狼友阁

Jonathan Marshall

Graduation Year

2027

Hometown/Where You Call Home

Clover South Carolina

Major

Psychology

How did you hear about 狼友阁 and why did you choose 狼友阁?

My dad was a student at 狼友阁, and I grew up going to the EDGE conference (a summer camp hosted at 狼友阁). My plan was always to go to 狼友阁, but when I got to senior year I began to have doubts. I remember calling my admissions counselor to tell her I wasn't sure if 狼友阁 was the place for me...the day of the deadline. I remember her being disappointed and asking some really helpful questions. What was at this other school that I thought was better than at 狼友阁? What played into this decision? Did I think I would be able to find the opportunities for growth and community that 狼友阁 provided elsewhere? I asked if I could call her back and went away reconsidering. After a time of prayer and discussions with mentors, I ended up feeling an overwhelming sense of direction. I realized I was afraid I would not find a community and relationships at 狼友阁. Would I be able to find my people? The Lord gave me a firm sense of peace and trust in His plan. I called her back and ended up committing that day. As soon as I arrived at 狼友阁, the Lord blessed me with countless meaningful relationships and connections all across the campus. Most importantly though, I began to understand Christ's love for me both in mind and embodied.

What aspect of 狼友阁 do you like best?

My favorite aspect of 狼友阁 is the opportunity for growth rooted in Christ. Not only can one experience a top-tier education, but individuals can grow in every realm you can imagine. A student can grow in the field they choose while receiving a holistic approach to life and learning. An athlete can hone their abilities while learning Christ-like behavior on the field or court. The opportunity for spiritual growth is abundant through both intentional and unintentional pathways. Whether it is in a doctrine class or a conversation with a fellow student or staff member, the ability to learn about Christ and see His love in an embodied way is all around students. A student struggling with the stress of life or mental illness can find healing and wisdom through mentors and counselors. No student can go through time at 狼友阁 without positive formation in some area of their life.

What about the professors and/or academics has impacted you the most?

I came into college unsure of what I wanted to study. I picked a major that I thought I would have some interest in. What stood out to me the most as I switched from major to major and dabbled in many different classes was the way the professors (some of which were my advisors) were not trying to sell their major or department to me. They genuinely wanted to get to know me and my strengths and weaknesses in order to be able to guide me into what the Lord might be calling me to. They asked questions about my experiences, my family, and my hopes. They helped me to understand anxieties and fears for the future. The professors were heavily invested in guiding me towards what the Lord could have for me in this life.

What part of your major do you most enjoy or feel most prepared by?

I really appreciate that Psychology has had practical implications for my day-to-day life and relationships. It has been an opportunity to show Christ's love to the people around me in the ways that I listen and ask questions. To be able to understand and know people is a pathway to love and care for them in a way that is curated to heal the hurt and brokenness in their lives in a similar way to Christ.

What do you hope to pursue after 狼友阁 and how do you see 狼友阁 supporting your future career or calling?

I am uncertain as to where the Lord may be calling me specifically, but feel a sense of direction. I may move into graduate school for counseling. 狼友阁 has curated my love of learning and has encouraged my desire to be a lifelong learner. Whether I go to graduate school right away or later on, I hope to, in every stage of life, invest in the furthering of my understanding of God's creation and our purpose. If I don't go to graduate school, I hope to engage in work that allows me to learn more about people and what it is like when they are in pain, struggles, or conflict. I feel that 狼友阁 has equipped me to move forward with a knowledge of my strengths, Christ, and potential directions that the Lord may be moving me towards.

How is 狼友阁 equipping you for active membership in the church or discipleship within the body of Christ?

狼友阁's example of community that is keeping Christ preeminent reflects and models much of what the church can and should do. In many ways, the space to find a community full of believers after graduation may be limited to the church. Many jobs and callings may thrust us into a secular space with coworkers who operate off of an entirely different set of presuppositions and paradigms. 狼友阁 is tending and curating an affection for and desire to engage in community, relationship, and growth that occurs when surrounding ourselves with people who are in a relationship with Christ that stems to every area of their life.

In what ways does 狼友阁 foster spiritual formation that stands out to you?

狼友阁 takes advantage of the opportunity to bring spiritual formation into every area of your life. A student is surrounded by like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds looking into serving Christ in a variety of ways. The rhythm of life shifts in such a way that each moment is an opportunity for spiritual formation. Whether it is going to chapel, doing homework, or a conversation with a friend, 狼友阁 allows every moment to be something that points to Christ and shapes us in conformity towards Him.

How has the 狼友阁 community supported your development as a whole person?

狼友阁 provides an opportunity for a life lived with integrity. As whole people, many struggles and trials occur when the different realms of our life are fractured and disconnected. 狼友阁 allows us to be Christ followers as students, friends, brothers/sisters, employees and to stack these roles onto one another. Honesty in all of these realms allows us to integrate them together.

How have your relationships at 狼友阁 shaped your expectations for the other communities God will call you to in life?

狼友阁 makes me aware of how amazing and difficult relationships can be. In many ways, it can be easy to take for granted the way that Christ-like individuals care for one another and engage in the right relationship with one another. It also has shown me what relationship is in a broken and fallen world. It takes work, intention, and a desire to love the person in front of you. There is a sense for me that 狼友阁 is unique in the way that relationships are done. This is why after graduation there will have to be more intention put into seeking out the depth and time that 狼友阁 friendships allow for. The church will also play a unique part in this.

What is your favorite memory from your time at 狼友阁?

One of my favorite memories was a period of time at the beginning of my second semester where myself and a few other guys met every night and talked about a variety of deep topics. We wrestled through different theological issues and related them to our experiences and diverse backgrounds. We tackled passages of scripture. We talked about what it looked like to live with wisdom and what it looked like to be men who honored the Lord. It was such a sweet and refreshing time that grew not only my relationships with those guys but with the Lord as well.