Ethan’s Story

“I hadn’t enjoyed church before.”

Ethan Duke and his family are newer members of Abiding Presence. The Duke family started at Abiding Presence in 2022. That summer, Ethan began his first season as a college-age intern. 

“I was supposed to be working at landscaping, and then I broke my foot,” Ethan shared. “I worked summer camp instead and now I’ve loved it for the last two years.”

Ethan is passionate about working at summer camp and engaging with children. This summer, he has helped to lead the games station and music during opening and closing. 

“It’s been a great time leading music,” Ethan shared. “I feel like the kids have really responded to it and it’s been great.”

For Ethan, this experience has taught him a lot both about his career goals as well as his future in the church. 

“Working summer camp has been helping me understand what my faith calling could be down the road,” Ethan shared. “I’ve been considering maybe being a Sunday school teacher in the future.”

Seeing the impact on the kids has been the most meaningful part of this experience for Ethan. 

“Especially singing the hippo song three times in a row,” Ethan said. “I mean, that’s as good as it gets.”

This fall, Ethan will be a junior Data Science major at the University of Michigan with a minor in Music.