God’s calling on Zacc Burke ’18 to attend Redeemer University after graduating from the public school system was so strong that it was the only institution he applied to.
Instantly enjoying his time both socially—joining the varsity volleyball team and becoming a campus rep—and spiritually—appreciating being around others who “loved Jesus”—his start at Redeemer was what he had hoped for.
However, Burke’s post-secondary journey would end up being “unconventional,” and through its difficulties and trials it would reinforce God’s call on his heart that Redeemer was where he was supposed to be.
A self-proclaimed “band geek” and the son of a trumpet player, Burke enrolled as a music major studying trumpet at Redeemer in 2012. His goal was to become a music teacher.
“Music is a huge part of my life,” says Burke. “Singing and playing makes me feel close to God.”
Beyond scholarly learning, during his freshman year, he began singing and playing more guitar, and gained experience leading worship.
But despite this passion, by the end of his second year Burke was struggling academically, and it was politely suggested that he not return.
I can see God’s ability to put me on the right path to do what I need to do, and I know this is something he will continue doing.
However, his calling to be at Redeemer never wavered.
“Through this time, I kept feeling this push that I was supposed to be there,” Burke recalls. “I needed to go back.”
He partially attributes this to the university’s slogan at the time: You Belong Here, a phrase he had experienced.
During this time, a professor suggested that he take a youth ministry course. Burke did so and loved it. He likens the class to a saying from a pastor he once had.
“Sometimes you feel a God tap and sometimes you feel God slap you over the head with a 2×4.”
This 2×4—better known as the youth ministry course—made Burke realize his true passion and opened the door wide for him to run through. He switched his major to youth ministry and his minor to music.
After deferring in the 2015-16 year to go home and get married, Burke returned and completed his degree in 2018.
Since graduating, Burke has used his passion at Cambridge Community Church as a part-time youth worker, and since the beginning of 2022, as the pastor of youth and worship at Brant Community Church.
Responsible for planning retreats, events and lessons, ministering to teenagers, as well as coordinating songs and leading worship every three weeks, Burke describes the “best job he’s ever had” as 70 per cent ministry and 30 per cent worship.
Redeemer was a place where I could see God working in my life and see my faith become my own.
He attributes the passion that God revealed to him as key to how he does his job.
“Because I love it, I’m willing to put in extra hours and work.”
This means going above and beyond to be relational and help the teens he encounters feel connected and comfortable.
“Teens appreciate it when you know their names and what they’re doing, and when you can relate to them. They often have their guard up, but if you can become a friend they open up.”
In his role, Burke walks closely with people from Grade 7 through the end of high school. He says, watching them go through such a profound part of life and growth is “so interesting,” and witnessing them “fall in love with their faith and with Jesus” along the way has been “so rewarding.”
When considering the vocation he has stepped into and thinking about Kingdom impact now and in the future, Burke simply wants God to use him “however he wants to, to see people come to Jesus.”
Though Burke never walked away from faith or questioned God during his struggles on the way to discovering his true passion, looking back, he better understands his “unconventional” post-secondary journey.
“I can see God’s ability to put me on the right path to do what I need to do, and I know this is something he will continue doing.”
To Burke, this experience was a way to “find accountability and a healthy school-life balance” and “rely on God” en route to finding his higher purpose.
“Redeemer was a place where I could see God working in my life and see my faith become my own. I don’t regret a minute of it. God smacked me into gear, and I’m happy with how it turned out.”