Check It Out

Hannah wasn’t thrilled about committing to college. She had been denied from her dream school, waitlisted at another, and couldn’t afford a third—so she chose Florida State. On a miserably hot April day, her family was arguing as they sat in the student union for air conditioning, lunch, and silence. Her younger sister, using Hannah’s old phone, received a text from an unknown number: “Hey Hannah Bardin! Come to Ruge Hall.” They had no idea who sent it or what Ruge Hall was, but they decided to check it out.

The message turned out to be from an old summer camp friend, inviting Hannah to the Episcopal Campus Ministry at FSU. She was welcomed in, met the priest, and was assured she’d have a church home in Tallahassee. That moment brought Hannah an unexpected peace. She knew she’d be okay in college.

Her years at Ruge Hall were formative, helping her discover who she was and who God was calling her to be. Whether it was Thursday night compline, tutoring local kids, or sharing meals with friends, campus ministry shaped her faith and her call to serve as a youth minister.

Today, Hannah serves on the board of Jacksonville Campus Ministry because she believes deeply in its mission. “JCM creates space where all students— especially queer and BIPOC students— are welcomed, loved, and invited to grow. In a time when the church often overlooks young adults, JCM offers belonging, leadership, and spiritual depth.” Students are living out their baptismal promise to “continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.” “The ministry at JCM is good and holy work, and I am proud to support it,” she beams. Thank you to all of our faithful supporters of campus ministry!