Reverend Brandi Grant-Rigsby, BA ’05, believes her most powerful pastoral tool is listening.
As she steps into her new role as Ohio Northern University’s Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and University Chaplain, she plans to spend her first year doing just that—listening to students and accompanying them on their spiritual journeys.
“I’ve always had a passion for working with young people. I love their questions and their curiosity,” she says. “They’re not afraid to ask the hard questions and have those good conversations about life and faith.”
Rev. Brandi is a Polar Bear returning to her roots with this appointment.
She joins ONU after nine years as the pastor at Ada United Methodist Church, where she also spent the past two years serving as part-time interim campus pastor.
Twenty-five years ago, she was an ONU undergraduate seeking her way. She changed her major six times before settling on a double major in youth ministry and psychology, encouraged by Dr. Ray Person, professor of religion, who recognized her gifts and passion.
Following graduation, she worked in youth ministry for two years and then obtained a Master of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. She continued in youth ministry for several years before taking her first pastoral role.
Transitioning from congregational to campus ministry draws upon her greatest strengths: her deep ties to Ada and ONU; her ability to connect with people of all faiths; and her passion for working with young people.
At ONU, she will oversee a vibrant religious life program that encompasses more than 10 affiliated student organizations and weekly chapel and prayer services. This first year, she’ll be in listening and observation mode, she says, recounting an impactful lesson from Reverend William “Bill” Croy, who taught at ONU and served on the Board of Trustees.
Rev. Croy often cautioned his ONU undergraduates against the arrogance of some missionaries who visit indigenous tribes in far corners of the world, presuming they are bringing God’s presence for the first time. But of course, God is already there.
Rev. Brandi took this story to heart. “My job is always to go in, listen, learn, and see where God’s presence is already at work,” she says.
She embraces the chance to interact with students from a variety of Christian denominations, as well as Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and other backgrounds. Growing up in a military family that moved frequently, she befriended people from all backgrounds. And she notes that one of her favorite ONU religion professors was a practicing Buddhist.
“I’ve always been curious about other faiths. United Methodist is my particular practicing faith, but it’s a tradition that values what other denominations, religions, and faith traditions can teach us,” she says, adding that she “absolutely believes the image of God is present in everyone.”
Just two months into her role, Rev. Brandi is meeting with faculty, staff, and students across campus and enjoying being part of a larger team focused on student success.
ONU’s tagline, “Find your True North,” resonates with her, and she hopes the students she interacts with will come to see faith as their compass in life.
“No matter what you do in life, what path you take—whether you become a pharmacist, teacher, or photographer—God has given you those gifts and skills and passion,” she says. “So how do we find that connection to live into who God created us to be?”
The idea of formation is reflected in this year’s Chapel theme, “Sculpted by the Savior,” based on Isaiah 64:8: “God is the potter and we are the clay.”
“This theme ties in perfectly with the stage in life that students are at,” she says. “I hope they reflect on ‘What am I being molded and sculpted into?’ I hope they come to realize that sometimes we have to go through fire to get where we need to go.”