ELI SOWDER

Campus staff, Eastern Kentucky University

I grew up the youngest of six in a single mother household. My mom took us to church every Sunday and showed us what it looked like to have a relationship with Jesus. I was a very moralistic Christian where I just tried to check the boxes and not let any one see me struggle. I put my identity in my performance in sports and pleasing everyone around me. In high school I went to a Young Life camp where I heard "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." That was the first time I realized I was a part of "all have sinned" and saw my need for a savior, Jesus. When I Went to EKU I knew I was going to get involved in campus ministry, so I got involved in Campus Outreach. This was the first time I saw what true discipleship looked like. My wife, Hannah, is from London, KY. We met through Campus Outreach and we now have the privilege to work on the campus of EKU to help students investigate who Jesus is. We have two girls, Emerson and Eleanor, and we love that our family gets to do ministry with Campus Outreach.