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Welcome!

 

The Call is about hearing and responding to God’s desire to raise up leaders in the Church.  Discerning His call is the foundational purpose of this program.  For those students who feel God is moving them in the direction of church leadership (as pastor, youth minister, Christian education director, worship leader, etc.), the Call is the perfect opportunity to explore that call and to prepare for seminary and ministry.

The Call is a brand new program offered in cooperation with Ashland University’s Center for Religious Life, Religion Department, and funded by the Kern Family Foundation.  Its goal is to help undergraduate students prepare for seminary.  Through prayer, study, and practice, the Call provides the chance for students to grow spiritually into the types of leaders the church needs today.  Through the Call students become part of a community in which they can explore and affirm the direction of their calling.  Practical ministry experience will be gained through leadership opportunities in campus ministry and through an internship in a local church.  Participants will get a step up in theological studies by completing at least a minor in religion and gaining exposure to biblical languages, and completing a thesis or ministry project.  Students will also have the opportunity to take seminary level classes as an undergraduate.  Additionally, participants in the Call receive a $2500 scholarship for each year in the program (up to three years).

The four major components described above form the acronym TREK:

A trek is a “long, difficult journey”—a fitting metaphor of the Christian faith, and especially the road to Christian leadership.  At Ashland University, the Call is committed to traveling with those students who are moving toward congregational leadership, and together taking every opportunity to grow in character and competency as we follow the Call.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
       And before you were born I consecrated you;
           I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."   Jeremiah 1:5           

 

For more information, or to talk with someone about your call,contact John Swope, Director of the Call, at 419.289.5917 or jswope@ashland.edu.

Visit the websites for Ashland University’s Center for Religious Life  Religious Life Icons or Religion Department to find out more about each program.