As someone who is not intending to go into a "traditional" form of ministry, I have been asked numerous times why I decided to go to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. When I was considering where to attend, I looked at a few different places: a state school, a non-religious affiliated private institution, and Garrett-Evangelical.
I do not plan on going into ordained ministry, nor do I plan on serving the church in another capacity directly. My passion and call is towards teaching. Whether this be at the undergraduate level or the graduate level, I find myself drawn to helping others in this way. I find that there is a lot of information going around on television, in the news, and online that all seem to conflict with one another on what it means to be a person of faith. My goal is to help students (of all ages) to discover the history of our rich heritage and to help them realize that the questions they may have are some of the same ones with which “serious scholars” wrestle. I hope to help them realize how we can relate to people of a different denomination, a different community, or a different faith tradition.
It is important in increasingly globalized societies for us to understand one another and appreciate our differences. By attending Garrett-Evangelical, I knew I would be able to interact with different types of students, those pursuing ordained ministry, and those hoping to work in some capacity within the larger church setting, and students like myself who are hoping to work within the academy.
I came to Garrett-Evangelical because I knew I would have access to top scholars in their fields. I knew I would be able to interact with students from backgrounds and traditions different than my own. I came to Garrett-Evangelical because I knew that the faculty, staff, and students would work with me, care about me, and want me to succeed in my goals.
Anita Kuyper is a first-year student in the Master of Theological Studies Program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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