Experience Seminary 2016

March 15, 2016

We posed the question “What in the world is God doing?”

Our answer was an invitation to Experience, Explore and Enjoy – to take part in an inaugural five-day event targeting millennial students which we named Experience Seminary 2016 (ES2016).

Three millennials flew in from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, MI – four drove in from Somerset, Bergen, and Passaic Counties, NJ. The four females and the three males who self-identified as Black non-Hispanic, White non-Hispanic, Bi-racial Asian/White, and Asian/Pacific Islander visited New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS) from March 5 through March 9. The names of the women were Ashley, Machi, Ryn, and Caroline, and the men were Chinma, Min and Ben. And as far as diversity is concerned, their church affiliation was just one more layer of the rich diversity which came together for ES2016 – RCA, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, non-denominational/reformed, and non-denominational/emergent.

On our first full day we worshiped at a thriving and dynamic inner-city church in the lower eastside of NYC, East 7th Street Baptist Church (Graffiti Church). Following Sunday’s service, the Pastor, Rev. Dr. Taylor Field, welcomed the 10 of us (7+3 NBTS staff members) into his office to share his vision and passion for the community. Two days later we would be welcomed to hear some of the story of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ. Their commitment to the community was instructive and inspiring.

Another highlight, occurring beyond the walls of NBTS, was experienced at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Rev. Martisha Kanard-Dwyer, M.A., (NBTS 2013) of the RWJ Pastoral Care Department brought together chaplains, clinical pastoral educators, and hospital staff who gave us access to the world of clinical chaplaincy as experienced in a renowned, level-1 trauma center. Not one of us left the hospital without having our lives impacted and changed.

Yet, the focus of our five-day event was the two days devoted to experiencing, exploring and enjoying NBTS. Following our tour of Sage Library (No one wished to leave!) we toured the main building, followed by a meet and greet luncheon. Throughout the day, Dr. Mast, Dr. Ashley, several faculty members, staff and students welcomed, encouraged and opened up for us the life and breadth of the Seminary journey. In the evening we would attend chapel, participate in classes, engage many of the students and, ultimately, laugh and reflect over banana splits.

…one of the most enriching experiences of my life… the Seminary is an amazing place…

…I’ll definitely be applying to NBTS… (from Michigan)

This experience has been a life altering one for me.

…I came to (ES2016) alone… I leave with a new network of friends and mentors…; I am now confident in my decision to make (NBTS) my home for ministry academia. (from New Jersey)

…your gift has allowed me to further discern my calling in ministry…

ExperienceSeminary 2016 was a tremendous success, a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. Faculty, staff, administration, students, and our hosts beyond the Seminary all contributed to the success and flow of the experience, exploration and enjoyment of seven young men and women investigating the possibilities for future ministry.