A Wesley Trip That Turned Into a Lifetime Partnership: The Czerwonkys' Story

Sometimes the most meaningful relationships begin in the most unexpected places. For Janée and David Czerwonky, a friendship that started during a Wesley Foundation trip halfway across the world eventually grew into a lifelong partnership.

Although their paths had crossed several times before, it wasn’t until a mission trip to Zimbabwe in 2022 with Wesley that they truly connected.

David reflected on the moment their friendship began to grow: “An African proverb says that ‘between true friends, even the water drunk together is enough.’ For us, a sweet friendship that started on a Wesley trip to Zimbabwe in 2022 slowly became a fantastic romance and partnership.”

Janée and David both served as co-leaders for the trip. Janée represented a local church, while David participated as a graduate student leader representing Wesley Foundation. They worked alongside Pastors Glen Robyne and Wellington Chiomadzi to guide students through the experience.

While both Janée and David had strong connections to Wesley during their undergraduate years at Purdue University, the Zimbabwe trip gave them the opportunity to spend time together in a new way. Through shared experiences, conversations, and service, their friendship deepened.

Reflecting on that time, the Czerwonkys shared: “The Zimbabwe 2022 trip provided us with a chance to start discovering how much we had in common. Over time, we began to realize that we were called to do life together.”

Their relationship continued to grow after the trip, and in 2025, the couple married.

But Wesley Foundation’s impact on their lives goes far beyond their relationship. Both Janée and David describe Wesley as a foundational place for their faith formation and for discerning how they were called to serve others.

Janée shared how Wesley shaped her journey: “Wesley allows many people to explore their faith, grow in fellowship with a large community at Purdue, and immerse themselves in faith communities far beyond Indiana.”

Through her involvement with Wesley, Janée discerned a calling to Youth and Young Adult Ministry within the United Methodist Church. For the past couple of years she has been studying to become a Deacon in the United Methodist Church while also serving part-time with Wesley.

David continues to stay closely connected as well. “I am active as a Lay Servant in our local church in West Lafayette and remain connected with Wesley while finishing my PhD in Engineering Education at Purdue University,” he said.

For Janée and David, Wesley Foundation was more than a campus ministry during their college years—it was a community that helped shape their faith, their calling, and ultimately their life together.

Their story is a reminder that Wesley is a place where friendships form, faith deepens, and sometimes, lifelong partnerships begin.