Anchored

Abbi loves to sail, surf, and be around the water. So UNC Wilmington was a clear choice for college, despite being far from her family. The final box she had to check was finding a faith community like the one she had at home. What she thought would be the easiest part, turned out to be a journey of almosts; until she found a ministry where she didn’t have to shrink herself to fit in.

Growing up, Abbi loved her Presbyterian church, but when COVID hit, that connection felt out of reach. What sustained her was the community she found at Massanetta Springs, a PC(USA) camp in Virginia. In a time when so much was uncertain, Massanetta became her spiritual anchor; a place where her faith deepened through shared worship, friendship, and purpose. So when she arrived at UNC Wilmington, she assumed she’d find something similar: a faith community where she could feel known, supported, and whole.

What she thought would be an easy task turned out to be disappointing. “Other ministries didn’t align with my beliefs and values like camp did.” Abbi recalls, “I didn’t want to settle but assumed there wasn’t a campus ministry for me. I gave up on trying to find a church community that I was used to.”

That’s when she ran into Collin, a UNCW student that she knew from camp. She heard of this new ministry and decided to give it a try. What she found in Wingspan was new, but with a spirit that was familiar. It was a small group, having just launched, but was exactly what she had been looking for.

Because of Wingspan, college became more than just classes and clinicals. It became a place where faith could grow. Through it, she deepened the foundation of faith she carried from high school, shaping it into something personal and lived. She found deep friendships with people she never would’ve met otherwise, and discovered ways to give back; not just to Wingspan, but to the wider UNCW community.

Abbi hasn’t just been part of Wingspan, she’s helped shape it. She served as our student president, traveled to Peru as part of a small mission team, and even stood before church leaders to share her testimony about the power of campus ministry. Each experience stretched her faith and deepened her sense of purpose.

When Abbi reflects on her time in Wingspan, one of the most meaningful experiences wasn’t a big event, it was a cup of coffee. “Meeting with Pastor Elizabeth was different,” she says. “It was one of the first time I felt truly seen and understood by an adult who wasn’t a parent or teacher.” That relationship modeled something new: how to talk about real things with honesty and trust. More than a pastor, Elizabeth became a mentor and a guide, helping Abbi explore the kind of adult relationships she wants to carry forward; grounded in respect, vulnerability, and shared faith.

As she prepares to graduate with her nursing degree in December, she acknowledges Wingspan’s rapid growth. “I’m an upperclassmen now- it's been really neat that students are offered this community when it wasn’t something offered when I was a freshman.” Abbi says, “I am proud to have played a part in Wingspan’s development.”

Abbi’s story is one of quiet leadership, deep faith, and lasting impact. She’s just one of many students who have found belonging, purpose, and courage through Wingspan.

This year, Wingspan is growing faster than ever. More students are finding us. More are staying. More are stepping into bold faith, deep questions, and real leadership. Some students, like Abbi, grew up in church and are looking for a similar community. Others have never darkened the doors of the church but have found the Spirit’s warm welcome within Wingspan.

To keep up with that growth, we’re inviting you to help us reach our goal of $500/month in recurring gifts.

When you become a monthly donor, you join our Flight Crew, a circle of generous supporters who keep this ministry soaring. As a thank-you, you’ll receive exclusive Wingspan gear and regular behind-the-scenes updates from campus.

Whether you join the Flight Crew or make a one-time gift, your generosity helps us co-create what God is doing on campus: a ministry where no student has to shrink to fit in, and every story matters.
If you believe in this work—be one of the ones who makes it possible.