The Study Center, Spring 2016

A PUBLICATION OF THE CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDY

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MAY 2016

FROM STUDENT to STAFF An Unexpected Path to Medicine - Story on p.6

THIS ISSUE: STUDY CENTER STAFF

Business By Faith

by Kelly Gerhardt, 2015-2016 Darden Christian Fellowship President, page 3

Thinking Like a Lawyer, with the Mind of Christ

by Josh Burk, 2015-2016 Law Christian Fellowship President, page 4

From Student to Staff: An Unexpected Path to Medicine

by Vincent Morra, page 6

BILL WILDER

Executive Director bill@studycenter.net

LANE COWIN

Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Women lane@studycenter.net

FITZ GREEN

Director of Educational Ministries fitz@studycenter.net

On the cover: As our Facilities and Program Assistant, Vincent Morra helps the Center for Christian Study to operate smoothly each week. One way he serves students throughout the year is by preparing snacks for our Friday afternoon reading groups. (Photo by Brittany Fan)

JAY MCCABE

Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Men jay@studycenter.net

VINCENT MORRA

Facilities + Program Assistant vincent@studycenter.net

TRISH OWEN

Library trish@studycenter.net

SHELLY PELLISH

Director of Administration + Development shelly@studycenter.net

A N N UAL F U ND

DEBBIE RODRIGUEZ

2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6

Director of Finance debbie@studycenter.net

LISA ROHRER

Communications + Program Assistant lisa@studycenter.net

JACLYN STOKES

Communications + Program Assistant jaclyn@studycenter.net

AMY ZELL

Director of Counseling Resources amy@studycenter.net

WHO WE ARE We are a non-profit education and outreach ministry serving the University of Virginia and Charlottesville since 1976. We seek to serve Jesus Christ by fostering the serious consideration in the university environment of a Biblical worldview, and

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by encouraging and facilitating wise discussion of the Truth in light of the challenges of contemporary culture.

CONTACT US Phone: (434) 817-1050 Email: info@studycenter.net Website: www.studycenter.net Twitter: studycenteruva Facebook: studycenteruva The Study Center Newsletter is published for our friends and supporters.

University Christian Ministries, Inc. (dba Center for

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Christian Study) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation EIN 51-0192618.

BUSINESS BY FAITH A Darden Christian Fellowship Update

by Kelly Gerhardt Outgoing Darden Christian Fellowship President Hello Study Center & DCF Alumni Community, It has been a joy serving on the Darden Christian Fellowship (DCF) Leadership Team this year. As a firstyear student at Darden, I was incredibly blessed by the teaching and fellowship of DCF and was very excited to be part of extending this experience to our incoming Class of 2017. Based on my conversations with Darden alumni, DCF has really grown over the years and has become a vibrant community of believers learning how to love God during our time as students and how to integrate faith and work post-Darden.

Under the leadership of six, second-year students, DCF aims to (1) bring in speakers to explore the intersection of faith and work, (2) facilitate weekly Bible studies and community groups, (3) coordinate retreats and conferences that promote Biblical teaching, (4) plan fellowship and Darden-wide events, and (5) facilitate domestic and international service activities. This year’s DCF members have been particularly influenced by both the consistency of our programs and the content discussed in our community.

“DCF has helped me maintain a sense of purpose during my chaotic first year at Darden,” DCF member Blair Belling said. “Over the past few months, our class faced the challenges of completing intense core courses, managing recruiting commitments, and trying to establish the balance of social and academic life. By attending DCF’s Bible study on Tuesdays and women’s small group on Thursdays, I was able to keep my faith at the forefront of my mind and maintain a prayerful outlook when my commitments felt overwhelming.”

Students like Blair have also been encouraged in their Christian walk through interactions with other believers. “DCF has been a source of friendship and fellowship. The group has introduced me to inspiring, supportive Christians at Darden, many of whom provided me with encouragement and perspective as I navigated the ups and downs of my first year. Weekly meetings, speaker series, pasta dinners, and the Believers in

Business Conference in New York City were wonderful times I shared with fellow DCF members,” Blair said.

“Darden itself has been an opportunity to trust in God and in His vision for me, and I am thankful to DCF for highlighting how God plays a role in everything we do as we pursue our MBA degrees.”

Several members of DCF also attended a retreat this spring facilitated through Generous Giving, an organization committed to encouraging Christians to steward and give their finances wisely. Harvard Business School graduate and co-author of God and Money John Cortines led a series of discussions and presented several stories about how business leaders have found freedom in the gospel to serve others with their financial and social means. “Attending Generous Giving gave me an opportunity to think seriously about how God blesses us with His gifts, how I am to steward them wisely, and how I am to share whatever I receive generously,” outgoing DCF Vice President of Education Kyle Galle said. “As I am so close to completing my Masters at Darden, the retreat helped me step back, reflect on God’s will for my life, and contemplate steps to safeguard my family from the dangers of seeking financial wealth apart from my faith and relationship with God.” DCF has been a blessing in more ways than one. In the midst of a busy curriculum and overwhelming recruiting process, we have seen the Lord at work, reminding us what it means to “be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). I look forward to seeing how DCF continues to grow in its outreach and understanding of Jesus, and am very thankful for the Study Center’s partnership in the gospel through this community.

In Him, Kelly Gerhardt 2015-16 DCF President

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THINKING LIKE A LAWYER, WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST A Law Christian Fellowship Update

by Josh Burk Outgoing Law Christian Fellowship President Christian community on North Grounds takes on a different shape every semester. With the arrival of a new school year comes new opportunities to serve and represent Christ in the U.Va. law community.

As an addition to 1L orientation this year, first-year law students were given the opportunity to choose an activity with a sponsoring organization. Eighteen first-year students selected to spend an afternoon with Law Christian Fellowship (LCF) at Trinity Mission, a medical recovery center for the impoverished elderly. Many patients at Trinity Mission never receive visitors and many have been there for months. A combined group of 3L, 2L, and 1L students separated into groups and spent time engaging with these patients. We learned their stories, prayed with the residents, and even gave away some Bibles. This was just the beginning of what has been a banner year for LCF. The fall semester began with a few minor changes to the LCF schedule. We moved our weekly events to Tuesday nights, and made the strategic decision to provide food for students as often as possible. We also made the choice to separate LCF from any political or ideological agenda, seeing our mission at

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the Law School as exclusively about preaching and demonstrating the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this effort, the leadership team and the members at large succeeded immensely in reaching out and providing dialogue about faith to those not often welcoming of spiritually-based discussions.

A good portion of this year’s success came from the support of faculty and staff of the law school and the surrounding community. Professors Margo Bagley, Andrew Hayashi, and the Senior Assistant Dean for Career Services, Kevin Donovan, hosted Bible studies and dinners in their homes for LCF members; Professor Gordon Hylton hosted a year-long book club in his home to discuss William Wilbeforce’s Real Christianity; and Professor (and Center for Christian Study Board Member) Barbara Armacost continued her spring-time tradition of leading a vocational book club for 3L students. Moreover, Bill Wilder and Fitz Green from the Center for Christian Study provided incredible support in terms of resources and opportunities for spiritual dialogue. This paragraph would be remiss without mentioning Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Rick Moore, who continued to frequent LCF events

Pictured: LCF students enjoy each other’s company at their End of the Year Picnic.

“LCF is a gem at U.Va.’s School of Law, not by its programs and events, though those are phenomenal, but by the way in which the organization seeks to

and graciously hosted the annual LCF Christmas party with his wife.

We are deeply indebted to these leaders, and we are infinitely grateful for their support.

As the LCF President this school year, the greatest blessing for me came from the amazing support of our leadership team. Never have I been a part of a team that was composed of people so quick to give of themselves, so willing to serve, and so open to let God’s love shine through them. The hardest part of graduating law school on my part will be leaving this encouraging community of believers in the gospel. This organization would not have functioned without their tireless and sacrificial efforts.

As LCF prepares for the 20162017 school year, I am confident that great things are ahead. We leave the organization in the hands of people that have true hearts to serve Christ in this environment.

Please join me in praying for their continued success in making Christ known to students on Virginia’s law school campus.

love and care for the community at the law school and beyond. Through the faculty-student bible study dinner series, weekly prayer gatherings, and semester retreats organized by LCF, my walk with the Lord has been incredibly fortified. The Lord has provided me companions with whom I can share the ups and downs of life and faith in Christ, especially through LCF’s mentoring program, community service opportunities, and informal social gatherings. The weekly talks and timely seminars sponsored by LCF have helped me to not merely think like a lawyer, but think like a lawyer ardently seeking after God’s heart and kingdom with the mind of Christ, provided by His Spirit. LCF has been an ever-present support system this year. I am grateful for how I have been able to experience the power, love, and care of Christ within the law school setting. As I transition from a 1L to 2L student, I have the privilege of helping others experience this love throughout their time in law school as we study God’s Word, pray with one another, and worship our great God. It is a joy for me to serve this community during my time here, and for years to come.”

-De’Siree Reeves, 1L University of Virginia School of Law STUDY CE NTE R NE WSLE TTE R M AY 20 16 S PAG E 5

FROM STUDENT to STAFF An Unexpected Path to Medicine

by Vincent Morra, vincent@studycenter.net Facilities and Program Assistant

I was first introduced to the Center for Christian Study my second year at U.Va. I had recently joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and several friends from this fellowship encouraged me to come to this home on Chancellor Street to study and hang out. I showed up and fell in love with the place. I soon met Jay McCabe, the Director of Undergraduate Ministries for Men, and learned more about the mission of the Study Center. During our conversations, he told me about the Study Center’s residential program - a unique, year-long commitment for students to participate in the Study Center by way of weekly dinners, discussions, communal living and seminary courses.

I applied and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to live at the Study Center both my third and fourth years at the university. Looking back, my time at the Center for Christian Study was, by far, the highlight of my undergraduate experience. I grew to understand God as a loving Father, had the opportunity to live in an incredible community, and formed friendships that I will have for the rest of my life.

As an Elzinga Residential Scholar, several highlights included the opportunity to grow in community with other scholars, our Thursday evening dinners and discussions on various faith and cultural topics, and the ability to make the Study Center, which had become my home, a home for other students as well.

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During my fourth year, I worked as an intern on a student team that helped the staff welcome students daily to this place. I led student volunteers during programs and events like Exam Snacks, drove underclassmen home after dark, cared for this building by cleaning and preparing it for students, and, overall, loved students by making them feel welcomed and comfortable in this community. These opportunities to serve new and old faces alike helped nurture my desire to serve others in various capacities after graduating, as well.

My fourth-year self had it all planned out: I would attend medical school after graduation and transition right into helping and healing patients as a physician.

But, as it turns out, God had a different path laid out before my feet.

Following graduation from U.Va. in 2013, I entered a Master’s program in Biomedicine with the ultimate goal of attending medical school. In the summer of 2015, I moved back to Charlottesville to take additional classes. It was at this time that Shelly Pellish approached me about an opportunity to work at the Study Center for the year as I applied to medical school. As a member of the Study Center staff this year, I have had the opportunity to work alongside and be mentored by loving and caring staff members, serve the hundreds of students that walk through the Study Center doors each day, and learn to praise the Lord for His faithfulness and perfect timing.

There are several experiences from this past year in particular for which I am most grateful. As a staff member, I have been able to develop relationships with and mentor a number of students in both formal and informal settings. As anyone who frequents the

Pictured: During the busyness of Exam Snacks, Vincent takes some time to serve alongside parents like Mrs. Cosgro who come to help out with this event; Vincent mentors fourth-year intern, Josh Oswald, in our front room on a weekday afternoon. (Photos by Brittany Fan.)

Study Center knows, the kitchen is the central hub for towards broken and doubting people, because I have conversations. I have been fortunate enough to spend experienced the reality of Christ’s grace towards me in countless hours in that location talking about faith, the midst of my own anxieties over the years. academics, and life in general with students who pop in and out for coffee all day. We have talked about life goals, personal experiences, the “I have experienced the daunting reality of significance of Christian community, and finding our true identity in Christ rather trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together to than academic achievements.

pursue my vocational calling, but if there’s one thing I have learned, it is that God’s timing is I have also had the opportunity to learn many of the ins and outs of running a nonperfect and He has a plan set out for us.” profit by working alongside the Study Center directors and board members. I have worked behind the scenes to plan logistics for Study Center events that I remember benefitting from as a student myself. Through these experiences, I have gained perspective and appreciation for the Study Center and the time and energy put into these events.

Finally and most excitingly, whether it be through my interactions with students, being mentored by staff members, or through educational lectures, the Lord has used this hitch in my own plans to teach me how to cast off my fears and doubts and trust in what He has done, and is doing. I now have a much stronger foundation from which to share my faith with others and a more accurate picture of Jesus to proclaim through my work. As I enter a field that stereotypically separates faith and science, I am excited to be able to build bridges connecting science with a faith in God, and share this understanding of God’s work with my peers. I am eager to spread the gospel of Christ’s grace

As I prepare to leave the Study Center in a few months to attend medical school, I am ever grateful for the opportunity I have had to see so many sides of this incredible organization. I have spent time studying at the Center as a student, living in the basement as a residential scholar, visiting while in graduate school, and now working at the Study Center as a member of the staff. Though I never would have imagined myself going back home for graduate school and then spending this past year back in Charlottesville, I could not be more thankful for these opportunities. I have experienced the daunting reality of trying to fit all the puzzle pieces together to pursue my vocational calling, but if there’s one thing I have learned, it is that God’s timing is perfect and He has a plan set out for us. He is faithful when we are faithless, and He lovingly guides us and allows us to grow through these unexpected experiences.

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