April has been jam packed with trips, meetings, concerts, and other surprises! The end of the semester is right around the corner and below are some of my highlights from this month!
April 8th, 2025 - Impact Staff Conference
During the first week of April I had the privilege of traveling to my “home away from home” Atlanta Georgia for Impact’s annual staff conference! While there we as staff talked about topics like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Sexual Assault, the future of our ministry, and so many other things. As a recent graduate, I was by far the youngest person in the room, and when reflecting on the dialogue that we had in Atlanta, I feel incredibly blessed and privileged to be apart of those discussions and voice what I’ve experienced as a Gen Z’er, and how other Gen Z’ers might be experiencing life right now.
Nonetheless, with that being said, I’m excited for what God has in store for the future of this ministry. One thing is clear, Impact does not shy away from having courageous conversations, and I look forward to seeing more Gen Z’ers join staff in the future!
Jimmy McGee, Micheal Grandison, and Maurice Powe at Impact’s Commissioning Ceremony
April 17th, 2025 - I did what?
About two weeks ago I went to an event hosted by a different campus ministry at UMass. And while attending that event, I was pleasantly surprised by something new on the program: a dedicated time for communal. Wow I thought, this didn’t happen when I was in undergrad. So being overjoyed with the experience, I ended up talking with one of the student prayer leaders later in the week, and what she said about that moment surprised me.
“Oh, you actually were a large inspiration for that”
What? What did she mean I was an inspiration for prayer in a different campus ministry?
“Well, I know that you will consistently ask me if I have any prayer requests throughout the week, so as a leader in this other ministry I thought that maybe we could incorporate more prayer during our weekly meetings. And in fact, this week, when you came to our meeting, was our kickstart.”
I processed her words in shock. Usually when asking people for prayer requests, few people respond. Yet I never would have expected things to ripple in a way like this. It was cool to consider how texting this Black student somehow led to more prayer in another campus ministry. All glory to God, and I’m grateful for the things he does behind the scenes.
April 22nd, 2025 - Events, Worship, and Outreaches
As the school year is rapidly closing, I will quickly mention some incredible events that occurred within the last couple of weeks at UMass…
Soulchella Week
From April 22nd to April 27th several clubs at UMass hosted numerous events to build community and camaraderie among Black college students and other people of color. Some of those events included a Block Party, a Fashion Show, a BBQ, a Basketball Tournament, and even a Skate-A-Thon!
This year I was able to attend numerous Soulchella events and I had a really amazing time. Ultimately my goal was to attend events with the hope and intention of 1) meeting new people, and 2) equipping and exposing Black faith filled believers of Jesus into other spaces where Black students desperately need love and support. And I think that overall those goals were achieved. This year was my first time doing outreach during Soulchella, but I’m excited to say that momentum has begun. I look forward to seeing how next year plays out!
Me, one of my student leaders, and two freshman at the Black Student Union’s Skate-A-Thon
April 24th, 2025 - Cliff and Stuart Knechtle
Last Thursday, I stood in awe as saw hundreds of students crowded together on UMass’ student union lawn. There’s no more space in the parking garage I heard someone say, we drove all the way from Springfield another person exclaimed. What was it all for you ask, to engage and ask questions to Cliff and Stuart Knechtle: Christian pastors, and apologists, who are incredibly popular among young adults on social media.
From 12:00 to 5:00PM the two men listened and gave insight to questions like “if God is good, why is there suffering,” and “is the Bible sexist.” I watched as students from all different backgrounds, both believers and nonbelivers the like, sat among the crowd. And quite frankly, I had never seen anything like this in my four years of undergrad. If I were to estimate, I would guess that at least 1000 students probably engaged with this outreach, and overall pray for the campus ministries as we begin to followup!
Cliff Knechtle speaking at the UMass Student Union Lawn
April 26th, 2025 - Worship Night and Gospel Concert
And last but certainly not least, last Saturday I had the amazing privilege of getting to attend and support the love of my life, my fiancee, Imani Gunnison, at Smith College where she does ministry for Smith’s end of the year worship night! (I was assigned to camera duty). I had a really great time, serving and supporting Imani there; and even later I was surprised as although Smith is an all girl’s school, one of the students requested that I come to more Smith Christian Fellowship activities. So who knows where that will lead, but whatever Imani tells me to do, I’m up for it!
And immediately following that on Sunday, April 27th in the UMass Student Union ballroom, it was another amazing night of worship as UMass Gospel Choir held their annual Gospel Concert in which this year’s headliner was Nigerian Gospel artist, Tim Godfrey, and to put it lightly that night was incredible. (I was assigned to slide duty). Nonetheless, overall students had an incredible experience, and for many people from Nigerian backgrounds the concert “felt like home” which was really beautiful to hear.
Smith College Worship Team
So yes, this has been an amazing last couple of weeks, and I’m just blown away by everything God is doing at UMass!
My Prayer Requests
1. Pray for graduating seniors and students as they approach the end of the semester.
2. For future leaders at UMass, healthy transition during the club reregistration process and start of fall.
3. Pray for momentum and wisdom as followup occurs at UMass (after Cliff and Stuart event/Gospel Concert).
4. Pray for Imani and I as we continue planning for our wedding! WE HAVE A DATE! Pray for financial favor, wisdom, and strength as we throw this thing together!