Eric Ogi

I have spent the past 8 years being active in youth groups and campus ministries, but it wasn’t until I arrived at The Crossing in January 2010 after finding the Quest trip to Israel/Palestine that I truly felt like I had found my niche. I was drawn to the way the ministry was attuned to the complex history and diverse traditions of Christianity while also remaining relevant to my life as a college student by being open to progressive culture and ideas. This openness created a caring community wherein I no longer felt I was a mere number at a large university, but an individual who was known and loved just as I was, where I was. Plus, the opportunities that The Crossing provided me (and so many other students) to combine my faith with service projects both in the Madison community and abroad is unparalleled on this campus! I will forever bear an imprint in my soul left by the campus ministers, staff, and all those who were a part of this ministry. ('11 graduate)

Polly Bolland

Though I started my involvement with the Crossing late in my college career, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The Crossing community is incredibly welcoming, and the opportunities they provide complement the strong array of student interests. Exactly what the Crossing has meant to me, I may not yet entirely know. I do know, however, that it has been positive influence on me every step of the way, and I will feel that presence on into the future.   (’11 graduate)

Steve Plachinski

"As a graduate student, my first exposure to the Crossing came when I participated in the first Dakota Badlands Quest trip during the summer of 2009.  What a unique and fantastic experience with a great group of people!  Definitely a highlight of my time at the UW.  During my final 3 semesters, I was a member of the Crossing's weekly Centering Prayer group.  For that one hour every week, I could leave all my responsibilities and stress at the door.  It helped keep me centered (and sane) during the most difficult points in my research and coursework.  Through both the Quest trip and Centering Prayer, the Crossing played an important role in supporting my graduate studies at UW-Madison."  (’11 graduate)

Abby Beissinger

I got involved with the crossing by way of tagging along to the weekly sustainability dinners with my sister and brother-in-law and was welcomed with open arms.  I went on my first quest in 2009, to Chiapas, Mexico, where we learned the process of a community's recovery after a revolution battling social justice issues in the city San Cristóbal.  The quest experience unequivocally changed my life and showed me how important it was to give back to the globe that surrounds me.  In 2010, I had the opportunity to lead the Quest to Chiapas trip, and was further moved by the sheer amount of NGOs that are present in the city, all who came into the area to help in the Zapatista Rebellion's wake.  In 2011, I went on the Quest to the Badlands trip, and learned how to stretch barbed wire fences, fix trail erosion, and how to be a being in the expanse of nature that still surrounds us (how ever changed it has and will become).  

My experiences with the crossing showed me the type of person I am.  As a result of being a quest leader and participant, I decided to study abroad in Costa Rica in a sustainable development program, implement community development on Lingira Island in Lake Victoria, Uganda, and seek non-profit and development work as my career path.  Without the crossing, I am not sure what I would be like!   (’11 graduate)

Bing Ma

I am a proud Wayland alumni through crossing. Living in Wayland is such a good experience, because it is the community that you get to know friends who you would keep in touch even after you leave. The friends you know are the ones for lifetime. More than that, to learn to get along with people, to love each other, to seek for a meaning life is growing up on me, yes I am growing!   (’11 graduate who lived in our Wayland Community - a housing program which we no longer offer)

Kathi Gadow

I just returned from Quest: Northern Ireland and I can honestly say it has changed my life. We were abroad for two weeks digging deeper into the conflicts and hate that are rooted in and around Northern Ireland. Going on this Quest and learning more about peace, forgiveness and reconciliation has given me hope for the future, for both NI as well as other conflict stricken countries. I hope to return to NI to learn more and make a difference in the lives of others, and I wouldn't have realized this new goal of mine without Quest.  (’11 graduate)

Katrina Liu

Wayland used to be my home in Madison and it was my first step of my life in the United States. I can still remember when I arrived in Madison without knowing anybody how Wayland welcomed me and embraced me into that big family. I remember Soojin showed me around the campus and accompanied me to Union South to get my Wisc Card. It was there where I learned how to live in a community of people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. I remember the dinners that cooked by us introducing me different cuisine from different countries. It was there where I received numerous support when I encountered personal and academic difficulties. I appreciate the time that Karla spent with me to talk about issues such as family and responsibilities. Wayland is part of my life in Madison and it will be always in my memories together with those precious pictures.  (’11 graduate who lived in our Wayland Community - a housing program which we no longer offer)

Allison Radke

"Unfortunately, I was not very aware of the wonderful things going on at The Crossing until late this fall. I was walking past The Crossing one night with some friends and saw the sign in front of the church for the trip to Israel-Palestine and ran in to grab more information. My friends laughed at me, but I actually did apply for the trip and soon will be leaving to go on it.  This semester I started attending to the student vespers at The Crossing and it has been a really good fit for me. I appreciate that it is such an opening and welcoming community. I enjoy that social justice and international issues are such a central part of the church community. As a child, I attended church weekly but had not found a place in Madison that I felt comfortable at. The Crossing was a place that gave me the space to think, have some quiet time, sing beautiful hymns, meet people that were very kind, and think more about my spirituality and my faith."  ('10 graduate)

Abbi Smith

"The Crossing was a great way to reflect at the end of a week on my relationship with God. The Crossing was unique in that it approached all topics (and newcomers like me!) with an openness that both welcomed you and encouraged you to learn and grow."  ('10 graduate)

Megan Kelley

"The Crossing has been my "home away from home for four years." I began attending Vespers as a freshman and since then the love for my Crossing family has grown exponentially. They have helped me through many of life's challenges and will be dearly missed. "  ('10 graduate)

Aly Manthei

"In the past 4 years, the Crossing provided me with a safe place to explore and formulate my religious and spiritual beliefs. The Crossing staff and students are always supportive, open-minded, and ready for conversation. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved in the great things the Crossing is doing, for students at UW, the Madison community, and the world (through quest trips), and I look forward to still being involved next year. :) "  ('10 graduate)

Kristen Seashore

"After randomly attending a Vespers service as a Senior, I was drawn in by the welcoming atmosphere. I remember really enjoying the first message I heard (though I don't remember it anymore), and I became curious about The Crossing. I continued to attend Vespers with my friends and my sister for the next couple years. To me, The Crossing has been more than just my Sunday church experience. The staff and students there have helped me explore and deepen my faith in a way that speaks to my understanding of God. Attending The Crossing was the first time that I have really felt comfortable about the beliefs of a faith community and how open they are to all people in all walks of life. I have loved worshiping there, attending lectures, participating in social events, and I especially enjoyed my opportunity to go on the Quest Kenya trip in January 2010. I know that I have learned a lot about God and how to continue learning and growing in my faith. I hope that if I ever leave Madison that I will be able to find a faith community like The Crossing. "  ('10 graduate)

Kristen Kehl

"The crossing has been a treasured community for me, where all my interests find equal opportunities to grow.  I feel fortunate to have been able to contribute to the program as a staff member, explore my faith as a member of the worship team, come to vespers to be in the presence of love, and watch the crossing grow and change.  "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate... "  ('10 graduate)

Isa Julson

"More than any other organization on campus, the Crossing gave me extraordinary opportunities to explore the world and learn more about myself.  I participated in two of the Florida Blitzbuild trips and a Costa Rica Quest trip.  These trips forced me to step out of my comfort zone, but in a great way.  I saw new places, made new friends, tried new things and new foods, all while doing some good for the world."  ('10 graduate)

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