Ian goes to Seminary

Friends & family, 

I truly believe that we are all part of God’s one body, and I hope to serve all of His children.  I think that the lessons I have learned and skills I have developed over the course of my life will enable me to be an effective shepherd for the outcast, disenfranchised, poor, sick, hungry, and lonely of God’s people.  I hope to be able to serve in a church which exemplifies Jesus’s call to serve the “least of these” in their mission and outreach or to possibly serve in a bi-vocational role working for a church and working for an organization similar to where I currently serve.  I am interested in learning how a strong theological foundation can shape the type and effectiveness of our mission.  What has worked/is working, what is still needed, and how an educated and prepared priest can guide a church’s sense of mission are also questions that I hope to explore at seminary.  I hope to continue to provide care and grace to underserved populations while in seminary as this has become a critical piece of who I am. 

I know that I am in for perhaps the most challenging three years of my life.  It has been quite some time since I have been in an academic setting, and I am aware that seminary is extremely rigorous even for folks who are used to being in such a setting.  I am sure that my understanding of my own faith will be stretched and challenged in an incredible way and I pray that I am up to the challenges that I face going forward. 

My wife, Sallie, and I have spoken at length about how being in seminary this fall with our two children, Nora (4) and Greyson (2), will be very different than the life we have become accustomed to.  We live almost paycheck to paycheck like so many other people; yet, we are relatively comfortable.  This will likely be very different while we are in school.  Living a more frugal and meager lifestyle will help us learn to engage and rely more on our community and trust that through our faith and hard work, God will provide the sustenance that we need.  Our family loves adventure, we love meeting new people in new places and experiencing new things.  We relish challenges and accomplishing goals together.  I look forward to studying and being in community with other people who have similar callings and questions that I do.  We look forward to deepening our faith as a family and coming to a better understanding of our purpose in life.  We are excited to be on this walk of faith. 

Immediate or anticipated needs outside of financial aid or scholarship:
Transcripts, $30
Application fees, $125
Childcare deposits, $525
Counseling/Therapy/Spiritual Direction, $80/visit
Bike tune-ups & accessories, $200+
Dog treats for training & extra toys for distraction, $50+
Moving supplies, truck rental & gas, $450
Textbooks, estimated $1200+ per semester
New laptop & accessories, $900+
Date night fund, unlimited
Prayers, unlimited

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we navigate this transition,
Ian & Sallie

Read about Ian's current work with ABCCM: A Man Just Like Me 

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