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WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS:
A GROW WEEK 2025 REFLECTION
Giving Thanks for a Community Rooted in Purpose and Possibility by Rev. Nathalie Nelson Parker
“Our campus was buzzing with excitement”, states Rev. Bennefield, Director of Student Housing & Safety and Security, as both first-year and returning second-year students arrived for Grow Week! For many first-year students, it was their first opportunity to meet classmates, faculty, and staff face-to-face. The energy was undeniable, and smiles, laughter, and lively conversations filled the halls as students connected beyond the screen.
Rev. Bennefield recalls students’ reaction upon arrival, “It’s just good to see what our school actually looks like.”
A LEGACY OF CALLING
One of the most moving moments of the week came from a father-daughter student duo: Rev. Melvin Boone and Tyler Boone, who are now attending seminary together at Gammon.
Rev. Melvin Boone, a second-year student with a background in ministry and law enforcement, described Gammon as “a place of revival and reinvention.” He shared, “My ministry is fresh again. People don’t just see a pastor of 20 years—they see someone who is alive and relevant. Gammon helped me rediscover what God is doing in me now.”
Tyler Boone, a first-year student, explained how the call to seminary became clear:
“I wouldn’t be here unless I felt called. The commitment to justice, the openness, and the theological foundation at Gammon really stood out to me. As a Black woman in America, I knew I needed this kind of preparation to minister effectively.”
Tyler Boone, First-Year Scholar & Rev. Melvin Boone, Second-Year Scholar.
GRATEFUL FOR THE CALL
Throughout the week, students consistently mentioned:
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The warm hospitality and strong sense of welcome
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Encouragement from meeting alums who modeled the journey
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Delicious meals and shared fellowship
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Feeling supported, seen, and part of a thriving community
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Confidence in choosing Gammon for their theological education
Grow Week 2025 is more than a week of classes; it marks a spiritual homecoming and a sacred step into the future of a transformational journey.
CALLED & CONNECTED
Dr. Kylan Pew, Director of Student Affairs & Interim Director of Recruitment & Admissions, exclaims, “We’re committed to the whole student!” In a candid interview, he discusses the C-principles guiding the work of the Office of Student Affairs by stating, “Yes, we are affirming your call. Yes, we’re forming and challenging you through curriculum, but we also care about your mental and emotional well-being and want to see you connected within the Gammon community.
Dr. Baranda Fermin, Director of Online Learning and Institutional Effectiveness, discusses Grow Week as an intensive experience that “solidifies students’ matriculation” and fast-tracks cohort collaboration.
As students navigate the rigor and rhythm of Grow Week, faculty observe how quickly connections form and how Gammon’s values of openness, calling, legacy, and connection demonstratively shape student interactions. Dr. Laughinghouse, Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics, recalls how students rallied around a classmate with flowers and support. In contrast, others texted and called to ensure others were on time for class. “That means something,” Dr. Laughinghouse explains, “It’s more than just a class, they are building community and embodying the values.”
FORMED FOR A JUST & GENERATIVE FUTURE
From dynamic classroom instruction to spirit-filled chapel experiences, every aspect of Grow Week is intentionally designed to nurture students’ minds, bodies, souls, and spirits.
Faculty and staff curated a full complement of opportunities, including engaging panels, alumni networking sessions, and reflective spaces for spiritual formation. Town halls with President Lewis created space for transparent dialogue, vision casting, and shared accountability. Students encountered not only academic rigor but also a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and prophetic imagination. At Gammon, theological education is not just about coursework. It is about cultivating equipped leaders for the Church and beyond.
JOIN THE GAMMON COMMUNITY
Gammon faculty are cultivating a new generation of theologically grounded and prepared leaders for a just and generative world.
Explore their work. Meet your mentors. Begin your journey.
ATTEND THE NEXT GAMMON GATHERING & YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
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Hear, discern, and respond to God’s call and claim upon your life
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Explore Gammon and its Master of Divinity (MDiv) offering to make decisions about the next steps in theological exploration
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Discover answers to questions regarding the admissions and enrollment process
