Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.

-Dwight L. Moody

Want to know about what’s happening boots on the ground? This is where you’ll find stories, reflections, and what I have been reading on.

Joyful Work

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the semester? Time flies, but my heart is full of gratitude for the incredible work God is doing through Serve The King Ministries. Our Campus Ministry fills a much needed void on campus and I am thankful for the work being done. This year, we’ve been doubling down on our commitment to give students the truth of the faith, the necessary work of building relationships and building Godly men and women.

The place to get real relationships

One of the fatal flaws of modernity is the refusal to have real relationships with people. We all know this, as we have relationships that we long to be more fruitful, more in-depth, more fulfilling. The core of relationship building requires vulnerability and trust, and it’s what is sorely lacking and what we uniquely offer at STK. We sit down with people and give them real feedback, real criticism, and real commitment and compassion. Getting to tell people the truth about sin and even repent of our own.

Without this, relationships stagnate and end up harboring unspoken resentment. People are unable to grow, be sharpened, to even be themselves or accept help or love. Yet, it can be one of the most difficult parts of all of it because it requires facing problems head on and being willing to upset and offend someone. Take Eli, a Masters student I’ve talked about before, exploring religions. He recently had a candid, hour-long conversation with Sion about transgenderism. Sion lovingly shared the biblical truth—that God’s design for humanity is sacred—even when it was hard to hear. Eli left angry, but returned to continue the discussion, even asking for Sion’s contact info to keep talking. This kind of honest, compassionate dialogue is rare, and it’s what sets STK apart. By creating a space where students can face tough topics with grace, we’re helping them build relationships that transform lives.

Equipping the next generation

Our goal is to equip students to carry their faith boldly into the world. This semester, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our apologetics training, where students learn to answer tough questions like “Why does God punish people?” or “How can I trust the Bible?” These sessions are empowering students, from freshmen to seniors, to defend their faith with confidence and compassion. For our freshmen, this training is especially impactful, giving both strong and questioning Christians tools to grow and engage others.

Students like Haylee and Drew are taking this a step further, inviting friends to our main meetings and events. Their enthusiasm is encouraging. Bringing them to my house for apple cider pressing, for dinners, even as just regular students is inspiring. These moments show how our students are becoming courageous, compassionate leaders.

Haylee, Drew, and a few others have been actively inviting their friends as well, which I’ve found incredibly encouraging. Students who aren’t even leaders who are finding it good and helpful to bring others into the fold.

The work ahead

We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received approval to purchase a campus house, set to become our ministry hub by January 1, 2026! This space will be a game-changer—a dedicated place for worship, Bible studies, and community-building where students can grow spiritually and connect deeply. It’s a tangible step toward our vision of raising godly men and women who serve the King. The growth we’re seeing (spiritually, numerically, and in impact) would not be possible without your support.

Your Partnership Fuels This Work

The growth we’re seeing—spiritually, numerically, and in impact—would not be possible without you. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support make it possible to host events, train leaders, and provide a space where students encounter Christ. As we welcome a diverse freshman class and prepare for our new campus house, we invite you to partner with us. Please consider:

• Praying for our students, especially freshmen navigating their faith.
• Giving to support our new campus house and ongoing programs.
• Sharing this with others who want to see Christ proclaimed on campuses and across the Keweenaw.

Your prayers and generosity fuel our ability to host events, provide resources, and create spaces where students can encounter Christ.

Thank you for all that you’ve given to the kingdom and may God bless you this day.

In Him,

Brandon Charbonneau