Sophomore
Hometown: Lombard, IL
Degree: Youth/Social Ministry

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Plays midfield on the men’s Storm soccer team.
Leads a worship team for chapel.
Will lead a short-term mission trip in 2009.

With experience with camp counseling and being involved in organizations like Big Brother/Big Sister, and a significant influence from his youth pastor, Nathan says, “What I want to do is something I love—something with people, something that’s hands-on.” He chose to major in Youth & Social Science simply because “I really love working with youth,” he says. “People do have impact and you can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Nathan’s challenge is finding out how to do everything he wants to do: soccer, chapel worship team, time with friends, going on a short-term mission trip to Costa Rica. Yet it’s the time he spends maintaining relationships that is most valuable to him. Nathan notes, “The most important investment for me is investing in lives—and that’s what Crown is really about.”

After his first year at Crown, Nathan’s growth has been both spiritual and academic. “It’s different than back at home,” Nathan says about the encouragement he’s received in his relationship with Christ since being at Crown. “I’m learning what it means to live, and I’m being held accountable for my spiritual life. I didn’t have people back home to challenge me like that before.” He continues with the academic perspective. “The professors do a very good job of challenging students. I’ve definitely developed a desire to learn more. The classes I’ve taken are equipping me for the future.”