Max Hill served as Princeton Presbyterians’ 2018–2019 Chaplain Intern. This summer we were excited to send Max to their next call as the Campus Minister with UKirk St. Louis. Max reflects below on their time with Princeton Presbyterians and what it means to them.
My time serving with Princeton Presbys taught me to:
Do Justice:
Having the opportunity to be a part of Princeton Presbyterians opened my eyes to the impact that ministry can have. I got the chance to build relationships with so many amazing people that actively embody not only the love that we are called to share as disciples, but also seek to advocate for everyone that is pushed out from ‘typical’ faith spaces. It’s a community that knows that the best form of advocacy is being in genuine, caring relationship with one another.
Love Kindness:
Getting to serve Princeton Presbys in a ministerial role taught me that God shows up in so many unexpected places whether it be in a loaf of delicious bread, over a cup of coffee, or in a worship planning meeting. In the midst of seminary, when everything you do makes you question who you are and if you’re good enough, Andrew, Len and everyone in the Princeton Presbys community showed me that ministry is fun, even when it’s tough. As pastors, it’s such an amazing gift to be let into people’s joys and struggles: to watch them question the faith they’ve always known in order to get closer to God.
Walk Humbly:
One of the best parts of being in this community is that it knows that instead of speaking for the marginalized, Princeton Presbys lets those on the outside speak for ourselves. Princeton Presbys embodies humility by knowing when it’s time to speak and when it’s time to listen.
As I’ve stepped into full time ministry, I find myself incredibly overwhelmed by gratitude every single day for the Princeton Presbys community. This community has shown me not only how to be a better pastor but affirmed what it was that I already knew. That affirmation has helped me to take all of these lessons and use them with the community that I get to serve now, UKirk St. Louis. Sometimes I think I miss being a part of Princeton Presbys, but then I remember that community isn’t just in my past, I just got to bring it with me to a new place and continue to share God’s radical love and hospitality.
