Category: Stories

Different

Jerry Wirtley

An exercise and sports nutrition-focused kinesiology doctoral student at Texas A&M, Jake is also an avid fan of the outdoors who enjoys camping and hiking. Originally from Green Bay, WI, he is also an avid Green Bay sports fan.

As a student originally from out of state, Jake was looking for a community to keep him connected to the faith he established as a youth. He was also looking for something outside of his academic bubble. “I was first introduced to Treehouse by Tammy at Peace Lutheran Church,” Jake said. “I also saw Pastor Jerry with a couple of Treehouse students speak at Peace. So I thought I would give it a try.”

“Treehouse was advertised as an everyone is welcome community,” Jake expounded. “And I came back when I found it was as advertised. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. A nice place to be and spend time with community. In an environment where you don’t feel like you’re trying to meet a deadline, we enjoy the time together.”

Jake continues to be a part of Treehouse, because we are not all alike. He is the only one of his major and loves that this is a group of different people, from different places in life. 

Treehouse is “a group of people who could care less what you look like, what you are wearing.” Jake said. “We are all happy to be who you are and it is fine to just come together and laugh about nonsense with fellow believers.”

Questions

Jerry Wirtley

Fighting Aggie of the class of 26, Lauren an Ocean Studies Major hopes to do research in the middle of an ocean. She loves animals, and reading books, and grew up coming to Aggie Football games.

Lauren grew up as an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) member and remembered Pastor Jerry speaking at her congregation, Palm Valley Lutheran when she graduated from high school. “The senior banquet,” Lauren remembered, “had Pastor Jerry as a speaker, and he told us about Treehouse and I decided then to go and see what Treehouse was.”

Lauren came to the Texas A&M Ice Cream social, that is a part of Howdy week and went to several faith based groups and none of them seemed to be the one. “I went to other booths at the TAMU ice cream social and didn’t click.” Lauren said, “I clicked here.”

“I knew Treehouse was the place for me, the first worship gathering after Treehouse’s Ice Cream Social,” Lauren stated. “Pastor Jerry asked a question, and we were going around answering, and then someone else asked a question and Pastor Jerry said I don’t know. It showed me I didn’t need all of the answers.” Treehouse is a safe space to live in the question. We are Lutheran and love the simultaneously saint and sinner aspect of life. Questions aren’t things to shy away from. “I was looking for a place that would allow me to stay connected to my faith because I was going to lose it completely. I needed a place I could ask questions because it seemed we always needed to have answers.” Lauren proclaimed, “And Treehouse was a place I could ask questions.”

“I am very glad Treehouse exists,” Lauren remarked, “because I know there are people who are freaked out about asking questions, needing to know all the answers. Treehouse is a safe space to ask questions and know no one will think you are stupid.”