My first two years at ISU Wesley, I was seeking a place to belong, friendships and establishing my faith — In order to do that, I did everything that I possibly could! This year, as my last year as an active member of ISU Wesley, I wanted to help other people to experience the ministry as I did! So, I am a small group leader and led mission trip planning. While planning one of the first events of the school year, Fall Retreat, the focus was on spiritual growth and fellowship, along with service. This made the retreat a great place to hang out with friends and foster new friendships while working together on landscape projects at our retreat site, as well as openly talking through our issues with faith. What a great way to start our school-year!

Being involved with ISU Wesley has helped me realize how much I will need to find a worship experience after graduation. I also feel that because of ISU Wesley, I need to do what I am passionate about, to go above and beyond any given job description — to serve God and the community with my gifts.

Lauren is from Kingswood UMC in Buffalo Grove. She has been actively involved at ISU Wesley since the beginning of her freshmen year. She is a junior who will be student teaching in Springfield, Ill. next year.

By the time my first Wednesday on campus rolled around, I realized it was time to go to Merge even though no one else seemed to share my willingness to try it.  I walked in feeling alone and timid, but left feeling hooked.  I learned many names that were soon forgotten, saw a smile anywhere I turned, and joined in a little small talk here and there, but more than anything I sensed God’s presence in a way that made me feel at home.  The service was not unlike many other contemporary services I had been to, but something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on was happening in that gym that gave me the idea that I would be spending a lot more time there over the next four years.

The rest of my first semester flew by in a whirlwind of ups and downs.  I was stressed, exited, scared, and having fun trying new things.  However, I could always count on that one brief hour that brought me back down to earth on Wednesday nights at 9, and during the weeks that I missed it, I felt as if I was living in chaos.  As I continued to grow in the ministry, I met more amazing people.  I soon found that Jennie was just like a friend, wrapped inside a pastor, wrapped inside a blessing, and each week she seemed to speak directly to me.   Going to worship was no longer enough.  There was so much to get involved in through Merge, and I tried to tell myself that I was only a freshman but God wouldn’t accept that.  First He pushed me to join a bible study that was amazing, and then He tested me with the 24-7 prayer room that opened my eyes again.  Still He wasn’t satisfied, so He put the Miami Habitat for Humanity spring break trip right in front of me and wouldn’t take no for an answer no matter how much I debated.  I reluctantly got into a van in which I knew less than a third of the people and embarked on a 26 hour journey to Miami that changed my life.  I came back a changed person with dozens of incredible new friends and an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world and I haven’t looked back since.

College is still a whirlwind that shows me something unexpected every day, but now I find peace not only in that weekly hour but also every time I grab lunch or watch a movie with a friend from Merge or study in the basement of the church.  The Wesley Foundation is no longer just my church; it is my home.  There are few days I don’t spend time within its doors or surrounded by the students of the ministry, and for this I feel truly blessed because I know despite whatever college throws my way I am growing as person each and every day with an amazing family by my side.  Now I only hope that I can continue to help this ministry grow as much as it has helped me.
In Christ, Mary Becker

1.  belong – hang out, laugh, cook, eat!, watch t.v., participate in small groups

2. believe – open, accepting environment where you can figure out what you believe about your Christian faith through conversations, studies, and peer ministers.

3. become – the step beyond affirming and claiming what you believe, is intentionally living your life in a way that reflects those beliefs. We offer students a place to become the person God is calling each of us to become… or at least we’ll journey with you as you open yourself up to where God is calling you.