I Was Hooked

Adalynn (in green) taking communion from Sam on a Tuesday night at Food for Thought.

When Adalynn first discovered Jacksonville Campus Ministry, she was searching for an inclusive faith community. She had been an active member of her church at home but hadn’t found a faith community at college. "When I started being involved with Jacksonville Campus Ministry, I didn’t really have a Christian community at all," she explains. "I felt like I had nothing to tie me to my religion, and I was losing my connection."  But everything changed when her friend invited her to an event called Food for Thought. “I came, and I was hooked,” Adalynn recalls.

Food for Thought offered Adalynn the inclusive and supportive Christian community she had been seeking. She was excited to find a space where she could engage with others who shared similar experiences; particularly those who, like her, had grown up Christian and queer. “I was looking for people who understood me,” she says. “It’s by queer people, for queer people. That’s really important to me.”

One of Adalynn’s most cherished memories with the ministry comes from their fall retreat. “It felt like a peaceful moment in a frantic time,” she says, recalling the sense of calm she felt as she spent time with her friends. The retreat was full of meaningful moments, including singing Christian songs a cappella, some of which she remembered from her childhood. “It’s the little moments that really stand out— being able to live together, eat with people who understand me,” Adalynn says. For her, it was the first time she experienced being around people who could appreciate both her queer identity and her Christian faith.

Reflecting on how Jacksonville Campus Ministry has impacted her, Adalynn shares how the ministry has allowed her to consider her own faith and learn from others. “It’s nice to see people at different stages in their religious journey gathered together," Adalynn shares. "That’s something I never had before.” 

Adalynn also appreciates the opportunity to experience a wide range of perspectives. “I didn’t realize the difference between different denominations, faiths, and people,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to say I’ve grown as a Christian by seeing other people on their journeys in faith and how they think theologically.” 

Because of generosity like yours, we are able to provide weekly gatherings like Food for Thought and transformational retreats like the one Adalynn experienced. Thank you for your generosity.