To those who made me a master…

A few months ago I graduated with a Master of Arts in Religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I pursued this degree part time as I continued working full time in ministry among international students in Boston. Adding this academic endeavor back into my life after many years post-undergrad greatly contributed to my quality of life, allowing me to develop not only intellectually but spiritually and relationally in multiple ways. I’m one of those people who loves even the process of being a student, so while this season has certainly been challenging and at times tiring, it has also been richly rewarding.

Working on a master’s degree over the course of seven years does not happen without robust support from a community of people! At our Baccalaureate service, the main speaker alluded to the metaphor of a turtle on a fencepost – you know it couldn’t have gotten there by itself. I am that turtle and this post is dedicated to the many who got me here. 

Not presented in any particular order, I want to take the time to thank and honor those who have loved, encouraged, pushed, challenged, and carried me through this accomplishment!

My Dad

Though I can’t say I set out with ambitions to go to seminary, regardless my dad set the example in my family. Not only did he spend many a pre-bedtime hour with me during childhood fielding all sorts of questions – whether emotional, theological, or just plain quizzical – but so many of these conversations resulted in being lent or suggested a new book to encourage and explore my curiosity.

Home was always a safe place for questions about faith, even doubts, and my dad was a big part of creating that environment for us. We both earned our MAs part time, over the course of several years while working in full time ministry – just at different institutions and about 35 years apart! Perhaps I’ll follow his footsteps into a doctorate one day. We’ll see. For now, maybe we can form our own “finer things club” in the Godwin household with our fancy advanced degrees.

Dad, thanks for modeling a learning spirit, encouraging me in this degree, always being interested to read my final products (being the first person to read my massive master’s paper from beginning to end!), and for traveling up to celebrate with me!

My Mom and my Sister

These ladies shouldered quite a load with me, particularly in the second half of my degree. Our mom-and-daughters text chain became one of a few repositories for my late night complaints about writer’s block or, more often, bemoaning the page limits I had long since left in the dust. (Over writer, here!) They quietly abided my nerdy rants or excitement about various topics as I researched and wrote.

Together they provided much needed humor along the way that brought levity, humility, and perspective when I was sucked into the headiest parts of a semester’s work. My mom kindly and faithfully gave herself to a lion’s share of proof-reading and editing before my assignments were due. Their participation with me even from a distance had a grounding influence as they have known me and my relationship with academics since childhood. 

Mom and Jen, thanks for your patience, encouragement, and humor with me during my master’s! Thanks for being a safe place for me to vent, celebrate, be impatient for grades/feedback to return, and be ridiculous in my perfectionistic tendencies. Even where you didn’t care, didn’t follow, or knew better, I have been honored to have you stick with me on the journey.

Abbey Cook

Abbey is a dear friend and was my roommate for nearly five years; she became an important contributor to a deep sense of home in Boston. Seminary-educated herself, long before I would be, she has always been a thoughtful and enjoyable conversation partner. As I began to consider more seriously the idea of pursuing graduate education, she was one of a few peers in my life who I knew would give me helpful and insightful input in this area, knowing both me and the process well.

Through conversations with Abbey I went from, “I know I’d like to pursue a master’s degree but I *don’t* want to do seminary,” to actively considering if seminary could actually be a fit for me. I distinctly remember leaning on her bed as she said, “why don’t you at least look up the different degree programs and see if any of the curriculum sticks out to you and seems appealing.” (Such simple advice that I clearly needed a nudge to execute. All I could picture up to that point was sitting in a room with know-it-all guys debating predestination and that was a ‘no thank you’ from me). Abbey remained a support and encouragement throughout my degree beyond the initial steps toward deciding to pursue it. 

Thank you, Abbey, for your faithful, honest, and encouraging friendship! I’m so grateful for your support and your example in ministry. Oh how I wish we still lived close, if not together! Still I’m grateful for the relationship we keep from a distance :)

Rachel Gilson

Rachel walked with me faithfully and with understanding when I first began to consider moving toward seminary. At that point she was already five years deep and so had invaluable insights into the process of studying alongside ministry and in the particulars of the institution itself. She helped introduce me to the distinctive characteristics of the Gordon-Conwell CUME campus, reminded/taught me how to effectively utilize an academic library, was frequently a passenger with me to and from campus, and lent me books and resources as she had capacity. I am grateful also for Andrew Gilson who gave of himself to fold me into the rhythms of their family in ways that supported me meaningfully on this journey.

Rachel was not only a friend and sister but was my closest conversation partner who challenged and encouraged me, seeing and affirming parts of me in unique and invaluable ways. She shared much of herself with me at intellectual and heart levels. I learned from her through conversations and editing her papers before I even started my own study and was blessed to have her as a first reader, and vice versa, as we studied, wrote, and ministered alongside one another.

While we were distinct in many of our methods and practices, we overlapped in meaningful areas of thought, faith, and nerdiness. We connected as well about the bane of overwriting and exceeding page limits. She was not only an inspiration and example to me but a specific encourager and champion in my endeavors.

Rachel, I am grateful for your imprint on my life and education in many ways; it’s hard to believe it’s now been over 10 years since our friendship began. You told me in 2019 that you believed “our hearts beat as one” and similarly, I see your fingerprints all over this degree and my accompanying development. It was a great privilege to walk with you in your own growth academically, spiritually, personally and professionally. Having you as a best friend/sister was an immeasurable gift to my life and I miss you and your family terribly. 

These lyrics from Wicked often remind me of us: “I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn; and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and they help us in return. Well I don’t know if I believe that’s true [I do], but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you…Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better [better], but — because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

I hope and pray one day we may encourage one another again. I love you dearly.

Christa Gould

As my roommate of the past few years, Christa has walked quite a road with me. She’s joined a long line of roommates who learn that I concentrate on my work best in front a tv playing programs that I can ignore; so while I may appear to be hanging out socially in the living room in front of my computer, in fact I’m often deep “in the zone.”

As a woman in academia, already with a master’s degree of her own, Christa became not only a valued conversation partner, but a dear friend and confidant. She has been an encourager and comrade in so many areas, my academic pursuits notwithstanding.

Christa, thank you for listening to my verbal processing and abiding so many seasons of the tv tray out in the living room while I spent evenings working in front of inane and repetitive episodes. Thanks for your patience with random stacks of books from semester to semester, especially in the era of “Hindu Jesus” [a paper I researched and wrote on a perspective of Jesus drawn from sacred Hindu texts; thus our shorthand reference. And no, there is not one cohesive Hindu perspective on Jesus]. Thanks for letting me rant and laugh with you about wacky classroom scenarios and for engaging my text complaints/laments about going over the page limit on every paper. So grateful for you!

Sarah Christensen

Sarah was a sweet acquaintance turned dear friend in the middle of my degree. She entered in during a season of deep loss and walked with me not only as a supportive friend but as a conversation partner about what each of us was learning as she also pursued her own seminary degree. Near weekly lunches, walks, or park hangouts became some of my favorite times during what would be her last year in Boston.

Sarah, thank you for your compassionate presence, faithful prayer, and encouraging words. I loved our lunches and walks; I can barely drink spiced tea without transporting back to your living room and the environment of welcome and support that you provided. I admire your mind and motivation to study as you raise your family and I know the Lord is using you to teach and encourage many! I miss you :)

Tori Noordhoek

I couldn’t have predicted that when I met Tori as a student involved in the ministry for which I work, that she would become such a dear friend and peer. Like several others in this list, she also outpaced me in completing her own master’s degree! Tori is a deep thinker, hard worker, and empathetic listener; her friendship has encouraged me in many ways throughout this degree and beyond.

Tori, thanks for your listening ear and for often just “getting it” on many levels with me. I have been grateful to think and process alongside you over the past 10+ years of our friendship. You encouraged me to lean into my love of crosswords to keep my head above water during a difficult season and you nudged me to finally embrace Brooklyn Nine-Nine to calm me down after a hysterical (anxious) phone call; these two suggestions have left an indelible mark on my coping mechanisms and relaxation tactics and for that I’ll be forever grateful :) I look forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside you in the years ahead!

Liza Silvestri

I also met Liza when she was a student and couldn’t have foreseen how our relationship would grow and manifest in beautiful ways. I remember Liza’s encouragement in the early years of my degree when we processed together in our church small group, but these last several years have increased our connections and deepened our bond. I have enjoyed working on our master’s degrees at the same time for several years and, for the briefest period, having class at the same time and place.

She has been a faithful encourager, empathetic listener, and thoughtful conversation partner in many areas whether academic, spiritual, or emotional.

Liza, I am so grateful for you and your friendship! Thanks for thinking and processing with me. Thanks for crying and laughing with me. I have been blessed by you in this journey and I’m excited and hopeful for how the Lord will work in your education and career thereafter! I look forward to continuing to grow with you.

Ying Craver

Ying has been a faithful and encouraging friend who I’ve known for almost 14 years! I’ve loved getting to serve side by side with her in ministry for nearly as long and I’m so grateful for the ways that God has encouraged, challenged, and taught me through our relationship with one another and in community together.

It was a particular privilege to eventually pursue our seminary degrees at the same time while also working on the same team in full time ministry. It must have been the first master’s degree under her belt that gave her the boost to begin her second degree after me and finish before me! I am so grateful for the ways her thoughtfulness and commitment have taught me about myself, others, and the Lord.

Ying, I am honored to have you in my life! Thanks for your consistent encouragement and support during this degree. I’m grateful for the many semesters we could sit together through convocation and spiritual formation training before heading immediately to help sort through new student surveys after Splash :) I admire you and love seeing how the Lord works through you!

Many friends and church small group members have prayed for and encouraged me in this process. Courtney (Meijers) Boyer, Laura (Collins) Witkop, Sophia McLean, Theresa Lingenfelter, Kylie Mean, and Katie Bigelow processed with me particularly in the early days of discerning direction and beginning my degree. Kristin Josti, Lisa Corsetto, Amy Winter, Amanda Whipple, Emily Abraham, and Lindsay Fattlar, among many others, have walked with me in more recent years! I enjoyed getting to do the master’s thing at the same time with Lindsay for several years, both of us balancing homework, class, and full time jobs as single ladies.

Laura Saylor has been a faithful friend and prayer partner, especially as I reached the end of this degree and began seeking the Lord for further direction. She has big faith and is an encourager extraordinaire. 

Though we’d been connected for years, Katelyn and David Hannan became friends both far too late and at just the right time in my seminary journey. I can’t imagine my last year of school without them! I have benefited from their thoughtfulness, courage, honesty, and advice as I finished this degree and began to consider what’s next. I am so grateful we get to live more Boston life together!

Zach Barton and John Josti generously lent me several textbooks along the way, helping me save money and discern which resources I would most want to acquire for myself in the end. They even went so far as to mail me books during early pandemic days when I was stuck out of state taking multiple online courses!

Dr. Alison Cook provided years of support and encouragement as I processed my spiritual, emotional, and academic development. Her insight and example have had a profound impact in my life.

Chris Sather provided invaluable support through prayer, presence, and processing in my last semester. I am unendingly grateful for her wisdom and encouragement as she trusts the Lord with me for the season ahead and entrusts me to him in all things.

Many Bridges and Cru staff have provided encouragement, made allowances, and even paved the way for me to pursue theological education over the past many years. Todd Williams and Malisa Ellis were more than supportive as co-leaders (and friends) when I added seminary to the ministry equation; Todd was one of several who set the example of how to pursue this in faithful and integrated ways. I’m grateful to those on my Bridges teams throughout the years of my study — Chenchen Liu, Christina Li, Liyuan Peng, Helen Layman, (and Ying) — who supported my investment in school while leading the team. Cenia Wong, Kim Swanson, and Tammy McLeod set examples as staff women in Boston who pursued and completed degrees, showing that it was an accessible option for women in ministry. I still remember sitting across from Cenia at Peet’s Coffee in Brattle Square during my first visit to Boston in 2008 and considering that a master’s degree would be possible for me in the years ahead. 

Jocelyn Scott, Byron Straughn, and Regina Pei-Chan have facilitated excellent theological courses through Cru that have allowed me to develop as a teacher/coach and apply my education in life-giving and, hopefully, fruitful ways. I’ve loved getting to collaborate and banter with Jocelyn and Byron and exchange months of emails with Regina, discussing hopes and questions about study ahead. I am also grateful for the Bridges and Cru staff who have participated in my coaching groups and encouraged me in my development as a teacher and minister; it’s a joy to still call several of them friends.

Nancy Wallace, Laura Tietz, and Austin Thompson helped with approval and processes and alongside others of my superiors, such as Trae Vacek, Meagin Goff, Jim Layman, and Alyson Niemann, encouraged my education as a part of my leadership. Vee Janjarasskul has become a dear friend and specific encouragement in the more recent era of this process, praying for and with me, and even sending me a Panera gift card in the final days of my integrative paper to make sure I was fed amidst the busyness. These are just some of many friends/colleagues who have walked with me over the past 7 years of study amidst ministry!

I would not be able to serve in ministry or pursue theological education without my many faithful and generous financial and prayer partners. While there are many who have contributed in consistent ways, a few in particular have invested specific resources right when I needed them for seminary. Anne and Richard Price, Brandon and Amy Addison, Lindsey and Sara Boney and Susie and Rick McNeely– thank you for your generosity and support in helping me continue in my education during specific semesters when I had financial need. Your investment with me in this has been meaningful and I pray it will continue to be fruitful!

I could not be more grateful that my first seminary class was Biblical Hebrew with Professor Quonekuia Day. The languages were what most drew me to seminary so I figured I’d start there; if I didn’t like them after all, better to know sooner than later! Professor Day is such an excellent educator and was specifically encouraging to me as a new student. Learning more of her story and seeing how the Lord was using her encouraged me to continue in my study and helped me envision a path ahead.

I was amply encouraged in studying under Dr. Mark Jennings for most of my Koine Greek and NT exegesis cycle. Having four semesters in a row with him certainly allowed me to benefit from his scholarship and pastoral applications of the material. I am grateful for the 2 ½ + hours he spent on the phone with me more recently in helping me discern my options for moving forward with theological education beyond this degree.

I will forever be grateful that I got to experience and benefit from Dr. Emmett Price’s leadership during what would turn out to be his final days at GCTS. He exposed our class (and so many students) to a diversity of perspectives and resources that challenged us and molded us into greater Christlikeness. He values justice, humility, cultural intelligence, and relational righteousness in ways that impact all who encounter him in deep ways. GCTS did not deserve the gift of himself that he gave, but I remain grateful for his dedication, wisdom, and care.

Though I sat in on some of her classes before I was officially a student, it took many years before finally taking a proper course with Dr. Donna Petter. I’m so glad I opened up an extra elective in my final year to take her class on Exodus. I am also extremely grateful for her leadership and care in serving as my faculty director for my final integrative paper for my master’s degree. She extended patience and latitude for my big ideas and helped me navigate toward focus and clarity. Dr. Petter guided me not only with academic rigor but with heartfelt compassion, thinking and brainstorming with me, crying with me, and praying with and for me. I am grateful for her work and her example and the ways she pours herself into her students as whole people.

Thank you to all who are mentioned above and to many more who have contributed meaningfully to my life and continue to do so. Excited to see what is on the horizon!