Student Spotlight:Student Spotlight:
Erskine stood out to me with its close community and small campus atmo- sphere. I felt that in this place I would have the opportunity to get to know my professors both during and after class. And that has been the case over these years.
I was originally a biology major. It was after taking an Old Testament Bi- ble class that God stirred something within me and started me down the path I’m on today. In that class, I be- came fascinated with God’s Word and began to realize how little Scrip- ture I actually knew. And He used that experience to show me His path for my life.
After much prayer and counsel-
An Interview with Ryan Gladden
Tell us a little about yourself and your time at Erskine. I grew up in the Rock Hill area of South Carolina, and eventually my family joined Tirzah ARP Church in York.
As a teenager, I shadowed our assis- tant pastor at the time, Rev. Garrison Taylor. He showed me many different aspects of the ministry that opened my eyes to serving in the church. One thing that made an impression on me was when he had me write a children’s sermon. Apparently, he thought I did that very well, and told me that I had a gift in communicating the Gospel. That moment has stuck with me ever since and, looking back, calling for my life.
When it came time for college,
ing from others at the college and in the seminary, I joined the Accelerated Ministry Program, a combined bach- elor’s and master’s degree program, to focus my studies in both my B.A. and M.Div. to prepare me for full-
Tell us about your preparation for ministry at Erskine College & Seminary. The Accelerated Ministry program not only focuses on academics but is intentionally designed to mature students for the ministry. We are en- couraged to put our knowledge into action within the church while simul- taneously taking classes.
For the past two summers I have interned at First ARP Lancaster with Rev. Kyle Sims. There I learned even more about the ins and outs of the lo- cal church. I worked with the youth and had opportunities to preach and lead worship. Those experiences as calling to ministry.
This summer I moved to Colum- bia, S.C. for a year-long internship at Centennial ARP Church. We are year in seminary so that we get more
extensive on-the-job training while Talking with the elders at Centen- nial, I was drawn to their “cradle- to-grave” understanding of minis- try where the Gospel is highlighted throughout all stages of life in the members of a church. I’ll be work- ing with the youth, getting more ex- perience in preaching with monthly opportunities, and will be shown the ropes of counseling and visiting shut-ins and hospitals. In some ways I view this internship as similar to a medical residency program.
What do you see in store for your future?
Over this next year I’m looking
forward to seeing the life of a church and its members through various lenses as I serve them, up close and personal, in a variety of capacities. I love preaching, so I’m glad for an opportunity to get into the pulpit frequently. Others say that I’m a re- served person, but not so behind the pulpit. Once I begin to preach, God’s Spirit brings out something that I could not do on my own. But I can also see how I’m blessed with having a reserved personality, because it is a good trait when I’m counseling and has served me well. this internship will be a sink or swim trusting the Lord’s guidance. My within me, through this internship, His calling for a life of ministry.
year of the Accelerated Ministry Program at Erskine, and plans to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree next May.
September/October 2022
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Erskine Seminary
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