Living Out Your Faith at HU
When I decided to attend Huntington University, I wanted to see for myself if earning my degree from a Christian institution was truly all that my parents had made it out to be. Would having chapel, Bible studies, and professors praying in class really make a difference in my faith? Entering my senior year, I can wholeheartedly say HU’s Christ-centered focus has stretched me to live out my faith like never before.
I went to public high school, and while there were other Christians who attended my school, our faith was never something that was talked about openly. There was a lot of pressure to fit in with the crowd, and so praying before class, doing my Bible study during study hall, or having Christ-centered messages around campus would have been considered countercultural. I wasn’t as bold with my faith as I am now, and so you can imagine my surprise when my first class at HU opened with a call for prayer requests and time dedicated to thanking God.
Throughout my years at HU, I have become accustomed to and appreciative of praying with professors at the beginning of class, going to chapel twice a week, and openly reading my Bible. Meeting friends who have the same beliefs as me has grown my community of support and accountability. These opportunities have aided me in growing deeper in my relationship with Christ and becoming more confident in my calling.
However, if you asked me four years ago if I thought going to a Christian university would push me to become stronger in my faith, I would have told you the choice was too safe. I had so many doubts, but this one was the loudest: If I was surrounded by like-minded people and consistent messages of faith, would I be prepared to live in the “real world” when I graduated?
The answer: absolutely.
As I leaned into chapels, campus Bible studies, and classes that pointed back to Christ, something in my heart began to change. Attending HU has taught me that everything in life revolves around Jesus, and when you intentionally acknowledge this, you become more confident and rooted in faith. HU has not been “safe” for my faith; I have been made uncomfortable, held accountable, and stretched in several aspects. As for entering the “real world,” attending a faith-based institution has not weakened me. Instead, it has strengthened me to make my faith my own, stick to those beliefs, love others well, and keep Jesus as my focus.
Maybe you are still unsure if attending HU will really impact your faith. Don’t just take my word for it; discover for yourself! If you are interested in learning more about HU’s dedication to each student’s faith journey, check out the Center for Spiritual Formation.
