Student & Faculty Perspectives

Student Perspectives

Ron Young (MDiv '09)

Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois

Vision for ministry: Ron desires to continue to teach and minister to the community of East St. Louis.

I, a 26-year-old student of the Lord, professed hope in Christ at age 6. I accepted my call to the preaching ministry at age 20. It was then that the Lord convicted my heart and called me to minister the saving power of Jesus Christ to the lost of the world and to edify His Church by teaching His Word. I have been preaching in the National Baptist arena in East St. Louis, Illinois, where I serve as an associate minister. I chose Covenant Theological Seminary because of its outstanding reputation of teaching of God's Word and for its emphasis on students implementing that Word their lives. I have fallen in love with the covenant community and the family-orientated atmosphere. The warmth and fellowship of meeting other godly brothers and sisters in Christ here at Covenant Seminary is an experience I would recommend to everyone.

This community, along with the academics, daily prepares me for the role of ministry. It grants me a greater perspective of God, His creation, and His love for all He has created. This allows me to grow in knowledge and compassion for people and to better conform to the interests of others as Christ desires. This great lesson of love and compassion for God's creation is motivated by the professors whose teaching I sit under. My experiences with learning from such men and women of wisdom, cultivates my biblical understanding, which in turn influences my practical actions.

I believe all the professors here take pride in their studies and by their academic motivation challenge each student to become a better Christian and better Bible student. Anthony Bradley, an African-American professor -- along with many other professors -- has an open-door policy to communicate with him concerning any area of life. This makes the experience at Covenant Seminary worth its sacrifice. Professor Bradley relates to the common welfare of students who, like myself, are outside of our usual surroundings, and this contributes to our learning and makes us comfortable here.

Covenant Seminary prides itself in finding professors such as Jack Collins, Phil Douglass, Greg Perry, Michael Williams, and many others who have invested in my life and education. These professors also unselfishly contribute to others regardless their denominational backgrounds. After graduating from Covenant Seminary I plan on using the skills and knowledge I have received to cultivate my pastoral ministry as I continue serving in the Baptist arena. I pray that everyone who is serious about Christian education will consider Covenant Theological Seminary as a place to learn, love, and grow in commitment to Christ and His Church!