Learn and grow through experiencing life in another culture. Come and grow through interaction within a church that Christ is building into a living, dynamic body
Scotland. What comes to your mind when you hear this word? Moors and thistles? Meandering stone walls and sheep? Braveheart? Enchanted castles? Shortbread, kilts and bagpipes? Nessie? I think of these things, too. Maybe. But there’s a bit more.
Because of my semester spent living and learning in Scotland, the word conjures in my mind so much more. “Scotland” will forever mean to me a whole host of lessons, people, and experiences of indescribable personal significance.
From the beginning of August, 2003 to mid December, 2003, Nathan Laudenslager (senior - philosophy) and I (junior - independent, linguistics) had the unique privilege of taking part in a ‘trial run’ semester of a study abroad program established by Geneva College in Airdrie, Scotland, just outside Glasgow.
The program owes its existence largely to the initiative of Pastor Andrew Quigley of Airdrie RP Church of Scotland and the work of Professor of Bible Jonathan Watt of Geneva College.
When Professor Watt devised the course, he had in mind an opportunity for Biblical studies and philosophy majors to complete a ministry internship in a foreign culture and to study Scottish Reformation and Covenanting history ‘on site’.
The program is similar to a study-abroad program in that the fees paid for room and board and tuition transfer from the home institution to the hosting institution, and vice versa as per the credits.
When I first heard of this opportunity, I immediately latched on to it. Because of my independent major and my plans to take summer courses, the program was feasible for me, although I am not a Biblical studies or philosophy major.
The rest, as they say, is history.
On Sept. 1, 2003, after much hassle in deciding what one takes in two 32-kilo bags when moving overseas for three and a half months, I said good-bye to my parents, boarded a 747, and headed off to who-knew-what.
I was most definitely not disappointed.
Those three and a half months turned out to be one of the most deeply-penetrating learning experiences I have ever had in my entire life. I thanked God two, sometimes three times a day that I was there and I am still thanking Him.
The beauty of the experience was learning so many different things through such a wide variety of ways. I learned through plenty of reading and discussing with the students and Pastor Quigley, who advised our studies, lectured, and mentored us each.
I learned through history tours of the sites and monuments throughout Scotland where only 300-plus years ago immense conflict and bloodshed between Church and State took place as men sought to reform the Church and hold tyrannical civil rulers accountable to God’s law and sworn oaths.
I was encouraged to measure work not by a checklist, but by its usefulness and effectiveness.
I learned through the study of God’s Word - through multiplied personal quiet time, a series of powerful sermons, and a group Bible study with others from the Airdrie Reformed Presbyterian Church. I learned through conversation with the Scottish people - from hearing some amazing testimonies from both recent converts and mature Christians within the church, to sharing the Christian faith with a young former pro soccer (football!) player at the local fitness center.
I learned through interacting with the old as I visited with many housebound members of the Airdrie congregation. I learned from interacting with the young as I helped lead the Friday evening kids’ club for kids from both the neighbourhood and congregation.
The lessons I gained are far too numerous to elaborate on them all. Some are doctrinal; some are historical; some are linguistic. Some concern the life and growth of the Church; some have to do with the Christian life. Many are seemingly simple. But all are very real and personal.
I became more convinced of the power of the Word of God. I started to develop the habit of thinking of everything in terms of eternity - the practice of ‘big picture’ and ‘long-term’ thinking. I began to wrestle more seriously with how my life can continue to have an impact even after I die. I learned to think about a congregation from a pastor’s point of view. I was taught to think about practical ways to help other individuals grow in their Christian walk. I woke up to the fact that I need to be intentional and pro-active in serving others and in making ideas become reality. I was encouraged to measure work not by a checklist, but by its usefulness and effectiveness.
I came to a sober realisation of how subtly and quickly sin creeps in. I was brought to question what exactly true repentance is. I realised how pathetic and stagnant I was/am in my own Christian life. I rediscovered the joy and importance of prayer. I found that in relating to other people, I was wrongly valuing certain skills and personalities above faithfulness in the things of God.
I came to a deeper recognition of the holiness of God. I considered evidentialist vs. presuppositional apologetics. I wrestled with what it means for the Christian and the Church to bear witness for Christ. I thought about discipline of children. I observed a spiritually dead culture in a country that was once called a “Bible-loving land,” and was confronted with the question of what went wrong.
Finally, as I stood at the graves of dozens of Christian martyrs, I was forced to ask myself if I was living in such a way that I could be a martyr for Christ if and when the time comes.
Natalie Faris