HPU Students Explore Faith Through Fall Pilgrimage in Asheville, North Carolina

Ten High Point University students from differing majors recently took part in HPU’s Fall Pilgrimage, a five-day journey to help deepen their faith and explore how faith communities can make an impact. Pictured from left in the Bonnie Smith Prayer Garden at Hayworth Chapel were John Casey, Mia Spies, Meigs Roberts, Benjamin Carver, Lauren Talley, Sierra Nichols, Samantha Mailhot, Cassidy Brake, Shelby Rosenhahn, Cate Dilday, Haley Hedrick and Rev. Andria Williamson.

HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 11, 2025 – Ten High Point University students from differing majors recently took part in HPU’s Fall Pilgrimage, a five-day journey to help deepen their faith and explore how faith communities can make an impact. They visited with faith communities in Asheville, North Carolina, which was impacted last year by Hurricane Helene.

Rev. Andria Williamson, HPU’s associate chaplain and director of chapel programs, said she witnessed students building deep bonds with one another each day during what would have been their fall break, from Oct. 6-10. The pilgrimage included a visit to Haywood Street United Methodist Church in Asheville, a nature hike and plenty of moments when the students connected with people through the power of religion.

“While students could have spent all of their downtime relaxing or playing games, they instead spent time listening and ministering to each other through Bible studies, worship, prayer and affirmations,” she said. “Throughout the week, students visited a variety of worship services to experience how faith is understood and practiced across denominations. They spent time contemplating in nature and explored how faith influences art and vice versa. They also served those experiencing homelessness at Haywood Street Congregation and those impacted by incarceration through Deep Time Ministries.”

Mia Spies, a religion major and music minor from Oak Island, North Carolina, said it was “extremely refreshing” to go on the pilgrimage with nine other students who were committed to slowing down and exploring the impact of God on their lives.

“The Asheville pilgrimage is such a unique opportunity to see how God is moving in your life, the lives of those around you and also to recognize what we can do to better serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ,” Spies said. “At Haywood Street, a congregation that serves the Asheville population in a multitude of ways, I saw just how many people are aching for connection, community and Christ. The pastor at Haywood Street said it best, ‘Instead of using faith as a strategy of advancement, let our faith lead to a life of downward mobility. Let us assign ourselves to the back of the line.’”

Although she had been on previous pilgrimages and mission trips, none compared to this experience for Samantha Mailhot, a senior accounting and finance major.

“At Asheville, I was not only able to deepen my faith but to serve those here in North Carolina,” said Mailhot, who is from Sykesville, Maryland. “While serving at Haywood Street, I got to help and truly know many individuals who normally don’t have a voice. It was wonderful getting to hear the stories of those who are sometimes overlooked because those stories are sometime the most inspirational.”

Haley Hedrick, a senior majoring in psychology and music, said the pilgrimage brought her to a place of true rest that she had not experienced in a while.

“In a world where everyone is always go, go, go, this week allowed me to step into a place of taking in all that’s around me,” said Hedrick, who is from Trinity, North Carolina. “I was able to pay more attention to the leaves and the wind as well as individuals I wouldn’t ordinarily interact with. It was such a pleasure to see the body of Christ come together in a way to serve those around us through the power of the Holy Spirit in us.”

Shelby Rosenhahn, a senior psychology major and special education minor from Grafton, Massachusetts, said she was grateful to join several friends and experience such diverse and beautiful worship services in Asheville.

“I still think about how clearly God’s love was reflected in every conversation, act of service and moment of joy, and how that week deepened my appreciation for the community He’s brought together through this pilgrimage,” Rosenhahn said.

“My experience in the Fall Pilgrimage was incredible, allowing me to grow more in my relationship with God,” said Benjamin Carver, a sophomore religious studies major. “What was most meaningful to me was when we got to go to Haywood Street and minister to people who were homeless, having conversations with them and learning their story.”

Carver recalled the story of a man named Benjamin who used to work at a High Point furniture store and had majored in religion at another college before he lost his financial support, was forced to leave his apartment and experienced homelessness for four years. Carver prayed with him and encouraged him to know this was not his final destination.

“This really taught me to learn how to listen to people and to view people not by their circumstances but through God’s lens that they belong to God, and that moment really opened my eyes,” said Carver, who is from Greensboro, North Carolina.