College student Josh Dungan has fond memories of attending Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church in Bloomington, Minnesota.
From youth groups to summer camps to Wednesday-night activities and vacation Bible school, he said he really enjoyed growing up in the church and all of the fun activities.
He said his confirmation was one of his proudest moments, along with taking 10th place in the Winter Guard International Scholastic World drumline competition in his senior year of high school.
The aspiring sports reporter is studying at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dungan received the Gift of Hope scholarship supported by United Methodist Student Day.
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He urges United Methodists to continue to give generously on this Special Sunday, not only to help students financially, but also to support them on their journey and give them a voice in the church.
“The church should be more than just a place where people go to worship God, it should be a place where people come to enjoy one another’s company, and students are a part of that family,” he said.
In addition to his studies, Dungan is a member of the executive board of the Hamline University honors program and a senior reporter at the school’s newspaper, The Oracle.
His United Methodist upbringing has served him well on his college journey and will continue to inform his life after graduation.
He said he hopes to get married one day and raise a family that is involved in the church. He also will look for God’s guidance in his career path.
“I hope to use faith to guide my choice of job. I will, of course, ask God for his feelings about what job I will take and what I should use my gifts for when I get out into the real world,” he said.
Julie Dwyer, general church content editor, United Methodist Communications
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Student Day calls the church to support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. The special offering provides scholarships for qualified United Methodist applicants.
When you give generously on United Methodist Student Day, you support students as they prepare for life in uniting faith with knowledge. Give now.