Aloha, my name is Maria Janelle Bautista. I’m excited to join our Every Nation Campus internship program! I grew up in church and was always active in youth ministry. But In my senior year of high school, 2017 — my boyfriend of almost 4 years passed away due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I then became very depressed and was in therapy. I also started to turn away from God due to hurt, anger, and bitterness but God and my spiritual family still pursued me. In 2018, as a freshman, I helped to lead our campus ministry. My life was forever changed. I started to grow my relationship with God and found healing. I discovered that vision brought purpose to my pain. I am now currently an intern for Every Nation Churches & Ministries, and I will be serving with Grace Bible Church Central at the University of Hawaii Manoa, continuing to make more disciples and use the Gospel to heal the brokenness on our campuses.
As a psychology major and having gone through my own mental health battles, I am really passionate about helping others find healing in Jesus. Right now, the number one cause of death on a college campus is suicide. I truly believe that spreading the word of God and helping others to become spiritually strong helps bring truth and purpose in life. I’m really excited to help students to find their vision and purpose in Jesus! Ministry partners make this all happen, Thank you for sowing into the next generation. It will not return void!
