44. Brigit Jogan: Experiencing God on the mountaintop

OCF Crosspoint Podcast

// Episode 44 show notes

What comes to mind when you hear that someone had a “mountaintop experience”? Maybe you think about Moses, who hiked back down the mountainside literally glowing because he had been in the presence of God. Or Peter, James, and John—the inner circle of Jesus—who saw Jesus in His true, divine nature as he was transfigured right in front of them. You might recall that was an event that impacted Peter so deeply that he wanted to camp out and build a few memorials for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses.

The point is this, we regard mountaintop experiences as those moments when God moves in such a mighty and unexpected way, that, at least figuratively, we come back glowing like Moses or wanting to build a memorial like Peter. And while a mountaintop experience can take place anywhere, for some people, such an event actually takes place on a mountaintop.

Take for example my guest today—First Class Cadet Brigit Jogan, a senior at the United States Coast Guard Academy. During her time at Rocky Mountain High this past summer, Brigit hiked the summit of Mount Antero in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks, and it was during that physical climb to the mountaintop that she experienced the Spirit of God moving in a mighty way. Today, Brigit is going to talk about that experience as she shares her story.

// What we talked about

Here’s an outline of the questions Brigit answered this episode:

• Tell me about where you’re from, and why the Coast Guard?
• As you look back over your time at the Coast Guard Academy, what’s academy life been like for you? What are some things you’ve learned about yourself, and what are some challenges you’ve faced?
• Share a little about your spiritual journey. When did you accept Jesus and begin following Him?
• What’s it like being a Cadet and also being a Christian? Are there difficulties you’ve experienced when it comes to integrating your faith into your life in the Coast Guard?
• Talk about your involvement in OCF at the Coast Guard Academy—how you first heard about OCF and why you decided to give it a try and then stay involved?
• Talk more about what it is you do with the ministry team.
• Tell me more about your Rocky Mountain High experience. What was it like?
• What sorts of things would best equip you to live out your calling as someone who is very early in her military career?
• If listeners were going to take away only one thing from our conversation today, what would you hope that it would be?

// About my guest

Originally from Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Brigit Jogan is currently a 1/c cadet (senior) at the United States Coast Guard Academy. She participates actively in OCF as cadet president, studies electrical engineering, swims distance freestyle, and frequently shares terrible jokes with those unfortunate enough to be in earshot. Her other hobbies include completing adult coloring books and looking at pictures of her beautiful dog, Phinn. In the future, she hopes to continue her education through the Coast Guard and to continue to stay very involved with ministry, with whatever adventures that entails.