The Discipleship Experience at Gordon College is one of the richest ways to integrate your theological education with your own journey with Christ. At the Discipleship Experience, our motto is, “Walking together, following Christ.” Our desire is to foster healthy vulnerability, where disciplees and disciplers feel mutually known as they share a common pursuit for a transformed life with Christ.
The Discipleship Experience at Gordon College is a two-semester discipleship opportunity, where students experience discipleship in meaningful relationships with trained seminary students from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. You will be placed in a cohort of 2-3 other students to meet for an hour on a weekly basis, for about 12-16 meetings.
Click here to apply to be a part of a discipleship cohort.
Applications are due by Monday, November 15th, 2021.
Meet the Disciplers
Gordon-Conwell Student Disciplers
Kathleen Kishbaugh
Master of Divinity
“Being in a discipling relationship means having someone to encourage, support, challenge, and grow with you…”
“Being able to share life with another person in their faith journey is such a beautiful gift I have received. It is my joy to share this gift with others.”
If you would like additional information, please contact us at [email protected]
Hi, I’m Kathy Kishbaugh…
Where are you from?
I’m a native New Englander, born in New Hampshire, raised in Connecticut and New Hampshire and currently living in Massachusetts. I’ve also lived in Michigan and Delaware, and spent 10 months in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Why is discipleship important to you?
Living the Christian life is challenging in our culture. Being in a discipling relationship means having someone to encourage, support, challenge, and grow with you both in the knowledge and application of God’s Word in your life.
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
I am excited to disciple at Gordon College, because college students are amazing! I also know that today’s world has so many different and conflicting messages battling for our attention. I would like to provide a safe place for asking questions and looking together at God’s word to see what He has to say.
How have you been discipled in the past?
I was primarily discipled by women through Bible Study Fellowship. It was through my involvement in that ministry where I first came to understand the gospel and learn how to look at the culture through a biblical lens. Currently, I have a friend who is in her 70’s who is intentional about encouraging me in my walk of faith.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
In general, I just love learning. When I meet new people I enjoy learning about them. I enjoy learning new skills—and it could be anything—new quilting techniques, a new dog sport to train my dog in, cooking. Some of the things on my learning “bucket list” are sign language and line dancing (I joke with my husband, Levi, that we need to learn sign language so that when we are old and can’t hear, we can still talk to each other). Right now I am learning how to play handbells in church (I am truly the worst one in the group, but I am getting better!).
What do you like to do for fun?
When I am able to put aside studying and ministry work, I enjoy walking with friends, training my dog, a Belgian Tervuren named Maverick, and quilting. My children and grandchildren live in Michigan and Kentucky, but my most favorite thing is being with them and playing games.
Hi, I’m Grace Lee…
Where are you from?
Though ethnically Korean, I was born and raised in the Philippines as a third culture kid. I studied in Korea for my undergrad, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, before God called me to move overseas to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Being a third culture kid, my favorite place to live is everywhere (though, everything about New England would be close to perfect if we had a shorter winter!).
Why is discipleship important to you?
Discipleship is important to me because I experienced the life-transformative impact it had on my own life. Being able to share life with another person in their faith journey is such a beautiful gift I have received. It is my joy to share this gift with others.
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
I’m honored and excited to take part in the Discipleship Experience with Gordon College. I remember the struggles I faced during my undergrad years, wrestling with identity and calling and everything in between—all jumbled with navigating cultural complexities and expectations of course—and it can be a very lonesome journey. I don’t see my role as a discipler as someone who gives answers; rather, my hope is that my presence and my testimony would encourage this generation that they don’t have to go through life’s complexities alone.
How have you been discipled in the past?
My eyes opened to the importance of discipleship when Francis Chan and David Platt visited Korea to talk about the Multiply Movement during my second year in college. Convicted, this commenced my journey of intentionally living out a life of following and pursuing Christ, both as a mentee and a mentor.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
I love anything pertaining to culture and arts. I love learning how to play new instruments (my bucket list is to play 30 instruments decently!). I also enjoy learning about various Christian practices from different countries and cultural contexts.
What do you like to do for fun?
When I’m not studying or working, I’m either napping, going on a nature walk, taking photos, or hanging with friends at a café. I like to express myself through creative means, mainly through writing or music.
Hi, I’m Ross Light…
Where are you from? What is your favorite place where you have lived?
I am from Corpus Christi, Texas. My favorite place I have lived is all of the places I have lived. Each has their own unique qualities that make them charming in their own way.
Why is discipleship important to you?
“This is the way.” There’s something special about seeking God together in community. When done well it results in everyone being transformed and encouraged by one another through the Holy Spirit. Fun!
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
I can’t wait to encourage and be encouraged. I am excited to see how God will grow real friendships through this real experience.
How have you been discipled in the past?
I have been discipled many times by many great people mostly through spending time together, sharing meals, reading the bible, and praying for one another. In the discipleship relationship I am in now it is very meaningful because God is encouraging me to overcome obstacles and he is letting me know through his word and this friendship that I am not alone.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
My favorite things to learn about are science, teaching, coaching, leadership, cooking, ancient and modern culture, and art. Oh, and now my kids are into Pokémon now so I am learning all about that.
What do you like to do for fun?
Coach my kids sports teams. Go on adventures with my family. Write lyrics. Hunt for things. Shop. Watersports. Hiking. Explore new places.
Hi, I’m Jung-Ah Lim…
Where are you from? What is your favorite place where you have lived?
I am Korean and grew up in Pusan and Seoul in Korea but I lived in Boston from 2000 and I lived in Cambodia for more than 5 years. My favorite place I’ve lived is Winsor village in Waltham, MA.
Why is discipleship important to you?
I have always been interested in being a disciple of Jesus and God has let me work as a discipler and a spiritual director for a number of people for the past 10 years. I really believe that God wants us to be transformed according to the image of Jesus from one degree to another degree reflecting God’s glory.
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
The next generation is very important. I have understood the next generation through my two daughters, who are also in college, and now I want to help Gordon College students to be close to God and to walk with them in pursuit of God.
How have you been discipled in the past?
Since completing a basic discipleship course at my home church, I have been discipled mostly through intercessory prayer groups . Currently, I belong to cooperative intercessory prayer groups in Boston and Cambodia. The most valuable part to me is that through our time together, I’m coming to know God’s own heart for each person, the nations, and each topic we pray for.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
Recently, I am just most interested in learning how to live as a real Christian.
What do you like to do for fun?
Watching movies, shopping for flowers and plants, and rose gardening.
Hi, I’m Amanda Mittelman…
Where are you from? What is your favorite place where you have lived?
I was born in New Jersey, but have spent most of my life in Pittsburgh, PA. I lived in Paris for a summer and fell in love with the city and people, but my absolute favorite home so far has been Grove City College, where I completed my undergrad degree.
Why is discipleship important to you?
I’ve been privileged enough to be discipled by various people throughout my life, and I’ve relied on their encouragement, wisdom, and love as I pursue God and His call on my life. I’m honored to be a part of this program because I want every Christian to experience meaningful discipleship and learn how to become disciplers themselves.
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
My college experience was an incredibly transformative, albeit tumultuous, season in my life, so I’m excited to come alongside the students at Gordon and hopefully be a steady presence through whatever challenges they face this year and beyond.
How have you been discipled in the past?
I was discipled by two adults at my church in high school, a staff member when I was at college, and by Dr. Donna Petter through the Discipleship Experience at Gordon-Conwell. The most incredible part of each relationship for me was that I never felt judged—they each met me exactly where I was and helped me grow from there.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
I can truly get excited learning about pretty much anything. I was a Biology/Pre-Med major in undergrad and I love the natural sciences. My time now is mostly focused on the Old Testament, Hebrew, and the Book of Ruth (which I’m writing my thesis on). I’m also an artist, so I love learning how to work in new mediums.
What do you like to do for fun?
Art is definitely my go-to when I have free time. I also love playing piano and leading worship, going on walks with friends, and thrift/antique shopping.
Hi, I’m Anthony Rando…
Where are you from? What is your favorite place where you have lived?
I’m from Long Island, NY where I was born and raised. At 19 years old I moved to North Carolina and lived there for about 8 years before coming to Seminary. I’ve done missions work with YWAM in Brasil, Angola, Italy, and Portugal. It’s hard to say a favorite place because they have all impacted me in different ways!
Why is discipleship important to you?
Discipleship is important to me because I have seen the value of someone who is a bit older than me and who has been walking with Christ a bit longer than I and can inspire me and help me along the way. I hope to be that for others just as others have been (and presently are) for me.
What makes you excited to disciple at Gordon College?
College is certainly a time where our identity is put under fire and tested. It is such an opportune time to seek God—He has so much to say about our identity! Because we live so close to each other, it will be very easy to spend time together and hang out in different places on the North Shore.
How have you been discipled in the past?
Since I have become a Christian, I have had people that I considered mentors. To this day, I have mentors who I can call at any time for advice and guidance. To have people in my corner who want the best for me, love me, and are there for me gives me the courage to face many different obstacles and struggles in my life.
What are your favorite things to learn about?
I enjoy learning about psychology and especially its integration with Christianity and discipleship. I also have appreciated the biblical languages. I’ve done some missions work and love to hear about other languages and cultures from around the world.
What do you like to do for fun?
For fun, I enjoy playing basketball, going for walks, hiking, or drinking coffee with friends. I love road trips and visiting new places. I like lifting weights and reading good books.
