Unity House emphasizes reconciliation

If you walk past Frey and Kline Halls toward Bittner Residence, you’ll see a modest brick ranch. That’s the Unity House—also known as the men’s ministry house—one of six special-interest houses on campus.

The house’s main mission is to form godly relationships among the 11 men who live there. Engineering major Dan Mewha ’19, house spokesperson, helps publicize the house’s values.

“Unity is such a powerful and profound word,” said Mewha. “How do we work for better unity on campus across different lines when there’s so much pain?

The men in the house try to answer that question through three goals: pursuing identity, dealing with sensitive issues and beginning the healing conversation.

Caleb Bornman ’19, who lives in the house, said, “I feel very connected to this house’s mission because of our deep conversations.”

Mewha says many young men have lots of superficial friendships, but not a lot of friends whom they can be vulnerable around. He also lists mental health and societal pressure to be stoic as just a couple of the sensitive issues men face.

Our goal is to have everyone feel fully known and fully loved,” said Mewha.

For Matthew Eshleman ’19, the community aspect of living with a group of friends appealed to him. “I like the mission of Unity House: being with people, talking about life and having someone to talk to,” he said.

While emphasizing the importance of deep, connective relationships to work through problems amongst themselves, they also partner with Minds Matter, the mental health awareness group on campus.

What’s the biggest surprise about living in Unity House? “That a house of 11 guys doesn’t smell,” said Calvin Trimble ’19, one of the house’s occupants. “But, seriously, everyone lives in community and welcomes other people on campus. I want to continue investing in other people—not just men, but everyone on campus.”

Mewha agrees, emphasizing he wants to make the Unity House’s ministry welcome to all.

“I think it would be really cool to have male and female leadership and advisors,” he said.

Mewha says that leaders of both genders can give a voice to reconciliation, honoring each other and refining education about gender-specific problems. An idealist who’s also practical, he acknowledges not everything will work out at once, and that’s okay.

“We need to heal and repair broken relationships, but it’s a process, and it will take time,” he said. “It’s something we’re working toward.”

—Rachel Hungerford ’22