If you see third-year master of divinity student Charles Irving at Candler School of Theology, he’s likely not alone. For Charles, that’s very intentional. “My heart for my whole ministry is connecting with students to make sure they feel welcome and to create opportunities for students to be in fellowship together,” he explains.
Ministry with Fellow Students Changed Career Path
Creating community formed the path for Charles’ journey to Candler. As a United Methodist and student at the University of Alabama, Charles became very involved in the Wesley Foundation.“I decided I really liked working with students. I didn’t think I’d be in that kind of ministry, but I was so in love with it,” he beams. “We really wanted to cultivate an open and inviting environment for students.”
A poignant experience where Charles interacted with the friends and family of a drowning victim solidified his call to ministry. “That was the ‘aha’ moment for me,” he says. “I felt unequipped and not ready for those conversations, but I felt I really wanted to help people in those situations.”
Charles’ original plan following graduation was to go to law school. “I ended up telling my pastor that maybe law school wasn’t for me and maybe I should go into ministry,” he says. “And he told me not to!” His pastor wanted to make sure Charles was choosing ministry for the right reasons and that he understood the commitment it would take. Charles ultimately decided to go to seminary.
With what he describes as the Alabama Wesley Foundation’s “pipeline” to Candler, Charles knew that Candler was always going to be his choice. “I also love Atlanta,” he adds. “This is one of the most diverse places I’ve ever been in.”
Making a Difference in the Lives of Others
At Candler Charles continues his extensive engagement with other students. Involved with seemingly every office and student organization at the school, he serves as social chair of the Candler Coordinating Council student organization and as a student worker or volunteer with the offices of Admissions, Events, Student Life, Academic Affairs, Advancement and Alumni Engagement, La Mesa Academy and more. He has found that this broad involvement is not just preparation for future ministry, but ministry in the here and now. “There isn’t a stranger to me here,” he explains. “I’ve found at Candler that meeting people is ministry—seeing where people are and constantly being in connection with them.”
As a certified candidate for ordination as an elder in the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, Charles received a full-tuition scholarship to Candler. “Having that scholarship alleviated so much stress and burden,” Charles says. “It allowed me to focus on the occupational pursuits I need to do as part of my degree and the ministerial aspirations that I have.”
Charles shares his special appreciation for donors as he encourages others to attend Candler. “I tell them, ‘I’m going to be honest with you. There are a lot of schools you can go to, but the generosity that flows into Candler is abounding.’ Ministry is difficult, but scholarships have really made it so I can be attentive to what God is calling me to do in ministry.”
Your Generosity Matters
Your support of the Ministerial Education Fund Apportionment helps schools like Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA prepare people to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. Your generosity enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands.
story by Martha Perusek, Lead Director of Development, Emory|Candler School of Theology
This story shows the power of the Ministerial Education Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to prepare and equip those answering God’s call to ministry. Your church’s support provides theological education, scholarships, and leadership development through our United Methodist seminaries and boards of ordained ministry. Together, we ensure that faithful, well-prepared leaders continue to guide the Church into the future.
When your church supports the Ministerial Education Fund, you invest in the next generation of United Methodist clergy and leaders.
