At the onset of the 2024 Fall semester, UT Martin welcomed Mollie June Miller to the Wesley Foundation as its new campus director and minister.
For those who may not know, the Wesley Foundation is a Methodist-based campus ministry located at 312 Lovelace Ave., across the street from UT Martin’s Business Administration building. Having been established in 1947, it offers a place of sanctuary “that empowers students to explore faith and discover grace,” as mentioned on its website.
Throughout the week, it provides small group sessions on Monday evenings, free meals and worship services for students on Wednesday afternoons, as well as many special fellowship events that occur throughout the year on Thursdays and Fridays. It is available to all students Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Before joining the Wesley Foundation, Miller was called to ministry after years of dedication and service to her faith.
“In eighth grade, I really took a loving to mission work, and so I’ve been doing that ever since,” Miller said. “I worked with the Appalachia Service Project for a number of years … and I heard about the Wesley Foundation, and I realized I wanted to work in campus ministry.”
Even though Miller loves her position as a campus minister, she is aware that it does come with some challenges. “For me, my relationship with Christ is kind of like a flowing river. So there’s moments where it’s really flowing and there’s moments where it’s a little bit slower,” Miller explained. “Even as an individual [who] people see as a leader in my faith, there are moments [when] it is easier and moments when it’s harder. But right now there’s some good flowing, so I’m enjoying it,” Miller assured.
Before taking residence in Tennessee, Miller lived in Long Valley, New Jersey, roughly 14 hours away from Martin. Despite the long distance from home, Miller has grown to love Martin and all of its characteristics. She described it as “a cute, quaint town. I love Martin at Christmas. It’s so beautiful … It makes me think of a hallmark movie. I love it here.”
Miller is also very hopeful for the future of the Wesley Foundation. “Whatever vision Christ has, I hope that involves a lot of people feeling happy and loved and warm in this place,” she said, “So in the future I just hope we can continue to grow that for more people to be discipled and be apart of it.”
As a final statement for the student body, Miller said, “You are loved by God and by me … If you ever need anything, no matter who you are [and] where you come from, I am here for you. And I would love for you to visit us at Wesley.”
