Conversations with Daniel: Jonathan Gish

This article is part of a series of interviews of members of the Ablaze community conducted by Ablaze member Dan Micinski. Today’s interviewee is Jonathan Gish, whose Ablaze participation has included the Alive Series and the Intentional Discipleship Series, in addition to Bible studies and community events. This interview was conducted in November 2025.

How has Ablaze influenced your relationship with God?

Ablaze was a pivotal part of my deeper conversion early in my return to faith. Ablaze is an excellent community for those who are new to or returning to the faith. In my own life, Ablaze helped me to understand the importance of a personal relationship with Christ, and seeking to make Him an essential part of daily life. With this, Ablaze has also allowed me to meet many great people that have offered great wisdom and opportunities for me to give my own advice to others regarding their relationship with Christ.

Where do you feel closest to God (e.g. Adoration, nature, silence etc)?

There are many places that I find God, but a few always draw me nearer to Him. Firstly, I find God most prominently in the Divine Liturgy (Byzantine Catholic Service), as this is the meeting place of Heaven on Earth where we are able to offer up our collective plea for mercy and receive our Lord in the Eucharist. Secondly, in nature: Nature is where we find the beauty of God’s creation firsthand and where He can reassure us that we were created with intention. Thirdly, in silence: Silence with a deep focus on nothing except the presence of God is essential to understanding who God is and what He has planned for you. Lastly, communal prayer among friends: This has been an excellent way for me to share my faith with those close to me and grow closer to not only God but also my neighbor.

Who have been some of the most influential people in your faith life?

My first influence to solidify my belief and (often distant/rocky) relationship with God was my grandmother (Bubbi). She was the first one to teach me about God and his great love and mercy for mankind. She introduced me to Jesus and his awesome sacrifice and beautiful angels, which aided me in always believing in the true God. Two others who have influenced me positively are my friend Dylan and girlfriend Isabella; they’ve allowed me to grow and practice the patience that is essential for Christian fraternity and more importantly what the disposition of a future husband should look like.

Describe your reversion story. Where'd you go, and how did you find a sense of community after coming back?

I grew up in Osceola, just east of South Bend, in a Catholic family that slowly drifted from Faith after my parents divorced. I went to Catholic school, so I knew the motions of religion but not really the meaning behind them. When my dad stopped practicing and my family stopped going to Mass, I followed right along. I told myself I didn’t need church to believe in God. After high school, I didn’t have much direction, so I filled my life with distractions like video games, partying, shallow relationships, alcohol, and drugs. I was chasing belonging and happiness, but all I found was exhaustion and emptiness. The lowest point came when a close family member, who was struggling with addiction, tried to take her own life. That moment completely broke me. It forced me to face the truth about the way I had been living and how far I had drifted from God.

In that darkness, God started pulling me back. I began praying again, even though I didn’t really know how, and slowly found the strength to walk away from the things that were dragging me down. When I went back to church, it was different this time. I actually encountered Jesus as real and personal. He met me right in the middle of my mess and showed me that life isn’t something I have to build on my own. It’s something He gives. Through prayer, community, and his mercy, I’ve learned that my story isn’t defined by my mistakes but by grace. I used to think I was too far gone to come back, but now I know that Life itself has a name, and his name is Jesus Christ.

How has our relationship brought you closer to God? [Daniel and Jonathan are friends and coworkers.]

In a very real way, it has helped me with patience. There are many things that a friendship, and especially one that goes on during work, can help you think about and reevaluate how you approach situations. This allows me to think about how great it is that God is not like myself (not stubborn, reluctant, impatient, etc.).

What have been some of the most influential Catholic books/texts you've read?

The most important text that I read in my reversion is Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo. It was essential in my coping with the guilt of my sin and understanding that my sin does not disqualify me from sainthood and the Love of God. Other texts are the writings of the Church Fathers, those who help reinforce the foundation of the Church in trying times. It was also refreshing to see the roots of our faith and how ancient they truly are.

In the last year you've started going to the Divine Liturgy—what drew you to that? How has it influenced your faith?

The Divine Liturgy has made me completely reconsider the idea of worship. In the Liturgy, I feel that I am participating with the priest in worship fully. I find it beautiful how most of the liturgy is sung and tones change based on liturgical season. The shift towards the east has also helped me to better reflect on my relationship with God and call myself to pray throughout the day, as there is a great focus on silence, meditation, and unceasing prayer.

How has your faith life changed in the last 6 months? What's been the catalyst for that change?

6 months ago I was in a very high spiritual position, and, as time has gone, it has shifted to a low. This is not to say this is a negative; it is simply up to me to rely on the Lord even though I feel far from Him. I believe the driving force behind this trying time is God, but the deeper lows are from my own failure to not trust in Him fully and giving into the temptation that I can control any of it. It is a struggle to overcome pride, but a struggle worth conquering.

How do you discern God's direction for your life?

Over time, I learned that the simplest way is by praying and listening. By listening, I don’t mean to say that you need to hear the voice of God, but rather observe your surroundings and circumstances after prayer. What changes after prayer? What stays the same after prayer? What is confusing you after prayer? By meditating on these, you eventually come to understand how God speaks to you as an individual and how you are called to meet Him and honor Him with your life.

If you could give advice to anyone struggling to find God, what would you say?

Ask questions. Whether it is to yourself, a friend, a priest, or a professor, there is always knowledge to be gained. I understand that I know very little in regard to faith and that many have experienced the same and much more than myself. I would also encourage those seeking the truth to not be discouraged by doubt, but to sit and ponder why they doubt and what origins do their doubts have. Lastly, pray and follow the steps listed in the previous question, that’s what dispelled all my doubts on the journey back home.

The Conversations with Daniel blog post series takes its name (in fun) from an element of the Intentional Discipleship Series. If you’re a young adult looking for a faith sharing community and wanting to grow in your own ability to share about your spiritual life or the Good News, consider signing up for the Alive Series, the Intentional Discipleship Series, or joining another of our community offerings!

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Daniel (Dan) Micinski has been involved with Ablaze Mission since 2024 and has participated in the Alive Series, the Intentional Discipleship Series, and the Called & Gifted Workshop. Wanting to grow closer to God, he decided to interview people he admires spiritually to learn from their spiritual journeys. We hope these interviews from our community are a blessing to you as well, on your journey into deeper intimacy with God.