I had a great time. Get the word out so more people can participate!”
This comment expressed the feelings of many of the 32 high school students and seven seminary students who came together on Calvin Theological Seminary’s Grand Rapids, Mich., campus in July for the Facing Your Future (FYF) program.
Facing Your Future started in 1999 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment as a program to encourage high school students to consider vocational ministry. This year’s group included students from as far away as California, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.
The three weeks were filled with many new experiences. The students spent 10 days attending presentations by seminary professors, participating in theological reflection, and looking at the ministries and faces within the Christian Reformed Church.
The FYFers spent time reflecting on what they were learning during a “Space for God” time each day. Their seminary days were also filled with recreation activities, a few outings, and wonderful meals cooked by local churches. Each day ended with group devotions and a time of reflection.
For the second part of the program, Calvin Seminary partnered with Friendship Community CRC in Toronto, Ontario; Madison Avenue CRC in Paterson, N.J.; and Christ Community CRC in Tualatin, Oregon, as excursion sites.
For 10 days the students observed and participated in local ministry and served the communities they were staying in. They did everything from working with Habitat for Humanity to helping with inner-city day camps to working with an outreach ministry to the homeless.
Students spent the final two days of the program back in Grand Rapids, sharing what they learned.
Facing Your Future is a wonderful opportunity for high school seniors to explore a call to vocational ministry. For more information, check out the program’s website at www.calvinseminary.edu/fyf or call (616) 957-7154.
About the Author
Ingrid Zomerman is the Facing Your Future program administrator at Calvin Theological Seminary.
