Editor’s Note: Jon Nelson served as an intern for Signatures during second semester of this past school year. In this issue in which our cover story explores student involvement in the AU-East Africa program, we also want to show, through Jon’s experience, how students become excited about helping others outside of their own comfort zones.
I woke late on a Saturday morning in early August. I was perturbed by the approaching start of my sophomore year at AU. The distance from my home in Massachusetts to Indiana was comforting, but the thought of another year was daunting. My involvement in anything at AU was minimal, and I did not talk to most of my AU friends over the summer. After much over-analyzing that morning, I decided it was time to simply get involved.
Suddenly a knock on the door disturbed my anxieties and prayers of supplication. My father said, “Dan Siefken is on the phone. He is the new resident director for Smith.” God had acted quickly that morning. After a brief conversation, I was told that I was being considered as a resident assistant in Smith Hall, and over the next week, I was given that job.
Immediately I was injected into a community of people, a job that I did not understand, and new group of friends. But I did not like being an RA and did very little for the pay I received.
I do like to read. One of my habits is perusing bookshelves. Siefken’s bookshelf was stacked with volumes that dealt with social issues and spirituality. I began reading books about poverty, liberation theology, and God’s concern for the poor. Over the course of a few inactive months as an RA, I had many conversations with Siefken about the books I read. Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God and his love for those in need began a deep hunger within me.
After I returned from winter break that year, I knew I needed to act on my newfound conviction to connect with the poor. I had heard about the Christian Center Rescue Ministries in Anderson through a series of people, but when Matt Conner, the pastor of the Mercy House, mentioned it, I knew I had to go.
It was one of the clearest calls I have received in my life. I started by going to dinner at the shelter with a few friends and some people from church. I remember the awkward stares I got while standing in line with my (then) neatly trimmed hair and nice clothes. We sat down with people we did not know and made awkward conversation. In time, the awkwardness faded as we showed up more and more. I began working at the shelter with a group of students who went every Saturday. I never minded getting up early on my only day to sleep in; I just knew I had to go. Jeremy Greenlee, who recently graduated, was leading the group on Saturday mornings and noticed that I was going to most of the Saturday work days. Little did I know that he was in conversation with Stuart Erny, director of campus ministries, about making what we were doing on Saturdays into an official campus ministry. Within a few weeks, I was interviewed and put in charge of starting the ministry the following year.
In our meetings, we, the campus ministry coordinators, told the stories of our lives, discussed our renewing values and commitments, processed issues of community and racial reconciliation, and learned to love each other as completely different individuals.
As far as my involvement with the Christian Center, the people have gotten used to the presence of ignorant college students exploring their call to love the poor. I think they have even been able to enjoy it. Scott Richards, the executive director at the shelter, has affirmed the desire for a long-standing relationship with AU.
On a weekly basis, the volunteers and I thoroughly enjoy the friendships we have made. There is a surge of inexpressible joy when people smile at the sight of us. Shane Tacket, an employee at the shelter, says, “This is a place where God lives. We see many mini-miracles happen here every day.” I personally can attest to this. At the Christian Center, God provides for those in need. I have been able to be a part of this divine intervention. On one cold day, in particular, a friend and I finished serving dinner and decided to sit with a certain solitary individual. The man was older and seemed overcome with frailty. He was wearing multiple layers of thin clothing; he was obviously not used to the weather. We found out that he had come from California to visit one of his children. During his travels, he lost all of his belongings, including his identification, on the bus. He was in need of clothing and shelter and indicated to us how cold he was. My friend and I proceeded to the Attic Window, the store that supports the shelter, and I bought him some clothing. As we walked out, my friend took off the hat he always wears and gave it to the man. This act surpassed my monetary investment. We proceeded to pray with him on the sidewalk.
I believe that on that day God intervened to provide an exact need at an exact time. That is why I am drawn to the Christian Center Rescue Ministries. That is why I love being a member of campus ministries. ––Jon Nelson
