Leaning on the Holy Spirit

When Alexis Heenan ’23 graduated from Bushnell University, having focused on forensic psychology, she returned to Sacramento, unsure of what her next steps would be. “I knew I was in a waiting period,” Heenan recalls. “But I couldn’t help feeling discouraged.” Her prayers felt quiet, her future unclear — until a whisper from the Holy Spirit prompted her to open her Handshake account. That moment led to an opportunity she never expected: a role with the California Department of Justice Command Center. 

“I almost didn’t apply,” she admits. “The enemy filled my mind with doubt. But I knew deep down the Lord was guiding me.” One year later, Heenan is still in awe. As one of the youngest employees in her unit, she leans on Jeremiah 1:6–8 for reassurance that her age and experience do not disqualify her. As scripture puts it in God’s call to Jeremiah, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” God called her, and that’s enough. 

Each day, she prays before walking into the Command Center. “I ask the Holy Spirit to tell me what to say and when to stay silent. I can’t do this work without Him.” Her job involves assisting with critical information during criminal investigations and comes with intense pressure. But even in moments of chaos, Heenan remains grounded. “When I hear the bells of hit confirmations ringing or I’m overwhelmed with urgent calls, I ask for His peace. He’s never failed to provide it.” 

In January, Heenan officially passed her year-long probation and became a permanent employee of the state. She supports the Command Center’s 24/7 operation, helping law enforcement track missing persons, wanted individuals, stolen vehicles, and firearms, among other things. “It’s humbling to sit at this desk,” she says. “I still find myself sitting in silence and wondering how I got to this point,” Heenan said. “Whether I’m calling in-state law enforcement agencies about out-of-state hit confirmations or taking reports on safely surrendered babies, I’m just in awe of God’s decision to put me here. Not long ago, I was feeling hopeless as a new grad, and now I’m talking with FBI intelligence analysts across the country. It doesn’t make sense apart from Him.” 

Heenan recently paid off her student loans and moved into her first apartment in midtown Sacramento. “I’m still processing it all,” she says. “I just keep thanking the Lord for His faithfulness.” She was recently accepted into an advanced human trafficking training alongside law enforcement officers and special agents. “I was shocked they picked me,” she says. “But I know that nothing is random in God’s plan. He keeps opening the doors.” 

More than anything, Heenan hopes current students remember one thing: Jesus is always near. “If your path feels unclear, picture yourself walking hand-in-hand with Him,” she says. “He will never let you go.” 

Her advice to the next generation is simple but powerful: stay in constant prayer. Know the enemy’s lies, and cling to God’s truth. “Above all,” she adds, “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Through every season — waiting, working, or wondering — Heenan lives her calling with Christ at the center. 

To learn more about Bushnell University’s psychology program, offered both on campus and online with concentrations in forensic psychology, neuroscience, and general psychology, visit bushnell.edu/psychology. For details specific to the online program, visit bushnell.edu/psychology-online.