How Have You Proclaimed The Good News?

Go now and proclaim the gospel,
not just through words but deeds –
through what you say,
what you do,
and who you are.
May others, as they meet with you, meet with Christ,
and know his living presence for themselves. Amen
-Nick Fawcett, England

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself grateful for the people who have proclaimed the gospel to me by simply being who God calls them to be. They are the ones who know that sometimes words fall short, but the ministry of presence does not. They are life-long learners, acknowledging there is always room to grow in the love of God and neighbor. They are co-creators with God who won’t settle for the world as it is, so they continually strive for the kin-dom of God. They reach out to those who are considered by society as ‘less-than’ and, in doing so, they meet Jesus. They study, teach, preach, serve, listen, inspire and learn so that the Bible and theology aren’t used as weapons for harm, but for the flourishing of all life.

It is because of these people – many of whom I’ve had the privilege of meeting both at Garrett-Evangelical and on the road recruiting for the seminary – that I continue to be inspired and passionate about what I do. As the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management, I have the profound privilege of walking alongside prospective students as they share their call into ministry, while communicating with them the myriad of ways life as a Garrett student can enrich, inform and strengthen their call to be who God has called them to be.

Here are a few of the things I’ve learned and for which I am thankful:

• Campus ministries are alive and well with students who are passionate about putting their faith into action. Whether it is through serving the ‘least of these’ in their communities, participating in mission trips, or taking the time out of their busy schedules to discern and discuss the connection of their faith to their everyday lives, these students are preparing to make a difference in the world.
• Garrett-Evangelical is committed to living out our mission through practicing what we teach and preach. We may not always get it right, but we strive to be a seminary of and for the church. How do I know this? While I am only in my first year at Garrett, it is evident to me that we don’t simply talk about diversity and the global church; we continually seek out ways to engage in multi-cultural conversations and contexts, widening our understanding of who God is. We don’t simply teach about the ways in which we need to be better stewards of creation; we are renovating our residence hall to be LEED certified with geo-thermal heating and cooling and teaching courses on ecology and theology. Spiritual Formation is not simply given lip-service; we are raising money for endowing the Rueben Job Chair in Spiritual Formation, the first chair of its kind in theological education.
• Our alumni/ae have been prepared to be bold leaders for the church, the academy and the world. Whether it’s through forming an intentional ecological Christian community while serving a local church, providing resources in Christian education and youth ministry, creating sacred spaces through art and liturgy, speaking out against the injustices of our times, or leading a multitude of churches as bishop, our alumni/ae are not satisfied with maintaining the status quo, but continue to find new and creative ways to follow in the way of Jesus.
• Garrett-Evangelical is committed to provide on-going education not only for our own alumni/ae, but for all clergy who are interested through our MDiv Plus program which provides a two-year church leadership certificate program in conjunction with Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, along with clergy coaching opportunities.

There is much for which I am thankful! Becoming a part of the Garrett-Evangelical community and getting to know our faculty, staff, students, alumni/ae and prospective students – has renewed my hope that the gospel is alive and that there are many people ready to be the hands and feet of God in a world that desperately needs to hear the good news.

Where have you heard, seen, experienced the gospel proclaimed? How have you proclaimed the good news? During this season of Thanksgiving, may we be mindful of the ways in which God is at work in our lives, our communities, and our world. And may we live with intention as the people whom God calls us to be.

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Rev. Becky J. Eberhart is the Assistant VP of Enrollment Management at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.