passions and talents. The difference is that those are meant to be used all for his glory and not for our own gain. 

I also learned about what the “world” has trained us to think about ourselves and others in the sports world: things like you have to view others as enemies or negative self-talk. For ministry, it is less in our words and more in our actions.

 

Do you feel better equipped for the future after attending?

One hundred percent—especially with the specific tools they gave us that will last a lifetime. It is definitely not something that I will ever grow out of. 

 

What was the best thing FSI?

The friendships and mentorships created were my favorite part. I still keep up with them today! It’s great to have people like that in your corner who are always there and rooting for you!

 

How have you engaged in ministry since the program or how do you plan to be engaged in ministry in the future? 

I feel like I am more intentional. I served as a camp counselor this summer and reflecting back on my time at FSI, I used so much of what I learned and brought it with me to camp.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to attend?

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. FSI is meant to push you to your limits: spiritually, mentally and physically. Get ready for a week you will hold dear to your heart for the rest of your life. If you are on the fence about attending, take a chance!

I would say that the transformation that I saw and heard in the youth was the most inspirational thing. Given the space to explore, ask questions, learn from professionals and be in community with all of the people the Academy gathers together was just incredible. It was wonderful to witness the positive change that had occurred, to remember the lessons expressed and to see the vibrancy in the high school students.

 

What do you see as the value of the program?

The value of the Gustavus Academy for Faith, Science and Ethics (GAFSE) lies in its intentionality. Oftentimes, high school students struggle with the unity of faith and science, in part and in my opinion, because fundamental-leaning theologies are often the “louder” Christian perspectives in today’s world. 

While healthy questioning and growth in faith is spurred by environments that support inquires and creativity, this pursuit can often be discouraged or simply not presented in many settings as youth grow up. 

GAFSE offers an intentional, valuable learning environment through its encouragement of sincere, applicable faith growth. It is an open-minded and wonderfully unusual space! Youth crave vibrant action, exploration and learning (which reflects the pursuit of scientific learning), forward thinking, and mature ways to explore faith. Not only do high schoolers enrich their own orientation to the world and self through the Academy, but their education also turns outwards. 

The Academy, through its intentionally liberal and timely focus, equips and affirms youth in a world deeply in need of creative solutions.

 

How was your experience working with the GAFSE?

The experience working with GAFSE was life-changing! Not only did I help youth explore new perspectives on the unity of faith, science and ethics—including how our bodies are theological, the deep, spiritual importance of soil, and ethical ramifications of climate change—but I learned so much myself. 

The Academy is rooted in the idea of vocation and how every person has various callings, and these callings are supported and affirmed by pursuits of justice and scientific learning. Bringing these ideas to youth inspires them and leaves a lasting impression. My experience in this environment was one of deep learning, rejuvenation and hope.

 

What was the best thing about your experience?

I cannot choose the “best” thing about working with the program. That said, I would say that the transformation that I saw and heard in the youth was the most inspirational thing. 

Given the space to explore, ask questions, learn from professionals and be in community with all of the people the Academy gathers together was just incredible. It was wonderful to witness the positive change that had occurred, to remember the lessons expressed and to see the vibrancy in the high school students.

 

How did you see students change during and after the participation?

I saw the GAFSE students grow in confidence. The high school students I got to know changed in terms of their ability to wrestle with present-day issues such as land-use and climate change. The growth was rooted in an ability to grasp and appreciate complexity. 

Rather than seeing an issue as definitively “right” or “wrong,” the Academy helped students wrestle with the inherent ambiguity of the world. Subsequently, students began to embody the notion that the process of questioning (scientifically, theologically and ethically) is an honest and helpful process. 

The liberty to engage in complexity, learn from professionals and reflect openly truly boosted the youths’ overall confidence as thinkers. GAFSE is a program that creates space for muti-faceted learning opportunities, and this space changed high school students by affirming their quests for understanding.

 

What do you think students learned about themselves, the world or ministry?

The Academy helps students learn that faith is an active force lived out in a real, complex and resilient world. And it helps students learn that faith can truly be applied to their own internal ponderings. 

GAFSE dismisses compartmentalization and encourages broad minds, scientific processes of exploration and ethical perspectives. Students learn that in a dynamic world with an unending stream of injustices, they can make a difference by leaning into their own callings. Ministry and vocational applications take many forms, change, and are all valid. 

Finally students learn that faith can be applied in ways that heal.

 

Do you feel students are better equipped for their next step or stage of life after attending? 

Yes. Students are undoubtedly better equipped for whatever their next step in life may be after the Academy. Through the process of wrestling with ambiguity, learning methods for opening their minds to unusual perspectives and engaging in mature conversations on ethics, Academy Fellows leave with important tools for living more justly, and are aware of the ramifications of their actions. Furthermore, the skills of active listening, open dialogue and experience of learning from different perspectives help equip students for any next step.

 

Did this experience shape your career or ministry engagement?

The experience of learning during the Academy shaped my ministry engagement. Learning skills in small group facilitation, exploring new perspectives alongside the high school Fellows and leading collaboratively helped me gain skills both relationally and educationally. 

Being placed in leadership positions, my perspective on ministry engagement oriented towards listening and engaging with different points of view. I learned to value the ambiguous struggle of “understanding” and “what ministry looks like” in a way that was affirmed and practiced. 

Moreover, the Academy helped me advance my understanding of how important relationship building is for ministry engagement.

Additionally, at Gustavus I was an environmental studies major with a religion minor. During the summer Academies, I was a mentor alongside other college students, and we facilitated discussions, developed curriculum, and led recreational activities for the high school Fellows. 

Now in seminary, I am in a two-year master of arts program. My studies will focus on practical theological classes, and I have a concentration in justice and reconciliation. I want my education to continually turn outward as I learn more about faith and different theological perspectives. 

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to lead a program like this?

If someone were interested in leading a program like this, first and foremost, I would say to just go for it! Give it a try with trusted leaders alongside you and you’ll learn along the way. As for advice, I would just urge a new program to be rooted in current, timely events and issues, to leave lots of room for youth to generate their own ideas on the subject and to offer multiple perspectives/lenses in which to view the issue. Create space for inquiry, learning and collaboration.