Scholarship Recipients

Mary Beatrice Lyons

Fall 2018 Update

My first semester with the Women’s Council was a wonderful one! I so enjoyed meeting several members at the luncheons and even had the chance to share a little of my story at the Christmas event. The WC has not only supported me financially but also emotionally, as my husband and I were invited to spend Christmas dinner at the house of one of the members. We are grateful to this wonderful organization for all the love shown to us in just a few months.

Mary Beatrice Lyons

Spring 2019 Update

My last semester at GCTS was quite a crazy one as classes were demanding and some unexpected health issues threw me off course. But God, who has always been faithful, saw us through it all and my final spring semester turned out better than I could have ever expected! While I still have two summer classes to complete before I am an official graduate, I walked in the May commencement and have been feeling the bittersweet emotions of saying goodbye to so many friends who have also completed their degrees. My husband and I will continue living in the campus student apartments as my job as a student worker in the Partnership office will continue through the summer. As we have loved our time in New England, we are grateful to extend our stay a bit longer! We want to again say THANK YOU to the Women’s Council for enabling me to complete my degrees at Gordon-Conwell and come out debt free. You have been more of a blessing than you know, and may God richly bless each of you for the important work you do for us students.

James Holt

Fall 2018 Update

Fall 2018 and Spring/Summer 2019 is my second year at seminary and I’m having such a rich time. Two key words come to mind: opportunity and community. I‘m wise enough to know that one needs to seize opportunities when they arise because they may not come back around. Going to India last summer (2018) and to Israel/Jordan in January 2019 are two high-value opportunities arising through seminary and represent significant passions in my soul. Closer to home, this year I am the men’s resource senator in the Students Association, another of my passions to help men deepen their journey into their own souls finding life in Christ, to challenge that which obstructs their joy, and to strive together for what it means to live into Godly masculinity.

Community is an important concept to me in part because I have not always done this well. It is the Lord’s will that we live in iron-sharpening-iron community, and is the intended atmosphere in which we heal, grow, and serve. Seminary has presented me with many healthy opportunities to live life needing others and serving others, such as dormitory living, soul care group, discipleship, and a church internship. Every day I rub shoulders with amazing people with diverse backgrounds, yet unified in Jesus. My life is so much the richer for having these seminary years in mid-life and I’m so very grateful for the Women’s Council’s assistance to be here and have this life-transforming experience.

James Holt

Spring 2019 Update

This has been the year of trips to Israel with the spring semester bookended by them. A trip in January was a two-week tour of Bible highlights, and then a six week stay this summer to take coursework to learn to read the land of the Bible with the hope of learning about the God who led the Israelites and yearned for their loyalty and worship. This is the same God who incarnated into our world in a specific culture as a Jewish man to accomplish the profound: renewing our communion with God by washing away our sins. This whole overseas experience stokes key passions in me: learning, travel, exploration, history, God. While the education alone is rewarding and fascinating, my quiet hope is that amidst the stunning views, key insights, and intellectual understanding, my true pursuit and reward will be a closer intimacy, trust, and love with the Heavenly Father who yearns for a relationship with me. I am thrilled to go to the Holy Land and to walk where he walked, but the true thrill is to find him in the vulnerable depths of my soul.

James Holt

Fall 2019 Update

With great appreciation to the care and generosity of the Women’s Council I closed out my seminary career upon graduation in May. These were some of the best years of my life, and I cherish the MDiv that I received. The Lord gave me a well-rounded experience in seminary, meaningful community life, and the wonder of New England. My last semester was my most practical, being less academic with practical classes such as Preaching, and Church Leadership, and two internships focusing on recovery groups, local volunteering at the Gloucester homeless day center and food pantry, and opportunities to guest preach. I was thrilled to get to two games at Fenway Park before packing up and leaving New England.

I have since moved to El Paso to care for my mother, who is 86, and still in the home I grew up in. My siblings and I aim to keep her in the comfort of her own home as long as possible. This will be a very meaningful time for which I’m thankful. I am a pastoral intern at First Presbyterian Church of El Paso for the summer, which is a perfect transition back to Texas. Medium-term plans could include another degree, overseas work, or a local ministry vocation, or some combination. Someone helpfully stated that caring for my mother is itself important ministry, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Thank-you dear friends of the Women’s Council. I cherish the three years we walked together and getting to know you at the special services and luncheons way back when. May God enrich your lives deeply as you continue to bless the students of Gordon Conwell.

Lia Xia

Fall 2018 Update

My Fall 2018 was rich, filled with exciting conversations, connections, and relationships made, even as it was my last Fall semester here at seminary. As a newlywed, I had the privilege of dreaming with my new husband what this last year on campus would look like through re-imagining daily rhythms of work and life: from sharing testimonies of how we’ve seen God at work during the day to having budget talks over herbal tea at night. One of the most exciting, yet bittersweet challenges of the semester was to re-configure my own lifestyle as a student: most of my time was spent transitioning from on to off-campus life, learning how to represent Christ to communities that looked nothing like the seminary community whom I felt called to focus my ministry upon during my first two years. In part due to my internship as a clinical counselor in Rowley three days a week, I had to choose to be more physically absent than present to life “up the hill.”

This meant I did not as often frequent popular spots on campus like the Great Hall and cafeteria, though this did not hinder me from strategically planning snack sessions, coffee catch-ups, and class meetings in between events as often as I had a chance. I would snag seats at several Student Association events, serve at worship nights and help welcome new students (especially when free food was involved).  Being away from campus also meant, however, that I gained the exciting new privilege of growing my network in the Boston area, where my husband and I plan to live after my graduation.  After walking through the Fall, both of us have become more engaged in our small group in Somerville, matured in our leadership spiritual direction training courses, and shared opportunities to speak and co-lead at church events in Cambridge.

Finally, one of the most consistent threads of strength through my semester has been the incredible community of supporters, prayer warriors, and advocates I have received through the Partnership Program and Women’s Council, which has kept me accountable to the regular discipline of thanksgiving and joy, even outside of the holiday season. For instance, one of my favorite highlights of the Fall was hearing and receiving the liturgical beauty of the good news of Christ through the inventive, heavenly rendition of “Ose Shalom,” which was performed live at the Women’s Council Advent Program in December.  In this light, I warmheartedly thank you for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement as I embark on my final journey at GCTS in the new semester.

Lia Xia

Spring 2019 Update

As my final semester of my seminary career, this past spring has been a challenging, but beautiful gift from God, a simultaneous continuation of and departure from the rhythms of the fall. I continued building upon many previous commitments: growing in life together with my husband, participating in mentorship and meetings for my counseling degree as well as Pierce and Partnership programs, as well as developing off-campus relationships and pursuing preaching and ministry opportunities at Cambridge Community Fellowship Church. At the same time, this spring was filled with unique changes, anticipations, and unknowns as I pursued my final clinical counseling internship placement at a Boston-area hospital, began applying for jobs closer to the city (where my husband and I plan to move in fall ‘19), finished up my final semester of classes, and began planning for graduation in May. These past five months have contained numerous highs and lows, from experiencing the death of my grandmother in February and navigating painful back issues and gynecological conditions, to celebrating a joyous six-month marriage anniversary and sharing in memorable graduation festivities with dear family and friends. The highlights of the semester came as I had the privilege of sharing and remembering God’s larger work in my life through both preaching at my church in Cambridge, as well as sharing my story at the Women’s Council luncheon event in April. Ultimately, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of these transitions, God’s voice has rang truest as He has invited me, above all else, to slow down: to develop a greater awareness and attention to the deepest longings of my heart as I give myself intentional space to fruitfully reflect upon life before just jumping into “the next thing.” In light of this, I hope to continue updating you all on my plans for the next season as I press more deeply into His will and desire for my life after seminary. Thank you kindly for walking, praying, and worshipping through your invaluable partnership with me in this journey from Fall ‘18 to Spring ‘19, and beyond!

Charles Fick

Fall 2018 Update

This past fall I finished my systematic theology class requirements by composing a personal statement of faith, and explored the important topics of reconciliation in Dr. Price’s “Project of Reconciliation” class. In January, I took the trip of a lifetime with my father for OT 523, “Study Seminar in Israel and Jordan.”  It was by far the greatest educational experience of my life. I’ll use the things I learned there every time I read the Bible. Family-wise, both boys are growing and energetic! They are doing well in pre-school and bring joy and excitement to each day. Please pray for health for all of us and sleep for Leo, and a good balance of work, study and rest as our life changes all the time. This spring I’m taking Aramaic, Preaching, and Theology of the Pentateuch. When I finish those courses I’ll be 2/3 done with my M. Div. degree! Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to help me get this far. Thank you for your support. I couldn’t do it without your partnership and prayers.

Charles Fick

Spring 2019 Update

This past spring I continued to reflect on the amazing trip of a lifetime I took with my father in January for OT 523, “Study Seminar in Israel and Jordan.” I was thrilled to get to use what I learned for a presentation in church and in my sermons for preaching class this spring. I’m currently working on solidifying these valuable experiences in a photo book so that I can retain them and share them more easily. My spring courses were Aramaic, Preaching, and Theology of the Pentateuch. They were challenging and very rewarding. Family-wise, both boys were mostly healthy this spring and are loving the warmer weather so that they can get outside and play! Also both of them are talking more each day. Please pray for health for all of us and sleep for Leo, and a good balance of work, study and rest as our life changes all the time. This summer I’m taking Greek I and II, so I’ll be diving into my 3rd Biblical language as well as being the new Youth and Children’s Director at Old South Presbyterian Church . Join me thanking the Lord for his goodness to get me this far as I’ve only got 1/3 of the M. Div. degree left! A very special thank you to each of you for your support. I wouldn’t be able to do this without your partnership and prayers.

Charles Fick

Fall 2019 Update

This past fall I continued to use what I learned from my recent trip to the Holy Land as I taught Jr. High Youth group at our church. I was able to finish the photo book about the trip so that I can retain these valuable experiences and share them more easily. My fall courses were Greek I, Exegesis of Exodus and Introduction to Pastoral Counseling. My journey into the Greek language is something I’ve been looking forward to since we arrived here and it is indeed thrilling to be studying the New Testament in the original language! I brushed off my Hebrew for the Exodus class and am still working on fine tuning my exegesis skills. Family-wise, both boys were mostly healthy this fall. Wally (age 6) is progressing well in the Intensive Learning Program at his school and Leo (age 3) is adding language skills all the time. They keep life exciting.

Please pray for health for all of us and sleeping through the night for Leo, and for a good balance of work, study and rest as our life changes all the time. I’m still the Youth and Children’s Director at Old South Presbyterian Church and have enjoyed seeing that ministry grow this fall. Join me thanking the Lord for his goodness to get me this far as I’ve only got 7 classes of the Master of Divinity degree left! A very special thank you to each of you for your support. I wouldn’t be able to do this without your partnership and prayers.

Charles Fick

Spring 2020 Update

This spring has had numerous challenges for us, but we are meeting each one and seeing God at work as we press on for the goal which is now close (only 4 classes left for the M. Div.)!  At the start of this semester, I became Dr. Tom Petter’s Byington Scholar.  This means that I am helping him plan the next GCTS trip to the Holy Land, which is a great joy.   I continued leading the Jr. High Youth group at our church, facilitating an Inductive Bible Study of the book of Proverbs.  My spring courses were Greek II, Pastoral Ministry and Interpreting the New Testament.  The pandemic derailed many of the final plans for all these classes, but I was miraculously able to finish all my coursework with only a two-week extension.   Completing my intensive language learning feels quite satisfying and I’m looking forward to a year of using all 3 languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic) as I write exegesis papers.   Family-wise, both boys are healthy and still very active, though mostly indoors due to Covid-19.  Wally (age 6) is still progressing very well as the Intensive Learning Program at his school has gone to Zoom calls and Kimberly has been overseeing his home schooling.  Leo (age 4 next month!) is always up for any adventure especially if it involves tractors, dump trucks, excavators, or lawnmowers.  They keep life interesting.  Please pray for health for all of us and for a healthy balance of working on PhD applications, church ministry online, and rest and play with our boys through all of life’s changes.  Finally, join me in thanking the Lord for his provision to get me this far and a very special THANK YOU to each of you for your support.  God’s love through your partnership and prayers sustain me.

Charles Fick

Fall 2020 Update

The fall of 2020 was all about Greek and applying to St. Andrews University for a PhD. I heard the happy news on December 8th that I got in, so in September 2021 we will move to Scotland, and I will be starting a PhD in Divinity on the Intertextuality of Psalm 23 and the Gospel of Mark with Dr. Elizabeth Shively, who is a GCTS alum! I will be finishing up my final two classes this spring, which are Promise of Zion (Old Testament Exegesis) and Preaching for Modern Listeners. Our 3rd son is scheduled to arrive in late March, and then we will hopefully graduate in May. This past fall my courses were Exegesis of Mark and Exegesis of First Corinthians so my school hours were spent reading about Greek, translating Greek or writing about Greek. My love for God’s Word continues to grow the longer and deeper I study it, so the chance to get to do real New Testament research and live in Scotland while I’m doing it is beyond thrilling. Family-wise, both boys are healthy and still very active, though mostly indoors due to Covid-19. Wally (age 7) is still progressing very well in the Intensive Learning Program at his school, and Leo (age 4.5) was diagnosed with borderline Autism Spectrum Disorder in December 2020, so he is also now getting services at the school. We are very happy with the care that our sons have gotten from the school as the teachers are knowledgeable and kind and clearly adore our boys. The Lord has been good to us in this seminary season and as the finish line comes into view, I am especially thankful for the support of the Women’s Council.

Charles Fick

Spring 2021 Update

After about 22,831 pages of reading from roughly 193 books, articles, and chapters, hundreds of pages of writing, bookended by the births of Leo and Theo, my Master of Divinity degree is finished! Every semester had its own challenges as Kim and I juggled assignments, childcare, jobs, rest, fun and church. Through all our juggling the Women’s Council was always there to encourage us. This final semester had me preparing and giving my final sermon on Mark 4 and writing a final exegesis paper on Isaiah 40, with Theodore being born right in the middle of the semester on March 27th. Graduation with both our parents in attendance was a joy. What comes next? We don’t know yet as we are waiting on the Lord to open the next door.

I have deferred my entry to St Andrews for the PhD for a year so if that gets funded next year we could still end up in Scotland in September 2022. Or we might end up back in New York to be near family if good job opportunities are offered and God says go. We covet your prayers as we seek the Lord on what plans he has for us. Thank you for your prayers and partnership which held me up through this 5-year journey, through 3 ancient languages, and lots of ups and downs. We could not have done this without you.

Kimberly Fick

Fall 2018 Update

I am so grateful for the Women’s Council’s continued support! This fall, I began my study of the Greek language and also thoroughly enjoyed taking Exegesis of Genesis. I continued doing Mentored Ministry at our church, which I began during the summer. I had the privilege of preaching at our church several times over the past several months, and three times this January! I’ll be continuing my Greek studies this spring as well as taking my first preaching class in addition to a class called “Transformational Leadership.” I’m looking forward to continuing my work as a Resident Life Coordinator for our apartment building as well as being a Chapel Assistant. Our boys continue to grow, both talking more and more all the time, and are full to the brim with endless energy. Charles and I look forward every week to our Sabbath which always includes a date out.

Kimberly Fick

Spring 2019 Update

This spring semester was probably one of the most challenging semesters academically for me so far. I managed, by God’s grace and Charles’ constant encouragement, to pass my Greek class and ace my two other classes (Transforming Leadership and Preaching Principles and Practices). I thoroughly enjoyed doing Mentored Ministry as a Chapel Assistant with Dr. Price and look forward to continuing that position in the fall. Both our boys stayed mostly healthy through the spring which was a huge blessing. This summer I am working full-time (40 hours/week) as an Assistant Pastor Intern with Rev. Dr. Sara Singleton at Old South Presbyterian Church in Newburyport. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement and support! Continue to pray for our family as we balance work, studies, and family time.

Kimberly Fick

Fall 2019 Update

This past fall semester was jam-packed full! I enjoyed three classes: Interpreting the New Testament, Introduction to Pastoral Counseling, and the New Testament Basis for Women in Ministry (I learned SO MUCH). I also took the final capstone Mentored Ministry class and learned a lot about writing ministry resumes and applying for jobs in ministry. My work as a Chapel Assistant continued from last year, and I found a lot of joy in working with our team to put beautiful worship services together twice a week. I also had the joy and privilege of traveling with my friend, Pastor Alison Gerber, to the Evangelical Homiletics Society annual conference for three days this fall. While there, I won second place in the Haddon Robinson Preaching Award competition. We were able to travel to Ithaca for the week of Christmas and enjoy it with our families. I took a J-term intensive class called “The Heart of the Preacher” that was taught by visiting professor Dr. Mary Hulst. It was an amazing, exhausting week; and I’m very excited to put all I learned into practice!

Thank you for all your prayers and support as I enter this spring semester. I will be taking Exegesis of Revelation, Christian Ethics, and Women in World Christianity. I will also continue my work as a Chapel Assistant. Please continue to pray for our family’s health through the winter and direction for next steps!

Kimberly Fick

Spring 2020 Update

I am so grateful for your prayers for me and my family. This spring semester proved to be the most difficult for me, in all arenas of my life! My classes were academically challenging even before the pandemic hit and we had to suddenly study for our classes while also home-schooling our kids. Thankfully, I was wise enough to drop one class and managed to finish my two other classes with only a two-week extension. Praise God!

I had intended to take 3 classes this summer and full loads in the fall and spring next year so that Charles and I could graduate at the same time (a total of 10 classes in one year). After some prayer and conversations with Charles and my advisor, I decided to change my degree from the Masters of Divinity to the Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) with a focus in practical ministry. With the changes to Wally’s schooling because of the pandemic and the challenges of living in isolation, I don’t quite have the bandwidth to study so intensely this summer. Changing to the MAR means that I only have 3 classes left and one capstone project, and this way I can spend the summer focusing on Wally’s schooling and trying to have fun in the “new normal” of pandemic life. The MAR is a well-respected degree and still sets me up just fine to pursue a Ph.D. if I would like to in the future.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us as we balance life with two very active boys at home and look forward to whatever God has for us next year after we graduate in May.

Kimberly Fick

Fall 2020 Update

We began our autumn with some happy news: I am expecting our third son! He is due the end of March, which means I had to do things a little differently this year. I chose to take 2 classes pass/fail and work as much as possible during the January break on my spring classes so that I can finish them early. The fall was definitely challenging enough with our two boys being in school 4 days a week and very little childcare available because of the pandemic. I was able to complete all my work on time, thankfully! As I look ahead to this final semester of my Masters degree, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the Women’s Council and all the ways our family has been supported while we have been here. My final Masters Integrative Paper is focusing on a Theology of Motherhood as Pastoral Ministry. I am hoping to continue studying this topic in a PhD program eventually. Thank you so much for your love and prayers as we graduate and head on to the next adventure before us (which you can read more about in Charles’ update).

Kimberly Fick

Spring 2021 Update

This spring semester was like no other! Early in the semester I finished my masters integrative paper (which is like a capstone project) titled: A Theology of Motherhood as Pastoral Ministry. On March 27th our third son, Theodore, was born! I took a couple weeks to sleep as much as I could and then wrote my last paper of my seminary journey, an 18-page Statement of Faith. We graduated on May 8th, and thankfully our parents were all able to attend. We will stay on campus for the next few months at least while we apply to ministry positions and wait on God for an open door. Thank you, Women’s Council, for all your love and prayers and support! Worshipping with you was a highlight of each semester, and we will forever hold gratitude for you in our hearts.

Corri Ogburn

Fall 2018 Update

Fall semester brought together many practical elements of my learning in the MACO program. I took Professional Standards with Dr. Kuzubova, which taught the importance of legal and ethical issues in counseling. We learned to anticipate and manage many of the challenges which will arise in our field. It was nice to have this class while in my first semester of practicum with Hagar’s Sisters (a Christian organization which helps women identify and face interpersonal violence in their intimate relationships). I had practice with confidentiality and learning about the legal issues associated with domestic abuse. The more time I spend with women who have suffered, the more I experience their incredible resiliency, strength and power to salvage dignity, as well as teach others to do the same. I also took Integrative Seminar, which teaches us to integrate psychology with Christianity and faith. I’m taking the second part of that this Spring semester as well. It is an honor to learn from Dr. Polischuk, who will be retiring soon. He is a strong example of knowledge in both fields and he teaches with a sense of humor and a lot of energy (at 8 am – while his students are all still waking up!)

I am so grateful for the experienced and wise professors in the MACO program and so grateful to the Women’s Council for empowering other women and students to achieve skills, experience and stronger faith in order to serve and love people who are seeking healing. Thank you!

Corri Ogburn

Spring 2019 Update

This past semester had me dropping a class at the very beginning – for a very good reason! I took Theology of the Pentateuch (which I took pass/fail – my first class that way!) and I took Integrative Seminar (integrating faith and psychology). I also had a professional seminar (a very small group of counselors who meet with a professor to discuss their internship) and I continued my internship at Hagar’s Sisters (a ministry which helps women in circumstance of domestic violence). The class I dropped was Theology II because I needed a bit more margin in my life to enjoy the fact that God chose to resurrect my marriage after a very long 4 ½ years of pain and separation. I am happy to say that my family is healing and enjoying time and relationship that we did not know if God would restore. I attribute this to the hard work my husband has done in recovery and healing and am so grateful for renewal and the example of hope to our children and to others who know us. I do not know where I would be today without the opportunity these past years to rebuild, re-tool, learn, connect and heal at GCTS. I am ever grateful for the Partnership Program and to the Women’s Council for tangible support, community and opportunity. With my eventual degrees I plan to help many women in the future and the women’s council will always have a stake in all that I do. A highlight for me this semester was attending the banquet to celebrate the Drs. Hollinger. I wouldn’t have normally gone as a student, but my dear friend Heidi works at the Seminary and brought me as her “plus one.” We had a great time and I was happy to see several of you there and to be included in giving honor to such an influential and noble couple who have led well.

Corri Ogburn

Update Fall 2019

My Fall semester at GCTS was enhanced by doing a class and a seminar through the Boston Theological Institute. I took Spanish at HDS for language requirements for my Master’s in Religion (with focus on culture and racial issues). I decided on Spanish as it would be so practical in counseling and ministry to widen my scope. I also took Project of Reconciliation with Dr. Price and my final counseling class; Assessments. I ended the fall semester with a January term class – Theology II. Alongside reading Athanasius and the early church fathers, Dr. Sanders broadened our lenses through texts that explored African theologians and Christology, The Holy Spirit from a Latinex point of view, as well introducing feminist and womanist theology. It made theology so much more pertinent to what I had learned from Dr. Price. I am grateful that GCTS has teachers like Dr. Sanders and Dr. Price who are able to include a broader range of student perspectives and validate more worldviews to expand our knowledge of an un-containable God.

This semester I finish my coursework with Spanish for Ministry at HDS, Prophets of the Civil Rights movement with Dr. Price and an online course about Women in the New Testament through the BTI at Hartford Seminary. Because I have exhausted much of what GCTS offers regarding lens and worldview, I have received permission to audit a class at HDS on Eastern and Western Philosophy and its impact on daily life. This will be co-taught by Dr. Cornel West, and I am most thrilled to listen to him in the flesh each week! I’m so grateful to GCTS for teachers like Dr. Price, Dr. Sanders, who expand our worldview, and for GCTS’s involvement in the BTI for the opportunities offered.

Corri Ogburn

Update Spring 2020

I have completed the coursework for a Master’s in Counseling and a Master’s of Religion (MAR) focused on worldview, racial reconciliation and culture (how timely that has been). I can hardly believe it! I did not get the summer internship I hoped for and so could not graduate in May, however, I will now graduate in January. This means I can still walk next May 2021, which means a lot to me. As it has been for all of us—plans change and the future is unknown (it’s probably always that way, but we are all experiencing it more now). I am ok with celebrating over time in pieces!

I was offered an internship in the counseling office of Gordon College, so I will do my final internship hours there beginning next Fall. I have decided not to continue in the Partnership Program (PP) for the remainder of my credits. This means I will not be taking any more classes and will pay the school directly for my remaining credits; my reparations project to the House of Ogburn and my internship hours/supervision in the Fall.  I am not required to continue writing a monthly update – but I do want to keep in touch and will continue communication as I finish things.  You all have walked this road with me and I want you to be part of it until I cross that stage.

You have journeyed with me through the most challenging season of my life. You supported and loved me while I grew in advocacy, agency and resilience while having the privilege of education and re-tooling in a safe and supportive environment. I could not have done this without you. Your love and tangible financial support have sustained me and reminded me that God never forgot me. We achieved a lot, together, and I am forever grateful. You are at the heart and soul of whatever God may have for my future and all the lives I can comfort and help heal. I don’t know how to fully express such feelings of gratitude—the kind that cannot be paid back. But, I will always try.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kristen Challapalli

Fall 2019 Update

I am so grateful for my first semester as a part of the Women’s Council Scholarship through the Partnership program – it was truly a gift to get to know all of the ladies and we were immensely blessed by your prayers and support! This semester was life giving and impactful in so many ways. My husband and I have been loving our role as hosts of the Wilson House for World Mission and have had the opportunity to meet and share conversations and meals with people from all around the world, as well as hosting Missions events at the home alongside the Wilson Center. I also have thoroughly enjoyed my time interning at Gordon College, counseling college students who are pursuing mental health, healing and wholeness. I was honored to partner with the students in their journeys, and to serve with the Counseling Center team at GC (what a kind and supportive group of people!). I am learning and growing so much through this experience, and I am excited to continue through the spring term there. I also had a good semester of coursework.

Alongside of internship, I completed Integrative Seminar (learning how to incorporate faith into practice as a counselor), Christian Ethics (so interesting to learn about and ponder on my ethical stance on various topics from a Christian perspective), and Professional Seminar (participating in a small group with my professor and several other counseling students to process and learn through our internship experiences). It was a full and rich semester academically. So hard to believe that we are entering our final semester of GCTS!

Finally, one of my favorite parts of the semester was participating in the Presidential Inauguration, singing an Indian Classical rendition of “I could sing of your love forever” with my husband, Dan. Leading worship together is always a joy, and getting to do so for Dr. Sunquist’s inauguration, incorporating both of our native languages, was such a privilege!

We would love your prayers throughout this next semester, as we prayerfully discern what our next steps will be post graduation (jobs, location, new home, etc). It is an exciting time, as well as a time requiring great trust and faith in the Lord, but we know He will be faithful to lead us where He has us to go. Thank you for all of your love and support this semester, and we look forward to more time together in the spring!

Kristen Challapalli

Spring 2020 Update

In May my husband, Dan, and I celebrated God’s faithfulness, as we completed the final coursework of our seminary programs and graduated through an online streamed graduation ceremony, followed by a festive ‘Drive by’ celebration on campus, where fellow seminary friends and family congratulated us from their vehicles, as we (the graduates) stood on a large field on campus in our graduation attire! Although it was not your typical graduation ceremony, we are thankful for the seminary’s efforts in creating a celebratory experience for us, as we reflected on and concluded this special season.

As we reflect on our seminary experiences, we remember the courses taken, the relationships built, the internships and hands-on experiences that we have had doing what we feel called to do in ministry (counseling, teaching, missions, hospitality), and we are truly overjoyed and grateful to God for such a rich experience. And to top it all off – it’s where we met, married, and have grown into a family!! These years will truly be forever cherished in our hearts.

Dan is continuing to pursue pastoral positions across the country and working on a project with the Media department at the seminary, while Kristen is exploring counseling opportunities, and planning to work as a nanny for the summer. Continued prayers are greatly appreciated as we seek the Lord’s leading for what is next for our family.

We want to thank the Women’s Council for partnering with us on this journey! The kind generosity, time and prayers of all of you have impacted our lives (and Lord willing, His Kingdom) in innumerable ways. Your faithful giving has allowed us to be without burden, leaving seminary DEBT-FREE as we have followed God’s call upon our lives towards ministry and studying His word! That is the work of the Lord, and the faithfulness of His people (YOU!) alone. Words cannot describe our immense gratitude!

James Holt

Fall 2019 Update

The fall 2019 semester marked the beginning of my third year at seminary. The previous summer I had the thrill of taking two courses in Israel at Jerusalem University College. The many field trips around the country were literally from Dan to Beersheba. Headquartering in Jerusalem for those five weeks was a chance to get very familiar with that famous international city and appreciate unrushed, many of its significant sites. One of those sites was the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a 5-minute walk from the College, that houses and honors the two sites of Christ’s crucifixion and burial.

These are certainly holy walls, in which I was able to quiet my soul many times in my dozen visits there. Israel is of course dotted with many significant sites of the Bible, where God came down to us and did many amazing things in our midst: Jesus with the woman at Jacob’s well in Shechem, his healing the demon-possessed on the far side of the Sea of Galilee, the Temple Mount improved by Herod the Great, David’s travails in the Wilderness, the Holy Family in Nazareth and Bethlehem. There is so much to take in! What a thrill and privilege it was to experience it all.

The fall semester began as normal but a month in it became clear that my elderly (widowed) mother needed some extra help back in Texas. My siblings and I agreed to step up our time being with her in our childhood home and I spent four weeks mid-semester there with her and again in the month of January. The Bible is clear about taking care of one’s own family as well as honoring one’s parents. You could say this has been a season of practical family ministry. It has also given me the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the family from which I came including our relational dynamics, some of which were good, some not so good. It’s amazing how many decades it has taken me to discern what those dynamics are, which are helpful and which need changing.

Old ways of doing things are not easy to change, but by the life-long process of sanctification I am becoming more like Christ and more in tune with my true self that God implanted from the beginning of my life. And God is teaching me and my family that grace is a wonderful and necessary ingredient in which to grow and change.

James Holt

Spring 2020 Update

Certainly the Spring 2020 semester will go down as the oddest of our seminary careers, with covid-19 moving in half-way through.  Professors and seminary administration did a tremendous job in keeping the learning process going, seamlessly moving onto an online format.  I was thankful to have academic and spiritual pursuits to keep me focused and disciplined during the stay-at-home orders.  This semester was the heart of my MDiv program: two exegesis courses (Mark and Genesis) and Preaching, as well as interning again at my church in Essex and being the floor leader of my dorm.  I have two semesters remaining until graduation in Fall and Spring of next school year, including two more exegesis courses and another preaching course (hopefully in front of a live audience this time), among others.

I am spending the summer in El Paso caring for my elderly mother and thankful for this time together.  This is an opportunity to give patient, loving care in a role reversal from 45 years ago!  She remains in the same house, 52 years and counting, which is the house I grew up in.  There will be opportunities for me to reckon with the past and release some things in forgiveness.  My siblings and I are in a rotation schedule so she can stay in her own home as long as possible.  My mother grew up in New England (Revere) and met my father, who had come over from England, at Park Street Church, where they married in the 1950s.  Also, this summer I am taking Introduction to Pastoral Counseling.  This will be a precious summer.  Thank you to the Women’s Council in walking this journey with me and for your kind generosity.

James Holt

Fall 2020 Update

The two semesters of 2020, spring then fall, were the two most challenging semesters of my seminary career, each containing two exegesis courses-one in each of the biblical languages Greek and Hebrew.  Exegesis courses are the heart of the MDiv degree, requiring a right handling of the Word of God and understanding its original context.  I am thankful for the excellent faculty here at Gordon-Conwell, their passion, expertise and care.  I spent the summer in El Paso taking care of my mother, who at 86 is still mentally sharp but needing now one of her three children to live with her in our childhood home.  This spring semester of 2021 marks my last in seminary; the end of the road has finally come.  Thankfully it is an academically light semester with two courses and two internships.  After graduation I will move back to El Paso to continue care of my mother and leave my future vocational matters in God’s hands.  I have found these seminary years to be some of the most rich and blessed years of my life, growing in the knowledge of the Word of God and deepening my relationship with the living Lord.  Thank you to the Women’s Council for walking with me for what will be three years; I’m deeply grateful!

Ashley de Souza

Spring 2020 Update

Dear Women’s Council,

My Spring semester this year has been the hardest one yet. Early in January, my father suffered a severe stroke and almost died. It was a fine snowy Saturday morning when he went out for an errand, and everything seemed fine. Who would have thought that in less than seven hours, we would be sitting in a hospital break room being told by doctors that he was unresponsive. That they would try a life-saving surgery but, even if he did survive it, he was going to be braindead.

I was less than a week away from starting the Spring semester and had to make a crucial decision: should I take the semester off or keep going? I was told my father wasn’t going to leave the hospital anytime soon; so I made the decision to start the semester, with the thought that—if things got worse, or if I needed to stop—I would.  He was in the ICU for almost a month, and my time was spent on campus for classes and mostly driving to Worcester to stay and visit where he was. It was such a trying time for my family. But the Lord worked a miracle. Within 24 hours he no longer needed a breathing tube. About a month later he was in rehab but had to be sent back to the hospital due to the finding of blood clots, sporadic seizures and other complications. Looking back now, it seems like a blur. And I cannot imagine what would have happened if my father suffered this stroke during the lockdown when hospitals where prioritizing COVID-19 patients. By the grace of God, my father is 100% well. It’s only through God’s divine intervention. He still needs medications, but his memory isn’t impaired, he has no side effects and he is starting to do everything he used to (even drive!). That is the God we serve.

Needless to say, this semester was a whirlwind for me. I had to ask for extensions to work because, as soon as the dust seemed to settle on my family’s situation, the quarantine happened and now school was “taken away.” Online classes are not the same. Seeing friends leave without saying goodbye is not easy either. I mentally and emotionally couldn’t keep up. But God has been faithful through it all and I am confident He will redeem this time. I’ve never felt closer to Him. Thank you for all you do in supporting us students. In unexpected trials it is a relief to know that there are sisters like you out there helping us in ways we cannot currently help ourselves in. May God continue to sustain and provide for all the ways you continue to give.

Yours,

Ashley

Ashley de Souza

Fall 2020 Update

Peace of the Lord to you all! I write this with gratitude and love in my heart towards all of you and your obedience and work you have towards the Kingdom of God. I hope this new year has started off as a blessing. I am excited about what this new year holds for us. Currently, I am continuing my role as the Fine Arts Student Senator. I hope to be able to have a spring showcase by the end of the semester with artistic submissions and presentations from the student body revolving around a central theme of unity. I am very close to finishing my Spiritual Formation degree and this semester is definitely a lighter load class-wise, but I am very busy with my ministry at my home church and extracurriculars. This is my last semester as a Rosell scholar—where I have been chosen to be mentored by Dr. Gwenfair Adams in preparation and hopes to pursue Ph.D. studies post-graduation. While my mind can’t think that far ahead just yet, it’s been a true gift from God to glean and learn so much from true Kingdom leaders, who are trailblazing new paths in academia. I hope to encounter you all soon! May God continue to bless and lead you all!

Ashley de Souza

Spring 2021 Update

This semester was very challenging, but I am so grateful for God’s faithfulness and goodness towards me and my life. Part of that faithfulness is surrounding me with friends, family, and this amazing seminary community that has been extremely gracious and supportive throughout my time here. This semester I was nominated as the new Spiritual Life Ambassador, and I am very excited to start. I definitely feel the weight of what that entails, but God has already begun showing me this campus through a different lens and speaking to me in what direction to move in in this new position. This summer I hope to spend most of my time with family and my ministry back home in a much-needed emotional, spiritual, and physical break. Thank you all for all you do!

Danielle DeLong

Fall 2020 Update

2020 has by far been the hardest year I’ve ever endured. My school year began in September with the death of my father after his battle with an aggressive tongue cancer. His funeral was held on September 11th in Nova Scotia, Canada and I returned to Gordon-Conwell campus on September 16th, just a few days later. I immediately jumped into an intense semester of three classes, two jobs, and two discipleship programs, all while attempting to journey through the storms of grief. To claim that I was overwhelmed is an understatement by a long shot. Yet being back on Gordon-Conwell’s Hamilton campus surrounded by a community of loving and supportive people was incredibly helpful for me. My roommate was especially supportive and helpful in this time, having herself walked through the grief of losing a father-figure the year before in 2019. By the Lord’s grace, He carried me through the fall 2020 semester.

This time was also marked by sweet moments as well. First and foremost, I have experienced a deep and rich sense of the Lord’s presence. I spent significant time this semester reading a majority of C. S. Lewis’s works, which greatly helped me in processing grief, pain and suffering on a theological level.

Another highlight has been working as a Byington Scholar for Dr. Todd Johnson in the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from his knowledge and passion for Global Christianity. My role includes assisting Dr. Johnson as a managing editor for Volume 7, “History of Christianity in North America”, of the Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity project. This has been a true joy to me this past semester.

In the beginning of December, I drove the 12 hours back up to Nova Scotia, entered a two-week quarantine, finished my semester assignments, and joined my family the week before Christmas. With the extra time over the holidays, I was able to take out my acrylic and oil paints that have been untouched for the past eight years and found such catharsis in diving back into painting.

I am hopeful for what this Spring 2021 semester will bring, trusting the Lord’s grace and goodness to carry me through in close intimacy with him.

Danielle DeLong

Spring 2021 Update

Thank you for all your support and prayers this semester! I was thankful for the opportunity to share part of my story at the last program via the live-stream and felt very encouraged by your positive responses.

I thoroughly enjoyed my spring semester classes learning about other world religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, including the opportunity to visit a Hindu temple as part of a field assignment. I greatly benefited from Dr. Vidu’s wealth of knowledge in his Theological Hermeneutics class in contemplating interpretive meaning and language by studying prominent philosophers. I was also thankful for the opportunity to engage in Dr. Price’s class, The Black Christian Experience, through artwork. And speaking of art, this spring semester I have re-acquainted myself with watercolor painting and have attempted to create one new painting a week. It has been refreshing for my soul in creating space to simply be creative!

As a Byington for Dr. Todd Johnson at the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, I was heavily involved in planning its Spring 2021 Forum. The forum highlighted the Religions along the Silk Road course that will be offered in Uzbekistan during the summer 2022 (a trip I will be participating in).

As for summer plans, I will be taking two summer courses focusing on the nuances of the intersection of culture, faith and mission. I’ll be taking one class through the Charlotte campus called Cultural Apologetics, as well as a directed study with Dr. Todd Johnson called Cross-cultural Competency for Missional Engagement. I’m looking forward to diving in! I also plan to send time in Nova Scotia this summer with my family before returning to campus for my final fall semester.

Jared Larson

Fall 2020 Update

The fall was a very challenging semester for me and my family. We live in a 900 sq. ft. apartment on campus. With my wife and I, three teenagers and a toddler, our days can be quite challenging with only one bathroom and not a lot of space for alone time. Despite the struggles, we know our family will look back on this season with gratitude, thanking God for the way He has carried us through and showed us His amazing faithfulness. At the beginning of the semester, I became a Byington Scholar for Dr. Matthew Kim. I assisted him by providing a lecture on Mormonism for one of his summer classes, then helped him compile resources for a project he is working on. By God’s sustaining grace, I was able to successfully complete three classes: Christianity and Postmodernism, Church History 501, and Preaching with Cultural Intelligence. Thanks be to God, for through the Women’s Council I have been provided for and enabled to continue my education here at Gordon-Conwell through the Partnership Program. Your incredible gifts have enabled me to live out God’s call on my life. Without it, I could not do this on my own. Thank you all, and may God bless each of you with His amazing grace and peace.

Jared Larson

Spring 2021 Update

I would like to thank all of you for your generosity and love in carrying me through this time of seminary. I am continually full of praise for our wonderful God who is working through every one of you. Thank you all, and I pray you will continue to walk richly in your relationship with Him.

The spring semester was a very busy one for me, but also very fulfilling. I took three classes, the first being Church History: From the Reformation to the Present, with Dr. Gordon Isaac. It was a wonderful process of learning about the influence of Christianity since the days of Luther and Calvin. I wrote my final paper on Puritan covenantal theology within the context of millennialism that influenced the politics of colonial America and beyond. It was quite the experience seeing the effects of puritanism in our American culture that have influenced our thinking even to today. In addition, I also took a class taught by Dr. Gina Zurlo, The History of Christianity in America. It focused on the different groups of Christianity in our country, and how they’ve influenced our culture and politics, in both good and bad ways. I also took Dr. Vidu’s Theology Survey class, with some fantastic discussion on Creation and the Triune God. This summer I’ll be taking a World Missions class with Dr. Yao, along with Christ-centered Preaching, with guest lecturer Bryan Chapell.

This summer our little family will be busy with all sorts of things, but most prominently on our hearts is the moving out of our second oldest son to college. He has been such a light to our home, and we are both grateful and sad to see him move away. Seeing a child leave the home is both a beautiful and agonizing thing, but we praise God for the beautiful light he is.

Thanks again to all of you! We thank God for the Women’s Council. What a beautiful gift you all are! Praise God!

Aseneth May Castaneda

Fall 2022 Update

Grace and peace to you! I hope you are all well. I am writing to you to share a brief update on my past semester. Last semester was a dynamic and thoughtful semester. I had some significant life changes happen, which involved lots of preparation and processing. I got married in October! After 1.5 years of waiting, my husband and I are happily married and are now living in a small apartment in Melrose, MA. We have been experiencing some of the natural adjustments that come with being newly married, balancing busy lives, and living in a small space. In this season of adjustment, we have been incredibly blessed by each other, and challenged to see things in new ways. As we continue to hone our rhythms and navigate this transient season of our lives, the non-transiency of our relationship is an encouraging reminder to me of the stability we have in Christ. I am overjoyed to be sharing my daily life with Daniel!

We saw a surprising amount of sad deaths among family and friends last year, which was a trial, and we are keeping the immediate family members of these respective individuals in regular prayer right now. My own father lost a sister. As he is still healing from heart surgery and anxiety since the surgery, I am praying for my dad in many ways right now regarding his physical and mental health and strength, as well as for depth in his relationship with Christ and spiritual nurturing. In this process, I am also praying for my mom after a year of walking with my dad through the process of his surgery and recovery, losing two sisters-in-law, struggling with some depression, and desiring more depth in her relationship with God. If you find time in your thoughts and prayer life to offer up a prayer for our family, I would be grateful!

I took a lighter load last semester to cushion the new rhythms and transitions we would certainly be experiencing. My Interpreting the Bible course and my Integrative Seminar courses both challenged me in different ways and got me spending large amount of time digging into research topics that are particularly important to me. I am coming close to finishing my degree coursework. After the Spring semester I will only have practicum/internships to finish. My husband is in a similar situation with work and school. He will be looking for a new job soon. We would welcome prayers as we seek out sites and workplaces, prepare resumes, put in applications, and navigate what is on the horizon. I will continue to include you in my regular prayer time for my Partnership supporters. Thank you for your continued support toward myself and toward the other students! You are an immense blessing, and I am grateful for the light of Christ in you!

Beshoy Estafanous

Fall 2022 Update

This past semester, Fall 2022, has been very eventful, full of transitions, surprises, and God’s providence in my life and my family’s life. I traveled to Egypt in August to visit my fiancé, Diana, and my family. I intended to stay for 3 weeks and then return to Hamilton for classes and an internship. However, Diana was finally able to get a visa interview on September 20, so I dropped my classes, delayed my internship and helped her get the paperwork, medical examination and flight tickets. I arrived back in the United Sates on October 1, and Diana, who is now my wife, arrived the following Saturday, October 8.

My wife and I have been going through many transitions since last October, and we have been blessed to live in this community. Diana and I have also been blessed to serve community members who have been going through challenges in their lives. After Diana arrived, we went to drop off something we had borrowed from a friend. When we got there, Diana called me to go up to our friend’s place. Our friend was having suicidal thoughts. We were able to minister to our friend, speak truth into her life, and witness the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Diana and I continue to serve those around us, and it has been a privilege and life-giving to us. Glory be to God!

Rachel Lohia

Fall 2022 Update

Last semester, through my theology 501 course, I really felt like the Lord laid it upon my heart to look more deeply in discipling my children. It hit me one day that we do a lot of training for discipling adults, peers, even youth group kids, but there doesn’t seem to be a wide amount of books on discipling children – mine are six and seven. So, with my professor’s help and permission, I set off on a course writing about how God discipled His children throughout the Bible and how it is instructive for us as parents in discipling our children. It was so difficult, but very rewarding. My husband and I read through John, Genesis, Exodus and have just started reading through Matthew with our kids. The discussions we have and the depth of understanding they have is incredible! Praise God for little sponges 🙂

We were blessed to be able to attend the fall Women’s Council event! It was such an encouragement to be back on campus for a short visit and to see so many friends! We are grateful for the many partners and friends we have made throughout our time at GCTS. Thank you all for your prayers for us, our children, my studies and our businesses – the Lord is doing amazing things in Vermont! Praise God!

Anthony Rando

Update (Fall 2022)

I am so grateful for the Partnership Program and the Women’s Council Scholarship. Because of them, I will finish seminary in May 2023 with no school debt! Praise God! I have received financial help, encouragement, inspirational messages, and delicious meals from the ladies, and I am so grateful for that. Thank you very much for your support of me and other students. May God bless y’all as y’all have blessed us.