Ian Minnick

After visiting Geneva during Fall Open House, Ian Minnick simply knew this was the place he was supposed to be. Geneva seemed like the right fit, and he felt God’s call at work in his life as his college career unfolded before him.

“I didn’t really feel like anything presented itself as an obstacle to me in coming to Geneva. I believe that I was called here and God made everything fall into place for me to spend the last few years of my education here,” Ian says.

Although he came in as a business aviation major, Ian realized about halfway through his first semester that he wanted to use his passion for aviation to serve others. This led him to the mission field, and he ended up changing his major to Christian ministries as a result. “I definitely think there is uniqueness to my major. I have been able to pair two things that I love, flying and serving, and am being equipped to take my passions and go out and serve the world,” says Ian.

Trying to schedule his classes at Geneva along with classes at the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) was challenging, but with the help of his advisor and the registrar, Ian was able to create a schedule that worked and allowed him to pursue his calling.

Ian intends to use his Christian ministries degree to serve God’s kingdom through mission aviation. And he has already been given the opportunity to put what he has learned into action. Over the last three-and-a-half years, Ian has served with other students on mission trips to Jamaica and he will intern there during the 2012 spring semester.

Hoping to one day serve in Alaska, Ian ultimately places his trust in God to direct his path in his field.  “Someone once said ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans’ so I’m keeping an open heart and an open mind in knowing that God will use me where He needs me to be.”

In the mission field, Ian is most inspired by Joshua Guthrie ’08, who was killed in 2010 in a plane crash that happened during his training as a missionary pilot. He says, “His sacrifice reminds me daily of the dangers that are faced within mission aviation, and that sometimes we are called to give up everything to advance the Kingdom.”

But Ian also finds inspiration in the people at Geneva, and the relationships he has built here that have shaped him into the person he is today. “Through relationships that I share with others, and having the opportunity to meet new people, I am challenged to be more like Christ and share His love to everyone.”

by Benjamin Butler ’14

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