Missions Minute - The Larsons (May 21, 2026)

Update on H2O Kent with the Larson’s:

H2O at Kent State University has impacted the lives of many students, reaching across campuses and even across the country and around the world. Each student carries a story that God is writing—some may become pastors, elders, missionaries, or evangelists like Billy Graham, or theologians like Wes Huff. Others may be called to faithfully raise a family rooted in a relationship with God. No matter the path, every life changed becomes part of something greater God is doing. I would like to share 2 young lives that was impacted by H2O in Kent State University.

Noah, a sophomore Aerospace Engineering student at Kent State, grew up in a Christian home and chose to follow Christ at a young age, but admits his faith once felt more like a checklist than a true relationship. During high school mission trips to the Dominican Republic, God began to change his heart, revealing the need for genuine transformation. When he arrived at Kent, Noah sought a fresh start and found a church home at H2O, where he got connected through Life Groups, discipleship in “The Well,” mentorship, and serving. Through these experiences, along with accountability and a spring break trip focused on spiritual disciplines, Noah came to understand that God desires every part of his life. Now stepping into Life Group leadership after completing an apprenticeship, Noah is grateful for how God has changed him and hopes his story encourages others to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.

This next one, most of us are familiar with, some of us even witnessed him growing up. Here’s his testimony of how God pursued him.

I met Nick while I was still in high school. In 2021, after he spoke at The Summit, he joined my parents and me for a meal after church. I do not remember much from that introduction other than viewing it as part of my parents’ effort to renew my interest in faith. As graduation approached, I wanted nothing to do with God, and sitting across from a Jesus-loving millennial in a patriotic-themed barbecue restaurant was the last thing I wanted to do instead of watching Instagram Reels.

During my first week at Kent State, Nick texted me and invited me to an H2O event. I immediately suspected my parents had encouraged him to reach out, so I ignored the invitation for a few weeks while trying to forge my own path. At the time, I saw little value in exploring spirituality, especially at a church named after water.
Eventually, I attended a Life Group he was leading and was pleasantly surprised to find that a girl from both my residence hall and one of my classes was there. As the semester progressed, Riley and I began dating, and H2O quickly became a central part of our routine for the rest of the academic year.

Over the course of my freshman year, Nick and I grew very close. Outside of Life Groups and Sunday services, we met one-on-one nearly every other week. We bonded over shared musical tastes and similar senses of humor in between my many grievances about the Western church and the world as a whole. Nick always made me feel heard and valued. He offered a perspective on Jesus that never made me feel guilty for questioning or wrestling with Christianity as I understood it.

Looking back, it is easy to see how his genuine consistency and care outside of scheduled H2O events gave me glimpses of a life truly lived for Christ. I struggled deeply with my mental health, my identity, what I believed, and the people I surrounded myself with, but Nick intentionally built a rhythm of fellowship with me that continues to this day. We even went on a mission trip overseas together, where my admiration for his shepherd’s heart only grew.
Although I moved back home during my junior year, became involved with a different campus ministry, graduated from Kent State, and eventually moved two and a half hours away, our friendship remained consistent. Nick was also instrumental in Riley’s growth as a leader within H2O, continually encouraging her to seek the Lord and reflect His light.
When I asked Riley to marry me last summer, it was an easy decision for both of us to ask Nick to officiate our wedding. He enthusiastically accepted and, alongside his wonderful wife Kelly, guided us through premarital counseling. Over the following months, they intentionally invested in us and helped prepare us for marriage. Nick was especially thoughtful and diligent in preparing the words he shared during our ceremony.
I am deeply grateful for my brother Nick and for the many ways he poured into my life when I needed God’s love most. People like him are profound evidence of Jesus at work in this world.

In Christ,
Ethan Dayton


The Larson’s
nick.larson@h2okent.com
937-613-6266
www.reliant.org/nick.larson