My name is Lydia Wells, and I’m a Junior Education Major at Ashland University. My faith has been deeply shaped by my time at Ashland University and at the Well (an on-campus ministry). I came into college knowing I would be involved with the Well, just like many of my friends and mentors had before me. I had always aspired to be like Lydia McCullough, Olivia Plank, Sadie Vanderzyden, and Abby Sanders – all of whom have been involved with the Well in one way or another and all have been friends and mentors to me in the past. So moving onto AU’s campus as a real college student, I got to start my own personal journey of growing in Christ and community. Ashland’s campus has been impactful on my faith in many ways. From professors to fellow students, I have had opportunity after opportunity to grow and stretch my thinking. On a campus filled with mixed perspectives and people from all over, I get to have really in-depth conversations about faith with all sorts of people. My favorite experiences have been with one professor, Terri Jewett, an education professor. She is a Christian, and we can talk fluently about education and faith in our everyday conversations. That will have a deep impact on me as a future educator, wanting to be a person who is available for conversation like that with everyone. Seeing people who are committed to kingdom life at AU has helped me want to be as committed to that life as they are.

I will never take my experiences at the Well for granted. I have been involved in the Well for over a year now. I got to attend right off the bat as a leader because of my previous involvement with ministry and other opportunities. My fall semester last year was my first semester of college, and it was hard. I spent many Thursday nights being fully myself and pouring out emotion in worship and with my community. I have never felt so supported and loved as I have at the Well. My faith has flourished because of the love of Christ that is shown all around me. I am more dedicated and more in tune with God and my spiritual life than ever before. Coming into college, my faith was closely tied to my parents’ faith. But with AU and the Well, I have made it my own personal and unique faith. The depth of community, conversation, and teachings have built a strong foundation to stand firm on when I come into a season of hardships. My experience with AU and the Well is something I will forever be grateful for. There are so many wonderful people on AU’s campus, and I love everything about the Well and our opportunity to be the light of Christ to our campus and community.

Respectfully Submitted,
Lydia Wells