Steven Wagner, The Awaken Project, and MI

My name is Steven Wagner and it is a joy and privilege to write to you all. This is my first year enrolled as an MDiv student at MI, and so far my seminary experience has been truly excellent. I also serve as the Gap Year Director for The Awaken Project (TAP), a nonprofit organization based out of Alexandria, Minnesota that sponsors a gap year program for young adult students between the ages of 18 and 25. Over the last few months, it has become abundantly clear to me how my roles with MI and TAP complement each other and cultivate consistent growth in my holistic formation as a member and leader of Christ’s church. 

MI’s focus on holistic formation is crucial to the growth of each student enrolled at MI. A key component to this formation is integrating real, challenging ministry work with thorough, invigorating teaching, mentorship, and coaching. My vocation with The Awaken Project is the best kind of challenge, each and every day, due to the highly relational nature of my work here. I work specifically with young adults who have expressed an interest in vocational ministry, biblical scholarship, servant leadership, or other ministry outlets. Part of my role requires me to work with my students in many ways beyond the typical work or school day. My students have seen me in early mornings, late nights, crisis situations, and plenty in between. I firmly believe that the “best” discipleship happens when our lives spill over our self-constructed walls and begin to mix thoroughly with those around us. In our gap year program, we are challenged daily to live our lives as those submitted to Christ’s cross because of our proximity to one another, but also through the proclamation of the gospel amongst our community every day. 

If there’s anything that I have gleaned from my first few months of MI classes, it’s that the gospel is proclaimed through the entirety of our beings. There is no part of us that gets a free pass when it comes to sharing the gospel. I have become especially aware of this as I live and work with our students and staff here with TAP. It is of the utmost importance that I am surrounded by mentors who walk with me in my vocation and challenge me in my holistic formation, which by no coincidence, turns out to be quite fruitful. The challenge becomes infused with the breath of the Holy Spirit and the community of the saints comes alive in all that we do, no matter where we go. I have been so grateful to have the support of MI behind this work and to constantly be challenged to live under the cross. I can feel the essence of my being molded so that life under the cross feels more like home. The challenge of ministry never waivers, but neither does Christ. 

For those who would like to learn more about the ministry of The Awaken Project, here is a link to our website: www.theawakenprojectmn.com 

Jesus’ grace be with you all, 

Steven Wagner