Students Talk About Service

"Thrown into the fire of immigration complexities." "Developing close and God-centred relationships." "Overcoming hostilities between Catholics and Protestants." "New eyes for the produce section at the grocery store." "Finding God in the words and faces of the people of Chicago."

These are a few of the titles that capture some of the key learnings for 15 students who, over the past four summers, have participated in the Service Inquiry Program at Goshen (IN) College. Carried out as a collaborative effort between the college and the short-term mission and service department of Mennonite Mission Network, the placement of these students was designed to help participants test their calling, gifts and interests for congregational ministry by serving for 11 weeks as pastoral interns in widely diverse settings across the US and in several international locations.

What will be the long-term impact of these experiences on students' vocational choices? That story "will require years of patient waiting," says Stuart Showalter in this book's preface, "because the story will continue to unfold as the Spirit keeps moving in the lives of these dedicated, compassionate students."

In the meantime, enjoy the stories offered here. They will encourage you and serve as convincing proof that God's kingdom work is indeed in good hands for another generation.