Brandon Hawley,
“Millenial Drop-Off: Lack of Involvement of Post-Graduates in Congregational Ministry”

Students in the seminary’s  program complete Capstone Integration Projects across the two semesters of their senior year. During the fall semester, they negotiate with the professors in the Formation in Missional Leadership class the design of their projects. They then complete their projects in the spring, producing a final paper and making a public presentation.

Hear reflections from Elizabeth Witmer, Maddie List, and Caleb Schrock-Hurst, about exploring ministry this past summer with the . What might exploring ministry look like for you?

Elizabeth Witmer, a junior social work major, was at Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis. In addition to leading worship, visiting a terminally ill church member, preaching, planning and attending actions and workshops with a local immigrant-led organization, attending protests, and various other activities, Witmer said that she enjoyed being within walking distance of “anything I want do” and being “well connected to causes and actions I’m passionate about.”

Maddie List, a senior Bible and religion major from Arlington, Virginia, was in a summer service program called Ocean City Beach Project run by the Coalition for Christian Outreach for students who want to develop further as campus leaders. List and 30 other participants lived together,  attended classes, participated in Bible studies, led worship, and engaged in faith-based discussions in small groups. They each also had jobs in Ocean City, where they practiced discussing faith with coworkers.

Caleb Schrock-Hurst, a senior English major, was at New Hope Fellowship/Nueva Esperanza of Alexandria (Virginia). In addition to making pastoral visits, playing guitar in the church’s worship band, preaching, attending a young adult Bible study, “reading a lot more scripture and theology than I do on a regular basis,” and working on a variety of projects, Schrock-Hurst traveled with pastor and supervisor Kirk Hanger to visit member congregations from Mexico to Philadelphia.

Seniors Wesley Wilder and Daniel Barnhart share reflections on their summer experiences of exploring a call to ministry.

, Executive Director of speaks in at about navigating pastoral ministry in the present context.

“Christianity without consequence: Called to a ministry of reconciliation,”
. , US Executive Director.

April 2014 marked 20 years since the genocide in Rwanda and Burundi.  Two of the most Christianized countries in Africa became the place where Christians killed other Christians.  What can we learn from this experience about the ministry of reconciliation we are called to, in Africa and in the United States?

Have you considered exploring ministry? , Instructor, hosts Chris Parks and Evan Knappenberger as they share reflections from their experiences in ministry over the summer.

How are you searching to clarify your call in life? Students who participated in the (MIP) over the summer months share reflections from their experiences of exploring a sense of call to ministry.

How are you searching out clarity of your call in life? Jordan Luther and Andrea De Avila Balboa share from their participation in the this past summer.

The is an exciting opportunity of Mennonite Church USA for college-age young adults to explore pastoral ministry. The program offers the opportunity to experience first-hand what ministry is and to test your own gifts and sense of call. Participants work under the supervision of a pastor and are involved in many aspects of a minister’s life and work. For some students, an overseas assignment can be considered.

The Ministry Inquiry Program also offers pastors and congregations a specific way to be involved in helping students experience leadership in the church. Pastors serve as mentors and examples. Students learn by both observing and doing.

Joel Nofziger and Rebekah Enns share reflections from from their experiences with the this past summer. To check out the possibilities for this summer, contact in the .

Chapel closes with a time of sending for the Middle East Cross-cultural group toward the end of chapel.

The is an exciting opportunity of Mennonite Church USA for college-age young adults to explore pastoral ministry. The program offers the opportunity to experience first-hand what ministry is and to test your own gifts and sense of call. Participants work under the supervision of a pastor and are involved in many aspects of a minister’s life and work. For some students, an overseas assignment can be considered.

The Ministry Inquiry Program also offers pastors and congregations a specific way to be involved in helping students experience leadership in the church. Pastors serve as mentors and examples. Students learn by both observing and doing.