Humming His Way Forward: Levi's Story
“I was disconnected and searching,” recalled Pastor Levi Powers (’12) as he reminisced on his early years on campus at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
Having previously been involved in another campus ministry that was unsupportive of his identity as a queer person, he considered saying goodbye to the idea of being part of a faith community altogether. “I kept finding myself humming hymns walking across campus though,” he said with a laugh. “Then, I found LuMin.”
“The campus minister actually cared about me,” he recalled with a smile. He was able to get connected with other people with resonate stories over meals and fellowship. “Food is very attractive, and you eat better when you’re with a group than on your own.” As relationships formed over food, opportunities to try out worship leadership in an affirming and faithful community were less intimidating. “I was given the opportunity to preach at a midweek gathering and try on the hat and was given affirmation to explore a call to ministry.”
Levi was a student during the planning stages for the Common Ground building where LuMin is now housed. “I was included in the conversations regarding the new building and my opinions were valued.” Not only was he invited into planning for the ministry ongoing at that time, he was welcomed into visioning a place of welcome for peers as well as students who would come after him.
“I felt like I had something I could contribute to,” he reflected. “Before this, I had to either choose my sexual orientation or my faith and they couldn’t go together, but here they could go together.” By participating in LuMin’s ministries he came to understand that God accepted him for who he was made to be. “We’d have Communion and it was further affirmation of God’s acceptance.” LuMin’s dedicated welcoming presence wasn’t left to chance. Its intentionality in this role impacted him deeply.
“My greatest hope for LuMin in the next generation is that it moves forward in such a way that they’re not afraid to be rooted in who we are in our particular Lutheran expression of the Gospel,” Levi mused. Not all campus ministries have such a rich theological understanding of grace which sets LuMin apart. “I think it is the most radical articulation of the gospel, so my hope is that we keep at it that: God’s love in Christ is unconditional and experienced through word and sacrament, and it’s here for us all.”
Your gift to LuMin helps to form future leaders like Levi, who is now an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA and currently serves at St. James Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg, NJ. Your gift helps LuMin to support young adults as they discover how their beloved identities intersect with their faith.
To donate to LuMin, visit our webpage or send a check to “Lutheran Campus Ministry” at: 1334 Pine Street, La Crosse, WI, 54601.
Your generosity to LuMin makes stories like Levi's possible. Through your support, LuMin creates spaces where students and young adults can connect, build community, and discover new possibilities for how God is at work in their lives. Thank you for the many ways your partnership helps prepare students to make a difference in the world and live out the promises of God's Kingdom.
