Stories of Transformation from the QUEST Program
2024–2025 was an amazing year for the QUEST program, filled with stories of transformation as students deepened their relationship with Jesus through biblical teaching, outdoor adventures, and service opportunities. These reflections illustrate God’s work in the lives of our students this past year.
Biblical Teaching
Reflecting on her experience in the QUEST Spiritual Formation and Discipleship course, Serena Millan describes a transformative shift in her understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
"It was such a relief to learn that my fears are not a barrier for the work of God and that He continues to invite me into His purposes. He knows my heart, my fears, and yet He still wants to send me out."
—Serena Millan, QUEST Class of 2025
As a result, Serena now feels compelled to pass on the healing and insight she has received, helping others find the same freedom she has experienced
in Christ.
Outdoor Adventures
QUEST integrates outdoor adventure with spiritual formation, using time away from routine to practice intentional reflection and response to God’s invitations. One example is the QUEST ski trip, which falls in the middle of 12 days of student exercises on temptation, confession, and renewing the mind. The retreat center where students stay becomes a sacred space for engaging in the practice of confession.
“I realized in this moment why we are called to confess our sins both to God and people. It is because when we confess to people, we can tangibly see the reaction and response that God has for us.”
—Eli Thiessen, QUEST Class of 2025
Through this encounter and the chance to share with a QUEST leader, Eli came to understand confession as a path to deeper freedom and communal connection.
Service Opportunities
In May, QUEST had the privilege of sending a team of students and staff to Rwanda in partnership with Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. Their mission was to learn, serve, and support Kurumbuka’s Christ-centered leadership development work.
Among the many meaningful experiences, one standout moment was visiting local teams affiliated with Love and Hands, an organization founded by a Kurumbuka staff member that empowers communities through assets-based development.
“Visiting the Love and Hands sites taught me about what it means to ‘help.’ Sometimes we desire to offer help to ease our own discomfort, even when our ‘help’ doesn’t offer long-term solutions and reinforces harmful narratives that need to be dismantled.”
—Sonia Goertzen, QUEST Class of 2025
Sonia’s insight highlights a shift toward humility and partnership—learning to walk alongside others in meaningful, sustainable ways.