Drew Ewing

Community for the Soul :: By Allie McBrien

Drew Ewing, currently a senior in Industrial Engineering, began his high school years walking with God, but unstable in his friendships. Before he knew it, Drew started getting into certain situations with his friends that conflicted with what he believed. During his junior year Drew put all his trust in God. As he started football season, he and his friends started to drift apart in different lifestyles. In spite of his loneliness, the Lord was near and understood what Drew needed.

Drew and the senior captain of the football team, Nate Stiles, became instant friends. As a solid believer, Nate had gone through similar situations with his friends. The two spent around five hours together every day, in practice and workouts, while discussing their faith and past experiences. Nate became a light to Drew, a person who understood, encouraged and led Drew closer to Christ.

Unexpectedly, as a result of an injury during the last football game of the season, Nate died from internal bleeding of the brain.

The night after Nate’s death, Drew made a choice to block out the world emotionally. He decided to put up a wall and not let anyone else in, fearful they too would die. Leaving relationships at surface-level, Drew continued his walk with God, but he was missing community. At first, things were fine. Many came to know Christ through Nate’s death and Drew was able to help be a light for others in the tumultuous time. However, by not letting others see who he truly was, many of Drew’s peers were not aware of the hurt in his own heart or any of his problems. As time went on, many of his classmates began to view Drew as perfect and verbalized this. A disconnect soon formed where peers stopped coming to Drew for help and began avoiding him because they felt embarrassed about their struggles.

Coming into K-State, Drew had a clean slate. He was excited to meet new people. The image and false perceptions held by his former classmates were instantly gone. He began to connect with others in Goodnow, but was still missing a strong community, one that was rooted in the Lord.

God provided for Drew. Through the encouragement of his roommate, Lars, Drew began going to Christian Challenge his sophomore year. Challenge was an environment where others wanted to know him deeply and intentionally, something Drew had purposely avoided for many years.  Soon enough, Drew realized a stable relationship with God is not as effective unless it is paired with genuine relationships with people; friendships that keep him accountable and honest in his faith.

Shortly after his death, Nate’s parents started a program called ‘The Nathan Project.’ Their ministry provides free Bibles to expand the Kingdom of God by building relationships and personally leading others through discipleship. Avoiding the stereotypical “street corner” Bible giveaway, Drew seeks out friendships with others and provides Bibles to those interested in pursuing a relationship with God.

After living with a difficult loss, Drew continues to thank God for Nate’s impact in his life. The deep and meaningful relationships Drew avoided after Nate’s death are now an essential aspect in his walk with Christ.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

For more information about Nate’s life and donations for Bibles visit: http://www.nathanproject.com/