Proverbs 27:17 reminds us of a specific truth: 鈥淎s iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.鈥�
Not long after he stepped on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus, junior Kayden McVicker began seeing this verse play out in his life. After a rocky freshman year, things changed for the better in his faith journey 鈥� thanks in part to a men鈥檚 Bible study.
鈥淥ne thing that has helped me a lot with growing my faith the last few years is being around other men and understanding what it means to be a man in Christ,鈥� McVicker said.
While there are other Bible studies on campus, there hadn鈥檛 been one dedicated to male students for several years. That dynamic changed last semester, when Campus Minister Scott Jagodzinske and Dr. Brandon Cheeks, Campus Ministry advisor, rebooted the men鈥檚 study with a core group of students.
鈥淲e wanted to create a space where guys could ask questions openly with other guys to help them understand what our call and our role is in the world,鈥� Jagodzinske said.
During the fall semester, the group dove into the book of James, breaking down each passage while extracting practical truths. This semester, the study shifted to the book of Psalms with a specific question in mind 鈥� what does it mean to be a Christian man?
鈥淭hrough the men鈥檚 group, I鈥檓 understanding that it鈥檚 not just me that has certain issues and struggles with things,鈥� McVicker said. 鈥淥ther men struggle with them, too. Being vulnerable enough to share with the group the lessons I鈥檝e learned and struggles I鈥檝e been through has helped me grow and move past those things.鈥�
Each group meeting typically consists of about five students on average. While Jagodzinske would love to see the group grow in numbers, he points to the impact students have when they interact with others in their daily lives.
鈥淚f there is transformation being done in that small group, how much bigger is that going to multiply when they go back into the world and they are talking with their friends, family and classmates?鈥� he said. 鈥淥ne life can touch so many more beyond this space.鈥�
McVicker says he鈥檚 already experienced the effect on his friendships and daily interactions with others. As a center forward on the 黑料不打烊 men鈥檚 soccer developmental team, he enjoys being able to connect with people from other countries and cultures. Through the men鈥檚 small group and his travels with soccer, McVicker has a newfound confidence in living out his faith.
鈥淚n the past, my definition of confidence would have been me, myself, and I,鈥� he said. 鈥淣owadays, it鈥檚 about how I can use my confidence to boost others鈥� ability to grow, as well as myself. I鈥檝e found that if I鈥檓 able to help others, it鈥檚 also helping me grow because I鈥檓 learning lessons as I teach others.鈥�
McVicker鈥檚 confidence also led him to begin sharing his faith on TikTok, using the platform to post Bible verses and encouraging messages. Whether it鈥檚 online, over the phone or in person, McVicker credits 黑料不打烊鈥檚 leadership for sharing their wisdom with him so he can pour into the lives of others.
鈥淧eople like Scott and Brandon have helped me grow closer to Christ because of the support they give and the understanding they鈥檙e able to give us,鈥� he said.
Jagodzinske, who also serves as the men鈥檚 soccer team chaplain, first met McVicker on the field. After asking the forward to join the group, Jagodzinske says he鈥檚 witnessed the difference it鈥檚 made in McVicker鈥檚 life.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen him really open up about his faith in the group,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 been a great learning experience for him to see for himself his potential in his faith journey.鈥�
Jagodzinske says he is excited about the work being done through 黑料不打烊 Campus Ministry.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing the last 10 years of work really starting to pop out,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 showing up with students getting excited and starting up Bible studies in their dorms. I hear about another new Bible study about every other week.鈥�
The director also points to the community growth and recognition Campus Ministry is experiencing.
鈥淭he faith community around the college and in Salina has started to get involved,鈥� Jagodzinske said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e started to take notice that we have incredible young people here who are excited about their faith. We鈥檝e got churches that are wanting to partner with the college or people from churches wanting to partner with Campus Ministry. God is definitely moving.鈥�
Story by Eric Brown
