"What are you majoring in?" I can guarantee that every college student has been asked that question hundreds of times. For me, it's a bit of an interesting answer. "Well, I'm a double major," I always begin. "I'm majoring in both Bible and Cinematography."
There are a few responses I get from this. From adults or other college students, I either get, "Oh, wow! That's really cool!" or a pair of confused, narrowed eyes which are then followed by the question, "What's that?" As for fellow CIU students, sometimes I get the response, "Wait, we have a cinema major?"
Columbia International University is widely recognized for its missionary training. With undergraduate degrees in Youth Ministry, Bible Teaching, Intercultural Studies, International Community Development, as well as the ever popular five-year M-Div. program and the graduate-level seminary program, the school is practically a training ground for those who are called to go out into the world and teach the Word. However, the school also offers other types of majors for those who have been called to work in the marketplace. Some of these include Business Management, Sports Management, Psychology, Humanities, Philosophy, Elementary Education, and Communications -- the umbrella that covers the cinema program.
During the first week of school my freshman year, I quickly discovered that I am the only student in my class of approximately 150 who was part of the Digital Media and Cinema program. In addition to that, Out of all eight to ten-ish upperclassmen in the program, I am the only female.
To be honest, the first semester brought me much difficulty. While I was enjoying my introductory video production class and was mesmerized by the opportunity to be on an actual short film set as I assisted the seniors with their final projects, I was often faced, with the fact that the majority of my peers were called to something seemingly better. In the same respect, my friends from home were pursuing very academic careers. In comparison to them, I felt like I was going to the "starving artist."
What am I doing here? I often thought. I'm surrounded by all these amazing people with these callings to go overseas and help people in third-world communities. I'm just telling stories. My friends are striving to be doctors and engineers. I could have been that too.
When it came to my major and passions, there were few people I could relate to. Although it led me to befriend some of the upperclassmen, I knew they were all graduating soon. I felt a sort of isolation from everyone around me. Many of my peers were working toward similar goals. It was a difficult mentality to overcome.
Over the course of the year, God showed me the importance of my path. There is a reason to everything, including the fact that I am the only cinematography major in my class. It is a risky business, especially when coming from a Christian perspective. I have loved storytelling since I was very young. When I was a sophomore in high school, God called me to the art of visual storytelling. When I work on my projects, I get this rush of energy. It's one of the things I love more than anything in the world. I know that I can't do anything else with my life.
Over the past few years I have realized, with the exception of church media, that the world of movie-making is rather untouched by Christians. Sure, we've had movies released lately such as God's Not Dead and Miracles from Heaven, but when will someone step up and tell a story that not only preaches to the choir, but everyone else in this dying world who need to hear the Word so much more than those who have already heard it?
This is why I attend CIU. I may not strive to be an overseas missionary or even a pastor. But here, I can obtain the knowledge I need to "Communicate Christ Creatively" to the masses through the power of story. In my own unique way, I, too, am a missionary.
