Rest & Peace

Toye’s journey with Jacksonville Campus Ministry (JCM) has been transformative in ways he never anticipated. It all began during one of the University of North Florida's Market Days, where a simple interaction led to a profound connection.

"During one of the Market Days, I stopped to get a sticker and I spoke to Pastor Sarah. It was a breath of fresh air because speaking to some of the other ministries on campus, it is almost transactional. Pastor Sarah actually listened and she was chill. She expresses herself in a way that people can relate to her. After that, I went to a meeting and I just liked it," Toye recalls. This meeting sparked a journey that would shape his college experience.

Toye started attending Food for Thought in the fall of his freshman year. What he found there surprised him. "I didn’t think there would be food, to be honest. I thought it was a cool name for just coming together and marinating on the Bible. My first time, I was surprised by how everyone was contributing. From my upbringing, usually it is like a classroom. You sit in rows and you listen to one person speak, you ask questions, and then you go. But it was actually a conversation and people were expressing themselves. You don’t have to be right, you have the leniency to just be open and ask questions, and have people think about things together."

This atmosphere of open conversation and critical thinking was different from anything Toye had experienced in a religious setting before. It wasn’t just about studying the Bible—it was about applying its teachings to everyday life, which, as Toye notes, "seems trivial but it’s a big thing, especially as college students."

Toye’s involvement with JCM deepened when he joined the group for a trip to Germany. Initially drawn by the affordability of the trip, he quickly realized that the experience would offer him much more. "Germany taught me that there are so many intelligent people out there with opinions and views. And I come back to listening. Listening does so much. I can have my own thoughts about something, but JCM bringing us together to talk about it is important." 

One of Toye's most cherished memories is seeing snow for the first time. "I was so mesmerized. That first time was so precious to me. And it happened in Germany with JCM. And that will stay with me forever."

The trip also provided an opportunity for deeper connections with fellow students. "In the evenings, we would sit in a circle... I enjoyed those conversations and I loved that book, This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley... That book itself was a different perspective on religion and upbringing. It was such a raw expression of what this person was feeling and what they believed to be true."

Another pivotal experience was a retreat to North Carolina, where Toye found rest and peace. "After the trip to North Carolina, I realized this is what I want. I want a life of travel, but I also want serenity with people I can call my people."

The relationships Toye built through JCM have been a source of strength and joy. Whether it's working alongside friends to clear a path in the woods or facing the challenge of whitewater rafting, Toye has found a supportive community. "JCM really brings people together and puts the community into UNF. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of something like that. It is a space for people to come and be themselves."

Thank you for your continued generosity that allows us to travel and provide new opportunities for students like Toye. We cannot do this work without you.