For eight Asbury University students, a recent trip to the nation’s capital offered more than a behind-the-scenes look at government. It became an immersive experience in civic responsibility, ethical leadership and the challenge of living out faith in public life.
The group attended the Christian Student Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., hosted annually by the National Association of Evangelicals. The conference brings together students from prominent Christian universities across the country to learn how the federal government functions while engaging directly with policymakers, elected officials and experts working on Capitol Hill.
Through briefings, meetings and discussions, students were invited into conversations about some of the most pressing issues facing the nation, while also reflecting on how Christian conviction shapes engagement with public life.
For Isaac McCall, a political science and history major, the conference aligned closely with both his academic focus and personal interests.
“As a political science and history major, I was naturally drawn to the conference,” McCall said. “It fits right into many of my interests. I’m always eager for an opportunity to meaningfully engage in our national dialogue.”
McCall said the chance to listen directly to experts and elected officials was one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience.
“It was a real blessing to receive so many opportunities to listen, question, and learn from policy experts and politicians,” he said.
Another factor that drew McCall to the conference was its connection to Asbury’s Washington Federal Seminar, a three-credit-hour course that integrates travel and experiential learning into the academic curriculum.
“Another drawing factor for me was that, like some other travel options at Asbury, the conference is incorporated into the three-credit-hour Washington Federal Seminar class,” McCall said.
Throughout the conference, students attended briefings that addressed a range of current and often contentious policy issues. Speakers represented diverse viewpoints and professional backgrounds, exposing students to a broad spectrum of perspectives rather than a single political narrative.
“I learned a lot about various hot-button issues on the Hill,” McCall said. “We were able to hear a truly wide variety of perspectives from different senators, representatives, and policymakers.”
For many students, the opportunity to hear directly from national leaders helped demystify the political process. Sessions emphasized the complexity of policymaking, highlighting the tension between ideals, practical limitations and competing priorities that shape legislative decisions.
A highlight of the trip for the group was a meeting with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who spent approximately 20 minutes speaking with the students.
“A highlight of the trip for the whole group was getting to meet with Senator Rand Paul for about twenty minutes,” McCall said.
As a Kentucky native, McCall said the meeting carried particular significance.
“As a Kentuckian, I really appreciated the attention and nuance that he provided regarding some of the current moment’s most distressing issues,” he said.
While meetings with elected officials were memorable, McCall emphasized that the conference’s impact extended beyond individual encounters. The event’s theme, “Champions of Change,” framed discussions throughout the trip and encouraged students to consider how meaningful change occurs at both local and national levels.
“The conference’s titular theme was ‘Champions of Change,’ so we heard a lot of discussion over what it means to be champions of change at both the local and national levels,” McCall said.
For McCall, the theme prompted deeper reflection on the relationship between faith and leadership — particularly the challenge of consistency between personal belief and public action.
“I was most challenged by the consideration of what it means to be thoroughly Christlike in all matters of private and public life,” he said.
That reflection was shaped by Christ’s words in Matthew 25, a passage that emphasizes care for the hungry, the stranger and the marginalized. McCall said the passage continued to resonate with him after the conference concluded.
“Christ’s words in Matthew 25 have really sat with me in the days since the conference; how are we caring for the ‘least of these’ in our community and on our campus?” he said.
Rather than focusing solely on national politics, the conference encouraged students to examine how leadership and service begin in everyday contexts. Speakers emphasized that public influence is rooted not only in policy positions, but also in character, integrity and a willingness to serve others.
For McCall, that emphasis reframed how he thinks about civic engagement. The experience highlighted the importance of approaching political participation with humility and a commitment to compassion, even amid disagreement.
Despite the seriousness of the topics addressed, McCall said the trip was also an enjoyable experience. Traveling with fellow students, navigating Washington together and sharing discussions outside formal sessions created opportunities for connection and camaraderie.
“I would absolutely recommend the trip, especially for any social science or humanities students,” McCall said. “It’s not just a thought-provoking time, but a lot of fun.”
By the end of the conference, the nation’s capital felt less like a distant symbol of power and more like a place shaped by individuals wrestling with complex moral and political questions.
For the eight Asbury students who attended, the experience offered no simple answers. Instead, it provided space to listen, reflect and grow — challenging them to consider how faith, learning and responsibility intersect in both public life and everyday community
