The Book of Judges tells the story of a woman chosen by God to lead - A parallel to sophomore Savannah Coomer’s leadership in “Hidden Gems” on campus.
In the Bible, Deborah was a judge, a prophetess, and a leader who’s connection with God lit a path out of tyrannical Canaanite rule. She acted as a shining beacon of grace, and in spite of all her splendor, she’s just one of many women in and outside of the Bible empowered by God to lead.
The Mount’s very own Savannah Coomer is a testament to this belief. Just as Deborah was a leader for the Israelites, Savannah is a leader for the Mount.
Savannah is a campus and mission ambassador, as well as an Education major with hopes to serve her community through middle childhood education after graduating. Additionally, she’s a co-founder of Hidden Gems, a campus Bible study that focuses on the often not talked about stories of women in the Bible. In Hidden Gems, alongside discussing the stories of Biblical women, a range of other topics such as relationships, redemption, spirituality, and personal struggles are discussed in the context of the Bible and scripture. Savannah holds that there’s something beautiful about sharing your struggles with others, exclaiming that “there is nothing stronger than women coming together in unity to pray!”
Savannah describes Hidden Gems as a group where young women can come together to “build community and fellowship through growing their faith.”
"I want it to be a group where we discover our identities in Christ as Godly women,” Savannah asserts. “The media tells them they have to look and act a certain way as women, and if they don’t then they don’t belong.” So, the women of Hidden Gems study the women of the Bible that defy society’s standards and live for God to take something from their actions and apply it to themselves.
Savannah was inspired to form Hidden Gems in a night of prayer at Mater Dei Chapel. She asked God for guidance; she wanted an opportunity to touch lives at the Mount. Then, God told her to start a group for young women to learn about who they are as women of God by learning the untold stories of Godly women in the Bible. She started Hidden Gems with the help of her best friend, Sophie Hirt, who she had met at the Mount in freshman year and couldn’t imagine leading Hidden Gems without. “She is full of wisdom, faith, and love for everyone around her,” states Savannah. Savannah and Sophie were able to form Hidden Gems with the help of Professor Michelle Arnold, who, alongside Sister Karen Elliot, were always there for Savannah when she faced challenges at the Mount. Savannah states, “Whether it be with Hidden Gems, my academics, or even my faith, they were always there to offer me encouragement and a much needed hug!”
With the help and guidance of Sophie, Professor Michelle Arnold, Sister Karen, and God Himself, Savannah has been able to Light the Way by bringing faith and guidance to women of the Mount. Hidden Gems has created an environment of faith, communion, and love.
Hidden Gems’s impact has even spread outside of the group itself. Savannah recalls a game that was played during a Hidden Gems meeting, where everyone in the group competed to see who could write the most Bible verse and stick them around the Harrington building. The next day, someone came to Sophie, and told her that one of the women’s coaches had found one of the scriptures and shared it with her team to give them encouragement. Savannah feels forever blessed to have started Hidden Gems, and is thankful for the wonderful people she has met because of it.
Additionally, Savannah spreads love on campus outside of Hidden Gems. “Something simple that I try to do is reflect God in everything,” states Savannah, “So, I make sure to give out compliments, to smile to people as I pass them, and to always be kind.” Savannah explains that she wants others to feel loved, cherished, and known by God in a special and personable way.
As she prepares to spread love to a classroom as an educator, Savannah states, “I will continue to try to be a light no matter where I end up.”
Hidden Gems meets on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Clifford Room, and Savannah welcomes anyone to show up. If you’re interested you can contact Savannah.Coomer@msj.edu or Sophie.Hirt@msj.edu. You can also follow the Hidden Gems Instagram, @hidden.gems.msj.
“No matter where you are in your faith journey, we would love to see you there!”