Christopher Pascoe: Michael Burke, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Michael Burke Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program was established in 2021 and is in the process of awarding its third class of award recipients. This scholarship was created in the memory of Michael Burke Sr., who was a friend of Youth Apostles dedicated to our mission of drawing young people closer to Christ, especially on college campuses. Each recipient creates and executes their own project with a goal of introducing their peers to Christ.
One of the scholarship recipients from 2023-2024, Christopher Pascoe, is about to finish his first year at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. Christopher was inspired to grow deeper in his faith by Laura Gossin. Laura is a Christendom College alumnus, an author, a parent, a teacher, and a friend of his mom. He had the pleasure of being her student for a homeschool class on C.S. Lewis and the Kingdom of God. She encouraged him to meditate upon the Scriptures daily and lovingly encouraged him to be a humble servant of God through various examples to follow—and not to follow—in Lewis’s writings, various writings of the saints and the Word of God. More from Christopher below:
My name is Christopher Pascoe and I currently attend Christendom College as a freshman. I was homeschooled through high school and graduated with the Holy Trinity Catholic homeschool group in Gainesville, VA. I am a recipient of the Michael Burke, Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Jonathan Rosato, one of my youth leaders, invited me to apply for this scholarship because he knows I have always loved youth ministry.
My project showcases a small group of men who are committed to becoming authentic, masculine warriors in and through Jesus. We read the book, Wild at Heart, sharing in small groups, praying together, and devoting ourselves to a particular resolution each week. My project has been extremely successful. I prioritize one-on-one encounters when advertising or encouraging attendance at my project meetings. Although at times this method impedes my ability to reach a broader audience, it has enabled me to grow much closer to the members of my group than I would have otherwise.
Life can be overwhelming; this is why it is crucial to foster authentic and life-long friendships with those who share your faith and who also want what is best for you. My project has cultivated these kinds of deep friendships and I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Chris meets with his small group during the spring semester.
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