Denver Seminary

S A THING OR TWO TO LEARN Steve Farson, a second-career student, was initially skeptical of the value of the Training and Mentoring Program. STEVE FARSON IS PURSUING AN MA IN CHRISTIAN STUDIES AT DENVER SEMINARY. HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND ENJOYED A CALLING TO A 30-YEAR CORPORATE BUSINESS CAREER. HE IMMENSELY ENJOYS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND IS HUMBLED TO ENJOY THE LORD IN PRISON MINISTRIES, AT HIS LOCAL CHURCH, AND AT DENVER SEMINARY. Steve came to know Christ as a young man through the faithful witness and ministry of a neighbor who loaded him and others from the neighborhood into her station wagon week after week to take them to church. As an adult, he enjoyed 30 years of leadership in a Fortune 20 company, with an equally lengthy background in prison and local church ministry. Considering his experiences thus far, he was uncertain about the worth of the training and mentoring process. He expressed his reservations to his mentoring director, Laura Flanders, and confessed to wondering how easy it would be to find mentors appropriate for his age and background. His hesitation and concerns were soon erased after spending time with Laura. "She was a gift to me. I really valued her heart, her counsel, and her interest," recounts Steve. "Through Laura, the Holy Spirit provided encouragement, if not a realization, that this was going to be a special part of my seminary experience." It didn't take long for Steve to find two exceptional mentors, both named Dr. Clark. Jeff Clark was a veteran pastor with decades of experience; he acted as Steve's professional mentor. Then there was Dave Clark, a scientist with a deep mind and heart for God, who acted as his character mentor. Both of these men blessed Steve with their spiritual interest, commitment, and insight. Steve equally valued his time spent with other students in his formation group. It was an unexpected pleasure, which "emerged from the semesters of small group time with other students. I would place this experience on my short list of how God has shaped me the most at seminary." Steve didn't expect to be as affected as he was. But he couldn't deny the transformative influence these relationships had on him. He found himself surrounded by ardent followers of Christ who could provide invaluable feedback regarding his thoughts and choices. The Training and Mentoring Program has impacted more than Steve's personal growth. The lessons he has learned have also affected his ministry of preaching and teaching as a prison chaplain. He now feels a deeper need to spend one-on-one time with inmates, to develop horizontal relationships in addition to vertical. "Seminary—and in particular the Training and Mentoring Program—has been a gift from God. Through it, I have developed a recognition of how much I need others to be enriched, fulfilled, and to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God." ENGAGE 15 MENTORING NatanaelGinting/iStock

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