Concordia Seminary Students Learn Ministry in the Field

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The New Year began with serious learning engagements for Concordia Seminary students. On January 14 & 15, Concordia Seminary students, together with their professor, Dr. Ely Prieto, visited the new Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) facility (5515 S. Grand Blvd.) to learn about its history and its ministry among immigrants and refugees in St. Louis. Dr. Stanish Stanley, along with CFNA staff and several volunteers, shared inspiring stories and ministry experiences, highlighting opportunities where the Gospel of our Lord is proclaimed in meaningful and impactful ways across diverse multicultural contexts.

Pastoral formation does not happen only on the Seminary campus. Some courses are intentionally designed to give students firsthand experience of what it means to serve as pastors and missionaries in real world contexts. “The Pastor and Church in Mission” is a two-week intensive course in which students, together with their professor, visit four different mission congregations and mission agencies, including CFNA, to learn from leaders and volunteers how pastors and congregations can faithfully serve their members and surrounding communities with the Gospel.

For the 11 Seminary students who participated, learning about the struggles and hopes of refugees resettled in St. Louis was an eye-opening experience. During the two day class interaction, students listened, asked questions, and engaged in meaningful conversations with CFNA staff, volunteers and refugee participants. Seminarian Sam, reflecting on CFNA’s Eritrean/Ethiopian ministry and its Driver’s Ed. program, shared how the experience sparked his desire to serve – “I really appreciate all that you do as the people of God from this place. Since driving is such a need for New Americans, maybe I could help research and install a driving simulator to better prepare students and reduce accidents in the future.”

Like Sam, this immersive learning experience was a blessing for the Seminarians as they encountered the real world of ministry at the margins. We are grateful for the faithful support of CFNA’s staff and volunteers, as well as for all the mission partners in the St. Louis area who welcomed these students with open arms. Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel (“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” - Philippians 1:3–5)!

Dr. Ely Prieto
Professor, Concordia Seminary—St. Louis.