By Jenny Olson
A first year at Marist college finds ease in her adjustment to college thanks to her deeply rooted faith.
Eighteen-year-old Mary E. Olsen grew up in New Hampshire and was introduced to Christianity at a young age. Her parents Dave Olsen and Michelle Olsen are active members of their local church, often volunteering for community events.
"I always grew up in the church,” Olsen says. “My parents brought me in every week to church.”
For Olsen, Sundays weren’t just a day of worship; they were an integral part of her life. As a child, she went to Sunday school and those lessons were followed by youth group as she got older, shaping her early understanding of God. Yet, like many young people, Olsen found herself with questions as she transitioned from childhood to adolescence.
“As I got older, I didn’t understand what it meant to have a relationship with God until my freshman year of high school.”
She felt empty and knew she needed to fill that void. In her search for comfort, Mary opened the Bible and stumbled upon a passage that resonated deeply with her.
“I read Matthew 18:12-14, which talks about the lost sheep,” she says. The scripture reads, “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?” This verse struck her immediately.
“And then I realized that I am that one sheep,” Olsen says. She began to pray and read her Bible. With each day, she felt her faith growing stronger.
As Olsen continued to deepen her relationship with God, she felt a strong calling to serve others, which led her to go on a life-changing mission trip to El Salvador last year.
"The people there had strong faith even though they had so little. I realized my faith could be even stronger.”
Returning from the trip, Olsen brought a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to her faith. The lessons she learned in El Salvador left a lasting impact, prompting her to reevaluate her life and priorities. She recognized the importance of community in nurturing her spirituality and continued to seek companionship in her journey.
“My Bible study group at home has really helped me grow my faith,” Olsen says. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them.”
This past summer was very impactful for Olsen. She met with her bible study group many times and went on a weekend trip to Vermont with her them where they all grew in faith.
At Marist College, Olsen is excited to further explore her faith and connect with other students who share her beliefs. She joined a bible study group there and is already speaking about her testimony and reading scripture with other followers of Christ.
She envisions college as a place not only for academic growth but also for building lasting relationships rooted in faith. Olsen participates in various campus ministry activities, attending mass and engaging in service projects, all while encouraging her friends to embrace their faith and seek out God’s presence in their lives.
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