Parker is a student leader at Bethel Park Campus Life, where he’s known for taking bold steps to share Christ with his friends—one faithful moment at a time.
“Breathe in, breathe out, move on.” — Jimmy Buffett
That quote has become Parker’s go-to reminder when things feel heavy. Yes, it’s a Jimmy Buffett line—and yes, Parker is a fan. But beyond the humor, it reflects how he walks through the pressure of leading his friends toward Jesus: with trust, patience, and grace.
A Quiet Burden
Parker’s biggest challenge hasn’t been fear or doubt. It’s been something heavier: watching people he loves miss the hope he’s found in Christ.
“It’s tough when the people you care about the most don’t know the hope and love that you’ve found in Christ,” he says. “For a while, I wasn’t sure how to reach them.”
A Turning Point
Everything changed when Parker invited his friends to Campus Life.
“That step—simple, but bold—became a turning point in my mission,” he says.
Parker describes the spiritual state of his friends not as rejection, but something more difficult to reach. “They were only living in lukewarm waters,” he explains. “Not swimming away from the Lord, but certainly not swimming towards Him.” That spiritual stagnation terrified him.
Campus Life gave Parker more than community. It gave him purpose. “Through Campus Life I gained the opportunities to do just that, and I couldn’t be any more grateful.”
Leading by Example
Parker stepped into leadership not with a spotlight, but with steady commitment. “I’ve made it my goal to lead by example,” he says. “Whether that’s showing up consistently, being honest about my faith, or simply living out the love of Jesus, I try to be someone my friends can look to—a light in their journeys.”
One moment stands above the rest: Parker’s baptism at Heatwave. “It marked my commitment and drew me even closer to God,” he shares. “It wasn’t just a message to the world though, it was specifically one to my friends; that He is the only path to eternal life and forgiveness.”
That message landed. This year, his friends are coming to Heatwave.
“I hoped that through this example, I could encourage my friends to join me in taking that next step,” he says. “And I am proud to say that this year they will be joining me.”
Built on Grace
Parker doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. “I’m not the perfect Christian, and will never claim to be,” he says. “I have those who love me, those who don’t, and many I’m still yet to meet. But in the end, I know He who walks beside me.”
His confidence isn’t in his performance. It’s in the grace of Jesus. “Even when I fall short, He shows up with patience, purpose, and peace.”
That’s the love Parker wants others to know—a love that meets you where you are and calls you deeper.
“So I’ll keep showing up. I’ll keep inviting. I’ll keep living in a way that points to Him,” he says. “Because if even one person finds hope through my story, then every step, even the messy ones, was worth it.”
Not Alone
At Campus Life, Parker discovered he’s not alone in his mission. He found a team, a purpose, and a place where young people are welcomed to grow in faith and leadership.
“No matter where you’re at or who’s around you,” Parker says, “God can use your life to impact others. If you’re willing to take that first step, just like I did with my friends, you might just change someone’s eternity.”
