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: Anonymous

Today our alumni highlight is very special. This alumnus has hopes of one day ministering in places that are hostile to the Gospel message. For their future safety, they wish to remain anonymous. For this reason, we will not post any pictures or use their name.

Where are you now? 

I am a full-time student with Liberty University’s online program, and I recently started working part-time with a company that teaches life skills to children with disabilities. I will be graduating next spring with my Bachelor’s in Psychology with an emphasis in counseling and I plan to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. 

What led you to Emmaus?

I heard amazing things about the school from my sister. I looked up to her a lot so I believed her when she talked about how amazing it was. So when I graduated from high school a year early I chose to spend my gap year at Emmaus.

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

Emmaus is where I came to know Christ as my God and Savior and where I found out the Bible is about a lot more than just random Bible stories and rules. I grew up in a missionary family, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. I didn’t understand the Gospel, and I barely knew 15% of the Bible. When I started studying God’s precious Word is when I found out all about God’s character and his plan for redemption. I also found out who I was: a child of God. Figuring out this identity has played a key role in shaping the rest of my life. 

How are you still using what you learned at Emmaus?

I love continuing to build on the knowledge gleaned from my time at school. I love being able to track with sermons and Bible studies and finding literary context to go with the passages we are studying. I still love color-coding my Bible and seeing the major words, themes, and statements pop off of the page making the message more clear. I also love having knowledge of the historical background of each book because this has definitely impacted my interpretation. 

Best memory from the school?

It’s hard to pick one so here are a couple:

1. The times I sat at my desk weeping with joy and awe while the magnitude of who Christ is and what he has done sank into my heart. 

2. My meetings/hangouts with my mentor. God really had things planned out because she could identify with me in so many areas. I don’t know if she will ever know the impact she has had on my life. I am so thankful for how much she poured into me and loved me. Thankful for her husband too. They both encouraged me so much and I am beyond thankful for them. 

3. All the fun crazy times with all the staff, students, and staff families. The community aspect of the school was so precious and such a safe place to grow. 

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

Colossians. That is when the supremacy of Christ hit me full blast. It is still my favorite to this day (besides John, Romans, Mark, Ephesians, etc.). Whenever I randomly ask myself what I want to read it is always Colossians 1:15-23. I will never forget sitting there almost yelling to myself “THIS is God! THIS is who is Lord of the heavens and the earth! THIS is what life is all about! HE is so incredible! It’s JESUS! JESUS IS GOD! NOTHING else matters!”. 

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

To this day my year at Emmaus has been the best of my life so far. I am only twenty-four and I have had some good years since then but nothing will beat spending so much time inundated with God’s precious word with so few distractions. Jesus and his word are precious and worth spending all the time in the world on and spending all the breath in the world talking about. I am rooting for y’all for sure! Your ministry is so beyond valuable, and I am so stoked God has been keeping it going. 

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

What has stuck with me the most 8 years later is who Christ is. All of life and existence revolves around our King. My relationship with Christ only grows sweeter and sweeter each year since I came to know him during my time at Emmaus Ministries. He is Lord of all, worthy of all honor, glory, and power, and definitely worth living for.

We are so grateful for our wonderful alumni. If you would like to learn more about the program they attended Click Here.

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.

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

Emmuas Ministries: Covid-19 Update

Hello everyone. It is our sincere hope that wherever you are in this season that the Coronavirus has brought us into, that you are healthy and well. Please take a moment to see this update on what’s going on at Emmaus Ministries from our Executive Director, Caleb Ives. 

We wrapped up the New Testament session of the Biblical Narrative Series!

75 people attended a 7-week course covering the history and heart of every single book of the New Testament, and how those books fit in the larger narrative of Scripture.

Our School of Biblical Studies has adapted to a completely online format. 

While it is a different context than we had anticipated and planned for this year, we have been able to continue with our lectures, discipleship, and community engagement.

We will be hosting our first-ever totally online Biblical Literacy Seminar! 

Over the course of 4 weeks, we will be engaged in an inductive study of the book of Philemon with one of our local church communities. 

A new outreach component has emerged from Emmaus during this time of quarantine.

Over the last 4 weeks, we have gone “live” on Facebook with a daily devotion in the Psalms. This unexpected outreach has touched people in both our local communities and family circles and globally! We have reports from ministries overseas that are tuning in for this time of intentional meditation and encouragement.

Whether you are a partner with one of our staff members, an investor in the ministry, one of our alumni, or a participant of one of our programs in the past, we want to thank you for the part that you play in the mission to which God has called us. God bless you.