How "The Well" Is Shaping the Next Generation (w/ Jess Schmidt)

The Story Behind The Well

Jess Schmidt’s journey into college ministry is rooted in deep obedience and bold faith. Though she first stepped into ministry training in 2016, it wasn’t until returning to Bowling Green, Ohio, in 2021 that her impact on the campus truly deepened. Today, she serves as a full-time staff member at H2O Church BG and as the Conference Director for the Collegiate Church Network.

One of the most significant ways Jess has shaped lives on campus is through a six-week discipleship experience called The Well. Developed over 20 years ago, The Well is a carefully designed experience to help students understand what it means to follow Jesus, engage with the local church, and step into leadership. It’s more than a class—it’s an on-ramp into a gospel-centered life, all done in community.

Each session includes teachings, group discussion, personal mentorship through a “One12 Partner” (based on Romans 1:12), and opportunities to serve with the church. Students are not passive participants; they are invited to show up, contribute, reflect, and grow.

For Jess, The Well isn't just something she leads—it’s something she lives. She takes the assessments alongside students. She still learns new things every semester. The rhythms of the program continue to shape her own walk with Jesus, even after four years of running it.

Why The Well Works—and How It Could Work for You

What makes The Well so effective? Jess says it comes down to one simple thing: you’re not doing it alone. Students journey together through teachings and spiritual disciplines, ask honest questions with a trusted mentor, and begin practicing gospel-sharing in their everyday lives. The structure invites ownership without pressure, offering a space to explore faith at any stage.

Every semester, Jess sees a new wave of transformation—students who arrive hesitant or unsure leave more confident in their faith, more connected to Christian community, and more ready to make disciples themselves. One student, Bennett, shifted from a party-centered lifestyle to a leader in the church—all sparked by his experience in The Well.

Since 2021, over 350 students have gone through the experience at H2O BG alone. That’s hundreds of future disciple-makers shaped in just four years. And it’s not just for freshmen—students from all class years are encouraged to join, and many return later as table leaders or mentors.

Even more exciting? Jess is dreaming about adapting The Well for use in the local church outside of the college context. While the campus setting has its own time-bound structure, she sees potential for longer-form versions for city members—ones that go deeper, foster lifelong community, and create a sustainable pathway for spiritual formation.

Other churches in and beyond the Collegiate Church Network have already begun adapting The Well, some tweaking the length, others renaming it entirely, but still drawing from its core components: gospel fluency, communal learning, mentorship, and mission.

Jess believes discipleship shouldn’t be rushed or reserved for the “elite.” Everyone should have access to a clear and inviting next step—and The Well makes that possible.

Final Encouragement

Jess leaves listeners with a reminder rooted in Philippians 1:6: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Whether you’re just stepping into ministry or dreaming about discipling others in your church or campus, trust in God’s ability to lead, shape, and complete the work He starts.

Resources

📘 Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt
This practical and insightful book equips believers to speak the truths of the gospel into the everyday stuff of life. Jess recommends it often—and fun fact: her husband, who isn’t much of a reader, has read it twice. It’s that good. If you want the gospel to be on the tip of your tongue in every conversation, this book’s for you.

[Optional link: https://saturatetheworld.com/gospelfluency/]

🌧 Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop
Lament is a biblical practice many of us don’t fully understand. This book helped Jess learn how to cry out to God with honesty and hope. It’s a powerful resource for anyone navigating grief, hardship, or seasons of waiting. Jess says it’s become a go-to recommendation when walking with others through pain.