{"id":6436,"date":"2025-04-30T10:44:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/campus.cru.org\/faculty\/?p=6436"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:44:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:44:11","slug":"serving-god-by-serving-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/campus.cru.org\/faculty\/2025\/serving-god-by-serving-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Serving God by Serving Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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As the current Faculty Advisor for Cru’s student ministry at the University of Florida, I have found my true calling\u2014serving God by serving others<\/em>. I am continually inspired by an amazing group of students who courageously share their faith, pray for and help others, and create a markably warm and welcoming community.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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But first, let me back up and explain how this journey began and where it is leading.<\/p>

An Introvert at Heart<\/strong><\/p>

Ironically, my chosen career as a professor involves teaching, reading articles, and writing everything from emails to book chapters. This doesn’t align with my inner comforts. I am an introvert at heart. I dread public speaking, dislike reading and writing, and prefer small group settings. Above all, I struggle with opening up about my life and feelings -you can forget elevator small chat.<\/p>

Yet, here I am. I often wonder why I ended up in academia. Is it because I enjoy seeking truth and knowledge? Because I enjoy research? Because I love mentoring? Nope. It\u2019s because I trust in God’s plan for me, and this is where He led me.<\/p>

Inviting Spiritual Conversations<\/strong><\/p>

Expressing my faith in an academic setting has always been a challenge because of the fear of repercussion by peers and administrators. But mainly, it\u2019s because I\u2019m reserved.<\/p>

The best way for me to share my faith, I found, is to be welcoming, living by the principles of \u201cloving thy neighbor\u201d.<\/p><\/blockquote>

But I also have Bibles, Christian books, and decorations in my office to invite spiritual conversations. And it works – students and faculty have asked about these items and my faith, which then opens a dialogue.<\/p>

Back to Cru.<\/p>

Expanding My Involvement<\/strong><\/p>

I was ecstatic and honored to be invited as the Cru faculty advisor since I can expand my involvement with spreading the word of God. Since most of their activities fell outside my time on campus, the only event I could regularly attend is the weekly gathering of movement prayer on Mondays at 8:30am.<\/p>

As I was joyfully walking to meet the group for the first time, my excitement quickly turned to anxiety (remember that I\u2019m an introvert that dreads opening up?). But soon enough, one of them greeted me and invited me to join in the prayer. Instantly, all my anxieties were lifted.<\/p>

Mutual Encouragement<\/strong><\/p>

I have been so inspired to hear the students open up about their faith. If they have the courage to evangelize others, then the least I can do is cheer them on.\u00a0 Now, I regularly bring them breakfast to encourage more participation from students.<\/p>

I believe the most important thing I can do is be there for the students. Let them know there is a supportive figure, like a parent, who can lend a hand, provide a meal, or simply listen. The encouragement has been mutual. Witnessing their growth and enthusiasm strengthens my own faith and commitment to serving God through my calling.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Aaron Costin<\/strong><\/h3>

Construction Management<\/h3>

University of Florida<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the current Faculty Advisor for Cru’s student ministry at the University of Florida, I have found my true calling\u2014serving God by serving others. I am continually inspired by an amazing group of students who courageously share their faith, pray for and help others, and create a markably warm and welcoming community. But first, let […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13911,"featured_media":6438,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2439,2438,2437],"tags":[2528,3277,3516,2572,2518,3515,2628,2730,3183,3522,3521,3517,3520,3519,3518],"class_list":["post-6436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grander-stories","category-mentoring-students","category-personal-faith","tag-compassion","tag-conflict","tag-dealing-with-students","tag-gentleness","tag-holy-spirit","tag-international-trip","tag-kindness","tag-love","tag-mercy","tag-nivine-richie","tag-sanctification","tag-self-control","tag-spirit-filled-life","tag-walking-by-the-spirit","tag-walking-in-the-spirit"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nServing God by Serving Students - 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