That's all I've been saying since May. It was then that God started making it obvious that He had been repeating something all last semester: going to seminary. I used to never see myself as a seminary student, thinking that it was for those super duper smart biblical scholars and those who wanted to be a pastor. I was also assumed that seminary would kill my love for God's Word (you would be surprised how many people assume this). Over and over again God brought up the idea of going to seminary through a friend, through a pastor from Rwanda, and through my pastor back home. When my friend and the pastor from Rwanda encouraged me to think about seminary, I just nodded my head and smiled, but in my head I was thinking, "ha, ooooookay." Then I met with my pastor last May to talk about missions and what the path towards the mission field will look like. Even before we met I somehow knew he was going to bring up me going to seminary, there wasn't any other indication, I just knew. So we talked for a couple hours about missions and then at the end of the conversation he said he wanted to bring up one more thing. Indeed it was me going to seminary. He and his daughter had put together a list of seminaries, degrees that would be ideal, specific classes that would be ideal, location of each seminary, how long the program would take, and how much it costs. Then I really started listening. He explained it's not just for pastors, but it's to gain a deeper understanding and application of God's Word and it's to gain a more formal biblical education that would greatly contribute to my work overseas. I looked at the list and the first seminary that I saw was the same seminary that the pastor from Rwanda had attended and recommended (when I wasn't listening), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. I was all ears then. Then it clicked that I had been ignoring God's attempts at getting my attention. I really need to learn to listen to Him the first time rather than make Him repeat Himself three times. I realized that seminary might legitimately be where God is calling me to (in addition to missions). I went home and researched Gordon-Conwell. Then I started praying...
And praying...
And praying...
And praying...
I've been praying about it for the past six months and I decided to take a step out and go visit Gordon-Conwell. The more I prayed about it, the more I felt God's confirmation. Even before the visit, I was fairly certain that I was going to apply. If God didn't want me going, He was going to have to do some serious heart change.
So, my visit to Gordon-Conwell was last week and I am SOLD. Every single doubt and fear I had about going to seminary was completely eliminated, including financial and housing worries. I had the chance to speak with faculty, sit in on a theology class, and get more information about the degree I'm hoping to pursue, a MA in Christian Thought (a combination of biblical studies, missions, apologetics, and church reformation). I LOVED sitting in on the class and realized exactly how valuable a seminary education is. And even better, the majority of the faculty have long-term missions experience. God's provision and confirmation makes me hit my face. Not only did I receive confirmation about seminary through the visit, but also the utmost confirmation to be a missionary through a conversation with a professor. Not that I ever doubted, but I sometimes was left seeking that absolute Holy Spirit light bulb moment. Now I have it.
I'm now almost done with my Gordon-Conwell application and intend to send it in next week. If I'm accepted, I'll start with an online class next semester while I'm coaching softball up in NoVa. And just think, four years ago if you had told me that I would place my faith in Jesus, love Him with all my heart, be called to the mission field in Africa, and go to seminary, I would have laughed in your face and cussed you out. Not even an exaggeration. Now look what God has done with the past four years. Who woulda thunk it? Only my Papa can do stuff like this.
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