Finding Her Community: Funding Her Future by Courtney Henry

Finding Her Community, Funding Her Future

Maggie Johnson, MDiv/MAPT ’25 is Columbia’s inaugural Florence Hill Morris Memorial Presidential Scholarship recipient . This scholarship is an academic honors award that goes to a student with high academic achievement who intends to be ordained . The scholarship was established by former Trustee and long-time supporter William S . “Billy” Morris III . It honors his mother, Florence Hill Morris, and nurtures future leadership in preaching and teaching the gospel .

INTERVIEW BY COURTNEY HENRY MDIV/MAPT ’24

Originally from Little Rock, AR, Maggie Johnson graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2019 with a degree in Psychology. After serving a church in Dallas, TX for two years she made the move to Decatur, GA and Columbia. Her home church congregation is Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.

Why did you choose to come to seminary? I chose coming to seminary because I’ve always had the same church experience my whole life: one experience, one theology and I’m very grateful for it! I wouldn’t necessarily change that for anything, but I do love being in a classroom where everybody has a different experience than my own. I think we’re better because of it.

What initially drew you to Columbia?

The amazing faculty! Every conversation I had with a faculty member felt so conversational and lifegiving and it felt like they were truly invested in me and my faith discernment journey which was really special.

What has been your favorite thing about this past semester here? I think back to l the professors. Professors knew my name after the first day. I would be walking on campus and pass by Dr. Breed and even the second week he’d be like “hey Maggie!” There would be like 20 or 30 of us in that class, all in masks, and he still recognized me and knew my name. That just really made me feel like this was my community immediately.

What is something that you think sets Columbia apart from the other Presbyterian seminaries?

I think something special about Columbia is that it is embracing change even though it’s hard. I think there’s a lot of room to grow and a lot of room for grace, but at least the church and the seminary as a whole is, in my mind, what the Kingdom of God should look like. There are various perspectives, various backgrounds, diverse interpretations of scripture, and that is something that I wanted when I came to seminary.

How did you receive the Presidential scholarship? All throughout the seminary [application] process, financial and scholarship packages were always the hinge that determined if I was going to be able to go to seminary. Around March, I got my scholarship package from Columbia. I opened the scholarship letter and was awarded the Florence Hill Morris scholarship which gave me everything I could have asked for and more, which was just a huge relief! I think within 30 minutes of receiving that letter I submitted that “yes” I was officially coming to Columbia! It was the best thing to be able to think “Okay, I can go and fully engage in theological education with no financial obligation,” which is an immense privilege that I wish more people had access to. And that I’m super grateful that I have access to. Scholarships like this continue to prove to me that the church is alive in the world, and I believe in the goodness of the church. I believe that financial stewardship goes beyond just giving on Sunday mornings. While that is super important, I think it also goes into what do we invest our time and money into and the fact that people are investing their money in seminarians is really helpful for me as someone who is hopeful to be a pastor later on.

If a prospective student was looking at Columbia, what’s a piece of advice you would give them about here?

You’re not just here for academics. You’re here to build your life and to build your discernment and your vocation for three to four years depending on your program. It’s about where you can see yourself living life and becoming who God created you to be and if that space is Columbia, then I think—yes— that’s awesome!

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Every day, at Columbia Theological Seminary we are called to educate and nurture faithful, imaginative, and resilient leaders for the sake of the Church and the world .

In a time such as this, when effective pastoral leadership is especially vital to our congregations, health care settings and nonprofit organizations serving locally and globally, this calling is more compelling than ever.

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No matter what pressing needs emerge over this 21-22 academic year, your contribution helps Columbia remain steadfast in its mission of preparing the next generation of pastoral leaders for ministry in a complex world.

Emily Mooneyhan, MDiv ’20, is serving in her first call as a solo pastor of two small South Carolina congregations in yoked ministry— bringing together siblings in Christ from two different faith traditions.

“I accepted my first call at the beginning of the pandemic, and I am so grateful for my Columbia education and formation which prepared me well for the complexities of ministry in quickly changing times. The generosity of Columbia’s supporters made it possible for me to respond to my call to seminary. This generosity, during and even now, after seminary, is a great and liberating gift. I continue to be grateful for what donor support made possible for me and now makes possible for those future leaders who come behind me.”

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