Lancaster Bible College students in a variety of majors are often presented with valuable learning and growing opportunities, regardless of their intended field. This was certainly the case for three LBC students who were selected to attend a writing intensive in Orlando, Fla., with the ministry Reclaim Today.
From left, Communication majors Kaylisa Montijo (‘26) and Emma McMurray (’26) and Middle Level Education major Cadence Geyer (’26) were selected to fill three of just over 30 spots in a writing intensive with students from other ABHE member colleges.
Middle Level Education major Cadence Geyer (’26) and Communication majors Kaylisa Montijo (’24) and Emma McMurray (’26) were chosen among many applicants to fill three of just over 30 spots in the writing track of the writing and design workshop.
In partnership with the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), of which Lancaster Bible College is a member, Reclaim Today is a ministry of Our Daily Bread and exists to connect people with God in both ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.
“They reach young adults ages 20 to 30 through social media platforms by posting encouragements, prayers and devotionals,” Montijo explained.
Added Geyer, “It is a powerful thing to be in a room of college-aged creatives.” And McMurray agreed, reflecting on the bond that was formed among the intensive group members. “I didn’t expect to have met 31 new best friends and create lifelong friendships with so many amazing creatives. I never felt like I fit in as much as I did during the intensive.”
Over the three-day writing intensive, the students spent time in writing sessions and workshops. They also had the chance to work on prayer and Scripture meditation pieces that will be published by Reclaim Today. At the end of the week, they presented their writing before the group of students, the Reclaim Today team and the ABHE President, Philip Dearborn, who formerly served in academic leadership at LBC.
“I presented a prayer titled, ‘A Prayer for Facing Rejection,’” said Montijo. “I focused on rejection when applying for jobs. I had a personal experience with this when applying for an internship and know that this is a very real part of life for so many people in their 20s and 30s.”
McMurray’s Scripture meditation piece focused on trusting the Lord. She based it on Psalm 13:5-6—“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me”—a passage that had been on her heart for the past few months after a young adult leader texted it to her.
“Ever since then, it has been a verse I have been constantly referring to throughout the year,” explained McMurray. “I also felt that struggling to trust God was a felt need that is very prominent in the young adult generation and amongst a lot of college campuses.”
Geyer shared a prayer titled “A Lament for a Struggling Disciple.”
“I had the blessing of getting to mentor a group of 21 high school girls over this past summer, and it was truly an impactful experience,” she shared. “A number of those girls were hurting deeply, and I often found myself crying out to God on their behalf. This is a topic that I haven’t heard talked about often but in life-on-life discipleship is so very present. It is good for us to pray and feel pain on behalf of those we are pouring into, so I worked to give words to the very real and deep emotion that comes with mentoring one who is struggling.”
The aspiring writers were encouraged by the pieces members of the group shared as the conference came to a close with a final banquet and goodbyes.
Three LBC students made lifelong friends at a recent writing workshop in Orlando, Fla., hosted by Reclaim Today.
“Attending the conference has had the largest impact on me professionally,” said Montijo. “Hearing career advice from older, highly accomplished individuals changed the way I’m thinking about my own career, and I’m looking forward to implementing their wisdom in my life.”
For Geyer, the conference reminded her that her writing can have purpose and impact others.
“Sometimes it can be hard to remember the ‘why,’” she said. “This week reminded me that I am working to cultivate my skills for a tangible purpose that has the potential to impact others as well.”
McMurray was reminded to focus and center—both in her writing and in her walk with the Lord.
“My main takeaway was how important rest is and why we need to implement it,” she said. “I went into the week struggling with God and was just at a place where I needed to spend time with Him and in His Word, with all the distractions set aside. I was reminded that we can truly pray to God about anything and in any moment of our everyday life.”
The time at the writing intensive gave McMurray the space to lean into the Lord and to be still before Him while also using her gift of writing to process her thoughts and to grow as a professional writer.
“I also learned how to write for a brand and how to target my writing to a specific audience,” she said. “It helped me realize that, yes, in a way I’m writing for me, but most importantly I’m writing for an audience and to bring glory and honor to God.”
Perhaps Geyer summed it up best: “I was so encouraged by the group of students and the friends I was able to make. It was such a blessing to get to know these 31 other students and the Reclaim Today team as we worked to create pieces we were passionate about and proud of.”