Wesleyans have long believed in higher education as a vehicle for transformation. Each of our Wesleyan schools carries out that mission with its own distinct culture and programs, but the emphasis on transformation is consistent across every campus.

On November 11, 2024, Education and Clergy Development (ECD) invited colleges to bring their ministry students to The Wesleyan Church headquarters for a time of collaborative theology, worship, prayer and connection, aimed at helping ministerial students locate themselves within a larger network of emerging clergy.

“We wanted students to see they are part of a wider ministerial network, and that other young men and women are responding to God’s call to ministry,” said Dr. Aaron Perry, director of Wesleyan Academic Initiatives at ECD. “We wanted to strengthen their theology of Scripture and provide on-the-ground teaching on subjects they were interested in hearing about and about which they had questions.”

Reverend Taylor Wilding and Elisa Teller from Trinity Church, Indianapolis, began with worship, followed by a homily from Jared Baldwin, a student at Southern Wesleyan University. Large group sessions were led by Dr. Mark Wilson (Southern Wesleyan University), Dr. Brian Bernius (Indiana Wesleyan University) and Reverend Carla Working (ECD) around the call to ministry, a theology of Scripture and women and men collaborating in ministry. A dozen round tables covered several practical topics including staff pastoral ministry, solo pastoral ministry, personal finances, global mission, rural ministry, marriage and ethical leadership.

“College Day was a highlight for my students,” reflected Dr. J. L. Miller, chair of Religion at Houghton University. “The teaching was impactful and the personal connections with others across our denomination were enriching. My students were touched and encouraged as they heard from peers and veterans in ministry and reminded of the richness of our shared work as Wesleyans and the depth of support available for pastors. Headquarters is no longer a faceless entity but a hospitable space filled with people who took the time to sit with them, eat with them and listen to their stories.”

Kern Grant directors from Houghton, ECD, Kingswood and Wesley Seminary took the opportunity to connect over opportunities and funds available for ongoing ministry education. The Kern Grant strives to help students experience sustainable and affordable pathways toward fruitful ministry.

“Education and Clergy Development loves connecting The Wesleyan Church’s ministry students with its many educators and academics for fruitful ministry. We want to act as a hub between our schools and ministerial boards so that the education our students are receiving is equipping them for the ministerial development that leaders in the field believe is necessary,” said Dr. Perry.

For more resources and pathways toward formative ministry, visit wesleyan.org/ecd.

Rev. Ethan Linder is the pastor of discipleship at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana.