Alumni Spotlight: Ellen Ceely

Where are you and what are you doing now? 

I live in Orlando, FL, and currently, work as an assistant at the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida for Justin Holcomb. I also get work on the side as a writer.

What sticks out to you the most 3+ years later?

I graduated from SBS in 2012 and left the staff in 2017. I think what sticks out to me most is just how much my time of studying the Bible and digging a deep foundation of belief both shaped and changed the course of my life. I went in as a very legalistic believer who was hungry to know and understand what God's Word said. I didn't want people to tell me what it said, I wanted to be able to open it up and figure it out with the right tools. I went in with a stubbornly decided idea of where my life was headed and what I was going to do - regardless of what God might think about that. Two months into the school I started to realize how wrong that attitude was. God used SBS to change everything I'd ever been taught about who he is and what he wants from me. His grace and the amazing way in which God used the school to change my heart and the course of my life are what will always stick out to me most. He didn't always give me directions or full answers on where to go, but he ALWAYS gave me his love, grace, peace, and courage to do whatever he asked.

How are you still using what you learned at Emmaus?

Every sermon I listen to, every book I read, every TV show I watch, every song I hear - it all gets filtered through the lens of Inductive Bible Study and what the Bible has to say about it, whether I want it to or not! A more specific example is that I'm helping my boss do research and gather Bible verses for a devotional he's writing on Christology. I've been able to use my knowledge for devotionals, children's church curriculum, and just teaching it to others both in groups and on an individual basis. I don't know what God has in mind for the future, but I know it will continue to come up and be used as time goes on.

Looking back how did Emmaus affect your relationship with God and the Bible?

Before Emmaus, I'd always approached the Bible with reverence, but also feeling like "this is too hard for me to understand and I don't know what I'm doing". Being able to learn why each book was written and why it was included in the Bible gave me the foundation I needed to understand better who God is. You cannot spend a year intentionally studying the Bible and NOT have your view of who God is changed. I grew up afraid of the Holy Spirit and even of the Father. Jesus was my friend, the only one I could talk to with any sense of comfort. My view of the Father was one of an angry dad who only comes around when I've messed up, who saw everything bad I'd ever done, and was constantly disappointed in how much I failed to be better. The Holy Spirit I really knew very little about and was afraid to even acknowledge. He was, to some degree, a scary ghost to me. But the God I knew from the church and from my own interpretation of what I'd been told, was not the God I found in the Bible. God showed me a loving and gracious Father who loves me deeply. He showed me a comforting Spirit who guides and guards me. Emmaus gave me the gift of the whole Bible and an ever-growing understanding of the Trinity. Most importantly: Emmaus didn't answer all my questions about God, it made me hungry for more!

I should add, however, that Emmaus taught me about community, leadership, and friendship too. Over my time as a student, and on staff, I learned so much about what it means to be a good leader and fellow member of the body of Christ. There was room to confront and to laugh and to love one another. There was also an admittance of failure and a modeled humility and generosity that I had never seen in the church before.

Best memory from the school?

So many! As a student, it's almost impossible to pick just one! We had so much fun together. My roommate and I spent many nights talking, making apple pie together, and watching good movies. I had my 21st birthday as a student and the amount of love I received from the staff and the students still warms my heart. They did everything from decorating my desk and room to breakfast out to kidnapping me for a late-night run to get ice cream. There are beautiful memories I have of our trip to the beach, of fall break with my roommate and two other students, of students chasing each other around with Nerf guns and toilet plungers (it's a long story). The whole year is one long beautiful memory that I treasure. As a staff, my favorite memory will always be from my first year. I walked into the classroom late at night to find one student there. When I asked if she was okay, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and just said, "I get it. I finally get it. God loves me so much. His grace is deep and strong. He doesn't just love me...he likes me too."

What was your favorite book of the Bible during your SBS and why?

During SBS my favorite book ended up being Leviticus. Hebrews didn't make much sense to me until I read Leviticus and studied the Law of the OT. Understanding Leviticus brought me to a deeper understanding of who God is and just how much Jesus did for me in his death and resurrection. It also gave me deeper reverence for him, to see him as my high priest AND the only perfect sacrifice. The Pentateuch in general gave me a better view of just how BIG and powerful God is, and that, in turn, impressed upon me how amazing his mercy, love, and grace are. But Leviticus was what left the biggest impact on me.

Did you have a moment where it all "clicked" for you?

Probably during Galatians because I realized I was trying to earn God's love and be worthy to stand in front of him while still constantly feeling like I never would. It was the first moment I ever truly felt completely seen and entirely accepted and loved - no strings attached. My realization of freedom and ease in God's presence because of what Jesus' sacrifice meant for me didn't make me want to "misbehave" or act more sinful, rather it made me want to fall deeper in love with the God who had shown me, such love.

Anything else you want to share or want us to know?

If you're thinking of doing the school because you want to understand the Bible and grow in your relationship with God: do it. It will be one of the hardest, most amazing things you'll ever do. I don't know your situation or what sacrifices you might have to make in order to attend, but I can promise that it will be worth it. The only word of caution I give you is this: you will get out of the school what you choose to put into it. The teachers at Emmaus are amazing and they will work hard to give you all the tools and information you need to succeed at getting everything you possibly can out of the school. But you are the only one who can do the hard work of studying. You are the only one who can choose to get up every day and make it happen. You will have books you love and books you don't care for much. You'll have weeks where everything crumbles and weeks where you feel like you're soaring. You'll probably even have staff members you love being around and some you don't care for as much. But if you give 100% of all you have to give every single day you're at Emmaus, I can promise that you'll get back much more than you give. Every sacrifice will be worth it because Jesus is worth your time and effort. God is so excited to have a deeper relationship with you. But don't do this for him to somehow earn his approval or his blessing on your life, do it for you. Do it for your own personal spiritual growth and understanding. Do the school, study your Bible, ask God to change your heart and your mind, and your life with his Word. I promise he will, and it won't be the way you expect it to be, but there will be an amazing ripple effect where the things you learn and the changes that happen in your life will have a positive and challenging effect on everyone you know and love.

A huge thank you to Ellen for sharing her experience with Emmaus Ministries. If you would like to learn more about the school Ellen attended, click here.

Ellen and her husband Brian

Alumni Spotlight: Bre Dobbins

Bre, We are so excited to finally be catching up with you. Where are you now and what are you up to?

I live in Hendersonville, NC, and I’m in full-time nursing school, working as a CNA and working part-time as the Girls Ministry Director at my church.  I've been doing that for about 3 years now and I love it. If I wasn't absolutely sure God has called me to be a nurse I would be working full time in ministry. I do hope to combine the two once I get my degree and do a long-term mission trip through nursing. I love my students, and ESBS (Emmaus School of Biblical Studies) helped me so much to be able to teach the Bible better and prepare my talks in an inductive method rather than just going straight to application.

A moment where it all "clicked"?

During our first book, Philemon I realized that I made the right decision to give up so much to come to Emmaus and that I was going to learn and grow a lot in the next year!

How are you still using what you learned at Emmaus?

Before Emmaus, I had never really studied the Old Testament. I knew the typical Bible stories, but I didn't think they were all that important, but man was I wrong. It all points to Jesus, and it's all so interesting and applicable, so I use what I learned every single week with my youth group. Whether it's diving into a passage, sharing the cool history and background of the Bible, teaching them how to color code, or teaching them how every chapter can have an impact on them, I use it every week!

I also use conflict resolution, leadership skills, and fun stories that show the application of certain passages. I talk about ESBS all the time in my talks and how much that year meant to me and how much I learned.

What sticks out to you the most 3+ years later?

The community we built. I learned so much from living in a small community and we still keep in touch to this day. I have Emmaus to thank for that!  I didn't think it would be that hard to live with some amazing people at my favorite place on earth (Camp Lurecrest will always be my second home). But I learned so much from living in such a small community and with the other students and teachers. We still keep in touch to this day. It's crazy how something that's so tough but so rewarding really allows you to meet those life-long friends who are literally all across the States now.

How did Emmaus affect your relationship with God?

It deepened my trust in Him. I thought I could do it all on my own and be Super Woman. Without Emmaus, I never would've seen how much I needed Him. I was arrogant, and I didn't even know it. I learned so much about the Bible that I didn't know. I still use the inductive method when I'm reading a book and I try not to jump straight to application.

What is your best memory from the school? 

Any memory with my roommate, Abigail Wurst. We still talk almost daily and she is one of my best friends now. Also taking our Numbers retreat at the beach and my team winning at Jeopardy :)

There are so many fun memories we had - watching movies, making our award-winning apple spice cupcakes, painting nails, talking about Bill (our honorary cat who we allowed to stay at Camp). I do remember one evening craving Mexican food so I texted the students and staff who were on campus and found 3 others who were willing to drive an hour just so I could get food from one of my favorite places. Driving those winding roads and just encouraging each other and laughing, makes me smile.

Favorite book during your SBS? 

I loved 2 Timothy and 2 Corinthians. 2 Timothy really made me think about my life and what impact I wanted to leave behind. 2 Corinthians really humbled me and allowed me to see that it was not myself that was holding me up but God.

Thank you Bre Dobbins for sharing how your time at Emmaus changed your life and is helping you daily now! If you would like to learn more about the school that Bre attended, you can click here to learn more.

Alumni Spotlight: Hamp Kennedy

Hamp, we are so excited to be catching up with you. Where are you now and what are you up to?

I’m in St. George, Virginia which is about 30 minutes from Charlottesville.

I teach US History at an all-boys boarding school about 15 minutes from Shenandoah National Park, it’s beautiful! I’m also a dorm parent for sophomore and juniors, an advisor, and I coach track in the Spring. The school is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, so I am able to minister to the young men and help them through their teenage years.

What led you to Emmaus?

I learned about Emmaus while I was a camper at Camp Lurecrest. In 2013 I was on staff after having decided I needed to take my faith more seriously. My immediate supervisor, Josh Kerzman, was starting the school in the fall and we had countless conversations about faith and the Bible. I asked him so many questions that he finally hinted that I should do the school if I want to learn more. I was unsure if I was going to go to college or enlist in the military after graduating high school, so this seemed like a pretty good way to spend a gap year. My thought was, "If I'm going to be a Christian I ought to know what the Bible says." So when my friends went to college I went to Emmaus! 

What sticks out to you the most 3+ years later?

God’s character. Throughout history, He is constantly looking after His people and calling them back to Him when they go a different way. His consistency and love throughout the whole Bible has been a huge comfort in my own life, and I know that regardless of what happens I will be okay. 

How are you still using what you learned at Emmaus?

The inductive method of studying the Bible was a tremendous help. In college, it really gave me a leg up as a history student because I already knew how to ask meaningful questions and interpret readings. These are skills I definitely use in my work and try to instill in my students. Everything I learned about God that year made me a better brother in Christ to others and helped foster really meaningful relationships. 

Looking back how did Emmaus affect your relationship with God and the Bible?

I had not studied the Bible very in-depth before I came to Emmaus and I still wrestle with a lot of questions but I have a trust in God that wasn’t there before the school, which has been so comforting. I also know where to look for answers and how to look for those answers and that’s a skill that has proved invaluable over the years. 

Best memory from the school?

There are so many great memories! From rock climbing with Tom, lifting weights with Caleb (shoutout Swolecrest), and every day in class with my deskmate and friend Jordan, it’s really hard to pick the best memory. 

What was your favorite book of the Bible during your SBS?

Joshua was fascinating because our teacher, Colonel Hansen, had done archeological digs and research in the Holy Land, so his approach to teaching the book really made the Israelites entrance into the Promised Land all the more real. On a personal level, Job really helped me understand how big God is and how in control He is. Job is one I’ve repeatedly gone back to whenever I begin to lose sight of that. 

Did you have a moment where it all "clicked" for you?

I had a minor procedure done on my heart in the early Spring of my ESBS year. This secured that I would be unable to join the military, which I was planning to do after graduation. Essentially, all my plans for life were turned upside down. Most of this incidentally took place as we were reading Job, and listening to God respond as Job’s life seemed to get worse and worse helped me realize how important it is to trust God’s will. “Thy will be done” as the lord's prayer says, became my mantra. I did not understand God’s plan for me, but if He is truly good and truly in control then I have nothing to worry about. It seems silly that I didn’t trust Him for so long, but in the moment it can be hard to keep that perspective. It is still hard, but having an experience like this makes it easier. 

Anything else you want to share or want us to know?

I was young when I went to Emmaus but everything has a time and place, and God put me there that year for many reasons that are clear to me now. With everything health-related I went through that year my faith would not be where it is today if I hadn’t done the school. I would never have met so many incredible people, including my dear friend Evan Hays. The list goes on, and I’m glad God put me there.

We are so glad we were able to highlight Hamp this week for our Alumni Spotlight. If you would like to learn more about the school that Hamp attend, click here to learn more: Click Here.