Entering the Vocational Ministry - Stone Webber
As one of StoneBridge’s own students, Stone Webber was inspired to enter student ministry.
He enrolled at Nebraska Christian College this past fall and is on his way to completing his freshman year.
When he was in high school, Stone became a part of StoneBridge’s student ministry, and he quickly became active and involved with our high school groups here. He brought some of his friends along with him in the process.
Since deciding to enter the vocational ministry, Stone’s example has encouraged his friends to give their lives to Christ, as well.
Stone (left) baptizing his friend Nathan (right)
“I have baptized two of my friends and have watched another friend of mine be baptized,” he says. “Obviously, all of the glory goes to God for that, but I can’t help but think that my example has helped in that process.”
Our modern world is filled with so many obstacles between young people and Jesus. Having young men and women who are willing to live like Christ makes all the difference to their peers and everyone they contact in their daily lives.
Longing to Change Lives
Since Stone was a young child, he has had a deep desire to change others’ lives for the better. He innately knew he wanted to make the biggest possible impact on the world, and he began working to grow in his faith.
“I kept seeing people whose lives were completely turned around by making the decision to follow Jesus,” he says. “After a little over two years of seeing this, I found myself at a summer church camp. Seeing so many of my peers, high school students, just completely break down and surrender to God, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it.”
That’s when Stone knew he had found his life’s calling. He decided to become a student pastor.
“I have never been more excited about something in my life than I am for that decision,” he says.
Pursuing Ministry Makes a Far-Reaching Impact
Before Stone began worshiping at StoneBridge, he felt like he wasn’t close to God. But since becoming a part of our family here, he says his life has changed drastically.
“Before I began going to StoneBridge, I had no relationship with God,” he says. “I was aware of His existence, and I believed in Him, but I was far from Him.
“During my time at StoneBridge, I have been baptized, built relationships with many other believers as well as with God, and have even made the decision to pursue a career in ministry, which led me to NCC. StoneBridge was the catalyst that helped me form my faith and relationship with God, and I would not be where I am today without that.”
After starting on his path, Stone found that his decision not only had a massive impact on his family and friends--it also kept him firmly fixed on his walk of faith.
“It has kept me pursuing God and wanting to continue building a relationship with Him,” he says. “I’ve felt a much stronger sense of purpose and meaning in life knowing that I will be going into a career that could so heavily influence the lives of young people.”
Living the Nebraska Christian College Experience
So far, Stone says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Nebraska Christian College. The welcoming, friendly environment helps him and the other students stay focused on building their relationships with Christ, as well as their ministry.
“I’ve had a great time getting to know my classmates as well as my professors and all the other staff on campus, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for my experience at NCC,” he says.
In addition to building relationships with his professors and peers, Stone made the NCC soccer team. He was pleasantly surprised to make the team, as he’d never played on a soccer team before. But, he was thrilled to make the cut and give it a shot.
Stone w/ the Most Improved & Sentinel Shield Awards
“Not only has being a part of the soccer program helped me stay active and get out some of my competitive energy, but it has really helped me build stronger relationships with my teammates as well as many other students,” he says.
This year, Stone was awarded the Most Improved award and the Sentinel Shield. According to Stone, the Sentinel Shield goes to the player who best embodies and exemplifies the values of the school and team on and off the field.
For Others Interested in Pursuing Student Ministry...
For other young people interested in entering student ministry, Stone says, “Student ministry is one of the most important jobs in the world.
“Today’s youth are facing so many complex issues and they are constantly being pulled so far away from God. The church desperately needs people to help find these lost and broken kids and help them on their journey through life, and hopefully see them accept Jesus.
“Student ministry can be difficult and stressful, but it is also so much fun and is incredibly rewarding. So if any students have any interest in student ministry, whether that’s a simple volunteer position or an interest in preaching or leading a ministry.
“Every role is so incredibly important and valued, so I pray that anybody interested in student ministry takes steps to pursue that.”
When it comes to finding your own pursuits in life and in Christ, Stone says God’s vocational call is different for each individual. But, each should share the Gospel and live a life modeled after Christ’s.
“Not everybody is meant to pursue a career in ministry or go to a Bible college, and that’s completely okay. But if God wants you to do that as a youth pastor, fearlessly pursue that calling,” he says.
“If He wants you to evangelize at your school or job, pursue that. Whether He wants you to go to a Bible college or the local community college, do it.
“We all have different gifts and callings, and all we can do in this life is to use those to follow God and bring as many people with us as we can.”