Hi, my name is Peyton Lee, and I’m a sophomore at Grace Christian University pursuing a major in Biblical Studies, and I’d like to share how this program and community have shaped my journey.
Why I Chose Grace
My decision to attend Grace was deeply rooted in Romans 12:1-2. Verse one talks about offering up your body as a living sacrifice, denying yourself, putting yourself on that cross, and giving up all that you have for God. This passage has personally impacted my life because I want to follow where Jesus wants me to go. I spent a lot of time praying and seeking God’s direction, and Grace Christian University was one of those places that I felt the Lord was drawing me toward.
Verse two says, “Do not conform to the patterns of the world.” One piece of advice I received from a former Grace student has stayed with me: who you hang out with is who you will become. I wanted to surround myself with people who love Christ and want to follow Him as well. And what better place than Grace Christian University?
Learn, Grow, Serve
I spent some time reflecting on Grace’s themes of Learn, Grow, and Serve, and they have profoundly impacted my life. Every single day as Christians following Christ, we are learning new things about Him and discovering new ways to witness Christ to the world. We’re growing in our personal relationship with Him and maturing in our character.
When we take these two things, what we’ve learned from Christ, His example and teachings, and the way we’ve grown through our life experiences, we can use them to serve others. For me, learning and growing work together to enable us to serve others effectively.
The Biblical Studies Professors
If you’re considering coming to Grace for Biblical Studies, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible professors here. My experience with each professor, Kyle Vegh, Pat McGillicuddy, Jake Rogers, and Professor Long, has been amazing. They each have their own personality and unique approach, but one thing is consistent: it’s clear they love God and pursue Him wholeheartedly. They also genuinely love to teach others.
These professors have such profound knowledge of the Bible, and they have invested in me personally, pouring so much wisdom into my life. If you want professors who truly care about you, who can have fun with you, and who connect with you on a meaningful level, come to Grace. The Biblical Studies professors are exceptional.
The Value of My Degree
For me, the value of earning a college degree depends on what you want to do in life. When I made the decision to follow Christ, I wanted to position myself where He wanted me to be. I feel the Lord is calling me to be a youth pastor, and for that calling, a degree is essential.
When I eventually teach younger students about God’s Word, I want to ensure that what I’m teaching is correct. I want to make sure I’m teaching them the truth and only the truth. Taking Bible classes here at Grace, especially the advanced courses on interpreting the Bible, will better equip me for ministry. Getting this degree is about using it to serve God effectively.
How Grace Has Shaped Me
My time at Grace has really shaped me in the area of connection. I’m a pretty extroverted person, but before coming to Grace, I didn’t interact with others as much as I would have liked. I served at my church and interacted with people at school, but I kept to myself more than I should have.
At Grace, it’s challenging to avoid people, and that’s a good thing. You see everyone every single day, and you get to know everyone on campus within the first year. This environment has pushed me to greet people when I see them walking down the sidewalk, to sit with different people at lunch, and to truly get to know others rather than staying in my own bubble. It has helped me grow tremendously in connecting with other believers and having meaningful conversations with them.
People Who’ve Made an Impact
Throughout my first year and now into my second year as a full-time student, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many people on campus. Rick Pilieci, Connor Rice, Caleb McGillicuddy, Tessa Vanderheide, and so many others have made significant impacts on my life.
However, the one person who has left the strongest impression on me is Professor McGillicuddy. I met him two or three years ago on a mission trip, we’ve been on two together so far. Getting to know him was actually one of the reasons I wanted to come to Grace.
What I admire most about Professor McGillicuddy and what has impacted me deeply, relates to James Chapter 1, which talks about having joy even in our trials. From a worldly perspective, this doesn’t make sense. But having joy in trials gives you a peace that transcends understanding. I’ve witnessed this in Professor McGillicuddy’s life. Every time I’m with him, it never seems like he’s going through difficulty because he’s joyful all the time, in all circumstances.
That’s what I really admire is his joyful attitude no matter what’s going on in life. It has left a profound impact on me and challenged me to be joyful even when I’m struggling.
A Day in Someone Else’s Shoes
If I could switch places with anyone at Grace for a day, it would be Rick Pilieci. That man is incredible, going from person to person, running around campus, biking around campus. If you can imagine a ministry opportunity on campus, he’s there, interacting and genuinely connecting with people.
I would love to experience what his day-to-day life looks like. He has so much energy, going from class to class, teaching, interacting with students throughout the entire day. He even stays up late at night playing board games with students. He is completely committed to serving and loving others, and I think it would be fascinating to see what that level of dedication looks like from his perspective.
Just for Fun
I’m not much of a coffee person, but I tried Starbucks a few years ago, and the mocha cookie crumble is my only go-to coffee drink. As for my go-to snack? I can always count on the purple Doritos, the sweet spicy chili ones. Take those with some chocolate milk, and it’s a beautiful combination.
Finding Community at Grace Christian University
Grace Christian University has been more than just a place to study the Bible. It’s a community where I’ve grown in my faith, developed transformational relationships, and discovered my calling to ministry. The Biblical Studies program has equipped me with the knowledge and truth I need to serve God effectively, and the people here have challenged me to live out my faith with joy and authenticity every single day.
