From Struggling to Strong

While in high school Julian Bloemhof kept sports and church in separate categories that didn’t mix. He also noticed he acted differently around his friends than how he acted with his family. Julian realized these were weaknesses in his spiritual life and came to FPU hoping to improve these areas.

As he began at FPU he found himself involved in its Fellaship ministry. Each week Julian and other student leaders met with their spiritual formation leader, Jordan Greynolds, discipleship and outreach coordinator in the Office of Spiritual Formation, who walked them through a passage of Scripture. “It has been helpful to pick other people’s brains and have conversations because it has helped me gain a different perspective on things as it relates to different Bible stories or passages,” Julian says.

Julian says Jordan helped him grow by asking, “Are you taking the time to put God above other things?” and “Are you really being intentional with your prayers?” This relationship with Jordan, discipleship with other men and probing questions were exactly what Julian needed to shore up his spiritual weaknesses.

Now Julian has integrated his Christian faith into all aspects of his life. Sports and church are no longer separate. He acts the same way around different groups of people. Julian does this by asking himself, “How can I give everything to God and reflect him in my everyday walk?” Today Julian’s spiritual life is very different than just three years ago. “Every morning I wake up and try to do something to praise God,” he says.

FPU helped Julian become strong in areas where he struggled. “I know where I am at in my faith. And my faith has been strengthened. I learned how to dedicate everything I do to God’s glory,” he says.