Also Curious
“I used to go to church at least once a month with my family before I went to college,” Alex said, “But when I went to college I didn't really do that anymore.” He wasn’t necessarily looking for a faith community, but he didn’t shy away from one either. He just hadn’t quite found what he needed at that point in his life.
“I remember Sarah was at the Welcome Week Luau and handed me a popsicle and a card that said ‘Come to Food For Thought’ and I said ‘I remember that club from my freshman year! I'm absolutely going to go!’” He admits that he was mostly interested in the free food at first, but he was also curious about the conversations the group was having from week to week.
“For me it was a really good space to figure out things I didn't even think I had questions about and I appreciated that there was a place for that on UNF’s campus. I really enjoyed the conversations of current events mixed with Sarah’s views and how she would listen to us and integrate how it relates to faith.” Alex became a part of our leadership team and invited people to join the community. He found the combination of faith and life– the basis for Food for Thought gatherings– to be particularly helpful.
“Jacksonville Campus Ministry turned into an outlet to explore my journey into what faith means to me and the place it has in my life. Sarah listened to our faith stories and our thoughts– and it wasn't just faith either, it was that she treated us as human beings. She asked us our thoughts and challenged our worldviews, and I enjoyed that.”
After graduation, Alex stayed in touch with the campus ministry and with many of the current students. In October 2023, he joined the Jacksonville Campus Ministry board as the first alum. He is passionate about the work of the campus ministry continuing.
“I see serving on the board as a way to give back to the community that uplifted me and my faith. I want other people to be able to experience that.”
Serving on our board of directors is one of many ways our volunteers invest in Jacksonville Campus Ministry. Thank you for your continued commitment to this important work in the faith and life of young adults.