Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/278977
H STEPPING OUT After years of ministry, Daniel visited Denver Seminary from Mexico during a bout of clinical depression. Stepping out of his car, he knew something was about to change. DANIEL DE LEON IS A MASTER OF DIVINITY STUDENT WITH A CONCENTRATION IN LEADERSHIP. HE CURRENTLY TEACHES A CLASS AT DENVER SEMINARY'S IDEAL INSTITUTE, A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OFFERING BIBLE AND THEOLOGY CLASSES IN SPANISH. AFTER SEMINARY, DANIEL PLANS TO CONTINUE PREACHING AND TEACHING AMONG THE HISPANIC POPULATION. 6 SPRING 2014 HOLY INTERRUPTION ximehS/Photos.com NuStock/Photos.com Having grown up in a Christian family, learning about God started at a very early age. Nevertheless, it wasn't until the age of eleven that I began to understand God's love for me. On the same day that I received Christ as my Savior, I made the decision to become a missionary for the rest of my life. Upon sharing this news with my dad, he insisted that receiving a bachelor's degree before setting out to be a missionary was critical. Following his advice, I eventually went to law school. It was in college, however, that God confirmed my passion for missions through my involvement in campus ministry. Sharing the gospel with college students was my calling. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life—I loved it. Unfortunately, as I continued with campus ministry, I became arrogant—arrogant about myself and arrogant in my ministry. It was in the midst of this arrogance that I began walking away from God. Ministry had become my idol and my loving it more than God created a chain reaction. As a result, I started making poor decisions that led me into a clinical depression. Depressed, I left campus ministry and was completely lost. I had no purpose in life. It seemed God was not enough for me anymore. Where do you go when you feel that God has forsaken you? For the next three years, I had no hope. During this time, I started looking into master's degree programs in private universities in Mexico. After researching many, I realized none of them would bring me joy. Having heard about Denver Seminary, I decided to investigate. Exploring the website, it was clear I didn't necessarily have to know my next plan, but Denver Seminary was a good place to let God meet me where I was. Intrigued, I signed up for a preview day and soon found myself driving down Santa Fe Drive feeling expectant, nervous, excited, and scared. Upon reaching campus, I parked, stepped out of my car, and I smiled like I hadn't in three years. I had no idea why, but it felt good, and I knew I was stepping out into my future. Miraculously, God pulled me out of the depression one week after my visit. God made it clear that Denver Seminary was the next step in my life. In only three months, God provided the support needed to begin at seminary. I applied for my student visa from the consulate and received it, unbelievably, five minutes later. God's intervening hand was clearly seen throughout the entire process that brought me to Colorado in August 2011. Ten years ago, I would never have thought I would be living in the States, studying at seminary, and fully loving it. Praise God for His holy interruption.