A Successful Doctor of Ministry Kick-Off!
“I entered terrified and unsure. I’m leaving equipped and passionate that this is EXACTLY where I’m supposed to be, knowing I’m not alone and am being championed to run after the assignment God has set before me. Thank you to the Asbury Seminary DMin department for your care and intentionality that went into this week! We already felt included, but now we feel like family.”—Angela White, First Year Doctor of Ministry Student
This sentiment was heard over and over again as the DMin Program held its annual summer Residency from August 11-15 this year. The Residency was for incoming first-year students as well as those who are in their second or third years of coursework. This brought well over 100 students to campus for time with their professors for the upcoming academic year, chapel services each day, plenary speakers, breakout sessions, and fellowship.
Having all three years together was a new experience for the DMin Program. In previous years each year came separately. Dr. Steven Bruns, the Director for the program, said, “Our team looked at what we had been doing for our students last year at the end of the summer, and we decided that the best way to help create community would be to bring everyone here at the same time.” Kyle Ray, Third-Year Student, agreed that the new format worked well. “I loved being able to meet other people who are in different years of the DMin program. There were times when I was able to provide a sense of calm to those who are newer on the journey. Other times, I was able to be inspired by those who started with me but are further along on the journey. It felt great to both be blessed and be a blessing.”
Dr. Steve Bruns
On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there was worship in Estes Chapel. On Tuesday and Thursday the students heard from plenary speakers Bishop Linda Adams of the Free Methodist Church in Canada and Dr. Lawson Stone in McKenna Chapel, and had worship immediately following there. The DMin Program also provided lunch in the cafeteria for the students to provide further opportunity for community and fellowship. Dawn Trapp, Second-Year Student, said, “This year has been wonderful, worship has been Spirit filled and having it located in different places has been inspiring. Lunch provided a warm and welcoming place to do fellowship with my Legacy group members. We even went out to dinner one night together for a birthday celebration. The best part is getting to learn about all the different cultures and denominations that are present here at ATS.”
Ricardo Jusino, First-Year Student, summed up the week well. “Residency week deeply challenged me to become a true man of the Word of God, someone who not only knows it but remains truthful to it in every aspect of life and ministry. Asbury has shown me that their commitment goes beyond academic excellence, they care about forming me holistically. They provide resources for every area of life, including physical and health development, so that we can be healthy ministers who model a balanced lifestyle while serving others.”
It is a great joy to see leaders from all over the world gather together for fellowship and commit themselves to the study and dissemination of the Word of God! I look forward to continuing the fellowship and learning in our online zoom meetings the rest of the semester.