Kelci DeVine

University of Findlay 2013, occupational therapy major

“When I first met Kelci, it seemed like her faith was something she had grown up with, but didn’t really own for herself,” says CCO staff member Mike Barnhart. “She would share her thoughts at Bible study and agree with what was being said, but what she learned did not always lead her to action.”

Mike first met Kelci DeVine when she showed up at a picnic at Gateway Church. A freshman at the University of Findlay, she seemed to be looking for a church and college ministry she could join. Since she first got involved, Kelci has been attending Gateway’s worship services and Bible studies, has served as a Sunday school teacher, and now she leads a college life group for Gateway and the CCO’s ministry in Findlay.

And Mike has seen Kelci make her faith her own in a number of ways.

“Kelci has matured and learned to express her faith in the way she lives,” he says. “The way she speaks about herself and others reflects the love of Christ. She has also become more and more mission focused; she is realizing her life is a mission for God’s glory, not her own. She regularly puts others first. It is obvious that Christ is the centerpiece of her life!”

Last year, Kelci went on a spring break trip with the University of Findlay’s Habitat for Humanity student organization with a group of students from a variety of faith backgrounds. She had many great opportunities to share her faith in Christ with those students, and just a few days after returning, a student who attended the trip showed up at the life group Kelci led.

“Kelci’s love for Jesus motivates the way she lives her life,” says Mike. “Her passion for Christ overflows and is contagious to those around her.”