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A Study in Translation
A Study in Translation
Words in scripture open up conversation
Words in scripture open up conversation
One of the joys of campus ministry is watching students show up to Bible study with an assortment of Bibles–well-worn paperbacks, multiple translations on various apps and sometimes an edition borrowed from the student center.
Different translations highlight different shades of meaning. A single word or phrase can sound fresh when heard in another version, and suddenly students start asking great questions: Why does this one say “mercy” while another says “steadfast love”? What difference does that make? Those moments help students see that Scripture is living and dynamic, not flat or one‑dimensional.
It also reminds us that the Bible wasn’t originally written in English. Translation involves real choices, and exploring those choices helps students grow in curiosity and confidence. No one feels like they have the “wrong” Bible—everyone becomes a learner together.
Most importantly, multiple translations help us hear God’s voice in new ways. The Holy Spirit works through all of them, drawing us toward Christ and shaping our life together.
So when you see a circle of students comparing verses across different versions, know that it’s not disorder—it’s discipleship. It’s Scripture inviting us deeper.
Director's Message
Director's Message
A note from Pr. AJ
A note from Pr. AJ
Fall is such a hopeful time. The air begins to turn crisp, the leaves start to change and fall. On campus, students are well into their classes, and their routines have settled into habits. Yet there’s still a sense of eagerness in the air. Fall always feels like a transitional season—caught between the warmth and freedom of summer and the cold, snowy months ahead.
Campus ministry is transitional as well. Students are living in an in‑between time, navigating questions of identity, purpose, and faith. It’s a critical season for them to grow deeper in their faith and to be supported by a community that welcomes their questions, their uncertainties, and even their doubts.
As campus ministry becomes part of their weekly rhythm, it creates a set‑apart space—a pause in the busyness—for reflection, prayer, and connection.
And something beautiful happens in that space. Students begin to trust that they don’t have to have everything figured out to belong. They learn that faith isn’t a finished product but a journey, and that God meets them right where they are—in the middle of exams, friendships, transitions, and all the unknowns ahead. Fall reminds them, and all of us, that change is not something to fear but something God can work through.
As the semester continues, we get to watch students settle more deeply into community, into Scripture, and into the rhythms that sustain them. It’s a gift to walk alongside them in this season of growth and transformation, trusting that God is at work in ways both seen and unseen.
To request a congregational visit from Pastor AJ or more information about how you can support LCM-Ames, email them at pastoraj@lcmames.org.
Lutheran Campus Ministry is a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America
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