Katelyn Ebert, an RC student at the University of Washington, recently was awarded the Legatus Christi award.

This is what she had to say about her experience with the Ratio Christi and how it has impacted her faith.

When did you come to Christ as Lord and Savior, and how did that come about?

Although I grew up in the church and always believed God existed, it wasn’t until I was in Middle School that I began to understand the Gospel and that God was calling me to personal, lifelong relationship with Him. As the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me my sin and brokenness, the hope of forgiveness became so much more meaningful. In light of this, God’s calling to use my life in service of Him became the most important pursuit I could have. I still struggle with my sin, and the older I get the more of my own brokenness is revealed to me, but the beauty and grace of God becomes only more desirable through this, and I have such hope that He is with me and will one day bring me into a fully redeemed eternal life with Himself.

How did you become interested in apologetics, and how did you get involved in Ratio Christi?

My older brother Trevor became a Christian a couple months before me and had gotten into apologetics. He was always challenging my assumptions about the faith, the doctrines we had grown up with, and the worldview issues I was beginning to form my own thoughts on. I began to study apologetics and theology on my own. I was excited by the rich answers he and I would find, which always led to more questions. That pursuit of answers only got more intense as I reached college.

What impact has the Ratio Christi ministry had on your walk with God and your personal ministry?

Ratio Christi has been one of the primary ways of serving God during my college years. Being able to use the knowledge I’ve found to help others in their doubts and questions has been such a blessing. And the opportunities the Lord has opened for dialogue with Atheists, Muslims, Jews, and skeptics have continued to amaze me. I’ve also learned to depend on God more and more through this process; many times this club faced challenges that seemed unscalable, but by God’s grace He has kept it here and used it in more ways than I could have ever guessed.

What is this RC chapter like?

Very silly, very nerdy, and fully of very good friends. This actually helps us to have deep conversations at our weekly meetings and assume the best of others when we have strong but thoughtful disagreement. It’s incredible to see my friends explore the claims of Christianity or be strengthened in their faith here.

What were some of your favorite areas of involvement with Ratio Christi?’

Our annual interfaith panel was always a blast and fostered great relationships between us and other religious/non-religious groups on campus. I also loved hosting “Philosophy Pub,” where we debate an interesting and potential divisive question over (root)beer!

What does the Legatus Christi award mean to you?

It’s such an honor. As I was saying earlier, God really deserves the praise. He has provided the means for this club to do what it’s done, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it and work alongside such wonderful people these past couple years!

How do you envision taking the apologetics you have learned through Ratio Christi into your future endeavors?

I plan to be in academia for a while, so the technical scientific and philosophical evidence are super helpful for the people I tend to work with. But to be honest, everyone has questions. Everyone needs to know whether Jesus actually rose from the dead or not. Everyone wants some understanding of why God allows evil in the world. Most people don’t go through life without seasons of doubt, and I want to be able to help others find answers and hope.

What are your short and long-term career/ministry/mission plans?

I’ll be starting a Physics PhD program this Fall. My long-term plan is to be a professor and I definitely aim to continue using the apologetics skills I’ve learned through Ratio Christi wherever the Lord leads me.

Would you consider coming back to work with your RC chapter, starting one at another school, or working with RC in any other capacity?

Yes! I hope to see the University of Washington chapter continue to thrive for many years to come. It was definitely a lot of work starting a chapter, but the blessings of seeing God work through this club in myriad ways was well worth it.

What would you say to other students who might be considering getting involved in Ratio Christi, whether they be skeptics, seekers, or believers?

I’m sure you’re busy – I am too! But these questions have eternal significance; it’s worth sparing an evening to start exploring them!