BY JENNIFER GINN
AS
kids head off to college, usually stepping into true independence for the first time, an abundance of choices constantly present themselves. What study path will they take? Will they keep their faith? Will they attend services on Sunday without their mom or dad prodding them out of bed? Will they retain the values they were raised with? Will they be lured by alcohol, drugs or other temptations?
he continued to work for the company for the following five years.
Thankfully, Bay Area Community Church’s student ministry extends into college. And equipped with a degree in youth ministry and Christian education, College Ministry Coordinator Bryan McFarland is at the helm to help guide these young adults through their transition into the real world.
“I met up with Brent Squires and started serving as a community group leader for the high school, Bryan recalled. “After a year in that role, I was able to step into the worship ministry for Bay Area’s Student Ministry. I have been leading the worship team for student ministry since 2012, and love being able to connect with students through worship.”
Bryan grew up in the Lutheran church. “I went to private school as well, so knowing Jesus was the thing to do, but it wasn’t really until high school that I started to understand what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus as my Savior,” he said. As a graduate of Annapolis Area Christian School, Bryan was familiar with Bay Area since many of his friends attended. During college, he attended gatherings at Bay Area sporadically. After graduating in 2011, he jumped in at Bay Area with both feet and immediately started serving in student ministry. “I can honestly say though, it’s the process of life that has really shown me how desperately I need a Savior. I feel like I have learned more over the past five years what it truly means to be a follower pursuing Jesus in every aspect of life,” Bryan asserted. Right after completing college at Cedarville University, Bryan started working for his dad as a printer technician and sales representative. While the job was supposed to be transitional, God had different plans, and
Bryan knew from the get-go that he wanted to work in ministry, but opportunities were challenging to come by. But he said that he knew the Lord was definitely in control and was constantly reassuring him that His plans were and are far better than Bryan’s own plans.
But Bryan’s true desire was to be at a church full-time. He combed job websites searching for the right fit, but continually felt the Spirit beckoning him to stay at Bay Area. “Around fall 2014, I started to sense that God had me at Bay Area for a specific reason, so I stopped looking at other churches and jobs to focus on why God had me here. I continued to faithfully serve regardless of circumstance. Little did I know that only a couple years down the line, I would be facilitating the College Ministry,” shared Bryan. He joined Bay Area’s staff team as college ministry coordinator in July 2016. Bryan has spent the past seven months building relationships with young adults, meeting with them throughout the week to encourage them and help them build community with their peers at Bay Area. He facilitates a Missional Community for college-age students and plans events throughout the year, as well. Bryan said his hope is that Bay Area’s young adults continue to grow in their love and passion for Jesus. “In a time
where life is so transitional, I hope they develop and cultivate a priority for Godly community, serving others and learning more about our Savior. “God has constantly taught me what it means to meet people where they are,” he added. “Some people may be at a place where they are pursuing deep accountability and discipleship, while others might still be unpacking what faith in Jesus looks like. My job as a servant to God is to be open to all people and to help them see Jesus more clearly wherever they are on the spectrum of life.” The scripture that inspires Bryan in his job is Acts 2:42-47. “This passage shows the early church meeting together, breaking bread, worshipping the Lord and serving each other. As the body of Christ, we should be building strong community with each other and growing more like Christ together,” Bryan explained. Born in South Korea but a Marylander for most of his life, Bryan has a passion for people and says he loves hearing people’s stories and what led them to become who they are now. “This usually happens over food,” Bryan chuckled. “I am a huge foodie and love to travel around Maryland finding the best eats.” He listed barbecue and gourmet ramen – not the packaged kind, but the real stuff – as some of his favorites. Bryan is also a bird-centered baseball fan (Orioles and Cardinals) and an avid plastic brick builder who displays his different LEGO creations on his desk throughout the year. With the start of a new year, Bryan is eager to see more young adults connect in community, serving their church family and knowing Jesus more deeply. He’s also looking forward to continuing his pursuit of Maryland’s best culinary offerings. JA NUA RY GO&MAKE 17