Saying Yes - Kevin
So many of us have stories in our lives that start with a single event, or a small first decision, when you say to yourself “yes, I will go”. Those initial decisions to say yes and to be present can bring into our lives long-lasting gifts, commitment to service, to leadership, and to community. That was true for Kevin Boatright.
Kevin first became involved in Lutheran Campus Ministry as a graduate student in Journalism at the University of Iowa. He had attended a Methodist college for his undergraduate education and was interested in learning more about campus ministry. He saw a note in the campus newspaper that there was a welcome party for Lutheran Campus Ministry, and he decided “yes, I will go.”
That first visit opened doors to a multitude of opportunities and engagement as Kevin deepened his connection to campus ministry. While working on the staff at the University of Wisconsin Platteville, he became involved in local Lutheran Campus Ministry there, before contributing his leadership skills to a multi-synod organization that had responsibility for all campus ministries in Wisconsin and upper Michigan.
Kevin eventually came to work at the University of Kansas and his first connection to life in Lawrence was through the joint Lutheran Campus Ministry and Episcopal Campus Ministry at Canterbury House. There he met pastor Shawn Norris, developed a relationship with Lutheran Campus Ministry at KU, and eventually joined the board, helping steward the capital campaign that made Westwood House possible.
Kevin’s openness to service and leadership has brought many gifts to Lutheran Campus Ministries in the places he has lived. It has also brought him many rewards in return. At that first meeting of Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Iowa, Kevin met his future wife, Deb Boatright, then chair of the campus ministry and a student in Speech Language Pathology.
As we reflect on Advent, a season of preparation for the gifts Jesus has given us, let us also reflect on how we pass those gifts along. Kevin’s example inspires us at LCM-KU at Westwood House to continue in his work, to say yes to service and community through campus ministry. Thanks be to God!
