‘15
builders by J. Barrett Owen
“match program.” They assist newly arrived immigrants in Clarkston in several ways: going to the grocery store, helping navigate public transit like MARTA, conducting meetings around topics such as what to wear for interviews, etc. Of all of the jobs and responsibilities Ryan and Megan share, Peachtree Baptist feels the most like what God is preparing them for long term. Since Dr. Daniel Vestal became pastor, the ministerial staff has taken on an experimental form. Instead of hiring full-time positions, they’re bringing on seminary students as pastoral associates in order to provide a learning ground for ministry. “I focus on pastoral relations and outreach” said Ryan. “Megan works on retention and maintaining relationships with those whom are already members – especially the youth.” And the truth is, both love what they do. But they’re learning ministry is tough. “It’s really hard to be married and do all this” said Megan. “The hardest part is when people think it’s easier being married. Caring for others while remaining emotionally available to my partner who is also giving of himself...it’s tough. We change together, and we aren’t the same people we were when we got married. I’m helping him change and he’s helping me change. We constantly evaluate and reevaluate where we are and what’s upcoming. Honestly, at times, it’s exhausting.”
But the upsides far outweigh the downsides, and McAfee plays a critical role in developing Megan and Ryan as ministers. “McAfee’s given me a renewed love for the church” said Ryan. “Classes like Baptist Heritage helped me solidify what Baptists believe, and now I feel like I’m in line with a chorus of witnesses. I’m more confident with my Baptist heritage, and I look forward to connecting with CBF. Also, the personal conversations, the intimate ones with professors, have made Megan and me more secure, more hopeful to be ministers. As a matter of fact, McAfee’s given me the rhetoric needed to express my theological beliefs and feelings, and it equips me to make pastoral decisions.” “The things I learn in class,” said Megan, “resonate with my soul. I take ideas and projects into the church, but the church doesn’t always receive these ideas and projects with the same enthusiasm. I’m learning to accept the fact that as a minister it’s not my job to change people into who I want them to be. The best thing I can do is continue to offer a welcoming atmosphere where people feel validated and heard. I see God in people like Ms. Mary and Ms. Eva when they selflessly cook every Wednesday night; they’re in their 80s. I see God in the fact that Dr. Vestal doesn’t make us feel like we’re his puppets. He makes me feel heard and equal.” Since starting at Peachtree, Ryan feels like the biggest difference now is his call to preach. “This road has been weird. I thought when I started McAfee that I was going into missions. I wanted to go and ‘do,’ and I wanted to ‘do’ it across the world. Now I feel called to help the local church experience God’s grace. I didn’t think I wanted to preach, but Peachtree helped me see I have real gifts here. I feel the presence of God most clearly when I proclaim God’s word. I now find myself working on my next sermon all the time.” Two years ago neither Ryan nor Megan would have worked in a church. And now here they are. They’re confident, skilled and ready to partner with God through the local church. They face obstacles, get frustrated and are always scrambling from one thing to the next. But at the end of the day, they sleep soundly knowing they are participating in God’s ongoing creation of the world.