By Madison Franks, Student Writer
OTTERBURNE, MB – Because Providence is a faith-based Christian university, there are several ways that undergraduate students can take classes that equip them for future and current ministry roles. One of these programs is Church Ministries, and two students, Maddie Oselies and Nick Froese, have encountered immense growth and leadership training through its related courses.
When Maddie Oselies, a graduating student who played on the volleyball team, was just ten years old, she felt the Lord’s calling on her life to become a pastor. Because becoming a pastor requires biblical and theological education, Maddie decided to come to Providence to answer God’s call. “I felt the Lord call me specifically to be a youth pastor,” said Oselies. “So, here I am now, several years later, finishing up my degree.” Despite Providence’s small size, the university ensured that Maddie would leave its halls adequately prepared to pursue the vocation to which she had been called. “There are not as many specialized courses for youth ministry; however, this did not stop [Providence] from providing me the avenues to pursue those courses,” Maddie reflected when asked how Providence has equipped her. One thing Maddie acknowledged as being specifically helpful was that she was able to preach in different chapels over her degree, allowing her to begin practicing for her future career in ministry.
Another graduating student, Nick Froese, has had a similarly impactful experience studying Church Ministries through Providence. Nick began his degree because he was unsure what exactly he wanted to do as a career, but his interest in theology led him into the degree that he is currently completing. “What made me stay in my degree was the way the world of theology opened up for me during my first year,” said Nick. He went on to reflect that his first year taught him “how much there is to learn, how I will never learn it all, and how rich and fulfilling studying the Scriptures could be.” Providence endeavours to nurture this love of Scripture, and one way this happens is through studying under professors who are devoted to the same God that Nick and Maddie desire to serve vocationally.
While Providence offers several classes that teach theory, it also provides students with hands-on experience. When discussing these practical experiences, Nick mentioned a few specific classes that were impactful. “Homiletics class especially taught me how to prepare and deliver a sermon, and now I actually love preparing and delivering sermons. Dr. Gilmour’s C. S. Lewis course inspired me to read for fun again while also being steeped in rich theology. Dr. Christopher Lortie’s Textual Criticism course taught me how we have the Bible in our hands today, and that we can actually trust it. Mat Lortie’s Re-thinking the Church also gave me a love for ecumenicalism and dialogue with different denominations.”
When asked what advice she had for future or current Providence students taking the Church Ministries degree, Maddie’s encouragement was to “take every learning opportunity you can get. God has given this opportunity to prepare you and grow you both in your theology, but especially as a person. Let Him refine you in this season.” Nick likewise provided encouraging advice to other students, mentioning his work in the biblical languages specifically. “If you have the opportunity to take a biblical language,” started Nick, “don’t let it intimidate you. You need to do it. It may be the most difficult thing you do, but it will also be the most rewarding and enriching part of your time here.” Providence provides both biblical Greek and Hebrew, taught by Dr. Joshua Coutts and Dr. Nate Wall-Bowering, respectively. These courses can be taken by both undergraduate students as well as seminary students.
While beginning a degree can be daunting, Providence employs caring professors who all have a deep love for God, and who teach classes that make a real impact. Students may sometimes feel as though they are being thrown far too much information, but all of it is for a purpose. When asked what the biggest thing she learned at Providence was, Maddie answered a few things that all boiled down to a statement that “the Lord’s plan is so much greater than mine.” She ended with the addition that “it is all for good as God uses me exactly where He has placed me.” Nick also offered what it was that he learned the most through Providence: “One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is how to listen well.” Each program that Providence offers gives students the opportunity to grow in greater knowledge of God, but a degree in Church Ministries can specifically equip students who desire pursuing a career in ministry. As Nick said while reflecting on his degree: “Studying ministry and doing ministry complement each other well.”
