Senior political science majors Matthew Tappan and Travis Ragland are the two new leaders of I.M.P.A.C.T.  this semester – with one goal in mind, to help students better themselves and to grow spiritually.

Matthew Tappan, I.M.P.A.C.T. president, plans to make its mark on the Wesley community.

“I believe that impact has a lot of potential not just this year but for semesters and semesters to come,” he said. “It can truly be a positive light, force, and influence on campus.”

Travis Ragland, I.M.P.A.C.T. vice president, joined as a member during his sophomore year.

“When I first joined I.M.P.A.C.T. I had just got into my faith,” he said. “I don’t remember what got me to I.M.P.A.C.T.’s first bible session. Maybe it was God pushing me there somehow, but I took it as an opportunity to become closer to God.”

Tappan’s main concern is to improve the organization.

“We were able to do more events this year and we feel as if we’re touching more lives,” he said.

I.M.P.A.C.T. hosts a variety of spiritual events.

“We sponsor different types of outreach events, such as weekly bible study sessions, gospel concerts, and harvest parties,” Tappan said.  “We like to help the community as much as possible and believe doing it through God’s work.”

Ragland agrees.

“Most of the events we do are done by volunteers who are willing give their free time,” he said. “Our bible sessions are very spiritually casual, meaning we open the floor to people willing to talk about religion or anything they may be occurring in their life.”

Ragland believes that I.M.P.A.C.T. future is improving.

“I.M.P.A.C.T. is more structured and organized this year,” he said. “Beside our weekly events, we have guest speakers who touch on a variety of things, like moving forward forgiveness and spiritual based dialogs issues.”

I.M.P.A.C.T. advisor, Rev John Scott, has grown to know both Tappan and Ragland personally.

“One very important trait about these two seniors is that they have a love for,” he said. “Matthew Tappan and Travis Ragland consistently speak encouraging words to their peers and if they could bring a smile to someone face they made their daily goal.”

Scott also said Tappan and Ragland are dynamic leaders.

“The Bible says in Psalm 133:1, ‘Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in Unity,’” he said. “Matt and Travis believe in working together and putting God first in their life. They have the heart and mind of true Spiritual Leader.”

Although Tappan and Ragland plan to graduate in the spring, they wish the best of luck to I.M.P.A.C.T.

“I hope and pray when I graduate in May whoever follows Matt and I will continue the beneficial gains that have been made over the years,” Ragland said. “I am very hopeful that impact Wesley will be fine.”