Catherine Kingston M.A. ’26 is Making a Difference for Future Generations

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Catherine Kingston M.A. ’26

As a teenager, Catherine Kingston M.A. ’26 struggled with questions and fear about her future and purpose in life. Recognizing that many teenagers today also experience these struggles, Kingston felt drawn to work in youth ministry as an adult to help young people experience the freedom and joy she gained from her relationship with God. This passion led her to Teens Aloud Foundation, a Christian fellowship in her home country, Ghana.

In 2023, Kingston was working as the missions director of Teens Aloud when she received a message from Dr. Muhia Karianjahi, Assistant Professor of Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Wheaton. HoneyRock, Wheaton’s Center for Leadership Development, wanted Kingston to serve as a cabin leader in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Along with other camp ministers recruited from around the world, Kingston packed her bags and headed to the Midwest. Her commitment to youth development, paired with her leadership experience at Teens Aloud, made her well-equipped for the role.

That summer, Kingston learned about the residential M.A. in Outdoor Adventure Leadership. Although an extended term in the U.S. hadn’t been on her radar initially, she applied to the program and submitted an application for a Billy Graham Scholarship. “Even though I trusted God with it, I didn’t think I was going to get it,” Kingston said. ‘I told myself, ‘Do your best and leave the rest to God.’”

Soon, an email in her inbox brought good news: She’d been accepted into the OAL program and was a recipient of the scholarship, which would cover her tuition. “I was so excited,” she said. “I knew that if I didn’t receive the scholarship, there was no possibility I could study in this program. It was a great blessing.”

As a student in the OAL program, Kingston serves as a graduate resident assistant and program coordinator for Catalyst 2, which provides tools and experiences to help rising high school seniors prepare for their next season of life. In addition to her administrative duties, she walks alongside the teens, helps them identify their passions, and encourages them to draw near to God to discover their purpose. Through this work, Kingston continues to practice the relationship-building and leadership skills she began cultivating at Teens Aloud.

Kingston’s growth is not taking place in a vacuum. She credits her HoneyRock teammates with making her transition to the OAL program as smooth as it was. As she adjusted to living in the U.S. for the first time, learned more about HoneyRock, and took on leadership responsibilities, her team supported her. “It’s a joy to work with my team,” Kingston said. “Whether they’re sharing a word of encouragement, offering a helping hand, or just sitting with me in silence, my teammates reflect the love of Christ in both big and small ways.”

Her Billy Graham Scholarship cohort has also embraced her. Although Kingston often cannot gather with her fellow scholars due to the distance between HoneyRock and Wheaton’s main campus, they consistently reach out to check in on her and nurture that friendship. They also pray for her during their gatherings and ensure she is warmly welcomed when she’s able to be on campus.

Similarly, Kingston doesn’t see some of her fellow OAL students as often. With the program’s flexible nature, many students participate remotely while continuing their current roles in ministry and student development. However, required intensive classes take place in person each semester, where the complete cohort sits side-by-side to learn and live together for a week, both in the classroom and over shared meals. “Although the intensives require a lot of work, it’s amazing to have everyone together,” Kingston said.

Looking back on her first year in the program, Kingston recognizes just how crucial this community can be, made up of those both near and far, especially when balancing responsibilities at once. “It’s hard when you love your job and have to study at the same time,” she acknowledged. In addition to working and learning, Kingston had to adapt to HoneyRock’s learning and teaching models, which differ from what she had experienced at Teens Aloud. Yet with her deep commitment to excellence in one hand and organizational strategies in the other, she’s able to stay on top of her tasks while giving herself the grace and flexibility to grow. “I’m growing more teachable, and I enjoy the challenge,” she said.

After graduation, Kingston hopes to make a difference in the world, starting with her home country. She wants to utilize various aspects of HoneyRock’s program, including creation engagement and other programming models she’s experienced, to help future generations. “I want to draw attention to how God reveals himself in nature,” Kingston said. “Being in creation opens our hearts to God’s presence in ways we don’t always experience indoors, and camp ministry creates space for those sacred moments. I want to help cultivate moments like that in Ghana.”