Logan Wires, a student in the 91福利社 College of Christian Studies, has not let cerebral palsy slow him down as he pursues God鈥檚 calling on his life.
Born and raised in Anderson, Wires chose 91福利社 because it was a short commute, so his family could still take care of his needs.
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget when I went on the (campus) tour and everybody prayed for me. I realized that鈥檚 where God wanted me to be,鈥� Wires said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an unbelievable ride ever since.鈥�
During the summer, Wires, a Youth Ministry major, has been interning at his home church, New Prospect Baptist Church in Anderson. He鈥檚 been serving with Youth Minister Jay Roland, an alumnus and also current M.Div. student at Anderson; and Dr. Bryan Cribb, professor of Christian Studies at Anderson, who also serves as preaching pastor at New Prospect.
鈥淚鈥檝e discovered since coming to AU there鈥檚 a lot more to youth ministry than just playing games and having fun. You鈥檝e got to build relationships with students and be there for them,鈥� said Wires, who has been a part of the church youth ministry鈥檚 new small group program, where he works with a group of middle school boys.
鈥淕od has shown me that kids have tremendous potential to serve Him and do the things that He鈥檚 called them to do, but they need somebody to come alongside them, support them and believe in them,鈥� Wires said.
Roland has gotten to know Wires over the past three-and-a-half years and is impressed by his positive attitude and his love for his church. He quips that Wires has been his 鈥渦nofficial intern鈥� for about three of those years. He appreciates Wires鈥� commitment as he fills in wherever needed, whether it鈥檚 leading children鈥檚 church, a student Bible study, or an online devotional.
鈥淲hat impresses me most about Logan is his 鈥榗an-do鈥� attitude. One of my favorite 鈥楲oganisms鈥� is, 鈥榦bstacles are just opportunities.鈥� He truly believes that and lives it out. He does not let his physical disabilities get in the way of anything he feels like the Lord has called him to. Despite facing different and more difficult challenges than most will have to face, Logan continues to persevere in his faith, his academics, his church work, and in all other areas of his life,鈥� Roland said. 鈥淟ogan has been an awesome intern but he is a better friend. Knowing and loving Logan has made me a better Christ-follower, leader, and friend.鈥�
As both Wires鈥� pastor and professor, Cribb says he鈥檚 a 鈥渢remendously鈥� hard worker.
鈥淲hat truly stands out about him is that he genuinely loves people. He possesses an irrepressible and infectious joy and he encourages all he meets,鈥� Cribb said. 鈥淎s a member of New Prospect, Logan was already serving consistently and faithfully in our youth ministry. But through the internship, he has been able to have other opportunities of service, including preaching in both of our Sunday morning , leading in a Sunday night service, and teaching the group lessons at Vacation Bible School. Logan has been and continues to be a wonderful blessing to our church.鈥�
Cribb continued, 鈥淲e love our College of Christian Studies students to have internships in healthy churches in our community. Internships like this one inform and enrich the classroom experience for our majors, and in turn, the classroom learning enriches the internship and service opportunities. Ultimately, these internships form and shape our students for a lifetime of ministry for the glory of God.鈥�