Monday, June 16, 2008

Six Goshen College students explore ministry calling during summer

GOSHEN, Ind. – Six Goshen College students are spending the summer with different congregations through the college’s Ministry Inquiry Program (MIP). The students will have the opportunity to work with pastors from a church and explore their interests in ministry.

The participants this summer include:

Emily Graber, a first-year English major from Red Hill, Pa., is spending her summer at Methacton Mennonite Church in Norristown, Pa. Graber, daughter of Daniel and Rose Graber, is a 2007 graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School and attends Upper Milford Mennonite Church.

Kaleem Kheshgi, a junior music major from Evanston, Ill., is spending his summer at Plains Mennonite Church in Hatfield, Pa. Kheshgi, son of Omar Kheshgi and Janelle Landis Kheshgi, is a 2004 graduate of Evanston Township High School and attends Evanston Mennonite Church.

Andrea Kraybill, a first-year art major from Elkhart, Ind., is spending her summer at Norristown (Pa.) New Life Church. Kraybill, daughter of Nelson and Ellen Kraybill, is a 2006 graduate of Bethany Christian Schools and attends Prairie Street Mennonite Church.

Phil Schmidt, a senior Bible and religion major from Berne, Ind., is spending his summer at East Goshen Mennonite Church. Schmidt, son of Dennis and Dianne Schmidt, is a 2005 graduate of South Adams Junior-Senior High School and attends First Mennonite Church of Berne.

Brian Waidelich, a first-year English major from Wauseon, Ohio, is spending his summer at New Hope Fellowship in Alexandria, Va. Waidelich, son of John and Sherri Waidelich, is a 2007 graduate of Pettisville High School and attends West Clinton Mennonite Church.

Tyler Yoder, a junior Bible and religion major from Goshen, is spending his summer at Ambler (Pa.) Mennonite Church. Yoder, son of John and Martha Yoder, is a 2005 graduate of Goshen High School and attends Sunnyside Mennonite Church.

The Ministry Inquiry Program is a joint effort of Mennonite Church USA and the five Mennonite colleges in the United States. The 21-year-old program enables students from Mennonite colleges to test their calling and gifts for ministry by serving as pastoral interns. Under close supervision from host pastors, students take on various worship, pastoral care and administrative roles during their 11-week terms, including preaching, leading worship, youth ministry and hospital and home visits.

“We see it as a wonderful way for young adults to explore their vocational interests and inquiries, but also a great way for development of their leadership skills,” said Bob Yoder, campus minister, and director of the inquiry programs. Goshen College has had a total of 155 students take part in MIP.

“I knew ministry was an interest of mine, and this summer showed me that it is something to seriously consider someday,” said Nathan Grieser, a 2007 MIP participant. “The congregation was very open and willing to let me try new things, both in worship and in general participation.”

For the second consecutive year, participation in the inquiry programs included the opportunity to take a one credit-hour May term course that explored vocation, goals for the summer, prayer methods and a blessing ceremony with President James Brenneman.

At the end of the summer, each student will receive a scholarship of up to $1,500 toward tuition costs for the next academic year, along with a $500 stipend from the host congregation.

— By Tyler Falk

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.