Attending the only Reformed Presbyterian college in the world comes with its blessings and challenges. Misconceptions regarding the Geneva College experience inevitably surface from time to time. Some people have perhaps assumed Geneva is just another way to keep RP students in a protective bubble, sheltered from the outside world. However, my own experiences as an RP student at Geneva have proven these statements wrong.

I had the privilege of gathering with a group of four other Reformed Presbyterian students to discuss how our faith has been affected during our time studying on this campus. The students, sophomores Elaina Tweed and Dan Townsend, junior Adam Hall, and senior Spencer York, discussed with me the experience of being RP at a college that unapologetically integrates faith in Jesus Christ and RP doctrine into all learning.

Regardless of church background, Geneva is a place where students find spiritual hope and encouragement. Geneva is home to students of more than 60 denominations, and yet all of us have the great opportunity to fellowship together and challenge one another. Contact with a diversity of church backgrounds or even no church background can lead to vibrant and expanding Christian faith, which students will carry with them as they leave the campus.

Emily Walker: Let’s start our discussion by talking about how our own Reformed backgrounds helped transition us into Geneva.

Elaina Tweed: I attended a public high school, where I received a great education. However, learning in a specifically Christ-centered environment has been wonderful. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of God’s character, how He is actively working in the world, and how I might use my studies for His glory and not just my own advancement.

Adam Hall: Something I appreciate about Geneva is the consistency. Coming from an RP background, I love that Geneva’s chapel messages and worship style are reflective of other RP services. It’s also really refreshing to learn under professors who teach from a Reformed perspective.

Dan Townsend: The college also works with a number of churches, including College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RP Church, to aid students’ spiritual growth on campus. They provide opportunities for worship and discipleship through Bible studies and accountability groups. For me, it has been a blessing to live with roommates who are also in my Bible study group, as we are able to keep each other accountable even outside of our study sessions.

Adam: I believe there is a lot of power in Christians fellowshiping together, regardless of the denomination. At the end of the day, the size of your church or the state of its facilities holds little relevance to the body’s spiritual growth. For small RP churches, we have found that growth happens regardless of those external details.

Spencer York: The RP church has never done me wrong or led me astray. While we may have our quirks just like any other church, I have always felt well cared for. The preaching, guidance, and counseling I’ve received from my pastors has been a wonderful blessing. I’ve never questioned what I believe because the people around me are living out what is preached on Sunday.

Emily: The Geneva experience is unique among other colleges—special—wouldn’t you say?

Elaina: Something special about Geneva is its comparatively small student body. With smaller class sizes, there is greater opportunity to get to know people personally. There are few faces on campus that I don’t recognize.

Dan: That sense of community is what makes Geneva unique. The student body is small enough that you can easily get to know the people around you. It’s very easy to be involved in clubs, sports, and student activities too, which provide even greater opportunities for developing community with your peers. Also, having the opportunity to develop close relationships and form godly friendships here on campus has been one of the biggest ways my faith has been challenged and deepened.

Spencer: My advice to incoming students is take advantage of the community. Surround yourself with people who will build you up. After one difficult roommate situation, I sought to develop relationships with people I knew would encourage my faith rather than bring me down. The difference has been astounding. It is truly the people here that make Geneva special.

Emily: Being at Geneva is not like living in an “RP bubble.” We are challenged to strengthen and develop our character.

Spencer: I’ve had to learn the importance of time management and taking more responsibility for myself academically. The professors here take their jobs seriously, which means they challenge you to take responsibility for your work.

Emily: Yes, students here are prepared for life outside of Geneva—in workplaces, churches, their communities—but also going on to top-tier graduate schools and doctoral programs.

Dan: Students should know coming to Geneva that they don’t have to wait to interact with the real world when they are on campus. It’s right here.

Adam: Something important to remember before coming to Geneva is that your experience isn’t necessarily going to be the same as others who have graduated from here. Enter with an open mind and understand that you will be involved in different situations than the ones you have grown up in. There is no cookie-cutter manual for how things will go. Just because you’re RP doesn’t mean your experiences here will be exactly what you expect.

Spencer: There exists a nice balance between growing alongside others whose faith is very similar to your own and being challenged by those who may provide you with another perspective.

Adam: For me, Geneva has reminded me why I love my Reformed Presbyterian roots and why I believe our foundation is a solid one.

Emily: For incoming freshmen, that knowledge could be very encouraging. It’s wonderful to know that students have been challenged in their faith and have come out stronger because of those challenges.

Elaina: Coming into college, I thought I had a pretty thorough theological background, but Geneva has helped me spiritually in areas where I was previously unsure. I have a clearer understanding of how to live out my Christian faith in my day-to-day life.

Adam: The focus here is on glorifying God. During that process, we further our knowledge and intellect.

Elaina: At Geneva, the professors don’t simply follow a step-by-step instruction book for guiding you towards graduation. Rather, the perspective they take comes from a desire to help you grow as a whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

As a result, I know that my experience in my chosen major would have been very different if I had chosen a different school. Here, I know God will lead me where He needs me to be, and I trust in His timing.

Emily Walker, class of 2020, is a junior from Franklin, Ind., studying communication and writing and a member of Columbus, Ind., RPC.