Students find relief at The Annex

This isn’t your average Sunday church service. The Annex Boulder is a ministry that is greatly affecting the lives of students on weekly bases. "For the past two and a half years this place has been my home," said Doug Wekenman, a recent graduate and intern at the Annex.

Wekenman discovered The Annex his sophomore year in college; It has changed his life. “I wasn’t a Christian my whole life until I was a junior in college, and I came here for the very first time. I fell in love with it both the place and the people here,” said Wekenman.

The ministry really helped him find Christ and make it through a difficult time. “A few things happen to me my sophomore year of college that were really tough and for the first time in my life lead me to God, and I started praying and really liked it, and I think that’s why I came here, and became a Christian here and gave my life to Christ here.”

Wekenman has been greatly involved in the mission trips, including one he participated in his senior year. “Last year when I was a senior, I went on the winter break one which was to Costa Rica for two weeks which was awesome. There was 40 of us that went. It was cool to go as a student.”

Wekenman also had the opportunity to lead the biggest mission trip for Annex to date. “Then this year I co-led one over winter break to Jamaica with 92 college students. That was the biggest trip we ever had by 30-40 people. It was a blast.”

Other students also have been greatly affected by The Annex, like sophomore Rachel Olguin. “I come here because it’s a good time and you meet good people. It’s just a place to get away from everything else, the stress of school and stuff like that," said Oliguin.

Not only does The Annex help students deal with the stress of school, but also being away from home. “It’s probably one of the best things that had helped me adjust to being an out of state student,” said Karly Smock.

Wekenman currently interns with The Annex, and believes it has been a very rewarding experience for him. “This place is special for me. It’s cool. Four years ago, I would not of guessed I would be working here, but it’s a blessing and I love it,“ said Wekenman.

The Annex meets every Tuesday night from 8 to 10 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on 16th and Walnut. For more information please visit their website at www.theannexboulder.org