You could imagine students attending the Missionary Disciples Institute (MDI) at Marian University arrived excited and nervous. MDI promised a summer experience on a beautiful, park-like campus for high school leaders nationwide to grow passionate about serving their communities through the Church.
Each day at MDI had its theme, shaping our activities and reflections. Some days, students dove deep into theology with Marian’s faculty during track time; others, students rolled up their sleeves for service projects or enjoyed games and hikes in the Ecolab Nature Preserve. Also, students gathered in small groups each evening to reflect and pray, ending the day with a sense of purpose and community. With only 75 spots available, students felt grateful to be part of such an intentional, inspiring community.
High school junior Khloe Duneske traveled four hours from Farmington Hills, Michigan, to attend MDI events. “I was skeptical at first at first, but I came in with an open heart,” she explained. “The warmness I felt inside this week and the Holy Spirit is so unexplainable; I know everyone here at MDI has impacted my life.”
It’s allowed me to connect with students differently,” said Ruthie Mercer, ’27, who served as an MDI mentor this year but was an MDI participant when she was in high school. “I fell in love with the program at Marian, so to be able to give back to participants in their faith journey was a guiding light for me this week, and that’s been important.”
That’s part of the Missionary Disciples Institute's goal: to help high schoolers discover their unique gifts and how they can serve as missionary disciples, encouraging them to dream big but also think practically about what their home communities need.
Students agreed the experience empowered them to return home ready to serve, lead, and share their faith in meaningful ways, proving that even a single week can spark a lifelong journey of discipleship and service.