More stories from the 2009-2010 academic year
Stories from the 2008-2009 academic year
Stories from the 2007-2008 academic year
Stories from the 2006-2007 academic year
Stories from the 2005-2006 academic year
Stories from the 2004-2005 academic year and "What I'm Doing This Summer"

HELM Leadership Fellows
Caroline Hamilton: Clap for Jesus She couldn't help herself. As Caroline Hamilton watched her Ghanaian hosts dance in celebration and worship, she had to join in. As she danced, her new sisters in Christ wrapped her in their white clothes, welcoming her into their community in Christ. Caroline reflects on her trip to Ghana and the message that sticks with her: In Christ, we are meant to be with each other and to thank God for all our blessings.
Kathryn Welch: Common ground in an uncommon place The anger, ignorance, fear, intolerance, and hatred swirling around the debate over a proposed Islamic community center near Ground Zero has Kathryn Welch frustrated. As Christians, but also as a community of faith, are obliged to speak out against hatred and ignorance, obligated to find common ground? Building bridges over the divides of faith and culture begins with the individual decision to follow Christ.
Charisse Knorr: Looking forward As Charisse Knorr begins her final year in college, she feels her focus shifting. While school and jobs keep her busy, Charisse realizes her would could change a lot in the next year. She doesn't know where she'll end up, what her job will be, or which church community she'll call home. She knows, though that wherever she ends up, she's ready for the challenge — and she knows God will be at her side.
Alan Moore: Brother in Bharat Two months traveling and studying in India taught Alan Moore years' worth of classroom learning. But it was more than learning Hindi and seeing ancient cities. For a small-town Carolinian, homeless children begging on the streets, the crush of people, and an uncomfortable lack of privacy showed Alan a culture he hadn't seen. But he also saw where different cultures connect, whether it was a shared interest in Car and Driver or seeing familiar hymns in a basement church.
Aly Gideon: A summer unlike any other A church camper her whole life, Aly Gideon feels more at home at summer camp than anywhere else. This year, as an intern at Tennessee's Bethany Hills Camp and Conference Center, she's seen church camp from the other side. Though exhausted and a bit homesick, Aly cherishes the opportunity to help young campers — just like she used to be — strengthen their faith. It's no coincidence her faith is strengthening, too.
Kiersten Hawes: My summer opportunity to change the world Earlier this summer Kiersten Hawes participated in a United Nations program addressing several of the world's toughest challenges: poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, discrimination, education, and sustainability. While these challenges engaged Kiersten's mind and imagination, she also learned a lot about how she can work with others despite differing opinions.
Henry Brewer-Calvert: An ocean bridged Henry Brewer-Calvert has spent much of this summer overseas, first in Europe and more recently in southern Africa. Being so far from home, Henry finds himself missing the connection with his Disciples congregations back home, but he also finds himself in community with the strangers around him — in World Cup soccer matches, along the shores of the Indian Ocean, and in a larger family of faith.
Alexis Westerhausen: The universal language A three-week study trip in Egypt gave Alexis Westerhausen once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see some of the world's best-known landmarks. But the moment that sticks in her memory is a surprise trip to a Nubian village, where she met families and children with whom she had nearly nothing in common. Unable to communicate through words, she remembered we all share a common greeting.
Arrington Foster: Transition into reality Arrington Foster prides himself on his organizational skills: always being on time, remembering responsibilities, and knowing what to do next. It's that last one, the future, that's causing him problems these days. As an aspiring actor, Arrington realizes he faces an uncertain career, and it's a little scary to him. Gaining experience with a summer theater production and trusting God has a plan for his life help him trust his future is bright.
Katie Johnson: A time of endings and new beginnings This spring brought more changes than Katie Johnson had expected. Following her graduation from TCU, she planned to kick back in Fort Worth for a week before heading home to Nashville to start a new job. Those plans changed when her parents brought news that her grandfather was dying. Katie and her family hurried back home, and she arrived in time to say goodbye — a mere two hours before he died. His death opened the door, though, for a new, stronger relationship with her grandmother.
Stephen Hall: Seeking balance Life is full of opposites: electrons negate protons, every action has an equal reaction, and awareness leads to rest. Now that his freshman year is over, Stephen Hall is trying to restore the balance in life, balance disturbed by long hours of study, a lack of sleep, and the occasional neglect of soul and spirit. This is easier to do during the lazy days of summer; the trick will be remembering that balance when school resumes in the fall.
Allie Lundblad: Love too big for words Allie Lundblad is spending this summer counseling at Christmount, the North Carolina camp where she first understood how big God's love really is. During her down time, she's reading the poetry of early Christian mystics who struggle for the right words to describe God's expansive, unlimited love. Fascinated by the idea that God and love are inseparable, Allie enjoys the challenge of using words to describe such an indescribably large concept.
Courtney Waters: Heavenly intervention Courtney Waters has achieved every teenager's dream: independence. She has her own apartment, handles her finances, and controls her life. Well, almost. Working two jobs piled on so much stress, a panic attack stopped her in her tracks and made her realize she'd been working so hard, she couldn't enjoy life. Courtney believes her meltdown was a message from God: Slow down, breathe, be healthy, and preserve your spirit.
Virginia White: Women of the world Attending the UN's Conference on the Status of Women was an eye-opening experience for Virginia White. In cramped, overheated meeting rooms, she heard horrific stories of inequality and abuse — but also inspiring stories of justice and courage. As she reflects on the role of women in the world, she draws on her own experiences watching her mother serve as a pastor in a denomination that lifts up women. Much has been done, Virginia believes, but much remains undone.
A HELM Leadership Fellow's commencement speech Allison Enari has her diploma from Occidental College, and she has completed her time in the HELM Leadership Fellows Program. Before she moves on studying for her M.Div., Allison has advice for students on the transition from home to college, plans changing unexpectedly, the value of parents and mentors, and savoring those moments in college while keeping your mind on the future.
Tom Calvert-Rosenberger: C is for chemistry, challenge and a change of mind When a midterm test came back with a failing grade, Tom Calvert-Rosenberger knew he was flunking chemistry. Hour after hour of studying wasn't helping, and the stress piled up. He came close to giving up, taking an F, and trying to retake the class. A postcard from home, reminding Tom "nothing is impossible with God," helped him adjust his priorities. It also helped him pass chemistry and gain a new perspective on challenges.
Cambria Findley-Grubb: Together we Can The food bank at Cambria Findley-Grubb's home church has served its community well for years, but the recent recession hit closer to home, leaving some of the church's own members hungry. As she created her HELM Leadership Fellows covenant, Cambria realized that asking members to bring a can of food to every church meeting would keep the shelves stocked. A few months after starting the program, "Together we Can" has made a difference in her church and in her community.
Jesse Stephenson: Time to move on A routine conversation with his parents became a life-changing moment when Jesse Stephenson's parents told him they planned to leave his hometown in Georgia for a new congregation in Ohio. Spring break found Jesse packing up his belongings, seeing life-long friends, and visiting childhood landmarks. The experience has helped him realize the special relationships between friends and congregations don't have to be left behind.
Kristen Walling: Lessons in leadership As her college career winds down, Kristen Walling reflects on what she's learned not only in the classroom but about herself, her interests, her vocation, and her views on leadership. She's learned leadership is about more than titles and involvement. Leadership involves delegating responsibilities, knowing your limits, and that saying "no" doesn't mean you've failed.
Sarah Cheon: Learn to be grateful In the movie "The Way Home," an impoverished grandmother in the countryside takes in her city-raised, rebellious grandson. Despite insults and disrespect, the grandmother sacrifices and cares for him. Eventually, the boy watches her care for others despite her own needs and grows to respect and love her. As she watched the movie, Sarah Cheon drew parallels between this story of unending love and God's love for humanity in Jesus' death and resurrection.
Alison Simon: God defined "What would you say if you were asked to define God?" When this question was posed to Alison Simon, she had answers, but they were trite answers that seemed vague and inadequate. The answer came to her during a 45-minute simulated bicycle ride. Determination, loneliness, exhilaration, peace, and tranquility — Alison's new definition of God involves all of those while leading her to an unconventional comparison.
Sabreena Rodriguez: Making the right college choice This is the time of year when students are choosing their colleges, submitting applications for housing, and getting a sense of where they'll be studying and living in the fall. As Sabreena Rodriguez's freshman year at Chapman University winds down, she reflects on why Chapman was the perfect choice for her. It's a mix of a great education, opportunities for growth, good friends, and a strong faith community. Good luck to all the seniors pondering the next step in their lives!
Melissa Hall: The challenge of team leadership A new student-led ministry at Barton College gave Melissa Hall and other students the opportunity to put their leadership skills to the test. After getting off to a great start, different leadership styles emerged, creating conflict and confusion. The ministry nearly collapsed, but after reflection, the leadership team has resumed working together, leaving Melissa and others with a lesson in leading.
Merillat Pittman: Moving on When Merillat Pittman was 12, her family moved from Taiwan to Oklahoma, a time of tears and sadness and saying goodbye to friends. Those feelings are returning as her final months in college have arrived, when celebrating new beginnings is flooded by mourning lost happiness. Recently a friend reminded Merillat of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which reminds us that God is still with us during life's tests, and those tests will make us stronger.
Georgia Kuss: The greatest of these Georgia Kuss believes God does not bring pain and suffering upon the human race. Where God does interact with humanity through the love we show each other when those bad things happen, how we support each other when tragedy strikes, or when we support those who are still learning how the world works. The love she sees is also affecting her post-graduation plans, inspiring her to explore opportunities to practice that higher love.
More stories from the 2009-2010 academic year