Andrews University Students Participate in Field School of Evangelism

In partnership with the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Andrews University’s Department of Religion & Biblical Languages recently conducted its biannual Field School of Evangelism.

Under the instruction and guidance of department chair and associate professor of religion Rodney Palmer, 12 theology students were given opportunities to work with several churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.

The field school is a requirement of the university’s undergraduate theology program. Every other year, Palmer and other program leaders collaborate with Adventist conferences to provide students with practical experience in preparation for pastoral ministry. The students are assigned to work with churches and pastors, and over the course of eight to ten nights, the students preach and minister to the surrounding communities.

This year’s field school experience began on May 8 and ended on May 19. In addition to preaching, students gave Bible studies, carried out visitations, and helped to cultivate church communities. The students also provided services in churches of a variety of cultures and languages, including English, Spanish, and Burmese. At the conclusion of the field school, 10 individuals were baptized, and several others requested personal Bible studies.

One field school student, senior Nathaniel Powell, said he heard a call from God to work in theology and ministry. He found the field school experience both informative and challenging. This May, Powell worked at the Wyoming Roger Heights Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, ten minutes’ drive outside of Grand Rapids.

“I learned the importance of visiting with both the members of the church and also with the visitors. In fact, when you leave the pulpit, the first thing you should do is go up to the members, get to know them, and make yourself available to them to answer any questions they may have in the future,” he said.

Powell worked through time constraints to ensure he could visit with as many church patrons and visitors as possible. Although the work was sometimes exacting, Powell said he has no regrets about participating in the field school and other evangelistic efforts. He hopes to finish his undergraduate degree in the 2024–2025 school year and enroll in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary to continue his preparation for a career in religious ministry.

Palmer said, “The Field School of Evangelism significantly enhanced our students’ abilities to preach the gospel, collaborate with congregations, and lead people into a saving relationship with Jesus. Most importantly, it showcased the passion and dedication of our theology majors in fulfilling the gospel commission of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit.”

The Field School of Evangelism alternates between domestic and international locations every two years. Previously, it occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 2022, it took place in Jamaica. The next iteration of the field school will take place outside the US in 2026.

The original version of this story was posted on the Andrews University news site.