Every great movement of God begins with a moment of faith, surrender, and calling—and Ambition Conference 2025 was exactly that for me. Held from January 9-11, 2025, in Denver, CO, Ambition is a space where campus ministers, students, and leaders gather to seek God’s vision for reaching campuses across the nation. It’s not just a conference; it’s a catalyst for gospel movements that change lives.
This year’s Ambition was unlike any before. With 916 attendees—including 435 students, 277 staff, and 144 ministry partners—the conference was a powerful gathering of leaders from across InterVarsity and beyond. We were led in worship by Maryanne George of Maverick City Music and equipped for revival by Jordan Seng, author of Miracle Work, and leaders from the Vineyard movement. The vision was clear: we are not just longing for revival; we are being equipped for it.
Serving as a Coach & Prayer Minister
This year, I had the privilege of serving at Ambition in two roles: as a Coaching Lab Coach and as part of the Prayer Ministry Team. These roles shaped my experience in profound ways and reinforced what I already knew—when we pray, God moves.
Coaching Lab: Equipping Planters for Ministry
One of the key spaces at Ambition was the Coaching Lab, where staff and experienced leaders walked alongside students and new ministry planters to help them take their next steps in launching campus ministries. As a coach, I worked with students to:
- Write vision statements for their ministries.
- Map out their networks of potential partners.
- Develop strategies for sustainable growth and discipleship.
Sitting with students as they dreamed about what God could do on their campuses was one of the most inspiring parts of the conference. Some students came with a clear vision but needed encouragement; others arrived feeling uncertain but left with renewed confidence that they could step out in faith.
Prayer Ministry: Creating Space for Encounter
Prayer wasn’t just something we did at Ambition—it was at the heart of everything. As part of the Prayer Ministry Team, I had the opportunity to:
- Intercede for students, faculty, and campuses in real-time.
- Pray with individuals seeking clarity, healing, and direction.
- Be part of a movement of expectant faith, believing God for revival.
One of the most powerful moments happened in the Encounter Loft, where students came to receive prayer and seek breakthrough. Whether it was praying over someone discerning a call to ministry, interceding for a campus where no Christian presence exists, or simply sitting in God’s presence, these moments reminded me that true transformation begins in prayer.
Attending with Haskell Student Leader, Dillon Adams
I wasn’t at Ambition alone—I had the opportunity to bring one of my student leaders, Dillon Adams. Originally, three students from Haskell were planning to attend, but due to a major ice storm in Dallas, TX, and work obligations, only Dillon was able to make it. While I wish the others could have joined us, I know that God was intentional in having Dillon there.
Throughout the conference, Dillon experienced firsthand what it means to lead with vision, prayer, and faith. As we engaged with other leaders, he saw the bigger picture of what God is doing on campuses nationwide. I’m excited to see how what he learned at Ambition will impact his leadership at Haskell moving forward.
A Call to Reach the Unreached
One of the strongest themes that emerged during Ambition was the call to go where the gospel has not yet taken root. This aligns with what I’ve already been doing at Haskell and beyond, but God made it clear that there is still more work to do.
- Raising up student leaders to take ownership of their faith and disciple others.
- Creating new spaces for spiritual conversations—outside the church, in everyday life.
- Strengthening outreach efforts to reach those who may have never considered Jesus before.
A Vision for Discipleship & Leadership Development
At Ambition, I was reminded that sustainable ministry isn’t about just reaching people—it’s about equipping them to reach others.
- Multiplication over maintenance – The next step for students in our ministry is not just to grow in their own faith, but to be sent out to disciple others.
- Developing leaders who can plant new ministry spaces – Students are not just the mission field; they are also the mission force.
- Creating leadership pipelines – Ensuring that students have mentors, training, and opportunities to step into leadership roles on their campuses.
When We Pray, God Moves
A recurring theme at Ambition was the power of bold, expectant prayer. As I’ve often said, when we pray, God moves, and this conference reaffirmed that prayer must remain the foundation of everything I do in ministry.
- Prayer walks on campus—interceding for students before we even meet them.
- Mobilizing partners and supporters to pray for students, faculty, and spiritual revival.
- Asking God for boldness and faith to step into places where ministry doesn’t yet exist.
What Comes Next?
The visions and convictions from Ambition are not just ideas—they are the blueprint for how I will move forward in ministry. The outreach, discipleship, and prayer movements I’ve described will all be shaped by what God revealed during this time.
This is just the beginning. Thank you for being part of this journey. God is moving, and I am expectant for what’s ahead!
