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“I came from a faith where my path was set, my course was outlined, and my final destination was Mormon Exaltation.” Chris never imagined that his spiritual journey would lead him to set foot in University Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona. “Growing up as both Mormon and indigenous, I was taught to look forward to my Missionary work and getting married in the Mormon temple.” Chris recalls that while reading the required text, the Book of Mormon, “I saw myself back then as a Mormon character like Captain Moroni or Nephi.” However, when outside of the church and being apart from the church’s traditions, Chris was able to look deeper into Mormonism saying that “I couldn’t have imagined ever embracing another church at the time.”

Chris recalls that a YouTube video on the Mormon church caused him to ask more questions, most of which would remain unanswered by the church. This led to Chris asking even more questions and trying to widen his understanding of faith by going to different denominations and churches. Now as a newly baptized ELCA Lutheran, Chris says, “I see the world differently than the black and white world that the Mormons taught me.” Chris credits Lutheran Campus Ministry with being a place where he felt supported and comfortable enough to grow in his faith by asking difficult questions and growing in Christ. “LCM made a comfortable environment for me where I could learn the Gospel and challenge my own previous faith.” Chris has become a member at University Lutheran Church and says that “I can now make a new spiritual beginning around places I knew as Mormon. Now I have the opportunity to see these spaces as a Lutheran.”

Thank you for investing in the lives of young people like Chris and providing them space to become closer to God and to fellowship with other Young Adults and students. Your support through the Campus Ministry Madness fundraising campaign and in countless other ways means that every week students can gather with one another, share a meal, and focus on God’s work in their lives.