Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1056884
6 ENDING WELL TO BEGIN WELL Ministry Residency Program Helps Make Seminary Possible for Luke Rosenberger The book, Ending Well, authored by Ellen Rosenberger shares a story of grieving, releasing, hoping, and trusting as she and her husband, Luke, leave Managua, Nicaragua with their children after 12 years on the mission field. Her book looks at the multi- faceted process of moving from host country to home country in the hope of helping missionaries through similar transitions. For the Rosenberger family, this transition was instigated by Luke's desire to pursue a master of divinity degree at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. Having led an international youth group while teaching computer and Bible classes at a Christian school in Nicaragua, Luke arrived at Denver Seminary with extensive ministry experience already under his belt. He felt God leading him to pursue theological education to balance his experience with solid biblical training. He and Ellen knew, as outlined in her book, that in order to end well after their 12 years on the mission field, they needed to be intentional in how they left Nicaragua and started life at seminary. Part of that included figuring out how to fund his education. Luke needed to provide for his family financially, but he also needed to balance working in ministry, time with family, and time for his studies. "Coming to Denver Seminary with a family, I knew I would have to figure out a creative way to make it work financially," shared Luke. "I initially intended to work full time as a youth pastor and do seminary part time but God made it really clear that my studies at Denver Seminary should come first." Even so, Luke knew two things: he had to continue to provide for his family and he wanted to continue gaining ministry experience while pursuing his degree. In exploring the Denver Seminary website, Luke came across the Ministry Residency Program, an opportunity that felt exciting and fitting. This program is a partnership between the Seminary and several front-range ministries where students work part time in ministerial roles to gain practical, apprenticed experience while earning tuition assistance from the ministry and Denver Seminary. Luke was offered the position as the young adults resident at South Fellowship Church, a role he'll keep through graduation. "My residency position has given me valuable experience working with an age group I've never worked with before," states Luke. "The greatest take away from the Ministry Residency Program, aside from the financial benefits, has been the opportunity to continue gaining ministry experience while in seminary." As Luke looks to finish his master of divinity degree in May 2019, he is thankful that the Ministry Residency Program has lessened the financial burden he and his family will have as they finish their time at Denver Seminary and once again pursue full time ministry work. The opportunity helped him and his family in their transition off the mission field into life back in the United States. As graduation approaches, he and Ellen have already begun the process of "ending well" as yet another transition awaits. 6 Denver Seminary's General Scholarship Fund contributes toward 16 different discounts, grants, and scholarships including a 10% tuition discount for students in the Ministry Residency Program. You can help support students like Luke Rosenberger by giving to the General Scholarship Fund at denverseminary.edu/give.