Interview with Students: Paige and Micah

Walking through the dorm hallways.

What made you want to come to Bible college?

Paige: I wanted to pursue a higher education, and I’ve always wanted to go to Bible college. This was a kind of leap of faith because it was so far away, but also something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.

Micah: For me, it was pretty much all my parents. They were the ones who recommended it. They never pushed it on me. But it was there and then they said I should pray about it. So I did and I found myself signing up very quickly after that.

Is it similar to what you expected or different? What surprised you?

Paige: I would say it’s both. I already have gone through two years of college and so going through this college is both familiar in the classes and schedule and how homework works and also different with the community style and the fellowship. And also how personal the actual curriculum is and how personal the assignments are. I would say what makes them personal is the fact that it affects our faith more than just, “Oh, you should learn about English.” It’s something that affects your daily life. It’s something that should be important to you and shouldn’t be just information you regurgitate. It’s actually important.

Micah: I had no idea what to expect. I would say I did not expect it to be like this with regards to the community aspect. It’s a huge part of this Bible school. I would say it’s way better than I expected.

Fellowship with community.

What’s your favorite part of Bible college?

Paige: The community. How tightly packed in we are and just the amount of unique lives that we share together. We’ve all come together for various different reasons, but we all are here for one reason.

Micah: Ya, I agree. I love the community. I love the friends and the living situation. You’re around everybody all the time. It’s wonderful. You get to know so many great people. And the teachers, the staff, your classmates, it’s just wonderful.

What are some ways you’re being discipled here?

Paige: The deans make an effort to be friendly and they love when you just say, “Hey, can we go out for coffee?” or “Hey, I wanted to try this antique shop,” or something. Just being able to walk with them, chat with them whenever. Pop into their office. Also, the staff is always willing for a little conversation.

Micah: Ya, in terms of formal discipleship definitely deans. It’s wonderful getting to hangout with the guys every two weeks and hear from them. Kinda give them a rundown of how school is going. My elders at my church. I love my church. It’s wonderful having different men to turn to and ask advice from. And then just friends, like, informal discipleship. I think all your friends should be kinda like the mirror that shows you where you should grow.

Coffee chat with a dormmate.

Where do you see yourself going after Bible college?

Paige: I actually don’t know. I might pursue higher education. Maybe get a degree in history, archaeology, physics, something.

Micah: It’s good to have an open hand. I am willing to do whatever God calls me to–overseas missions or living here. My desire is to serve the local church here and serve the body in that way. Whatever area God opens up, I can do.

How have classes grown you?

Paige: Already I’ve found it easy to grow in fellowship. Also, in my understanding of how interconnected the Bible is. Specifically Matt Zowada’s class- Biblical Foundations.  It’s so much fun and like today we were going over how the connections in the Bible range between the Old Testament within itself and the New Testament. It’s just so complicated. I love seeing the huge design in all of it.

Micah: I think it’s really hard for me to separate classroom growth from just life at school. Learning about God’s Word, it’s a sanctifying tool. Being here in this environment you get to practice what you’re learning every day from class to lunch and then work. I think it’s wonderful the way it works, and I think I’ve grown a lot over the past year.

Life in the dorm.

How would you describe dorm life?

Paige: It’s complicated living in kind of codependent living. You’re all independent people and you’re all going to school for different reasons and have different social lives, but you’re also living in the same place. So it’s like a very intricate dance of just kind of making sure you don’t step on each other’s toes, but also having fun with it.

Micah: Ya, complicated is a good word. It’s amazing to think that we have so many people coming from so many different cultures, walks of life, and backgrounds…all being thrown into a room together. See what that does and how that challenges you to think differently and to be gracious and to grow and to use what you’re learning in class practically in those situations.