The darkened Beehive was quiet. A bright green light acted as a spotlight for students, who shared their stories of personal struggle and testimony of transitioning from “dark to light,” according to Melanie Byler. Byler, a senior athletic training major and Bonner Scholar, led a team of students to organize “Redemption Stories.”

Byler and 11 other students gathered the presenters, who, during the event Tuesday, Nov. 28, sang, shared stories, videos and spoken word poems expressing their redemption and God’s impact on their transition.

Those in attendance were offered coffee and mints as the 13 presenters told stories, laughed, cried and praised God onstage.

Topics covered included addiction, mental health, the loss of parents and self-worth. Daniel Kephart, a junior English major, told the story of witnessing his friend almost get killed while playing during his twelfth birthday party, and the miracles in how he was rescued as well as recovery. Kephart also went into detail about what he believes it means to be redeemed.

“To me, all of history points to Christ’s act of redemption at the cross. I believe this, not just from a theological standpoint, but because my experience with life has led me to the cross time and time again,” Kephart said. “… Speaking about the Gospel isn’t easy. We have to confront hard questions, usually about suffering.”

Kephart’s presentation was unique not only because of his personal story, but the humor and lighthearted tone with which he began his testimony.

“I like to start with a story – usually funny, because it helps me and the people listening to relax,” Kephart said. “It was a beautiful event, I was honored to be a part of it.”

Byler and the other Bonner Scholars involved with the event chose “Redemption Stories”, which happen once per semester, as a part of their required issue-based projects (IBP’s). The IBP’s were originally created to specifically target on-campus suicide and depression.

The IBP’s were then transformed and largely developed by Byler during her sophomore year. They debuted as “Redemption Stories” last academic school year, to include other topics adding to the relaxed, coffeehouse-feel.

“It’s a time of students sharing their stories, their burdens, their struggles, and being able to encourage one another,” Byler said. “We realize that one of the best ways to combat suicide is to let people know that they are loved and appreciated and valued. We chose to do that by letting people hear their friends share and be vulnerable about times of trials and how they found hope and redemption.”

According to Byler, she hopes that “Redemption Stories” continues annually and that it continues to “fill the need” she saw on campus for students.

“Even just talking with my friends we were all struggling with stuff that was so similar but so different, whether that was loneliness or depression,” Byler said. “There was this need to know that we’re united and that we don’t have to go through this and struggle alone.”