Monday Reflections: Finding Hope and Hunger for Faith Among College Students

I see people setting their hands and hearts to cultivating gardens of life in the shadow of a world falling apart. These days, my hope grows from what we are planting. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Oct. 25, 2025 | By Wendy R. Cromwell

“They’re creating spaces for their peers to encounter God and each other,” says the Rev. Dr. Richard Anthony Purcell, campus pastor at Dakota Wesleyan University. “It gives me hope to see a new generation discerning their callings to ministry and putting them into practice.” 

Richard Anthony Purcell

Since joining the university in South Dakota in 2023, Purcell has witnessed exponential growth in student-led ministries, including the Student Ministry Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and weekly worship at the local United Methodist church on campus. 

“I find deep joy in the relationships and community I get to be a part of and help build,” Purcell says. “I am convinced that chaplaincy is primarily a ministry of presence and spiritual mentoring as discipleship and am so thankful for the people I get to pursue that work alongside as we build soul friendships at Dakota Wesleyan.” 

Purcell earned graduate and doctoral degrees in biblical studies from Yale Divinity School and Emory University. He has taught at Emory, Florida Southern College and Dakota Wesleyan and served as a youth minister and local pastor in the North Georgia and Florida conferences of The United Methodist Church. 

“The biggest challenge isn’t convincing students that a relationship with their Creator matters,” he said. “It’s working with them to create adaptable, low-barrier spaces to explore meaningful spiritual relationships.”  

Despite challenges such as rising partisanship and cultural division, Purcell sees promise in DWU’s expanding student-led small groups and a growing partnership with local Catholic parish priests to foster ecumenical faith formation. 

Purcell wants church members to know that young adults are not disengaged — they’re spiritually hungry. 

“They desire agency, vulnerability and authenticity,” he said. “They’re excited to live in to their passions and explore their sense of calling. The church must be willing to meet them where they are.”