A Full Circle Journey

Sam Fabian

It’s September 2013, right around Applefest, and Sam, then in 2nd grade, remembers leaving school in the middle of the day. Her classmates wanted to know why she got to skip out early. She proudly told them, “I get to go to my church and help make apple pies for people!” It was at this age Sam longed to be one of the “big kids” she witnessed serving at the Sugar Creek breakfast and playing in the VBS praise band.

Sam’s faith journey began at 3 and 4 years old as a student at Peli school. Her summers were highlighted with stays at Sugar Creek Bible Camp and learning during the week-long Vacation Bible School, then work camp trips became the spotlight of her summer. School years turned into time spent in confirmation classes and peer ministry training.

Work camp weeks immersed her in worlds out of her routine. Each year she attended work camp, the experience built on previous years’ journeys.

Firm roots of a faith foundation were taking hold in Sam’s life.

The groundwork laid by the youth opportunities at Prince of Peace accompanied her to her first year of higher education at the U of MN in the fall of 2024. Sam struggled being away from home and knew she needed to find a faith family to lean on during this tough transition. “I went church shopping,” Sam says. She quickly discovered clear differences in faith communities. A few appeared fun on the outside, but the underlying message did not align with the ideals she learned as a member of Prince of Peace.

A few months into the semester, Sam found the ELCA church on campus (Lutheran Campus Ministries). She joined a bible study there, which soon became the community she was seeking. Her roommate and friend even attended with her. “This group was the slice of home I needed,” Sam says.

Looking ahead to the summer of 2026, Sam would like to be a counselor at a Lutheran bible camp. Her leadership in faith will now be passed on to another generation of young children. What an amazing testament to the investment of our youth at Prince of Peace church!