Naruke ’20 Enjoys Serving on and off Campus
by catherine elvy, staff writer
A Dartmouth College undergraduate is eagerly answering a calling to promote prayer among students and help them connect with vibrant Christians.
Naruke ’20 serves as the property manager for the Dartmouth community’s prayer facility, student intern for a thriving local church, and community team leader for Christian Union at Dartmouth. The South Carolina native skillfully juggles those responsibilities despite formidable academic, extracurricular, and work obligations.Boosting the spiritual commitment of collegiate peers is a top priority for Naruke. As a pleasant contrast to Dartmouth’s secular atmosphere, the “Christian community is all the more strong,” she said.
Naruke often witnesses dynamic levels of spiritual engagement among students through her role tending to The Prayer Room, an ecumenical hub in downtown Hanover.
“It’s been cool to connect with believers,” said Naruke. In early 2009, Christian leaders teamed up to open the prayer room in office space near South Main and West Wheelock streets.
{tweetme}As for her involvement with Christian Union, the film major described it as “absolutely incredible,” especially the emphasis upon discipleship. “I was really poured into by a lot of upperclassmen,” she said.{/tweetme}
Likewise, Naruke pointed to her experiences with a Christian Union summer trip to Israel in 2017 as one of the highlights of her participation in the ministry. During the trip, Christian undergraduates from leading universities toured must-see historic sites and learned about ancient Israeli culture, modern geo-political conflicts and more.
As another core component of her spiritual growth, Naruke became active in Christ Redeemer Church upon arriving in New Hampshire. As a sophomore, she also plugged into a church community group.
During the winter, Naruke stepped into a student intern position at Christ Redeemer, where she dispatches weekly e-mails to students with details about sermons, activities, and the like, and works with the staff to welcome and integrate students.
As Naruke initially adjusted to collegiate life away from her family, she readily appreciated opportunities to mingle with Christ Redeemer’s core of mature believers. “There is a lot we can learn from them. It’s been rewarding,” she said. “Everyone has been very warm and open to getting to know the college students.”
Such intergenerational relationships also provide a compelling “change of scenery.” In addition, Naruke’s labors at Christ Redeemer have provided a front-row glimpse of practical aspects of vocational ministry and congregational life inside a growing, missional church.
“I’ve come to realize that leadership is more about being a presence in the community, rather than a title,” said Naruke. “It’s more about leading through lifestyle, reaching out to people, and holding people together.”
Not surprisingly, Naruke’s Christian Union mentor, Dori Willeman, described her as a natural leader. Willeman also highlighted Naruke’s abilities to help students make meaningful connections within Christian Union’s campus ministry, Dartmouth’s spiritual community, and Christ Redeemer.
Within Christian Union, Naruke is a “behind-the-scenes girl who quietly builds relationships and seeks out others,” said Willeman, a Christian Union ministry fellow and wife of Christ Redeemer’s founding pastor, Don Willeman. “She doesn’t care for the spotlight, but serves diligently and understands the significance of being present.”
In addition to acquainting Dartmouth students with Christ Redeemer, Naruke “attends a community group and helps in the children’s ministry, which is helping her to develop relationships with families in the church,” said Willeman.
Likewise, Ministry Fellow Julie Carlisle expressed appreciation for the example Naruke sets for student believers via her involvement with Christ Redeemer. Undergraduates need to “glean from the life experiences of those who have walked through more of life with the Lord than they have,” said Carlisle.
In addition to serving in various ministry capacities, Naruke also is a member of the Dartmouth Cheer Team and a tour guide for the Admissions Office.
As she looks ahead to her upperclassman years, Naruke remains committed to seeking the Lord and to helping student believers flourish on and beyond Dartmouth’s campus.
“I’m relying on God for strength and trusting His plan,” she said.
