Meet the Staff: Stephen Ray
My favorite part of my job is seeing the moment of discovery in the students. Weather it be our part time SBS students or people attending one of our seminars. I love seeing people “Get it”. Weather it be a specific book of the bible is coming alive or the gospel is getting deeper and deeper into their hearts as they dig into the text.
This week we want to introduce you to Stephen Ray. After Graduating college at Oakland University, Stephen moved from Michigan to be a student at Emmaus. After his student year, Stephen joined the staff. He’s now been a part of the teaching team at Emmaus for 2 years.
All right Stephen, what do you do around here?
I have my dream job here at Emmaus, I am a part of the teaching staff. This means I get to teach entire books of the bible for our school, Biblical Literacy Seminars and even our Biblical Narrative Series. I'm also in charge of the weekly devotions that we do with as a community, grading homework and meeting for one on ones with our students.
What is your favorite part of your Job?
My favorite part of my job is seeing the moment of discovery in the students. Whether it be our part time School of Biblical Studies students or people attending one of our seminars, I love seeing people “Get it!” It could be a specific book of the bible is coming alive or the gospel is getting deeper and deeper into their hearts as they dig into the text.
When did you know God was calling you to be a part of Emmaus?
When I was a student I remember working on my homework for 2nd Corinthians. I was getting so excited about these New Testament books coming alive to me for what felt like the first time. As I was studying, I thought, “Man i wish i could keep going deeper.” At that moment, I felt like God said to me “You can if you stay”. Not to long after that Tom Phillips (the former director) invited me to be on staff.
Which Bible Character would you want to get coffee with?
I would love to have coffee with Paul. His letters are so theologically dense, and people still debate constantly on what he is trying to say. I would love to have a full, in depth conversation with him to talk through some of his more confusing passages and see what he was trying to say. I would also love to have coffee with the Apostle Peter. In many ways, Peter reminds me of myself and i would love to talk with him over our similarities.
What was your favorite Christian Song to Jam out to growing up?
When i was a kid Switchfoot was just getting big. So I would rock out to “Meant to Live” and “Beautiful Let Down.”
Why Emmaus?
One thing about this ministry that has continually drawn me in is the community. We aren’t just a bunch of intellectuals debating theology, seeking deeper knowledge of scripture. We are community of believers committed to walking with each other through life. It was pretty easy to say yes to Jesus and come on staff because I have always felt such a strong presence of “Home.” I’m genuinely friends with every single person that is on staff. That’s a great gift to have.
If you would like to partner with Stephen financially or read his blog follow the links below.
Meet the Staff: Morgan
I couldn't stop talking about the Bible! I tried to find any way I could to tell people about Emmaus. On occasion, people would say "You should teach the Bible" or "Your passion for this is infectious, you were made for this!" Those comments made me embarrassed and awkward, but they also made me think. Fast forward to coming into the end of my student year and I was absolutely unsure of what was next. What I was sure of was that I was completely bereft at the thought of leaving Emmaus for good. I would have never anticipated that being on staff at a ministry where I stood in front of people and gave lectures was in God's plan for me, but, here I am!
This week we would love for you to meet Morgan Phaneuf! Morgan first came to Emmaus as a student during our pilot program. Born and raised in North Carolina, Morgan and her husband Justin moved to Florida with their two kids, Drake and Tannis. Morgan is an excellent student and teacher of the Word.
Morgan, Let’s cut to the chase, what do you do around here?
The short answer is, I enjoy myself WAY too much! If you're talking specifics, I'm the instagrammer on staff. Instagram is a "look in" at our daily life here and I love that part of my job is sneaking around taking candid photos! I also get to use my "nice camera" to take photos as a way to document everything from our community events, to photos for blogs/support raising needs, and just our ministry and school life. I taught my first two books this Spring and I am looking forward to adding to my repertoire in the Fall (starting with the Book of Joshua). As with most ministries, we all do a little bit of everything as needs arise.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Is it cliche' to say all the parts? It's probably cliche' but I am going to say it anyway. All the parts! My job is to be in my Bible all the time, talk to people about the Bible all the time, and be in community with people who love the Bible and want to talk about it all the time! I love my coworkers as well, they are a pretty great part of the job. I legitimately miss the people I work with on the weekends and I look forward to Mondays when I get to go back to work! If I had to narrow it down to just one thing though, it would have to be watching the way studying the Bible captivates people and changes them. God's word is living and active and it messes with the people that really spend time in it. Having the opportunity to watch that in all its incarnations is beautiful and wonderful!
When did you know God was calling you to be a part of Emmaus?
I think I knew that God was calling me to Emmaus to be on staff in the same way that I knew He was calling me to be a student, it just kept coming up! During my time as a student, I experienced life and heart change beyond what I thought imaginable. I spent a lot of time bewildered and overwhelmed. However, during that same time I also started teaching in my Neighborhood Group. I hadn’t even been inclined to speak up in discussions in group prior to that but, suddenly, I couldn’t help but share what I was learning in class! I wanted people to know what I was discovering. I couldn't stop talking about the Bible! I tried to find any way I could to tell people about Emmaus. On occasion, people would say "You should teach the Bible" or "Your passion for this is infectious, you were made for this!" Those comments made me embarrassed and awkward, but they also made me think. Fast forward to coming into the end of my student year and I was absolutely unsure of what was next. What I was sure of was that I was completely bereft at the thought of leaving Emmaus for good. I would have never anticipated that being on staff at a ministry where I stood in front of people and gave lectures was in God's plan for me, but, here I am!
Which Bible Character would you want to get coffee with?
Jesus of course! Shouldn't everyone say Jesus? Everyone probably says Jesus right? Well, if Jesus is a given, I would say my second choice would probably be Mary, the mother of Jesus. If you think about her life, what she was told, what happened to her, what she saw through the eyes of a mother, her story is just incredible! I would love to pick her brain about seeing Jesus through the eyes of both a mother and a disciple! I imagine some of it would be heart wrenching, like the crucifixion. However, I think some of it would also be humorous. I mean, what was Jesus like as a kid? I’m a parent, I have some great stories about the things my kids have said and done! I also cannot imagine hearing the sweet, soft pride that only a mother can feel as she spoke of watching her son grow as a Rabbi and take his ministry forward.
What was your favorite Christian Song to Jam out to growing up?
Well, I didn't grow up listening to Christian music often as I didn't have what you would call the "traditional" faith history. I mostly jammed out to The Beatles, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett, show tunes, 60’s rock and some of whatever was popular. However, my best friend (the person responsible for dragging me to youth group and church kicking and screaming, if you’re reading this Melissa, I love you!) only listened to Christian music in her car. I rode to school with her in the morning and she had a few songs she would put on blast and repeat until we joined in her joyful 7am worship sessions (yes, there was dancing). I really enjoyed "The Devil is Bad" by The Ws. That's a fun one to sing with 6 people stuffed into a Mustang!
Why Emmaus?
I’m not sure I have a concise answer for this question. I simply feel like this is what God made me to do. I know, I know, that sounds like such a “this is my calling” super spiritual type answer. It’s true though. Once I graduated college, I would tell people “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” As my transcripts can attest, I certainly didn’t know when I was still in school! (Four schools and I think 5ish majors?) During my student year at Emmaus, even when the workload was hard and balancing life with class was demanding, I always felt sadness knowing that one day it would end. I would have to graduate and leave Emmaus. Often, I’d demand an “Emmaus 200 level” course catalogue or I would threaten to just camp out and blatantly refuse leave! Emmaus has been such a gift, not just to me, but my family, my friends and my faith community. I am who I am because I have allowed the Bible to mess with me. I am a different person than I was prior to January 2018. I cannot believe that now I really do get stay at Emmaus! It’s not just that. I get the honor and the incredibly humbling privilege of watching students while the Bible messes with them too. All that to say, “Why Emmaus?” is really more a “What else but Emmaus?” question to me. There’s nothing in the world I can imagine that I want to be involved with more than this ministry with these people!
If you would like to support Morgan and her family or read her update blog click the buttons below.
Announcing Caleb Ives as Executive Director
The Board for Emmaus Ministries is annoucing a new Executive Director.
We are very pleased to announce that Caleb Ives will be the new Executive Director for Emmaus Ministries, effective April 5, 2018.
Caleb has served on Emmaus Ministries (ESBS) staff team since 2012. Before serving with Emmaus Ministries, Caleb and his wife, Latoya, were full-time staff at a church in Michigan. In addition, Caleb has taught the Bible internationally for many years. Caleb holds his Emmaus School of Biblical Studies (ESBS) certificate and received an MDiv from Regent Seminary. Caleb is a gifted Pastor, Teacher, Communicator and Leader. Caleb and Latoya have four beautiful girls (Lily, Grace, Maya, & Faith) who keep them busy and bring a lot of joy to their lives.
Lilly, Grace, Maya, Faith
Please join us in welcoming Caleb and his family in the new role as Emmaus' Executive Director.
- Emmaus Ministries Board
A new season for the Phillips Family
One of the great joys of following Jesus is that you can count on surprises along the way. The ways in which God has blessed this transition to Florida go on and on.
One of the great joys of following Jesus is that you can count on surprises along the way. I never thought, for instance, that our program would leave the mountains of Western North Carolina. I now see the tremendous fruit of that step of faith: new friends, new staff, a much wider ministry impact, internships, partnerships with churches. The ways in which God has blessed this transition to Florida go on and on.
Julia and I are pleased to announce that we are beginning yet another season of transition personally. And we fully expect the surprises and blessings to continue as we take this next leap of faith!
Beginning April 1, I’ll resign my position at Emmaus and become the pastor of the local Episcopal church here in Oviedo. In fact, the church (Church of the Incarnation) meets on the same campus that is home to Emmaus!
Although I’m sad to see my time with Emmaus officially come to an end, I’m thrilled that I won’t be going far. My office is literally moving to the building next door! I’m also thrilled to see Emmaus carry on strongly without me. With solid leadership, excited students, and fruitful ministry, I fully expect Emmaus to continue to grow and flourish.
As Julia and I end our time at Emmaus, we are also grateful for the friendships God has cultivated along the journey. We could not have sustained these 11 years at Emmaus without our friends, financial support team, and family. Thank you all so much!
In Christ,
Tom
Hello Emmaus Friends
Since 2006 the core of Emmaus Ministries has centered around our 10-month residential Bible School (the School of Biblical Studies). We’re so grateful for all the people God has transformed through this program, and we’re grateful for all of those who have labored and given to make the program a reality. After 10 incredible schools, we’ve discerned that God is asking Emmaus to redesign this core program. We’ve now crafted a similar school, but one offered in a more accessible format!
Our new School of Biblical Studies will be a part-time school, requiring 20 hours of weekly participation, instead of the 40+ hrs our former program required. Students will have the option to live in residence, but they can now also commute to our campus. Additionally, students will have the option to participate in a 10-15 hr/wk paid internship with a local church partner. The program is still 10 months long, and still takes students through the content of the entire Bible using the Inductive Study Method. The new program simply asks less of a student outside of the classroom, replacing some of the study time with an internship or local job. This change makes a year at Emmaus much more accessible. Additionally, any Emmaus student with an undergraduate degree may now also enroll at Asbury Seminary and receive a significant scholarship through our new Emmaus/Asbury partnership, making Emmaus more attractive to those interested in a seminary education.
Our new School is accepting applications now for a soft launch in January 2018, with our typical year-long school beginning August 2018. We’re excited about the new direction we’re headed, and we know it will present a greater opportunity for more students to encounter God through this life changing curriculum and community.
Blessings!
Tom Phillips
Follow us on Facebook and be on the look out for our BIG Facebook post Tuesday, Oct 10, 2017! We will be sharing information on our NEW School of Biblical Studies, Biblical Narrative Series, and Biblical Literacy Program.