I made it to Bethel! It's hard to believe that it began as a thought and now it's reality...but then again that's how all dreams happens. I first thought about attending a ministry school, Convergence School of Supernatural Ministry, at my home church about three years ago after I met some dynamic students that attended the ministry school. During that time I was working on completing 3,000 hours to become a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist. I knew that I was to build the wall that was in front of me and continue to finish out what I had started so I placed the thought of going to the ministry school in the back in my mind. A year later (2009) as I got closer to finishing my licensure hours, I began to think, it's possible to attend the ministry school and what better time to attend school then while I'm single. I would be able to be single-minded and whole-hearted in my pursuit of pressing into the Lord. As I began to give it more serious thought my heart shifted to wanting to attending Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding, CA.
So what was it about these student that got me interested in attending a ministry school? It was their hunger, excitement and enthusiasm for life. I knew I wanted what they had and were going after in the Lord...walking in the fullness of who we are in Christ by being who we are in Christ and moving in miracles, signs and wonders. It's not just for a select few or those in the Bible. It's for ever believer in Christ!
You may be wondering, why would you want to move to Redding, California instead of staying where you are at in Texas? Well...I'm glad you asked. I knew that Convergence based their ministry school after Bethel and as I began to think about devoting 9 months of my life to something I decided why wouldn't I want to go to the original model? Bethel. I've lived in Texas for most of my life, the comfort of being around my friends and family and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone.
I finished my licensure hours in February 2010! It took me 3 years to be fully licensed!! After being licensed I took a contract job in August working primarily with military children in a school setting. I loved this job! It allowed me to do more of what was in my heart and make more money. AND I was able to set aside money for school. It was a win, win, win situation. I was working in Killeen, TX 2 1/2 hours from the DFW metroplex. While I was in Killeen. I stumbled upon Austin School of Supernatural Ministry, a part-time ministry school, that was based on a dvd curriculum from Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. I attended it to get a jump start on my journey to Bethel.
The summer was filled with three moves (Killeen to Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth to Plano, Plano to Redding), continuing education hours to maintain my counseling licensure and teaching certification, and visiting friends and family. I flew out to San Diego, CA in mid-September and spent the night with my cousin, Blessy and Lester and rented a car and drove up the coast of California. It was the longest road trip that I have taken on my own. 10 hours!! I hate road trips but the reward of stepping in my destiny is well worth it!
I was greeted by Sharon Watson, the gracious homeowner and my lovely housemates, Jamie Bennett and Sarah Wind. They had a home cooked meal prepared and waiting for me upon my arrival. I was very grateful! =) The house was lovely. The sun rises directly in front of the house where there is an open clearing. There are deer and wild turkey that wander through the neighborhood. We live on the top of a hill and the drive down the street is simply beautiful! There are mountains in the backdrop every where you look. The scenery here is amazing!!
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| The drive down the street I live on. =) |
Jamie and I are both first year students. There are 980 students in our class. It's like going to a conference everyday. People go early and wait in line till the doors open. We head out at 11:45am and arrive to school at noon, where we wait in line till the doors open. Class starts at 12:45pm and ends at 5:30pm. The emphasis of the first year of ministry school is our identity in Christ. Sarah is a second year student. Both Jamie and I ask her questions as we learn the ropes.
A typical school week
Monday thru Thursday I attend school from 12:45pm to 5:30pm. On Mondays we have worship, bible, a staff speaker and then we break out into our revival groups. Students are broken down into "revival groups" which consists of a group of 70 or so students that are overseen by a pastor and a handful of third year students. Carl Richardson is my RGP, Revival Group Pastor. He has an fathering heart. On Tuesdays we have worship, a staff speaker and we break out into Advanced Ministry Training (AMT). AMTs are 5 week courses that we select according to our interests. I selected Healing - Kingdom Foundation taught by Kevin Dedmon. There were many healings that occurred during class!! A guys foot grew out right in the palm of my hands! After the first set of AMTs we are allowed to select between a Track or AMTs. Tracks are for the remainder of the school year, whereas you can select a new AMT ever 5 weeks. Tracks are focused on an area of emphasis that you intend to do as a vocation. I selected the Transformation/Counseling Track. On Wednesdays we have bible, a staff speaker and small group. In small groups we were placed with a hand full of peers to build further connection with that are within our Revival Group . We over a lesson together. On Thursdays we have a staff speaker, worship, Chris Overstreet speaks on Evangelism and then we have Activations. Activations are were we get to put into practice the head knowledge we've been taught while doing community outreachs. We got to select a outreach according to our interest. I selected Sidewalk Sunday School. Every Thursday our group of 5 goes to a trailer park community and does a Sunday School lesson for children. We love on them, play games with them and teach a lesson. Last week they learned that Jesus blood paid for everything and 7 children accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior! In addition to the regular school schedule every student signs up for an hour in the prayer chapel and attends two church services. I go to the prayer chapel on Tuesdays at 7am. While in the chapel I enjoy listening to soaking music and drawing.
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| The Lion of the Tribe of Judah |
Jamie enjoys drawing as well. She has been taking art class and seeing her artwork inspired me to draw. I've never really taken an interest in drawing but I've enjoyed sketching some things that to my surprise turned out to be pretty good. So I've decide to take art classes in January. I'm looking forward to seeing how that blossoms as time goes by.
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| Reading material thus far! |
We have quite a bit of homework that we are responsible for. I will have read over 3,000 pages of required reading by the end of the school year. It has been a bit overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there is less reading as the school year progresses...music to my ears. All of the reading has been amazing.
