05/20/2026
This article went out in the MKP biweekly newsletter. Keep reading to learn about Luca's experience in UKirk Bible Study.
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"Any questions before we wrap up today?" I asked of the U of L students last October. One young man raised his hand and asked aloud, "Nell, you know that some of us in this room don't believe in God or the Bible, so why do you do Bible study with us every week?" Like any good campus minister, I flipped the question back on him, "Well, why do you choose to come to Bible study even if you don't believe in God or the Bible?" Luca replied, "Well, when I come to UKirk, you remind me that I'm loved and worthy of compassion. This group makes me feel like I belong."
"Exactly" I responded. "Even if at the end of the day God is not real and the Bible is a bunch of bologna, I still believe that our time together matters. When you come here to experience love, compassion, and belonging, it is my hope that you then go out into the world and cultivate more spaces feel like this one. In this way, our time together is an investment in making the world a better place. But, because I am who I am and I do believe that God is real and the Bible is worth reading, I trust that God is at work through our time together. It's okay with me if you don't agree, but I hope in time, you'll come to know God's love as I do."
Since October, the Holy Spirit has been up to a bit of holy mischief in the life of Luca. He has come to appreciate the Bible and how God shows up within our beloved campus ministry community. He was elected by his peers to be one of UKirk Louisville's student leaders and it is a privilege to witness how the Holy Spirit is inviting him to use his gifts of creativity, sensitivity, inclusion, and imagination to strengthen our campus ministry.
As a ministry of Mid Kentucky Presbytery, UKirk Louisville is inviting students of all faith backgrounds to participate in God's beloved community. We have a fascinating mix of students who grew up in this presbytery, young adult volunteers in town for a season, grad students who came from other PC(USA) presbyteries, exvangelical deconstructionists, and young adults who are encountering Christianity for the first time through UKirk. Whether they realize it or not, our students are a constant reminder to me of God's inclusive love and abundant grace.
As we wind down this academic year, Luca's question from last fall still resonates with me. "Nell, why do you do this?" I wonder how you might answer that question if someone asked you about your ministry. Why do you do what you do? I'd reckon your answer would also have something to do with God's love and grace. May your ministry be driven by your "why" and bear witness the sacred mischief of the Spirit.
