Horizon offers students a course that stands at the intersection between classroom learning and ministry engagement . Here is a special testimonial from one of our Ministry Formation students!
Hello! My name is Lilly, and I just finished my second year of Bible College. This year I transferred to Horizon and just completed my first year in the Youth Ministry Program.
A major part of the school at Horizon is Ministry Formation, which is a class in which students are required to be involved in at least 2 hours of ministry per week, debrief experiences, and study what the Bible says about ministry.
I was involved with the youth ministry program at Ebeneezer Baptist Church, where I was a weekly life group leader, and involved in a speaking role. This means that every week for about three hours, I would be connecting with and mentoring a group of girls. Additionally, I was involved in SOAR Sask, youth retreats, and Youth Quake.
One of the main things God taught me through Ministry Formation is the importance of being filled with the Word in order to be equipped. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 was one of our memory verses for this course, and it reads:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
One major reality of this that I have learned this year is that the more you rely on God personally, the more you will be able to hear his voice when he leads you to others. You, as one who serves, must be continually filled with Scripture and walk closely to the Lord. The saying goes: you cannot pour from an empty cup. When you allow God to be the one who fills your cup, you can do more than you ever would have imagined.
Another important thing I learned this year in my Ministry Formation placement is that everything you do matters. From deep conversations about God, to playing dodgeball. Each interaction you have with a youth is important because it gives you the opportunity to show them the love and character of Christ. When you invite Jesus into every interaction you have with a young person, the Holy Spirit can guide the conversation in beautiful ways you never would have imagined. I have seen this wonder-working power first hand, and I could not be more grateful.
Equipped for Life & Ministry
Horizon’s education model moves students beyond just passing classes to requiring them to demonstrate competency in a measurable way. Students need to be ready for the real world, and our competency-based approach prepares them with the knowledge, skills, and character they need to succeed in life and ministry.
Ministry Formation is involvement in field education where learning moves from the textual to the contextual, from the classroom to the church or community, with hands-on ministry as the primary textbook. It is done so with input and guidance from a supervisor-mentor and provides opportunity for all six of Horizon’s competencies to be tested, honed, and nurtured.
Jayna Snider
Jayna is the Communications Coordinator for Horizon College & Seminary.
