NUrturing Faith

Sharing Stories from LCMNU

February 2025

Prioritizing Faith: Michael Jenz

Michael Jenz grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, interested in music, Legos, math, science, and playing soccer. His family regularly worshiped at a Lutheran congregation, and Michael was fortunate to participate in several meaningful mission trips before COVID ended them. When it came time to decide his post-high school plans, he followed in his mother and sister’s footsteps by heading to Northwestern.

“I didn’t imagine my faith as a priority going into college,” Michael said. It was through a club fair during the first week on campus that Michael met Pastor Deanna and learned about LCMNU for the first time. “It made a huge difference that Pastor Deanna was reminding me the ministry was out there.” Michael was focused on academic challenges during the fall quarter but became more involved at LCMNU going into the winter quarter. He already sensed “I needed LCMNU in my life” because it grounded him and impacted his happiness and well-being.

A turning point came in February of his first year when Michael was elected student president of the ministry. With this leadership role, Michael was expected to do things and became fully immersed in conducting meetings, relating to other students, and connecting them with one another. Pastor Deanna coached Michael and other leaders in the ministry of hospitality, encouraging them to create a welcoming environment where newcomers felt they belonged. As Michael served as a leader, not only was he practicing his faith, but also subtly updating his identity to include that of a faith leader.

Michael is now a junior and hopes to finish his master’s in mechanical engineering by the end of his fourth year. He doesn’t know where the future will take him after Northwestern. Still, thanks to his transformative encounter with LCMNU, he expresses that a big priority will be finding a faith community, growing more in his faith, and living out his vocation through his everyday life. Thanks to LCMNU, Michael now sees firsthand why his faith and identity as a Christian matter.

Thank you for making impactful faith formation possible for Michael and other college students through LCMNU.