Mixing the buckets

After graduating from college, young, biblically faithful Christians must ask themselves, how do I synthesize my faith and my education to live a personally productive and eternally meaningful life?

McLean Presbyterian Church is helping young people answer that question through its Capital Fellows Program. Applying faith to vocation, said director Dr. Bill Fullilove, means "more than just don't lie, don't steal, don't cheat; it is about how God is honored."

While many Washington internship programs offer students a glimpse into the corridors of power on the Hill or K Street, this program strives to help students further the kingdom of God in the marketplace.

"It is about making leaders for the Church and for the world. It is not to make future pastors; we want them to go and be someone and apply their faith at the same time," Fullilove said. "It's about mixing the buckets, creating a coherent and integrated life between faith and work."

Typically the program accepts twelve new college graduates, both men and women, who are ready to become leaders in their profession and in the Christian community. They're placed as interns in hospitals, law firms and offices. The Fellowship program also partners with Reformed Theological Seminary.

The students spend Monday morning taking classes in leadership and cultural studies and Monday evenings in a roundtable discussion with Fullilove. Monday or Friday afternoons are for community service. Through coursework and internships students earn twelve credits toward a master's degree.

Fellows stay with church families. The program costs $6,300 for two semesters.

Caryne Eskridge, Lauren Caldwell and David Little wanted to be spiritually and intellectually challenged through classes at Reformed Theological Seminary and experiences with their peers.

"Both expectations were met far beyond what I had envisioned. I learned that the intellectual and spiritual, two areas that are separated in almost every way in American culture today, are actually bound together to a great extent," Eskridge said.

Eskridge's first internship was in the Office of Historian in Washington, D.C. During her second semester as a fellow, Eskridge worked with an antiques dealer in Old Town Alexandria.

"It was very rewarding," Eskridge said. "I had the chance to experience the business hands-on. It was very meaningful, and I am looking forward to learning more about the field for my future."

Caldwell worked as a scribe with Emergency Medicine Associates.

"I greatly enjoyed my internship, largely because of the tremendous learning opportunities afforded by my position," Caldwell said.

"One of the greatest lessons of the Fellows year for me was that trying to please others, no matter who they are, will almost always lead to disappointment," he added. "Now, when considering a decision or action, I do not focus on another individual's possible reaction but rather strive to be true to myself, my God and my calling."

"I will enter graduate school with a much better idea of what it means to live faithfully and coherently in the 'real world,'" Little said. "And I will have a theological foundation that is relevant to not only all of my studies but all of my life."

-Grace Dobbs is a freelance contributor from Virginia

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