Growing through service: two students share their journey of discipleship in the local church

By Julia Swain

On the first Sunday following fall break, junior Social Work major Bekah Williams walks into Sunday school at Grace Baptist Church in downtown Cedarville, anxiously anticipating being able to see the elementary-aged students after an almost two week long hiatus. 

Upon entering the room, she is immediately bombarded with hugs and the sound of excited squeals. 

“Church isn’t the same without you here,” one child yells out. 

The enthusiasm of the students, who missed her after one week, is one small reason Williams sees a purpose in the local church. Another reason comes from seeing the kids grow in their relationship with the Lord. 

“I feel like being involved in church ministry has helped me see the younger generation get passionate about knowing who Jesus is,” Williams said. 

Williams has been serving in Sunday school since last semester, and began serving this semester with Grace’s Wednesday night ministry, God’s Powerful Study (GPS). In both ministries, Williams helps teach a Bible story, play games with the kids and worship with them. 

“It has made me feel more connected to the church body by having the kids or parents ask me how I’m doing,” Williams said. “It helps grow my passion for the church.” 

Many students worry that because their college churches are oftentimes temporary, there is very little chance for return in the investment that will be put into serving in ministry. However, serving can provide invaluable opportunities for long-lasting impacts on both the students and on the people one is serving with. 

Chloe Putnam, a junior Primary Education major, has been serving since her sophomore year at University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. She serves in both Sunday school and in Awana, a ministry focused on youth discipleship, on Sunday afternoons. 

“Many of the other leaders at Awana will check up on me and ask me how I’m doing,” Putnam said. “Also, the people I’ve built a relationship with make sure that I am taken care of and do things like open their homes for me to share a meal with them.” 

Putnam has also seen benefits in her relationships with the students.

“Being more involved in church ministry has helped me grow a community at the church with the kids in my group and also their families,” Putnam said. “I am able to connect with the kids in my group, and hear about their lives and their interests.” 

Williams also saw benefits in her walk with the Lord through serving the local church. 

“It’s a great way to serve those around you,” Williams said. “It [serving in children’s ministry] will feel more connected and learn more about the church body. You can learn and grow your relationship with Christ by getting wisdom from those younger or older than you.”

Aside from the benefits, there have been some challenges for both Putnam and Williams. 

“It’s always challenging trying to help 4-5 year olds to understand the importance and seriousness of the Bible,” Putnam said. 

 “One challenging moment is when some of my kids are super clingy to me and want all my attention and I can’t serve my other kids well,” Williams said. “One of my girls didn’t want me to play games during GPS, so she wanted me to sit out with her but my other girls wanted me to play with them so I had to struggle managing both things.” 

Faculty and staff consistently encourage students to serve in the local church. While it can be something that easily slips through the cracks in one’s busy schedule, it is crucial to both spiritual growth and receiving discipleship from older members of the church body. 

“Being more involved in church ministry has helped me grow a community at the church with the kids in my group and also their families,” Putnam said. “I have been able to get to know my co-leaders and their families as we serve together each Sunday.” 

According to Christianity Today, 62% of respondents to a survey performed on the result of serving in the church said that it develops a sense of maturing discipleship among those involved, which directly relates to the experience that both Putnam and Williams have had. 

“I feel like being involved in church ministry has helped me to get to know the older ladies at church who serve and learn from them,” Williams said. 

Ultimately, serving in the local church is not merely beneficial for the spiritual growth of those who are being served, but for one’s own walk with the Lord. 

“I would tell those who are not sure if they want to get involved at church that they are not only missing out on a lot of joy from the Lord as they serve, but they are not being obedient to what the Lord calls us to do,” Putnam said. “Serving disciples and encouraging others, but also molds you to become more like Christ.”

Julia Swain is a junior journalism student and the off-campus news editor for Cedars. She enjoys concerts, coffee, and watching and analyzing any Cleveland sports team.