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: Carli Smith

Carli Smith attended the Emmaus School of Biblical Studies 7 years ago. This week, we caught up with Carli to see how her life has changed after her year studying the scriptures at Emmaus.

Carli, it has been a long time since we have seen you, what is going on in your life?

I am currently working in marketing and admissions for a Christian college in Franklin, TN. Our mission is to “equip and empower graduates to be on-mission in the world for Christ,” no matter the industry in which they find their careers. I also serve at my local church in the youth group, helping high school girls learn more about the character of God and how that impacts every area of their lives.

What originally led you to Emmaus?

I had just finished a Discipleship Training School with YWAM in 2012 and felt strongly that I wanted to grow deeper in my knowledge of Scripture and gain answers to lots of my questions by knowing the text holistically. I was vacillating between the decision to find a School of Biblical Studies or go to college to earn a degree. I found Emmaus on a random website that listed different SBS locations and ended up on the phone that same day with Tom Phillips! A few weeks later, I took a trip to tour a college and check out Emmaus and as soon as I drove up to the property, I felt this peace settle over me. I looked over at my mom, and we both knew it was the right next step. After learning more on that tour, I made my decision to go!

What sticks out to you the most after all these years? 

I look back in awe of the grace that God instilled in me to get me through such an extensive study program. I am so grateful for the privilege to go to Emmaus and study Scripture. I wish I could time-travel back to be in the stillness of that season again with the Lord.

As I typed this, I feel very emotional! I pray my husband, and I have the opportunity to come back and drink from this fountain of truth again with you guys in person. I love what you guys are doing and pray nothing but blessings and joy over the staff, students, and mission. I’m so grateful for the gift of my time at Emmaus.

I also feel humility and gratitude knowing the rare gift it was to study scripture with such excellent resources available to me and in an environment that allowed me to ask the tough questions. 

How are you currently utilizing what you learned at Emmaus?

I still use each book’s notes as I study through Scripture today. It really changed the way I approach reading the Bible. I don't focus as much on “What does this say about/For me” rather, I ask “What does this say about God, and in turn, how do I respond?''

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

I enjoyed Genesis the most because it was the book I had previously had the most trouble understanding God in. I finished studying it more in love with Him than ever before after tracing His mercy through the pages.

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

It gave me a holistic picture of God’s redemptive story and a posture of humility towards Him. After completing the program and Interacting so deeply with Scripture I am far more rooted in instinctively knowing truth and being equipped with a broader perspective.

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

I would describe the understanding and growth I gained as a gradual process that continued to build upon itself in deeper and richer ways with each book.

What was your best memory from the school? 

This is too hard! On graduation day, the students in our class made a 45-minute hike in the dark to watch the sunrise together. We were just sitting in awe of the metaphoric mountain God had enabled us to climb - with Him and because of Him. 

We loved catching up with Carli and seeing how God is using her time at Emmaus to help her continue engaging the Bible and leading others in their faith. If you would like to learn more about the program that Carli did, find out more by clicking this link: https://emmausbibleministries.org/school