Embrace
Coming from a private Christian high school as a Presbyterian preacher’s kid, Collin knew he wanted to find a strong campus ministry in college. Ultimately, he chose UNC Wilmington because of it’s vibrant campus ministries.
But he soon found the faith organizations on campus presented a stark difference from the PCUSA denomination he knew so well. “I loved what I felt comfortable in,” Collin recounts, “and I felt comfortable in the church; the inclusive church I grew up in.” He found the values he held dear were not reflected in the campus ministries at UNCW.
By his sophomore year, he felt a sense of disappointment with the faith climate on campus. That’s when he attended the College Conference at Montreat with his home church—a trip that would change everything. During a breakout session titled “How to Start a Campus Ministry,” he caught wind of an exciting new movement stirring back at his school. Something fresh, something different, was beginning to take shape. Without hesitation, he joined the board, eager to be part of this new chapter.
One of his first tasks was to name this new ministry—a weighty responsibility that would define its identity. Determined to find the perfect inspiration that also connected with the mascot, The Seahawks, he scoured the Bible, looking up every verse related to birds. Psalm 91:4 practically leapt off the page:
“I will cover you with my feathers, under my wings you will take refuge: my faithfulness will shield you.”
The image of God’s wingspan covering us stuck in his mind. “I wanted a place where students could seek refuge and recover from the damage done by other people, other churches, and other organizations.”
Collin and the board worked hours and hours, over years and months garnering support from denominations and churches. Finally, all the zoom calls were incarnated at their first in-person meeting to interview Pastor Elizabeth. Collin was renewed in his confidence and his faith, this was becoming real. This void was being filled. In the Fall of his senior year, WingspanILM was born.
“I was involved in many activities on campus. I had community.” Collin recalls “But Wingspan gave me the Christiancommunity I had been missing. A place where my beliefs were embraced, a place where I could ask questions without the fear of rejection. Wingspan was a place of refuge for not only me, but other students as well.”
As a recent graduate, Collin’s experience in Wingspan is held close to his heart. He was able to see the inner workings of ministry in ways that he hadn’t realized before. “My legacy in Wingspan holds me accountable to keep faith in my life and to remember, that no matter what, God is still welcoming you with open wings.”
