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Josiah Armstrong

Describing Josiah Armstrong as “active” would be an understatement. Though only a freshman at Houghton, after having the lead role in A Christmas Carol last fall, he has quickly become one of the most recognized faces on campus. This semester Josiah has participated less in drama and other activities on campus so that he could work each weeknight as a phonathon caller. The cause of phonathon is close to Josiah heart because he is the recipient of several scholarships without which he wouldn’t be able to attend Houghton.

Josiah is hoping to enter full-time ministry upon graduation and has found Houghton to be good preparation to that end. Despite his many activities which include musical pursuits, student government and outreach opportunities he says, “The best part about college so far is the spiritual challenge…The best parts have been when fellow students, or professors, have spoken into my life and shown me that my relationship with Christ is more important than the air I breathe.”

Unsurprisingly his favorite class is Introduction to Christianity because Professor Jonathan Case, “is so passionate about Christ and people that it trickles over into his teaching. He is vastly knowledgeable about the history of the faith, which he clings to with all his might.”

Despite positive experiences like A Christmas Carol and great professors, college has not been easy for Josiah, not because he struggles in his classes or socially but because he worries about finances. He feels very strongly that God has called him to attend Houghton, but gathering the resources that enable this has not been easy. “At the end of last semester I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to return for the spring semester. I finally was put on a payment plan, and I still have no idea how I’m going to make it through all four years,” said Josiah.

Josiah doesn’t whine about his finances. Instead he praises God for the generous gifts from our donors that have enabled him to stay at Houghton thus far, prays for future needs, works hard at his classes to maintain his scholarships, and works almost every phonathon shift to fulfill his work study requirements.

Josiah appreciates each dollar the college raises because he knows that many of those dollars go directly into student scholarships. Despite his already busy schedule he works hard to raise money for The Houghton Fund because financial aid is so vital to him.