October 02, 2017
Wesley Biblical Seminary hosted a fall weekend retreat for students and alumni on Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The weekend was designed to help students understand how to engage with their local contexts. On Saturday, members of the faculty presented topics on the intersection between their academic disciplines and the practical work of ministry.
The weekend was part of Wesley Biblical Seminary’s commitment to preparing its students to engage thoughtfully and passionately with their local contexts. The personal interaction between faculty and students allowed for significant theological reflection and ministry formation.
Professors taught and led discussions at various locations around the Jackson-metro area. Dr. Matt Friedeman hosted a learning session about the local church’s involvement in its community in front of Mississippi’s last remaining abortion clinic, as students and faculty discussed how a local church should be missional.
Around a dozen online students participated in the weekend, with students traveling from as far away as Wisconsin and California to be part of the event. The experience gave these students a closer connection to some of the faculty and students they interact with online each week in class.
“It was inspiring to see how faithfully our professors walk around in the truth,” one student said. “They do not merely teach; they live out their words. You can tell that the word of God has been steeped in them so deeply that it just pours out.”
The weekend retreat concluded with a dinner at President John Neihof’s home. Dr. Neihof shared with students and alumni about Wesley Biblical Seminary’s desire to provide a personal and transformational theological education in an increasingly impersonal educational system.
The retreat was an expression of Wesley Biblical Seminary’s emphasis on theological application and the seminary’s commitment to personal, transforming education. One of the participants said, “[This weekend] made me thankful that I am part of a community that isn’t focused only on day-to-day jobs but on doing the Father’s work outside of the WBS building too.”