Angela Baerg – Collegedale, Tennessee … Noah Sturges first learned he loved filmmaking during his junior year as a student at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado. His classmates had written a student play, and he made a behind-the-scenes video as part of the project. He loved the reactions he got from his work, and he began to wonder if he could make a career out of it.

During his senior year, Sturges plugged into every activity on campus where he could hone his videography skills, from being the technology director to making promotional videos for the school. He also helped the Grand Junction Seventh-day Adventist Church to livestream their sermons. When it came time to choose a college, his science teacher recommended Southern Adventist University.

“He told me their film studies program was exceptional, and he was right,” recalled Sturges, who is now a junior film production major at Southern. “On top of that, it’s the community that really enhances my experience here.”

Sturges is part of a Bible study group with his fellow film majors. Together they have been studying the book of Philippians. He particularly admires Paul’s persistent gratitude and has been attempting to emulate that attitude in his own daily life.

While at Southern, Sturges has shared his tech skills with Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, helping them livestream their church services. He also films events throughout the year for Strawberry Festival, a year-end event with a video that recaps the school year and fosters a spirit of togetherness.

Sturges is excited about his upcoming film internship at Loma Linda University this summer and hopes to soon participate in a mission trip so he can bring that experience home in video form to share with the world.

“I love being a videographer,” Sturges commented. “I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when there is a camera on them. Whenever I have a camera, I feel a sense of purpose. I hope to use my gifts to share God’s word with others.”

—Angela Baerg is a Southern Adventist University alumna and a freelance writer for Southern Adventist University’s Columns Magazine. Photos supplied.