Get To Know Us!

Christian Challenge at the University of Delaware exists to reach students on our campus with the gospel of Jesus Christ, challenge them to grow in their faith through discipleship, connect them to a local church community, and mobilize them for mission. Seeking to provide a place where students can be known and encouraged during their collegiate years through small group Bible studies, large social events, biblical teaching, worship, and trips during the year. We desire that students have a meaningful and rewarding college experience, full of personal and spiritual growth.

Meet our Staff

 

Nathan Walters: Director

I started coming to Christian Challenge (then BSM) in 2011 while I was a Civil Engineering student at Delaware. I graduated in 2014, worked in the engineering field for 4 years, and became the director of Christian Challenge in June of 2019. I married my wife Jamie in 2014 and we have three children, Nate (6) Nolan (3) and Jane (3 months). I'm always down for a hiking or camping trip, or really anything that involves being outside. If you're new to Challenge, I'd love to meet you! Shoot me an email or stop by the office and say hi during the week.

nathanw@udel.edu

Emma Harrison: Associate

Hey there! I was introduced to this ministry as a freshman in college, and was given the opportunity to come on staff after I graduated in the spring of 2022. I studied music during my undergrad and served as the worship coordinator at Challenge while I was a student. I’m a rock climber, and I love all things outdoors. If you have any questions about the ministry or just wanna chat over coffee, hit me up!

eharrison@ogletown.org

Meet our Student Leadership Team

 

Clara de Cabo

Freshmen Group

Hi, I’m Clara! I’m a sophomore Cognitive Science and Spanish Education major. I love being outside and hanging out with friends. I’m so excited to meet new people and to grow in our love for the Lord together this year:)

cdecabo@udel.edu

Paris Repollé

Freshmen Group

I’m a sophomore kinesiology major and my hobbies include rock climbing, spikeball, and spending time is God’s creation. Generally you can find me at the CC House studying or riding my bike around campus. Please reach out, I’d love to get to know you!

prepolle@udel.edu

 

Clay Lancelotta

Social Coordinator

Hey! My name is Clay and I'm a sophomore Financial Planning and Wealth Management major! I love volleyball, cooking, random facts, and Jesus! Ill be around the house quite a bit working or just goofing around. Hope to meet you this year!

clance@udel.edu

Sam Breiner

Outreach Coordinator

Hey everyone, I’m Sam! I am a senior, majoring in Music Education with a concentration in voice. You can usually find me hanging at the challenge house, in the music buildings, or hammocking near by. I love to camp, jam out, and thrift! I’m always down to grab a cup of coffee and chat. Let’s get in touch!

sbreiner@udel.edu

 

Mia daPonte

Outreach Coordinator

Hey guys! my name is Mia and i am a sophomore majoring in Health behavior science and psychology! I enjoy going to the beach, country music, the Trabant study room, hanging out with friends, and tons of coffee! Christian Challenge has given me a sense of family here on campus and I can’t wait to help others feel that way too!

miadap@udel.edu

Ella Ferris

Connections Coordinator

Hiii! i’m Ella! I’m a sophomore at UD and Im studying psychology in hopes to work with special needs kids! I love anything music and pretty much everything snoopy related. Im always down to chat or go out for food/coffee. I’m so excited to meet you!

egf@udel.edu

 

Becky Marks

Outreach Coordinator

Hey everyone! I'm Becky and I'm a senior chemical engineering major. I love thrifting, reading, and anything outside, and you can usually find me studying in the library or at the Challenge house. Can't wait to meet you all!

rjm@udel.edu

Anthony Manerchia

Guys Group

My name is Anthony and I’m a sophomore here at UD. I love football, I’m a big Philly sports fan, I like older music, and I like to travel. I enjoy meeting new people and good conversations, so always feel free to reach out to me!

manerch@udel.edu

 

Lauren Powers

Outreach Coordinator

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren and I’m a sophomore biology major here at UD. In my free time I love to bake, birdwatch, hike, and read. You can usually find me hanging out on the green or studying at the library. I can’t wait to meet you all and have a great year growing our faith together! Feel free to reach out :)

laurmar@udel.edu

Seth Reynolds

Worship Coordinator

Hey everyone! My name is Seth and I am a Junior Civil Engineering major here at UD. In my free time I love to hunt, fish, and really do anything that gets outside. When not studying in my favorite spot in Morris, you can find me hanging around the Challenge house, shooting pool in Perkins, or climbing at the Lil Bob. I’m always down to catch up and have some good conversation or have a jam session. Looking forward to meeting you and helping you grow closer to our savior through song!

srreyno@udel.edu

 

Jon Riley

Outreach Coordinator

Hi! My name is Jonathan but you can call me Jon! I am a junior majoring in Applied Molecular Biology. I always love being active whether it’s working out in the gym or sports. Challenge is such a supportive community of strong believers and I look forward to seeing us grow and meeting you!

jonriley@udel.edu

Kyra Devaney

Social Coordinator

Hi my name is Kyra Devaney and I am so happy to be serving as one of your social coordinators! I am a senior Business Management major and in my free time you can find me doing anything outside! You can always find me at White Clay Creek State Park! Please reach out if you ever want to pray together, do something outside or need good cheesesteak recommendations!

kyradev@udel.edu

Dan Rettig

Freshmen Group

Hey guys, my name is Dan, I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at University of Delaware this year! I love playing sports (especially basketball), longboarding, watching movies, and hanging out with my friends! I’m really excited for this coming year, meeting new people, and living with the guys at the Christian Challenge house!

drettig@udel.edu

Aidan Alexander

Guys Group

Hi! I’m Aidan. I am a junior mechanical engineering student. I love going to the beach, riding my Onewheel, skiing, hiking, and most of all I love Jesus! I’m always down to get outside or geek out over some cool science or engineering stuff. You can find me living upstairs at the challenge house or scooting around campus on my Onewheel. I can’t wait to meet you all!

aidanale@udel.edu

Mary Kate Rettig

Girls Group Leader

Hey! My name is Mary Kate, and I am one of the girls group leaders this year. I am senior nursing student here at UD, and I plan on going into critical care nursing. I enjoy hiking, listening to music, going to concerts, reading, and pretty much anything outside. You’ll mostly find me somewhere on campus doing schoolwork, and I am always down to grab a cup of coffee, so if you’re looking for a study break let me know!

mkrettig@udel.edu

Matt Meredith

Large Group Coordinator

Hey! My name is Matt and I'm a junior computer science major. I love rock climbing, hiking, spikeball, and just being outside. I'm usually around the challenge house office if you want to (not) study and hang out, play games, or whatever!

merematt@udel.edu

Christian Brandt

Communications Coordinator

Hey! My name is Christian and I'm a junior Information Systems major. I love Jesus, volleyball, boats, and anything in the mountains. You can find me most days in the Challenge House office working on coding projects or procrastinating. Hope to meet you this year!


brandtc@udel.edu

Julia Serjantova

Outreach Coordinator

Hey everyone! I’m Julia and I’m a junior Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology major. I love exploring new places, climbing, trying new coffee shops, and reading, so you’ll often find me with a book in my hand. Most of all, I love people so I’m so excited to meet all of you and grow closer to Christ together. Let’s get in touch!!

jserj@udel.edu

Sean Partington

Outreach Coordinator

I am a senior studying music. I enjoy connecting with new people and finding our shared interests. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and building friendships. When I came to college, I wasn't Christian. I questioned my place in the world and my identity. Challenge isn't just a Christian club, it's a place for anyone who is looking for answers. We welcome you to come by or reach out–regardless of who you are or where you came from. Let's get to know who God is together!

sparting@udel.edu

Chris Brown

Large Group Coordinator

Hey my name is Chris Brown I am a senior and human development major. I am one of the two Large group coordinators this year and look forward to meeting and cooking with you all. My interest are football, working out, and just generally being around people. You can find me anywhere on campus and most likely I will say hi when I see you

chrisab@udel.edu

Meghan Robinson

Freshmen Group

I'm Meghan and I'm a junior political science major. Passions of mine include volleyball, (I'm planning to put together an intramural team in the fall- message me for details), hiking, good smoothies, and studying in the wind research center in ISE. Christian Challenge changed my faith in a radical way, so I'm really excited to be serving this year!

mcrobinson@udel.edu

Matthew Metzler

Connections Coordinator

What's up guys! My name is Matthew and I'm a sophomore Medical Diagnostics major with a pre-Physician Assistant concentration. I enjoy playing sports, board games, biking, and dancing. You'll find me studying in the library and riding around campus to the Challenge house. Let me know if you ever need someone to study or workout with. I can't wait to meet you all!

mmetzler@udel.edu

Blair Ocheltree

Connections Coordinator

Hello! My name is Blair and I am a junior chemical engineering major. I love to rock climb, hike, paint, and bake. On campus you can find me hammocking on the green, hanging out at the Christian challenge house, or studying at the library/Perkins! Find me if you want to grab coffee, I’m always down!

blairo@udel.edu

Olivia Wareham

Girls Group

Hi guys!! I’m Olivia and i’m an environmental studies major. I love hiking, reading, and hanging out with friends. On campus you can find me at the library or the chapel studying or hanging around the cc house. I’m super excited to serve this year and can’t wait to meet all of you!!

oliviagw@udel.edu

Our History

Christian Challenge has been around for over 20 years on the University of Delaware’s campus. We may have changed our name, changed our building, and changed our staff, but we have always stayed true to sharing the gospel with the hurting and broken on this campus and discipling believers to do the same.

We believe that community is essential in our growth as believers. Community allows us to truly know others and be truly known by others. Christian Challenge is not the Church and does not replace the Church, but is rather an on ramp to local church bodies.

Christian Challenge reflects the Christian, protestant, and evangelical beliefs of our supporting organization; The Southern Baptist Convention. Learn more here.