Kevin and Sara Langmade
How did you get involved with Campus Outreach?
We were both asked to come to Summer Training Project our freshman years at the University of Northwestern by someone who we trusted because they intentionally spent time with us. For me (Kevin), it was Michael Owczarak, a fifth-year senior on the football team. For me (Sara) it was my soccer coach Nikki Jilek. Both of us would say we became followers of Jesus that summer.
What is it like to walk with Jesus now years after graduation?
It was a challenge for both of us to leave college and the structure of discipleship groups with close friends we had built throughout college. We found it hard to put ourselves out there with a new group of people with different experiences and backgrounds than us. But after we allowed ourselves to be free and to dive into the community around us, we were able to form new relationships that helped shape us and our relationships with Jesus. Now, walking with Jesus is inseparable with life in the church. When we stumble, there are others to turn to for help. When we are walking well there are others around to encourage.
Tell us about your vision for choosing to actively get involved in a church community
The things we learned and experienced through Campus Outreach and Bethlehem produced in us a desire to be pointers to Jesus to those around us, and we both feel that being deeply involved in our community is the best way to do that.
We were looking for a place that was close by so it would be easy to invite neighbors we meet at kids activites or the park to come to church with us. With buying a home and moving to a new city, we needed to have a network of Christians nearby to live life together. For us, this has included sharing meals, board game nights, puppy-sitting, pumpkin carving, leaf raking, among many other things. A local church can be powerful in the way that it shows love not only to the outsider, but displaying to outsiders the love the church members have for one another. I feel confident that a neighbor coming to an Emmaus event would feel cared for and see a group of poeple that cares for one another well.
What encouragement would you give to other alumni to continue to labor?
When our Christian walks felt aimless, God, through the church, continually placed wonderful people in our lives to keep us grounded in scripture and in community. We have often felt regret or fear when leaving a safe group, but have been rewarded with new and satisfying friendships in the end. Trust God to give you the help you need!
Making connections at church
Serving at church