For the Cause of Christ: In Every Aspect of Society

When I was 18, I spent every Monday afternoon at a tiny church in Scotland, playing Catan with an older man named Arthur.* Every week, in his thick Glaswegian accent, he shared stories from his life, and each one was filled with pain. Arthur grew up in Glasgow, fought in the army, watched his friends die, saw his wife leave him, and endured his children’s rejection. As an elderly man, he struggled with both mental and physical illness, feeling completely isolated from the world. He once told me he bought groceries one day at a time, just to have a reason to leave his house and interact with someone. Arthur had no desire to know God, and his cynicism brought me to tears more than once.

This experience was part of my semester-long internship in the fall of 2018, where I served at a church in Glasgow. During my five months there, I focused on two primary areas of ministry: supporting individuals struggling with mental health challenges and working with refugees in the city. Arthur attended the “conversation cafe,” a ministry the church offered for people wrestling with mental illness. Every Monday we played games, drank tea, and ate pastries — all as part of helping people in their healing process.

It was these moments — seeing real suffering, encountering problems I couldn’t fix, and wrestling with the reality of evil — that drew me to the justice and social ethics program at Judson College. My time in Scotland left me feeling overwhelmed by the amount of pain in the world and acutely aware of my limitations in making a difference. I wanted to know how to address real-world problems and gain a framework for understanding suffering.

I wanted to know how to address real-world problems and gain a framework for understanding suffering.

I started my degree the following fall and discovered a newfound love for Christian ethics. Each week, I’d come home from class excited to tell my roommates about the latest thing I had learned about Aristotle or Kant — or whatever idea I was currently invested in.

Reflecting on my time at Judson, I think the most valuable takeaway from my education was an enlarged view of God and a deeper appreciation of his goodness. I didn’t become less aware of suffering; instead, I became more aware of God’s kindness. I came to know him as the source of every good moral principle, so whenever I studied ethics, I encountered his character. And whenever I studied his character, it informed my understanding of ethics.

I entered college carrying the weight of my experiences in Scotland, but my time at Judson reshaped how I understood and responded to that brokenness. Studying ethics gave me a new motivation for seeking justice — not as an angry passion but as a pursuit of what is good.

Ultimately, I came face to face with the person of Jesus — who is the image of the invisible God and the perfect model for ethical living. In class after class, my professors collectively connected the dots between loving Christ and living well in every part of society. My obedience to Christ’s commands became motivated by love for my Father rather than an overwhelming sense of duty.

In class after class, my professors collectively connected the dots between loving Christ and living well in every part of society.

I graduated in May 2023 and am currently working for a non-profit called SuNica, whose mission is to make disciples of Jesus through clean water, education, and mentorship in Nicaragua.

It’s a joy to pursue goodness in tangible ways through my work. My degree shaped my understanding of justice as an expression of love for God and His people, and I’m grateful to see that vision come to life every day in the ministry I am a part of. Informed by my study of ethics at Judson College, I feel incredibly thankful to work for a non-profit that reflects the heart of Jesus in how it serves and dignifies people through its programs.

I still reflect on my conversations with Arthur and often wish I could share with him what I’ve learned about the depth of God’s love and justice during my time at Judson. In my daily work and interactions, I hope to reflect Christ’s love to those suffering or facing injustice, trusting that God’s redemption is at work, even in the darkest places.

My role at SuNica is primarily behind the scenes, and it’s shown me how every role in society is significant when done unto the Lord. Making disciples is not reserved for those in vocational ministry, it happens in offices, churches, and homes. A life committed to Christ can take many shapes, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to apply my Judson degree by playing a part in God’s work in Nicaragua.

* Name changed to protect privacy

Join us in praying for Kayla as she pursues Christ in her friendships, in her church, and in her work with SuNica. Pray that God would continue to grow her in his Spirit and give her opportunities to demonstrate his love and truth to those in need around her.