“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” ~ Psalm 37:4
By Abigail Hasebroock
When Holly Cleveland reflects on her memories of college, the thoughts that immediately flood her mind are not the A’s she received on tests. Instead, she fondly remembers deep conversations over cups of coffee and cracking open her Bible with other believers.
Even the wild fervor generated by the blue and orange frenzy of excited, sweaty students during football games doesn’t compare to the times Cleveland spent growing closer with the girls in her community group.
“Those are the most precious moments from college,” she said.
Cleveland, 24, said she stepped foot on the University of Florida’s campus as a freshman majoring in advertising.
“I watched a lot of ‘Mad Men’ my senior year of high school,” she said.
After sifting through her general education classes, she said she lacked the passion for the craft that was present in her peers.
“I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t have any passion for it,” she said. “I would do enough to get the grade, but it wasn’t like, ‘Wow, this is what’s making my life better.’”
One spontaneous decision later, Cleveland said she wound up in Chicago on a Cru summer mission trip the summer after her sophomore year. For 10 weeks, she worked at a local Chik Fil A and was immersed in new friendships and spiritual conversations.
“I saw what it was like to live on mission, day in and day out,” she said.
The trip served as a catalyst for Cleveland’s decision to change her major, which she officially did in the Fall of her junior year. She said she began studying family, youth and community sciences, which prepared her well for a future in ministry.
The further she dove into her studies, the more Cleveland said she felt God leading her in the direction of joining Cru staff. She desired to intern with a nonprofit organization, and coincidentally, Cleveland said Cru is one of the largest nonprofits in the world.
“[Cru] has poured so much into me over the past four years,” she said. “How cool would it be to give back and pour into other students and learn more about what it means to live day in and day out in ministry?”
Cleveland is now fulfilling her second year as a full-time Cru intern at UF, and despite the sporadic nature of the work, she said she loves every part of it.
“Every day is different, it’s not a normal 9 to 5 job,” she said. “I am always on my toes.”
When Cleveland’s internship ends in July, she said she will officially join Cru staff and be placed where there is the “greatest need.”
“Even though I would love to live in a city that’s close to my family, they’ll say ‘OK, then we’ll move you to Alaska,’” she joked.
Cleveland said she is ready and willing to be planted wherever she needs to be, however. The uncertainty is scary, but she welcomes the opportunity with open arms.
To Cleveland, being an intern isn’t about adhering to a certain mold or possessing perfect answers to all questions. It’s about being a vessel for God’s divine purpose.
“It’s really not me, it’s Him,” she said. “It’s a very humbling experience, and I’m just along for the ride.”