Belonging, Believing and Beholding

When we talk about transformation in ministry, we often focus on the moment of belief and the instant someone says “yes” to faith. But as this next story shows, belief rarely happens in isolation.

We recently invited ministry leaders to share moments when God’s Spirit showed up in their work.  It's so inspiring to see the wins that remind us why we do this and that we're not alone. Anna Schulten, Campus Minister at University of Southern Indiana sent this story, and it captures exactly what Faithful Futures is about:

Our college campus held a retreat this fall, and had a powerful moment of prayer during adoration on Saturday night. Our team leader went to each small group leader and washed his or her feet, then knelt and prayed with them. Then each small group leader washed the feet of each member of their small group, praying individually with each student. After a weekend of growing as a small group through moments of joy and vulnerability, each student was served in humility: seen, known, loved by their mentor and their peers.

One particular student, we’ll call her “Sarah” (not pictured), has been loosely affiliated with our ministry for the past year, and was struggling with some anxiety and mental health issues. She shared her struggles with one of our team members, and during prayer, had the physical sensation and imagined prayer of Jesus holding her hands and calming her heart. The next morning, when she woke up, her heart was still at peace and her mind was free from racing thoughts.

How did Sarah arrive at this moment of transformation? 

• It began with her open heart, and her connection with our community (through a bible study and large group formation events). She began to build relationships with her peers, and from this place of belonging, was courageous enough to say “yes” to attending a retreat. 

• Our team provided a prayerful space for encounter - for all students to experience a moment of “beholding.” We facilitated this prayerful space, but we can’t guarantee that anyone will have a transformative experience with the Holy Spirit. We make a space, and we pray that God shows up powerfully for these students. If their hearts are open, and if it is for their good, he does.

• From this moment of beholding Christ’s presence in her life, Sarah had a choice: she could embrace the experience as authentic, and change her life as she grows in believing, or she could shrug it off as a fluke and keep living in the comfort of “this is how I’ve always been.” Again, we can’t guarantee that Sarah makes the right choice. But we can be present to her in that moment, and make that invitation to go deeper with Christ.

• After the retreat, Sarah will come down from her mountaintop experience, and be faced with the challenges of everyday life. To help her grow into her new and authentically Christian life, Sarah will need a community, where she experiences that sense of belonging, and has people around her to support and encourage her on the journey. And the circle continues.

That posture of curiosity, reliability, and presence is at the heart of Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Younger Generations. Stories like this remind us that the next generation isn’t unreachable. They’re just waiting for someone to listen long enough for faith to take root.

If you’ve seen God move through simple acts of presence, we’d love to hear your story too. Find out more at www.futureoffaith.org/faithfulfutures

Stay updated on Anna's work and her ministry on socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evdioyouth

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