Shaped for Life and Ministry

Written by: Rosalie Brown, MACHT 2023 Magnolia, Texas 

Seminary was not on my radar ten years ago. I did have a strong desire to delve more deeply into the Bible. Dr. Lewis visited our church in 2017 and introduced The Bible Seminary (TBS). When he explained the option to audit classes and recommended doing course work to convert to degree credits later, if desired, I was intrigued. 

Within weeks I was auditing my first class—Pastor-Shepherd I with Dr. Rich Cozart—and I wanted more. The lectures and discussions were extremely formative, as were our readings. As I dove deeply into Job, Jeremiah, and Lamentations, Jeremiah impacted me significantly. Other readings brought about new and fresh encounters with God. I found Eugene Peterson’s Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity so accessible that I wanted to read more and picked up his Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best. Through these engagements, God whispered to me and revealed his call on my life. 

As an older student and “at-home” mom, I was far removed from writing papers and making presentations. From the beginning, classes provided opportunities to intimately engage with the Bible and share with my professors and classmates what I learned. 

Looking back, I can see how the class assignments were a necessary preparation for what God had planned. I also see a theme as I ventured forth with Dr. Lewis in Pastor-Leader I, Prayer and Worship I, and Spiritual Formation and Ministry V; Dr. Petrovich in Bible Study Methods; Dr. Nyquist in Church History I, Theology I, Preaching and Teaching I; Dr. Savelle in Spiritual Formation I; Dr. Lokkesmoe in Theology II, III,, and IV; Dr. Loken in Church History II; Dr. Glassman in Greek I and II, Hebrew I and II; and Dr. Steinmetz in Capstone Thesis. God refined me during my journey and drew me further into His purposes for my life. Along the way, I learned to give voice to community, relationships within the body of Christ, leadership, women’s stories within the Old Testament, and contemporary issues facing the church. God was shaping me. 

I recently completed my first year as a Doctor of Ministry student at Houston Christian University. I am focusing on female leaders in the Old Testament, particularly women who led during times of crises. I also use Zoom to lead two weekly discipleship groups. Two of my TBS friends share in this ministry, and their voices and knowledge add amazing depth to our conversations. It is a joy to continue to learn and grow weekly in the Word with them.  

Looking back, I see God’s hand working through TBS leading me to mature in faith, grow in knowledge, clearly hear my calling, enjoy amazing opportunities with gifted professors, and gain deep friendships within the body of Christ. I am truly blessed! 

Audio Version