Discovering call through service

By Anita R. Yoder, assistant director of career services
When Andrew Burkhalter ’01 learned last year that he could combine his love for service with his expertise in computer science and receive $2,000 in GC scholarship funds for a summer’s worth of experience, he applied to the Service Inquiry Program. He was one of the first six students to participate in this new program supported by a Lilly Foundation Inc.-funded grant titled Calling Authentic Leaders for Life (CALL).

A computer science and music major, Burkhalter lived with members of the Mennonite Voluntary Service unit in Seattle, Wash., during the summer of 2001 and worked with a nonprofit agency to develop a computer network for neighborhood children. He immediately discovered that teaching active, eager children required him to exercise new leadership skills.

“I was amazed at how much energy teaching required and how draining it could be,” said Burkhalter.

The computer camps were an enormous success.

In February, Burkhalter returned to Seattle to begin a one-year assignment with MVS. He will do Web design and teach at ONE/Northwest, a company providing computer services for nonprofit environmental organizations. He is looking forward to again living in the MVS unit house.

“I learned the value of being challenged by housemates to live out my faith, and how to take risks in developing new relationships with people of differing backgrounds,” said Burkhalter.

The Service Inquiry Program (SIP) is one of three inquiry programs at Goshen College. The Ministry Inquiry Program encourages students to explore interest in pastoral ministry; SIP enables students to test their interest in full-time service after graduation; and the new Camping Inquiry Program provides a way for students to explore involvement in outdoor ministry at a church-related camp or retreat center. During a two-year trial period, CIP will provide six students per year with the opportunity to spend three months interning at one of three camps and retreat centers affiliated with the Mennonite Camping Association. (More about CIP on p. 30. [not available online])

The goal of each program, which provides scholarship support to participants, is to help students discover their vocation by exploring ways they can serve the church and the world.