Remember your faith
09/13/2024
Matthew Nardo, head football coach; Chalsi Campbell ‘12, campus pastor; and Carrie Mast ‘95, associate pastor of First Mennonite Church, served as Forum panelists.
Panelists discuss faith and memory
“Our faith is always growing and changing,” said Chalsi Campbell, a 2012 Bluffton alumni and campus pastor, during Bluffton University’s Sept. 10 Forum “Faith and Memory in Challenging Times.”
“I often have fond memories of my faith experiences as a child which have impacted my faith today,” said Campbell. “I learned at a young age that not everyone believes the same thing, and that’s ok. We have more in common than we don’t.”
Moderated by Forum coordinator, Gerald Mast, panelists also included Carrie Mast ’95, associate pastor of First Mennonite Church, Bluffton, Ohio, and Matthew Nardo, head football coach. The discussion introduced Bluffton’s 2024-25 Civic Engagement theme “Faith and Memory in Challenging Times.”
Panel questions connected the panelist’s personal faith experiences with memories they have about those experiences.
Questions ranged from panelist’s favorite memory of going to church to how faith and religion impacts them in their current roles.
A key theme emerged among the panelist’s relationship of faith and memory. Family and close-knit relationships were emphasized as important factors in growing faith and connecting faith experiences to memory.
“Faith and family have always been tied together for me,” said Nardo. “Faith starts in family. I have the role in my family to be a leader for ensuring my family grows and develops their faith.”
The panelist also shared words of wisdom with students about growing in their faith.
“Wherever you are, God will meet you in that place,” said Carrie. “Hold on to whatever faith you have and be open to seeing how your faith can develop. If you fall away from your faith for a little while, that is ok. You may find your way back later.”
Students from the audience also asked questions to the panelists.
Additional Forums, presentations and classroom discussions will feature the Civic Engagement theme throughout the year.
Two significant milestones in Bluffton’s history will be celebrated in 2024-25: the founding of Bluffton University 125 years ago, and of the Anabaptist faith from the beginnings of the Mennonite church 500 years ago.
As we remember the stories of Bluffton and of its Christian heritage, we will consider how these memories of faithfulness may help us face the challenges of our time with resilience and hope.