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As graduation season arrives each year, the Pioneer features one graduate from each college and high school in the coverage area.

Christian Ministry major MJ Johnson is this year鈥檚 featured graduate from Oak Hills Christian College, which will host its commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, in the Schreiber Activity Center gymnasium.

The Pioneer provided Johnson with a series of questions to answer:

Why did you choose to attend Oak Hills?

I chose Oak Hills because of the small class size, Christ-centered environment, involved faculty and staff as well as the beautiful setting.

What piqued your interest in Christian ministry?

At first, I had planned on going into criminal psychology, but after attending Montana Wilderness 歪歪漫画 of the Bible, I knew I was more passionate about full-time ministry.

During my time in Montana, I got heavily involved with a youth group on outreach. I fell in love with ministry and realized it was the only thing I truly was passionate about. That's when I began to look for a four-year school.

Have you had a favorite class?

My favorite class has been Integration of Psychology and Theology. Although I do not plan on being a licensed counselor, it has helped me learn how to mentor. This will be vital as I go into ministry.

What activities have you participated in?

In my junior year, I was a student chaplain. I have also been on the worship team all three years I've been here. I also led a women's Bible study as the student chaplain.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate, I will be working full-time for Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. This is a ministry on public university campuses all over the United States. I will be working with women 18-25, mentoring them and teaching them how to be true disciples of Christ.

What鈥檚 been the greatest struggle or hardship you have overcome in your life?

The greatest struggle I've had to overcome was moving to Bemidji. I wanted to be in Montana, but the door was not open for me to stay. The first semester at Oak Hills was hard for me simply because I had a bad attitude.

One night, as I lay in bed in my dorm, God asked me, 鈥淎re you trusting me or the place I used to grow you?鈥� I had to admit I was not trusting God. Once I realized this, I began to see that I was where I was for a reason.

The staff and friends I made at Oak Hills were also used to grow me. One cool thing is that the girl who invited me to Chi Alpha, Julia Gill, was a senior that year. If I had stayed in Montana another year, I would not have found Chi Alpha and the job opportunity I have right now.

What do you consider as your greatest achievement?

I view 鈥渕y鈥� greatest achievement as helping start a Chi Alpha chapter on the Bemidji State campus.. I put 鈥渕y鈥� in quotes because it is God's achievement. He simply used me as a vessel to accomplish this.

In my three years here, Chi Alpha has tripled in size, but what's more than the quantity is the quality of faith within the students there. If you are looking for a place to find revival on the BSU campus, a great place to be on Monday nights at 7 p.m. in the Crying Wolf Room.

Who is your greatest mentor?

I have had many great mentors over my time at Oak Hills, but one of the most impactful was Alexis Klicker. She was an upperclassman who took me under her wing. We got bagels every Wednesday and talked about life, God and how we are growing. She was my first friend at Oak Hills, and her kindness and wisdom still impact me to this day.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love writing worship music. It's a good way to remind myself of what God has been teaching me. This year, my friend Jaret Page and I have been writing some songs that we hope to share on Spotify soon.