Nathan

Master of Divinity graduate, May 2009

Urbana Seminary has had a profound impact on my life. It has helped me with my confidence in ministry and has given me many tools. While I am involved in Kingdom work, I will make use of these tools the rest of my life. I have gained a deeper understanding of God and His Word and feel like I can understand and interpret the events of the world from a more biblical perspective. I have expanded my thinking while becoming a more critical thinker. Urbana Seminary has also given me many great friends through which I have gained a greater appreciation for and understanding of people with diverging viewpoints. This will help me the rest of my life. I grew up in Galena, IL (a small town in Northwest Illinois) and I received my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Education from the University of Illinois. I taught two years in special education in Mandaree, ND on the Ft. Berthold Indian Reservation and two years of high school chemistry at Danville (IL) High School. I was drawn to Urbana Seminary because it was close to where I was living and offered a quality Christian education that I felt would strengthen me in my relationship with the Lord and would give me greater preparation for ministry. For me, the most challenging thing while attending Seminary was managing my time. I had a part-time job while being a full-time student. It was very difficult and sometimes stressful to use my time wisely. Another challenge was encountering and interacting with sincere Christians who had differing theological convictions than my own. This was a good challenge that helped me understand better what I believe and helped me develop a greater tolerance and respect for differing viewpoints. I greatly appreciate the diversity of Urbana Seminary. Every class has students from a variety of backgrounds, which challenged me to really examine what I believe and why. Urbana Seminary has definitely helped me become a more critical thinker. I’m grateful for the professors who have helped me develop in this way. The professors and students at Urbana Seminary have helped me think about Scripture, theology, ministry, etc. from a variety of viewpoints so that I understand the issues better and so that I am able to understand and appreciate other viewpoints. I am currently on staff at Connexion Church in Danville, IL. I do a variety of things, but my primary ministry focus is in cross-cultural ministry with international students and with a public housing community in Danville. As I am currently in full-time ministry, I feel like I am using my degree all the time. It has helped prepare me for the various roles I play in my church’s ministry. If I was to offer advice to future Urbana Seminary students I would tell them to not be afraid to change your mind or to think differently. Someone else might understand something better than you. In other words, be humble and run from intellectual or academic arrogance. Stay grounded in God’s Word and trust the Spirit to guide you in truth.