By: Isabella Lagos
Between late-night study sessions and academic stress, finding a space for authentic spiritual connection can feel difficult with piling assignments and overwhelming responsibility.
Although the Office of Ministry and Missions (OMM) is traditionally known for organizing mission trips and outreach programs, it has launched a peer-to-peer Bible study aiming to change the narrative of lacking spiritual connection. According to student coordinators Sylvia Fiess and Skylar Perla, the ministry pairs students one-on-one, giving personal Bible studies, aiming to make spiritual growth increase through peer connection.
“They hired us to be able to work together,” said Perla, a senior theology major, referring to his partnership with Fiess. “Just realistically [being] able to open the campus up to studying with each other, being able to build connections and being able to open up the Word and just talk to Jesus.”
The roots of the peer-to-peer initiative trace back a few years. Originally, the idea was sparked by a student initiative under the Student Association (SA), which launched a similar concept. When that school year concluded, the framework was brought to OMM and Manuel Gomez, associate chaplain, who helped shape it into what it is today.
Now entering its third year, Perla and Fiess said the system relies heavily on flexibility and student autonomy. When a student signs up to receive studies, coordinators connect them with a student instructor, and the pair then coordinates their own meetings. If students wish to become an instructor, they must go to the OMM office and speak with student leaders.
According to Perla and Fiess, Bible study pairs meet once a week at a time and location of their choosing, whether that is in a dorm, a campus building or even off campus. The pairs generally begin using the “Journey Bible Studies” series, which provides a foundational baseline specifically tailored to college students. However, flexibility is encouraged, allowing them to pivot or study books such as the Gospels, Acts or books in the Old Testament if their relationship leads them there.
Fiess, a junior psychology-clinical major, provided details about the training sessions hosted by OMM each semester that briefs student instructors on how to foster spiritual mentorship.
“In that training, we go over the study set that we use and what it entails to be a Bible study instructor,” said Fiess. “In that way [we] try to not only give them a little bit more information about what the position looks like but also make sure that they’re aware of the resources available to support them as a student leader.”
For student leaders like sophomore elementary education major Kaylee Cushing, the program offers a unique sense of mutual accountability and shared growth. Unlike traditional Sabbath school or classroom settings, Cushing said, peer-to-peer studies close social gaps. Students connect with peers who understand university stress and campus life firsthand.
Cushing admitted she was initially nervous about leading a one-on-one study due to her lack of experience. However, after praying and placing her trust in God, she met her contact and discovered that her partner was excited about her relationship with God and wanted to find someone to talk about it with.
“It was just so cool to see how God immediately answered my request,” Cushing said. “He blessed me so much by having me meet this girl who is amazing and on a very similar journey as me, so that I can be so blessed by it.”
As Fiess, Perla and other student leaders look toward the future, they explained their goal to make peer-to-peer discipleship a main concept on campus, ensuring that every student has a space to be known, supported and led closer to Christ. Students interested in joining or receiving studies can scan the QR code featured during vespers or visit the OMM office to get connected.
