How God Used Seminary to Stretch My Faith

The Seminary Journey: What God Has Taught Me Along the Way

Last week, I enrolled in my final semester of seminary!

I'm in the home stretch!

My final classes wrap up this fall, and I'll graduate with my Master of Divinity degree in June 2027.

When I started this seminary journey 3 years ago, I knew I would learn more about the Bible. I expected long reading assignments, research papers, and late nights studying.

What I didn't expect was how much God would teach me about Himself, myself, and my calling.

This experience has stretched me in ways I never anticipated.

Some of my favorite classes have been Old Testament, Acts, Psalms, and Creation Care and Sabbath. Each one challenged me to see Scripture through a deeper lens and understand the heart of God in new ways.

One of the biggest surprises has been how much unlearning was involved.

There were church traditions I had accepted without ever examining them closely. There were Bible verses I had heard taught for years that, when studied in context, carried a different meaning than I understood before.

That process wasn't always comfortable.

Sometimes growth begins when we are willing to admit we still have things to learn.

Acts 17:11 describes the Bereans as people who "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day." That verse became a reminder that faith grows stronger when we seek God's truth with humility and an open heart.

Another gift from seminary has been the friendships.

Many of my classmates are already serving in ministry. Others are still discerning where God is leading them. What we share is a deep love for Jesus and a desire to serve Him faithfully.

There is something special about being surrounded by people who are passionate about God's Word. We have encouraged one another through difficult classes, prayed for one another through life challenges, and celebrated milestones together. Those friendships will stay with me long after graduation.

I also cannot say enough about my professors.

They are brilliant scholars, but more importantly, they are faithful followers of Christ. They have invested in me far beyond the classroom. They have answered random Bible questions, offered wisdom, provided encouragement, and challenged me to think more deeply about Scripture and ministry.

Seminary has not always been easy.

I started this journey during my daughter's junior year of high school. My laptop went everywhere with me. Family events, work breaks, coffee shops, waiting rooms. If there was free time, there was usually reading or writing to do.

Three times each year, we attend intensive classes that run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for several days. As an introvert, those weeks stretched me in their own unique way. Spending hours around people every day requires a level of energy that does not come naturally to me.

Yet every challenge has been worth it.

The knowledge I've gained has strengthened my relationship with Christ. It has deepened my love for Scripture. It has given me tools to teach God's Word with greater confidence and care.

It has also shaped the way I show up every day on KSBJ. Many of the lessons I've learned in class have found their way into conversations on the radio, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share what God continues to teach me.

God has been faithful through every assignment, every exam, every long day, and every moment of growth. As graduation gets closer, I am filled with gratitude for where He has brought me and anticipation for where He is leading next.

"The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24