When Joshua Pasterkamp first arrived at MCKL and settled into campus accommodation, he felt the quiet ache of solitude, a yearning for deeper connection. Though he exchanged passing smiles and occasional waves with fellow students, something was missing.
“I noticed this group of accommodation students who were always together, like a family,” Joshua recalls. “They seemed so joyful, so content. I must admit I was jealous. I wanted what they had.”
That longing nudged him out of his introverted shell and into the weekly accommodation gatherings, known as Crossroads Home. His first visit was awkward, unfamiliar, and did not quite meet his initial expectations. But it was there that he heard about another event: Alpha, a programme where students and staff come together to discuss many of life’s big questions.
“I signed up not really knowing what it was about. I did not even realise Alpha had anything to do with Christianity,” he admitted with a laugh. “So, you can imagine my surprise when Jesus came up.”
At the time, Joshua did not consider himself a Christian. He believed in the possibility of a higher power but had never given it a deeper thought. Yet something about Alpha kept drawing him back week after week. It was not just the discussions but the warmth, openness, and genuine love of the community. That experience sparked a slow but steady journey. After Alpha ended for his term, Joshua found himself drawn to MCKL’s Christian Fellowship (CF), which he easily integrated through his accommodation group, which included several committee members he had admired.
“They never pressured me. They just accepted me for who I am. Even when I was not a Christian then, they welcomed me completely,” he says. “Eventually, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, and CF was there for me thereafter.” One particularly defining moment for Joshua was CF’s 2023 Christmas Rally, his first Christmas as a Christian.
“I never made the connection between ‘Christ’ and ‘Christmas’ before. It is a miracle I even made it into college,” he jokes. Invited to perform in the rally, Joshua witnessed firsthand the passion and planning that went into the event. “The way they poured their hearts into telling people the real meaning of Christmas without the commercialisation of the celebration, but it’s more about Jesus, and it was inspiring.”
Though he cannot recall the exact message from the speaker that day, the moment of prayer that followed stayed with him. When the invitation came to pray the Sinner’s Prayer, Joshua realised he had been avoiding that step. He joined the prayer, and something shifted.
“I felt this joy rush through me. Like God was patting me on the back. In that moment, I knew. I knew my faith was real.” That moment sealed his conviction. From then on, everything changed.
“If I was a ball of clay back then, every ounce of clay is now gone and I am now a ball of dough, which is a very weird way of saying, the old me is gone and I am a completely new person. I’d like to think that through my coming to know Jesus Christ and having a relationship with him, I have changed so much that I don’t recognise my former self, in a good and positive way.”
His faith journey has reshaped every part of his life from how he values relationships to his outlook on the future. “Now, I cherish everyone God brings into my life even the ones who might not deserve it,” he reflects. “I used to think happiness was the goal. That maybe money or comfort brought joy. But now I know that the greatest thing we can do is glorify God. True joy comes from Him, from giving, discipling, fellowshipping, and loving others.”
Joshua’s words of advice to fellow students who are curious or hesitant about joining Christian groups, he says, “Do not be afraid. Whether you start by getting to know one or two people or just show up and chat with whoever looks friendly, you will find a warmth in them. MCKL’s Christian groups are filled with some of the kindest and most understanding people I have met.”
He leaves with a quote from C.S. Lewis: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
“So, if you are on the fence,” Joshua says, “why not come have a chat?”