A Passion Defined in Calling

As Zoom-based classes and homeschooling have become normal to millions of American families, the phenomenon highlights an old reality: self-teaching can be a struggle. For Dan Ajamian, the challenge wasn’t a revelation. As a child raised in a Christian home, he recalls a life-long fire for public life and politics but found it difficult to connect political convictions to faith.

In the Fall of 2011, Dan was introduced to a current John Jay Fellow by a mutual friend, who saw the fellowship as possible path to an elusive connection. After auditing one of the classes the following spring, he was “blown away” by the experience. He discovered a new world of Christian literature and philosophy that finally helped reconcile what seemed like competing passions—the ones that touched the inner mind, not just the surface. When he was accepted as a full-fledged John Jay Fellow in the Fall of 2012, his was transformed. Without the experience Dan says, “I think I would still be searching.”

Principled Leadership to Where?

“I would say probably the biggest impact that the John Jay experience had was that it gave me clarity in the direction of being a principled Christian leader,” he recalls. Though he had previously understood the general notion of principled leadership, the practical implications were more complex. Reconciling passion with belief could be a dead end without practical application. “I think you can be principled in many directions but to what end? That’s where the Christian piece comes in,” he argues. The role of the individual in God’s ultimate plan to restore a fallen world is a noble one and understanding the importance of that role grants a sense of unwavering commitment. Dan’s passion now had focus—seeking God’s glory.

Redeeming the Argument

In addition to this clarity, Dan’s time at John Jay helped him understand the reality of nuance in public debate, citing environmental stewardship as an example. While frequently viewed by many Christians in the culture wars as an outgrowth of flawed liberal philosophy, caring for Creation should be a unifying call. And while much of the environmental movement is disconnected from biblical notions of Creation care, he’s been able to redeem many of the best arguments. John Jay cautioned Dan to examine every side of an issue—between the black and white. “In this world that is broken,” he says, “there are at least elements of what is good—or at least good intentions—behind everything,” says Dan.

“John Jay really provided the foundation of a more general view of vocation,” he says. Though his personal calling has been to education, he believes a God-appointed calling can run in any direction as long as it ultimately aims to glorify God and restore the fallen world. While he enjoys the challenge of leading a burgeoning charter school in Colorado Springs through the trials of a pandemic, he knows the assignment is fused with meaning far beyond this global moment of trial. “I am hopeful because I believe that Christ died and rose not only for our souls but also for the restoration of the world.”

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