This is a special feature for our first two Weekly's to introduce you to the Exec and their different roles. Please take some time to get to know us!
Church Ambassador - Auburn Bible Chapel
1. Full name: Bryce David O'Neill
2. Age: 18
3. Year in University: 2
4. Program: Bachelor of Arts
5. E-mail: bryceoneill@trentu.ca
How did you become a Christian?: I was brought up in a Christian home, so I acknowledged
God my whole life but didn’t really start to follow him until until June 2009. At that time I started to
hang out with some solid believers who directed me towards the right path. I was at the end of my
rope emotionally and my pride was crushed and I was ready to give my life to him and to finally
let someone love me for who I really was. It is awesome.
What was your biggest faith-building experience?: Going to Trent. I didn’t want to go hear and
it didn’t make sense for me to do so at the time. But God lead me to go and I listened and it has
worked out so well.
What is your favorite Bible passage? Why?: Psalm 37: It is so encouraging when one feels
like giving up or frustrated at hoe evil men prosper. Through the passage God tells us that if we
keep trusting in him we will inherit the land and our righteousness will shine like the noonday sun.
Furthermore, Ravi Zacharias once autographed my Bible and under his name he wrote “Ps 37:5”
What do you hope to see happen in TCF as a whole this year?: I want us to enjoy God as
much as we can and to feel as though he is enjoying us. I want us to dig into the word of God and
to grow spiritually. Also, I have hope that we will not be an exclusive group but that we will reach
out as much as we can and spread the good news around the Trent community. I have hope that
our numbers will grow and that many new believers will come to the gathering and be saved.
1. Full name: Krystal Brideau
2. Age: 20
3. Year in University: 3rd
4. Program: Nursing BscN
5. E-mail: kbrideau38@hotmail.com
What brought you to Trent?:
I came to Trent because I come from the small town of Hensall, ON and I heard that Trent was a very
small, close-knit kind of university. I also admired the beauty of the campus even before coming here by
viewing pictures in brochures. I really appreciated the fact that they made a call to me in January of my
last year of high school because that really sent me the message that I was wanted at Trent.
How did you become a Christian?:
I became a Christian in my first year of university when I was living at Gzowski college. I had a lot of
friends who were members of TCF, and although I was an atheist, they were non-judgmental and
respected my personal beliefs. During a time when I was seriously pondering becoming a Christian,
because of what I had seen in my friends and how it changed them into better people, more whole
individuals, there was a horrific car accident in front of my house. This was during reading week in
October and for some reason I happened to be sitting in a spot where I had never sat before to do
some homework (right in front of the window where the accident had taken place, leaving me as the
only witness). I had to call 911 and take care of the scene until the ambulance came both drivers were
seriously injured but survived. It was a miracle considering the nature of the accident (head-on in a
blizzard). After the ambulance was called, another man stopped to help with the other van and was
asking the young woman her name. She was so confused and disoriented that she could not answer, so
he asked her just her last name. She replied that her last name was Bye. I instantly realized that I knew
her brother and miraculously, even though I had never met her, I knew her name. I asked her if it was
the name I had thought of and she said yes. I still to this day do not know how I could have guessed her
name. After the ambulance arrived I left the scene and went into the house. I felt called to pick up the
phone and inform her family so they could meet her at the hospital, so I did. I then proceeded to find her
on facebook and send her a message explaining who I was and that I was praying for her. I felt like God
played a part in the events and miracles that went on that day. Then, shortly afterwards my Christian
friend (who never signs onto msn) signed on and asked me if I was a Christian. This was before I told her
all of the events that took place! I told her that I was and I have been ever since.
Is there a person/mentor whose impact you would like to share?:
My personal mentors are actually students here at Trent who first introduced me to Christ in my first
year in nursing. They were really supportive of my questions and guided me during my first visits to
church and small groups.
What church do you attend? What are the best parts of your church?:
I have currently been attending Redwood at KCC whenever I am not making trips home. This is a church
that is right inside the Fleming Sutherland Building. It is the main lecture room and the first room just as
you go up the stairs on the right so it’s not hard to find. It is also highly contemporary in style and geared
towards a younger generation (since it is in a college). For example: all the lectures are recorded and
posted online, as well as the powerpoint presentations, plus weekly newsletters and small groups. Lastly,
it really makes you feel extremely welcome. Just as you walk in the door there are greeters, as well as
they request that you not give any financial contributions on your first visit as you are a visitor and they
hope that Redwood is a fit for you.
Special Events Coordinator
1. Name: Sarah Harris
2. Age: 21
3. Year in University: 4th Year University
4. Program: Environmental Sciences
What brought me to Trent? God, completely God. He knew exactly what I
needed and where I should be because I had no idea. Trent was just a
random school I picked during my application process so that I had a
third choice because I was so sure of my other choices. I was accepted
to all of them but I was pulled to Trent and I am thankful that God put
me here. Campus is beautiful, classes are great, and He is on the move
at Trent.
What was your biggest faith building experience? My biggest faith building
experience was on my missions trip to Zambia. The whole trip had a
tremendous impact on my faith and made me stronger by being less reliant
on the things of this world. The people there were so happy with
nothing except their faith and living in the culture that we do having
those memories helps me continue on and not fall into the trap of North
American mega-consumption. We are blessed here to have so much and I can
thank God so much more by realizing how much we really have.
What church do you attend? What is your favourite part? I attend The Gathering, which is part of Auburn. There are so many good
things about this church but one thing that I really enjoy is that it
is on campus. What better way to connect with students than to bring the
church to them? Plus I love it when I have class or especially exams in
that same lecture hall and I just know that God has been worshipped in
that place. The memories flood back to me about an amazing sermon I
heard there or a powerful song and I am encouraged.
What do you hope to see happen in TCF this year? This year I hope to see TCF take deep roots in the school and grow. Not
that TCF doesn't have deep roots but while I've been in TCF we've had
great fellowship, and fun events but we need to be reaching out to all
the students on campus. As a group I want to see us be so passionate
about our faith that we just have to let the other students know and be
continually growing ourselves by challenging and keeping one another
accountable. At the end of the year we should all have a stronger faith
and be united in that faith.
Financial Coordinator
1.Full name: Laura Michelle Neufeld
2. Age: 19
3. Year in University: 2
4. Program: Mathematics
5. E-mail: l.neufeld@live.ca
What brought you to Trent? Trent is
great. Small classroom sizes,
interaction with your profs and the beautiful campus, what more could you ask
for?
What was your biggest faith-building experience? I think each experience we have is training
for the next thing God has in store for us!
My greatest faith-building experience to date was a missions trip I got
to be a part of this spring. Spending a
month in Thailand, a spiritual dark country,
was a huge faith growing experience for me!
What church do you attend? What are the best parts of
your church? The Gathering/Auburn
Bible Chapel. The best part about this
church is the small groups; they provide an opportunity to get connected, and
to get to know my brothers and sisters in Christ.
What do you hope
to see happen in TCF as a whole this year? This
year I hope TCF can make a bigger impact in our community. I hope for more outreach opportunities, and
to strengthen the body of Christ here in Peterborough!
Outreach/Evangelism Coordinator
1) Full Name: Chris Conboy
2) Age: 21
3) Year in University: Year 3
4) Program: BA Joint –Major Psychology and History
5) Email: conboychris@gmail.com
A) What brought you to Trent?
I
was only able to come to Trent because of God’s provision in my life
through my family’s financial resources, and the hearty encouragement of
my mom.
I chose Trent for a number of reasons. I appreciated that Peterborough
was close enough to my hometown, Sharbot Lake, that I was able to go
home on weekends if I desired, yet far enough away that I felt free to
continue growing and developing independent from my family.
Trent was an attractive option also because of the campus. It’s not in
the middle of the city (which is nice for a small-town, back-woods kind
of guy), but still close enough to get there when I needed to get away
from schoolwork. I really enjoy that Trent is in a semi-natural setting,
with the Ottonabee river running straight through the campus, and the
bridge spanning from East to West bank being a place I often see my
friends!
B) What is your favourite Bible Passage, and why?
Hands-down, my favourite passage from the Bible is Romans 8. Its the
passage that I read, heard; encountered almost everywhere I went for a
solid six months in a big phase of Jesus deepening and correcting my
understand of who He was, the astounding combination of Holy God and
loving Father. I’d turn the radio on, someone would be reading the
verse, flip open my bible, and there it would be, go to visit another
church for a weekend and it would be the focus of a sermon; it was
virtually inescapable in way that rocked my conceptions of who God was,
and how I could relate to and with Him!
C) What goals to you have for your position on the executive this year?
I
have many goals for my position on exec. this year, but the biggest is
that TCF, and consequently, Trent, would be a place that people
encounter and come to live in real, meaningful, captivating, and deep
relationship with each-other, and with Jesus Christ.
My
co-“evangelism coordinator”, Jenn Knight, and I agree that one of the
most effective and powerful opportunities for Christian ministry is in
our personal relationships with the people we rub-shoulders with, the
people who we go to school with, and sometimes our families. Our goal
for this shared position this year, is therefore, to spur fellow
Christians on through personal encouragement, and encouraging group
discussion about how this can be done in practical ways, then helping
each other to put evangelism into action.
We’re also looking into how we can encourage and organize opportunities
for serving those around us, both within, and outside of TCF. Service
is a great way to share the hope we have with non-Christians while
showing love to fellow Christians. Jesus taught
“You
know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."—Mark 10:42-45
D) What church do you attend? What are the best parts of your church?
I attend Peterborough Free Methodist Church in the morning, and The Gathering at Trent in the evening. With both churches, I’ve met lots of amazing people who are on-fire for God.
I’ve really enjoyed the small group aspect, a big part of the Gathering
church. I especially appreciated the food which our hosts provided and
some sweet hang out times with the guys. We even had a special event
one evening for non-Christians to come, enjoy food, and chill. I was
really pleased that a few of my roommates came out and had a blast
getting to know some cool Christians!
The Free-Methodist church is a great community of people who will not
only ask your first and last name, but who went out of their way to meet
me when I came. I remember one morning after the service feeling
lonely, playing piano in the sanctuary while waiting for the city bus
home and praying that someone would invite me to join a dinner
downstairs. Not long afterward, pastor Eyre invited me down and
introduced me to each member of the table I sat at. I was definitely in
high spirits after such warmth! We also have a lot of men in our
congregation, something which a lot of churches are lacking. I
appreciate being able to look up some of the dudes as friends and
father-figures.
Church Liaison
;)
1. Full name: Cheryl Fraser
2. Age: 21
3. Year in University: 4
4. Program: Nursing
5. E-mail: funki4him@hotmail
How did you become a Christian?
I grew up in a Christian home, and I don't remember a time when I did not know about and believe in God and Jesus. I attended youth groups at different churches from a variety of denominations, and I got a taste for many different styles of worship, and different doctrines. I'm thankful for my experience in many different groups, but sometimes I get bogged down by all the details and differences. God then gently guides me back (or whaps me upside the head and redirects my gaze) towards Jesus who is radically outside of our boxes! Being a follower of Christ is a continuous adventure of being transformed in thought and attitude and lifestyle. I love how God keeps changing me daily, and I am excited for a lifetime of loving Jesus and becoming more Christ-like.
What church do you attend? What are the best parts of your church?
I go to the Gathering at Trent, which meets on campus but is not directly linked with TCF. The Gathering just started last year, through Auburn Bible Chapel. Last year was a great new experience and a huge learning curve, as we went through the process of starting a church on campus. This year we are heading in with new ideas and a lot of excitement. I think that one of the strongest aspects of the Gathering is that, since it is so new and small, everybody has a unique place in the church. Everyone at the Gathering is encouraged to explore how to best grow and use their gifts as part of the Body of Christ, and everyone is encouraged to be an active part of this new and growing church.
What goals do you have for your position on the executive this year?
As the church liaison, I am really excited to help connect different members of the Body of Christ in Peterborough! I think it is vital for us all to be supporting and encouraging each other as we all do God's Kingdom work here in Peterborough. I want to help TCF members get connected with a local church with info, rides, etc., and I want to establish good communication with churches so that we can be aware and supportive of what each other is doing.
What do you hope to see happen in TCF as a whole this year?
I want to see TCF – individuals and a group – in undivided pursuit of holiness... devoting time to worshipping our God, studying and learning together, and serving God by serving anyone in need at Trent and in Peterborough and sharing the Good News of Jesus. I hope to see us being a group that is seeking God's voice, and then acting on whatever it is that God tells us!
