Rooted Ministry Update

The Rooted Gap Year program is quickly coming to the close of its second year, and it’s an interesting time, living in three different years. We spend each day pouring our hearts into this year’s students; we interact with the students that are planning or inquiring about coming next year; and finally, we stay connected with last year’s students, hearing how God is continuing to grow and shape them. Some of the most exciting moments are when these two or three worlds collide. This happened most recently during the Borderless mission trip to Mexico and at the Exponential conference (and subsequent Lutheran Brethren young adults retreat following the conference). There were also times when prospective students came for one week to get a taste of Rooted.

I would like to spotlight one of those students, named Connor, from this year’s class. Connor grew up outside of Christianity, in a home where Jesus was not welcome. He only came to believe in Jesus a little over a year ago. He has an incredible mind that has been soaking up all that we’re learning. More interesting than that is how God has been molding him. Connor is very clear about things that he doesn’t like and doesn’t want to do. And at times, this can be good things like prayer. Last October, we took the month to work our way up to praying for an hour each day. Two days in, Connor said, “I am not going to do this. It’s just not for me.” But, by the end of the month, he was not only praying for an hour but was bringing tears to my eyes each time he prayed. He was wonderfully communicating with the God he not only knows about, but with whom he is growing deeper and deeper in love. It is also wonderful to watch Connor sit with and tenderly share with all kinds of different people, being able to both resonate with the idea of not believing, and then to share why he now believes in Christ and the impact this has had on his life. In a video interview recently, Connor was trying to explain how he had grown this year at Rooted. He simply said that it is so hard to do that because with all the positive changes, he doesn’t even recognize himself anymore! Connor is preparing to move back to Ohio and is excited about being a part of Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church. He is also openly seeking where and how God would like to use him next, and nothing is off the table. 

Please be in prayer for each of this year’s students as they follow the Lord toward what he has next for them. Also be in prayer for the previous and future students. It is incredible to have a front row seat to watch God raise up and equip the next generation of leaders in his Church. 

Roger Viksnes is the director of the Rooted Gap-Year program.

Left: Roger Viksnes (left) with the Rooted Class of '25-'26. Center: Hiking with guest teacher Pastor Ryan Nilsen. Right: Helping distribute food in New York City.