Micah McKerlich: TWUSA vice-president of student relations envisions Christ-Centered
community for 2024/2025

It was an hour before the TWUSA election deadline when Micah McKerlich, an aspiring teacher, received a text from Samuel Wilkinson encouraging him to apply for the position of vice-president of student relations (VPSR). As McKerlich stared at the text, he thought back to an earlier conversation he had with Wilkinson about a book they read called Dangerous Prayers by Craig Groeschel. The book challenges its readers to move in one act of faith every day.

“I had not done my act of faith that day. After seeing the description of the role, I thought, ‘I do that for my own students and that’s what I want to do for my career so why can’t I advocate for people here at TWU?’” said McKerlich.

Despite not having the original intention to apply, McKerlich could see the correlation between his personal experience in student advocacy with the role of TWUSA VPSR. McKerlich is a fifth-year education major who works with differently-abled students in Abbotsford. Having been diagnosed with ADHD in Grade 6, he understands how it feels to feel different in a classroom.

“I had these teachers in my elementary school that didn’t understand how I learned. They didn’t understand that I learned differently. I had no friends and I’d often go home crying,” said McKerlich.

McKerlich’s family and one friend outside of school were his only support system during this time. However, by Grade 7, a new school friend in Kelowna invited McKerlich to their youth group.

“For the first time, someone else had been invested in my life. .... Because I had that friend, I met a good group of people that would support me and stand up for me. Through that process I learned how to stand up for myself and a huge part of that was God’s work in my life,” said McKerlich.

With his newfound voice as VPSR, McKerlich aims to advocate for marginalized students as his support system advocated for him. Sharing stories from community members, alumni, and current students is one of McKerlich’s best conduits to do so.

McKerlich has plans to host office hours for students to speak openly about their challenges, develop a survey to understand the student body better, and host Bible study groups where students can hear the gospel and discover their purpose.

“If at least one person can come to the faith this year, that’s all that matters. God leaves the ninety-nine to find the one,” said McKerlich.

McKerlich’s heart for people can also be seen in his involvement with the Sunday Night Alive prayer team, his student advocacy within the TWU Senate, and support of RAs and students.

One other idea to help students feel seen includes building out a prayer wall that is highly visible on campus. One side would be for prayer requests students are praying for and the other side would be for prayers that have been answered. The overarching idea is to see God’s story in play.

“Stories inspire us and we have a part in [TWU’s] story. And at the end of the day, we should be living for God. That’s the center of this university,” said McKerlich.

McKerlich’s father and mother were both alumni of TWU and recall how the university’s miraculous history was instilled in the student body every year. With aspirations to continue this legacy, McKerlich desires to maintain the Christ-centered community that TWU is built on.