Mason West: From Student to Campus Pastor
Mason West is from Bluefield, Virginia, and he graduated from Graham High School along with his wife, Cameron. In fact, they were high school sweethearts at Graham. Both came to Bluefield University after high school. Cameron majored in teacher education, and Mason in psychology. Now, Mason has transitioned from BU student to BU campus pastor.
Mason said he felt a calling to ministry when he was 14 years old, but he didn’t think it would be this early in his life when he would get to answer that calling.
“My transition to this position is a dream come true,” Mason said about becoming the campus pastor. “Being a part of watching Bluefield grow its Christian community here on campus fuels my passion for ministry and my overall purpose to reach the generation around me for Christ.”
He said the move from student to campus pastor has involved a lot of change and responsibility.
“My life has changed a lot, but not at all the same time,” Mason said. “The ministry aspect came naturally, but having the pastoral title wasn’t something I was used to. It motivated me to pursue a legacy of generational ministry.”
West and his wife are expecting a baby girl named Eden Reign in the fall and will continue their ministry throughout her life.
“Being campus pastor and working with Bluefield University Student Ministry (BUSM) keeps me going every day as I love to watch the energy of our students,” Mason said about the effect students have had on him, “and I can see their hunger to see more of how God sees them and how God sees everything.”
BU student Abigail McComas, who is a member of BUSM, said she’s thankful for Mason’s transition from student to campus pastor.
“I think where he was a student and grew in his faith through the ministry here, he knows how to connect with other students,” McComas said. “I can tell Mason cares for his responsibility as a pastor, and I believe he will do great things.”
Isaiah Rife, another BUSM student had nothing but good things to say about Mason’s new position on campus.
“I believe that Mason will better the BU community by bringing a new atmosphere in the chapel and making students feel more at home here at Bluefield University,” Rife said. “Mason brings diversity, hard-work, and inclusiveness, all while challenging everyone to be a better version of themselves and to grow with Jesus daily. We can see the change from the past few weeks at chapel, and it has been one that I believe the students love. If one thing I know is true about Mason, I know he cares about the community. He wants students to walk in the chapel and feel seen and known by everyone in there, and he is doing just that.”
Bluefield University students and staff are welcoming West with open arms and an open heart as he continues his journey through ministry as campus pastor.
Photos by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.