I Belong

Kai was looking for a change. After coming out, they felt a deep desire to find a faith community that didn’t just tolerate their queer identity— but celebrated it. So they turned to the internet, searching for a church where they could be fully themselves. That’s how they discovered Redeemer Episcopal Church.

During one of their early visits to Redeemer, Kai learned about Jacksonville Campus Ministry and Food for Thought, the weekly gathering where students share a meal and stories. “I went that day, and they just happened to be talking about Jacksonville Campus Ministry,” Kai remembers. “I thought, ‘That sounds interesting!’ But the meetings were on Tuesdays, and I had a class then.” By a stroke of luck— or perhaps divine timing— that class was canceled the following week. “So I went.”

That one visit turned into five years of active involvement.

Since that first Food for Thought, Kai has become a beloved presence at Jacksonville Campus Ministry, showing up not just for weekly gatherings but also for events like Jax Pride, retreats, and service trips. Over the years, they’ve witnessed the ministry grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of students. When asked what their favorite era of JCM has been, Kai doesn’t hesitate: “I think probably now, because people engage with me, and I feel like people are my friends. It’s an affirming place, and I feel like I belong there. It’s a place where it doesn’t matter that I’m gay and nonbinary— I’m accepted for who I am.”

One of Kai’s most cherished memories was the spring break trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. It wasn’t a typical college getaway— instead, it was a much-needed pause to rest, reconnect with friends, and just have fun. The group visited an alpaca farm, watched the Twilight movies, explored an aquarium, and attended a local church service. “It was the first time I had been to church in five years,” Kai says. That experience, surrounded by peers who affirmed and supported them, left a lasting impact.

Now preparing to graduate next year, Kai reflects on how deeply rooted they feel in the community. “JCM has always had my back. I moved to Gainesville, then I moved to Atlanta, but I’ve always been welcomed back.”

For Kai, Jacksonville Campus Ministry isn’t just a ministry— it’s a home.

It’s your generosity that allows us to create a home for students like Kai. Thank you for continuing to support this ministry with your gifts. We are so grateful to you.