Kristina Lowen


In a few short months, Kristina Lowen will step into a key role as president of the Student Missionary Union at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 a college she wasnt supposed to attend.

A few years ago, Lowen was prepared to enroll at a university in Arkansas, not far from her hometown in Illinois, but two weeks before class started, she decided to find a school that could offer what she was really looking for: an opportunity to study the Bible.

My transition wasnt seamless, but going to 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 was one of the best decisions Ive ever made, said Lowen, now a biblical and theological studies major. On top of her Bible classes, she said her experience has been made meaningful through genuine, soul-filling relationships and opportunities to pursue her calling to ministry including organizing SMUs Missions Conference this past spring, the largest student-run missions conference in the nation.

As a kid from a family in church ministry, Lowen initially wanted to avoid the stereotype and expectation that she would pursue ministry as well.

But the more I grew physically and spiritually in maturity, thats what the Lord hardwired me for, she said. Its what he knit me together to do. I think ministry and mission work is what God made me to do.

Lowen said college came alive for her after a friends invitation during her sophomore year first prompted her to get involved with SMU, an organization that mobilizes students to make disciples both at home and through short-term missions opportunities around the world. That invitation has stuck with her as she thinks about how SMU can continue making greater efforts to invite others in. In an initiative called Building a Longer Table, Lowen plans to build on efforts to increase SMUs student accessibility and diversity. As she looks ahead to the next year as president of SMU, shes excited to see her peers participate in the Great Commission.

Were doing kingdom work, she said. I think people come to life when they do kingdom work because I think thats what people were made for. We were made to be reflectors to reflect the glory of God and bring others into it.