M.A., Biblical Counseling emphasis

How did you come to know Christ?

I didn’t get saved until the middle of time at college, when I was 20 years old. I had grown up in the church, and gone to Christian schools all my life, but it was fake—going through the motions. I finally came to the point in my life where I realized I was not living for God, I was living myself; I saw my sin and my guilt and was struck. So, I decided to follow Christ; at that moment God put his Spirit in me, turned my life around, and I went home a different person. Since then, my life has been a growing journey.

How did you hear about Westminster, what brought you here?

I graduated in 2009 from Cedarville University as a comprehensive Bible major and a Spanish minor. God had started growing in me then a love for lost people, overseas missions, and also for hurt and battered women. So I actually went overseas after I graduated to the Middle East to work with Muslims. I had a hope of having a safe house for women, as well as some other things that didn’t really materialize, but it was cool because I was able to preach the Gospel and plant a church and be on a team. Now that church plant is growing.

While I was there, I realized I wanted to go back to school and get further education. A friend had told me about Westminster, and raved about the programs—how it is centered on the Bible. So, I applied, and was accepted. After I got home in the summer of 2010, I visited the campus and fell in love with it. The history of the school, what it’s all about, really captivated me and drew me in. That’s what I love about Westminster.

What drew you to the counseling emphasis?

I wanted to be trained and better equipped to help people. I do hope to counsel, whether professionally, or in a church, or with missions even.

What are some of the highlights from your time at Westminster so far?

I think I’m simply overwhelmed by how much God has blessed me by being here—this was the one school I applied to, and it just so happened that Westminster is the best seminary I’ve ever heard of, and I’m not just saying that. I just feel so blessed to be here, sitting in class and receiving the knowledge and what I’m learning and the riches. This is just a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Have any of the professors stood out to you?

Honestly, all the staff is remarkable. I went to a good undergrad school at Cedarville, and we had high standards of professors, but Westminster tops them. Everybody has gone above and beyond any expectation. I have Survey of Reformed Theology with Dr. Tipton, and he has such a passion for Jesus Christ; it’s so evident in his teaching! Reformed Theology is all about the Gospel, and that really stands out to me. When people think of “Reformed Theology” they think it must be such a boring class, but to me it’s alive because it’s all about the person of Christ.

Talk a little bit about your experience working with Muslims.

It’s kind of neat, because a lot of what we’re learning in Apologetics I’m able to apply to missions. We went with the goal of sharing Jesus Christ and planting a church and making relationships in that way. Also, we were learning about their beliefs and how to assimilate to their culture. I wore a headscarf for the sake of my honor; so I would have a witness and I wouldn’t seem to be a disreputable woman who’s talking about a different God. We loved the people; we did service projects among them, helped the poor, taught children, and did English seminars. So it was a great growing experience for me as a person, I learned a lot of stuff outside the classroom. I went with the goal to learn things that I couldn’t learn inside the classroom.

We went with a missions organization, so we did go with the goal of planting a church. We were going to reach the unreached in a city with no known believers. That was the overarching goal, but we also did NGO work and service projects with the people to try and improve the quality of life and the education.

What would you say to someone that is exploring seminary about Westminster’s program?

I can’t think of a word good enough to describe it! I love Westminster. I would highly encourage anyone who’s looking to check it out. There’s a high quality of Truth which it holds to, and I think that is something that is threatened in a lot of theological arenas today. I also encourage them that Westminster is solidly built on the inerrant Word of God, with Jesus Christ at the center. It’s a great atmosphere, the classes are wonderful. I’ve never sat in class and felt like I’ve wasted my time, or that “I’ve already heard this, I already know this.” I’ve had Christian education all my life, and I’m learning brand new things. I have friends who have never had Christian education, and they’re doing fine and loving it as well. I think it’s a great opportunity for all people.