Dr. Connie Erpelding

 

                    THE JOURNEY: PRAIRIE LAKES CHURCH, WESLEY SEMINARY, AND ME

 

What would it look like to reach Iowa with ministry leaders equipped with theological degrees and practical ministry training? Could we provide a seminary experience in Iowa at Prairie Lakes Church (PLC) to reduce the out of state flow of our brightest and best emerging leaders? Does an institution exist that we could partner with to provide this type of Seminary training?

 

These questions and more haunted Senior Pastor John Fuller and the leadership of PLC for more than 15 years. Dreams of providing seminary training in the local church context seemed unattainable, including several failed attempts with promising institutions.

 

One day at a Converge meeting, Pastor John’s friend, Pastor Darryn Scheske from Heartland Church in Indianapolis, told him about an innovative Seminary that seemed to offer just what PLC was seeking. Back at PLC, there came Pastor John’s shout: “Hey, Connie, we need you to check this out!”

 

And, that’s how I got inserted into God’s incredible work through Wesley Seminary and PLC.

 

But, let’s finish the “rest of the story” before learning more about me:

 

On December 18, 2014, after more than 15 years of wrestling with this unfulfilled dream, Prairie Lakes Church entered into a partnership with Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. Launching campuses, disciple makers, and leaders in Iowa was attainable!

 

With visionary leadership, the Elders supported investing in the future, and a fund was established and promoted with a goal to allow generous givers the opportunity to participate in imagining the future of PLC. This future included the establishment of the Center for Learning and Leadership, which is comprised of the partnership with Wesley Seminary and tuition scholarships for campus pastors and staff, a funded Residency program, and an opportunity for all attendees to step into practical ministry training.

 

On August 31, 2015, 21 students in the first Cohort of students gathered in the newly furnished portable graduate classroom for the inaugural class. Since that day, Cohorts #2 and #3 have launched with #4 on the 2019 horizon. PLC has already celebrated twelve graduates with many more to come. Of the current graduates, most are serving in ministry leadership at PLC.

 

God has used this partnership to help cover Iowa with PLC campuses. The Elders are currently praying about campus number seven in 2019—and, it is highly probable that it will be led by someone equipped at Wesley Seminary.

 

Long before being inserted into the Wesley Seminary and PLC journey, I grew up on a family farm in Iowa where I learned about God’s incredible love for me. I was privileged to attend Bennezette Wesleyan Church; and early in my life, I surrendered to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My faith grew through Sunday School, YMWB, VBS, and summer’s spent at Cedar Springs Wesleyan Camp in rural Floyd, Iowa.

 

I loved working with people and learning in general, so I discerned becoming an educator as the call on my life. I even married an educator. I devoured my university experience and firmly established the goal of earning my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. A career as a teacher, elementary principal and university professor spanned nearly 25 years before an opportunity at the church we were attending was presented to me. It seemed an odd opportunity but the right next step.

 

Quickly it became clear that my training in leadership would be helpful in ministry, and I was given the opportunity to start or re-envision the ministries of care, missions, first impressions, Advancement, and—our seminary partnership! Imagine my surprise—after several years out of the field of education—God had plopped me right back into it by entrusting me to steward the Seminary program at PLC. I am beyond delighted to now serve as a Board Member for Wesley Seminary and a Trustee for IWU—cheering and praying them onward is a huge privilege and joy!

 

I’m so grateful I pursued Pastor John’s shout of “Hey, Connie, we need you to check this out!” It’s a great reminder to me that God may be calling me—or you—to “check out” something new in 2019. Let’s be ready to say, “Yes!”