Thomas Albright, Whitehall Mennonite Church, Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS)I hope to creatively and lovingly encourage others to find authenticity, action and abundance, making space and places for people to consider Jesus as Lord and Savior. Attending seminary has helped and is helping me to expand my thinking and clarify my thoughts and models of ministering.Leonard Dow, Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, Palmer Theological SeminaryIn addition to my personal and spiritual growth, my seminary experiences have also impacted my congregation and our local community, as well as enabled me to be a resource to the larger Mennonite denomination. The combination of seven years of pastoral experience and a wholistic theological training that requires practical application along with biblical/prayerful reflection has been truly a blessing!Mike Ford, Franconia Mennonite Church, EMSMy hope is that I can help influence youth to grow spiritually in a passionate, daily relationship with Jesus. I’ve come to realize more clearly that much of my influence will come over the long haul…as I journey with youth, try to be an example to them and love them over the years.Michael Hedrick, Zion Mennonite Church, Moravian SeminaryI have felt the call to ministry for most of my life and when I was offered early retirement I could no longer ignore the call. During my Clinical Pastoral Education at Grand View Hospital every person I met was at a different place in their spiritual life and I had to meet each one where they were on their faith walk if I was going to bring them any comfort. I was honored every day as people let me into their lives.Amy Yoder McGloughlin, Germantown Mennonite Church, Lutheran Theological SeminaryIn experiencing a call into ministry, many things have been unclear. But, what I am sure about is that Philadelphia is the right context for me to study what it means to be a Christian and a Mennonite.John Michael Metzler, Towamencin Mennonite Church, EMSTimothy Moyer, Towamencin Mennonite Church, EMSThe decision to enter seminary and set aside once important goals of my life was not easy. However, I have been inspired and encouraged in many ways through the actions of others. I’ve been on the receiving end of prayers, encouragement, and support from my home congregation and now realize anew the profound impact that we can have on each other as a community of believers.Christian J. Nickels, West Swamp Mennonite Church, EMSI experience God often as I study. The ancient Jewish rabbis had a saying comparing scripture to a gemstone with many facets–each time you turned the gemstone, light reflected off of it in a different way. In the same way, each time the text is studied there is the opportunity for God to teach us something new.Tamela Prather, Second Mennonite Church, Geneva CollegeMy heart’s desire is to effectively serve my family, urban churches, communities and marketplace. God is showing me that the study of His Word, deeper understanding and a closer relationship with Him will help me to reach my fullest potential so I can continue to help move the Kingdom of God forward. To God be the Glory!L. Mark Reiff, Grace Mennonite Church, Palmer Theological SeminaryIn my short life, I have already begun to see that life is much easier when I plan to do one thing and nothing else: be faithful to go wherever God calls me and do whatever God calls me to. Palmer has already been pushing and shaping my comfort zones in new ways and I hope that this disequilibrium will be an avenue in which God can continue to shape me.Rodger Schmell, Deep Run West Mennonite Church, EMS
