Spiritual Perspective of life at a Bible College

Ginny Martin is a sophomore who has the daunting task of being my room leader (:D) as well as my society president at Maranatha. For this blog I interviewed her on what it is like spiritually to go to a Bible college:

Question 1: Does college influence you spiritually (dorm, friends, classes etc..?)
Answer: "Yes, of course!"



Question 2: What is the hardest thing/obstacles people should expect spiritually when going to college?
Answer: "For me one of the toughest things coming to college was separation from my family, home church, and everything familiar to me. I knew no one when I came; however, this was great for my walk with God because it drew me to Him. I had no one else!"



Question 3: "What ministry opportunities have you had while here at college?
Answer: There is a lot! Freshman year I did the Statestreet ministry which is a street witnessing opoturnity. It really got me outside of my comfort zone. There is also ministering in my extension church, and my society ministries."



Question 4: What is your major and dreams for your life? Science education is my major with a coaching minor.
Answer: "I would like to teach highschool science at a public highschool because I think that in itself would be an incredible ministry opportunity. Just the opportunity to present the truth would be incredible. I want to be able to have a positive influence through teaching, and everyone has to go to school!"



Question 5: How do you plan and desire to incorporate Christ/evangelism into what you want to do?
Answer: "Science is studying God’s creation, so its really easy to incorporate the gospel! Creation screams that there is a creator, you can ignore it, but its an easy witnessing tool!"


Question 6: How have professors and materials (speaking specifically academic here) prepared you to defend your faith when you leave college?
Answer: "Just giving me a sound knowledge so I don’t have to fumble around for answers and I can confidentially share what I believe."


Question 7: Do you have any creative ideas on how one can develop good habits of fellowship with God at school? What does your personal devotions, and relationship with God look like on a day to day basis?
Answer: "I personally like to keep a journal. It is basically a prayer to God about what happened that day, what I read in my mBible,and whats on my heart. It helps me stay engaged when I am doing my devos in the morning. It is also really helpful to write down what God has been teaching me over the past week and be able to look back and be reminded about what God has taught me. Its cool to look back on!"



Question 8: What/who impacted your decision to come to a Bible college?
Answer: "Mostly my parents, but specifically my mom wanted all of us to go for at least one year to a Bible college. I just really always wanted to come to one."



Question 9: What/who impacted your decision to come to Maranatha?
Answer: "My youth pastor’s wife went to Maranatha and she was a really good teacher. After talking to her I was excitted about Maranatha’s teaching program."

Semester Scheduling

You would think that the word "register" would not cause stress, sleep deprivation, a few tears, frustration, panic, and hours of planning. But when you combine this simple word with others to make the phrase "today is the day to register for classes", sheer terror will possibly strike you.


As a freshman I have very ambitious goals and want to make sure my schedule is perfect! For those of you who have not yet had this thrilling experience let me break it down for you:
First you have to see what classes are being offered for the next semester, then you have to see what classes you have not taken yet (which for freshman is pretty much a 12 page list- literally!!!), after this you must then see how often classes are offered each year, who is teaching them, what periods the classes are being offered as well as what days and organize your schedule. (Mind you, that as a freshman you have no idea what the classes are about or what the professors are like so it feels as though you are blindly walking through a city trying to find the right bus!) After these mere steps you must then get online early one morning and virtually sign up for classes!


This whole process took me many many hours (stretched out over a few days), but its a great feeling when finally everything is in order and you get to anticipate your new classes for the next semester!

Freshman, do not worry! Lean on your older friends/roommates/siblings to give you advice on classes!

Remember: you can always go to your guidance counselor for help in scheduling!
If worse comes to worse you can always drop a class or possibly take something and unexpectedly love it!

You have four years to get everything in, so take a deep breath, open up all your course schedules and be thankful that its not like high school and you actually get a say in what classes you take! :D