8 Students, 8 Weeks
This summer, eight students from our college ministry will spend eight weeks in San Diego serving through GenSend Summer, an immersive missions program of the North American Mission Board that sends college students to strategic cities across North America for a summer of evangelism, discipleship, church planting support, and spiritual growth.
We recently sat down with Ashton Wyndham, Isaac Fox, and Samantha Spruill to hear about what they’ll be doing in San Diego, how God led them to this opportunity, and how our church family can pray for them in the weeks ahead.
After our students arrive in San Diego they’ll be divided into ministry teams serving two local church plants. These churches are reaching people in a diverse and growing city where many have little connection to a church or the gospel.
The students expect their weeks to include everything from setting up and tearing down worship gatherings, helping with outreach events, canvassing neighborhoods, serving community initiatives, and engaging people in one-on-one gospel conversations. Some ministry moments may happen on college campuses. Others may happen in coffee shops, gyms, parks, or wherever God opens a door.
Ashton Wyndham described what excites her about serving a newer church plant:
“This is a fairly new and growing church in the area, so a big part of our role will be supporting their outreach efforts, helping them connect with people who may not already be plugged into a church. Being a part of a newer church is meaningful because we get to come alongside them during a season of growth and help them lay a strong foundation for continued ministry.”
Samantha Spruill said the mission strategy reaches far beyond church walls:
“They very much want us to interact not only with college campuses, but with the rest of the community at coffee shops and at the gym and places like that. I think they’re very much going to throw us out into the community and say, ‘Have fun.’”
For these students, the goal is simple: meet people where they are and make Christ known.
Though the summer will stretch them, these students are not stepping into ministry unprepared. Many of the convictions that led them to apply for GenSend were cultivated through the First College ministry.
Students repeatedly pointed to discipleship, biblical teaching, authentic friendships, accountability, worship, mission trips, and campus evangelism as key factors in their growth. What began as simply attending church became something deeper—a community that helped shape their walk with Christ.
Ashton Wyndham shared how the ministry changed her understanding of faith:
“Before getting involved here at First College, I don’t think I truly understood what it looked like to have a deep personal relationship with God. I grew up in a Christian school, but my faith felt more surface level and routine rather than something actively shaping the way I lived every day. Stepping into this ministry completely changed that for me. It gave me a sense of community I didn’t realize I was missing. Being surrounded by friends and leaders who walk the narrow path alongside you has challenged me in the best way.”
Isaac Fox said the ministry helped draw him out of isolation and into community:
“I was pretty reserved and introverted when I first started coming to First. Community was something I recognized I needed, but I lacked the willingness to put myself out there. So I started throwing myself into everything First was offering. First was definitely the biggest formative time in my adult life. It helped pull me out of my shell and showed me that I’m not called to be the best—I’m just called to say yes and do what the Lord is asking.”
Samantha Spruill said she cannot separate her spiritual growth from what she found in the college ministry:
“I never would have thought of doing anything like this without First College. Before coming here, I had never had a church community. I wasn’t very strong in my faith, didn’t have good spiritual habits, and had never shared the gospel with anyone. Without First, this would not be on my radar. They’ve given me so many opportunities to grow.”
As these eight students prepare to go, our church family has the privilege of sending them not only with encouragement, but with prayer.
Please pray for: