Jonathan Fuller ’16
When Christian ministries and history major Jonathan Fuller ’16 visited Messiah during his college search, the Burlington, North Carolina, native knew he’d found the right place.
“If you can fall in love with Messiah on a cold February morning, you can love it anytime,” he said.
Although he was in the right place, it wasn’t easy. Homesickness set in, and he almost didn’t return after his first semester. Then he formed some solid friendships outside the classroom, began working in the student ministries office and served as student body chaplain.
“God met me at so many places along the way,” said Fuller, “showing me that I don’t have to do it on my own.”
So, he took a leap of faith and traveled to Uganda his sophomore year, which challenged—and solidified—his faith. “I had to wrestle some assumptions of my faith,” he said, of traveling to Africa. “I also grew to appreciate how communal they are culturally. It’s the cultural norm to prioritize other people. You have to be able to listen, and that’s something I needed to be stretched in.”
As a senior, he was named Student Body President. “It’s challenging to find the balance between doing this important work and being a student,” said Fuller, “but I get to serve my peers and work with amazing student leaders and administrators.”
He is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. “Moses and Mary received specific calls from God. Most of us aren’t privileged to a burning bush experience,” Fuller explained. “Even though there may not be steady ground to stand on, I know I’m supposed to be standing here.”