Joshua Calhoun

Joshua contributes to the blog: The Forge A Catholic blog for teens and young adults For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll   View all of his posts on The Forge here.

Hometown: Lake Jackson, TX 

Education: I graduated from Brazoswood High School in 2011 and am now attending Texas A&M University, majoring in Psychology.

Ministry at ABLAZE: High school Journey at St. Mary's in Caldwell

Ministry Background: I've been involved with ministry for most of my life, but most particularly from high school on. A large part of my faith journey is credited to my youth minister, who helped lead me to become a man after God's own heart. Following his example, I became involved with our youth ministry program. I assisted at youth nights and events including Bible studies and praise & worship. I also staffed retreats and volunteered with summer activities such as: Jr. High Summer Camp, Theology of the Body retreats, Mission Trips, 30 Hour Famine retreats, and others.
Once I graduated high school, I joined NET Ministries and served as a missionary for two years sharing the love of Jesus with junior high and high school youth. During that time, I led my team as the music/worship leader and also helped orchestrate many worship nights for the parishes we we serving. Since then I have also worked with Young Neighbors in Action. Music is a big part of my life and the fact that I can incorporate that into my faith is such a blessing. I love leading others into worship.

Passions and interests: Music, reading, longboarding, bouldering (rock climbing), and playing guitar all the time. I also enjoy reading theological books and sharing my faith with others.

How did you become involved with ABLAZE/why are you involved? : I moved to College Station to begin my college career, and I had been looking for an opportunity to become involved with the Catholic Churches in the area, particularly with music ministry. Midway into my first semester, a friend of mine who was involved with ABLAZE had asked if I would help lead worship for one of their youth retreats. After the retreat, Matt Rice informed me that they had been searching for someone to lead ministry and coordinate worship/music ministry. So I prayed about it and realized God basically put this opportunity in my lap, so I couldn't refuse.

Favorite quotes/Bible verses: 

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. -Revelation 3:16

 
This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. -Genesis 2:23