For second year MDiv student Darren Rogers, pursing education was instilled in him at an early age. His mother was a single working parent who also attended college at the same time in addition to taking care of her family.

“She got her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the age of 57,” he said, a proud smile on his face.  “Education was important for her, and when I saw that it put something in me.”

Not only that, but it was at school where he learned from his track coach about the persistent love of Jesus Christ. As the years went by, bringing on all the highs and lows of life, Darren always found himself drawn to active leadership in the church. When he, his wife, and their kids were stationed with the US military in Dayton, Ohio, God put it on Darren’s heart to take a step further into ministry. After expressing his sense of call to his pastor, Darren completed ministry training and was ordained in the Pentecostal church.

Yet God was not done with him. When Darren’s mother became sick, he and his family relocated to Pittsburgh to be with her. Darren was able continue his ministry this time as assistant pastor at a new church. There he felt the Holy Spirit telling him to take another step deeper—and attend seminary.

“I felt as though I would be doing a disservice to anyone that I ministered to if I didn’t know as much as I could about the Bible and church history,” he said.

While looking at different seminaries around the United States, his wife suggested he look at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. As a Pentecostal he didn’t think he would fit in at a Presbyterian-founded academic institution, but he discovered a denominationally diverse student body and felt it would be enriching.

“Being in relationship with different people from different backgrounds has helped me to break down my walls and open up. In my experience at PTS, you can engage and express true feelings in conversations, understanding and believing each other as brothers and sisters.”

It is this theologically diverse community that has been instrumental in his ministry formation and preparation, because for the past five months he has been serving as head pastor at a Baptist church.  Here he seeks to emphasize Christ and the importance of being in relationship with Christ and with one another.

With at least one more year of seminary ahead, Darren is eager to learn what God is going to teach him.

For second year MDiv student Darren Rogers, pursing education was instilled in him at an early age. His mother was a single working parent who also attended college at the same time in addition to taking care of her family.

“She got her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the age of 57,” he said, a proud smile on his face.  “Education was important for her, and when I saw that it put something in me.”

Not only that, but it was at school where he learned from his track coach about the persistent love of Jesus Christ. As the years went by, bringing on all the highs and lows of life, Darren always found himself drawn to active leadership in the church. When he, his wife, and their kids were stationed with the US military in Dayton, Ohio, God put it on Darren’s heart to take a step further into ministry. After expressing his sense of call to his pastor, Darren completed ministry training and was ordained in the Pentecostal church.

Yet God was not done with him. When Darren’s mother became sick, he and his family relocated to Pittsburgh to be with her. Darren was able continue his ministry this time as assistant pastor at a new church. There he felt the Holy Spirit telling him to take another step deeper—and attend seminary.

“I felt as though I would be doing a disservice to anyone that I ministered to if I didn’t know as much as I could about the Bible and church history,” he said.

While looking at different seminaries around the United States, his wife suggested he look at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. As a Pentecostal he didn’t think he would fit in at a Presbyterian-founded academic institution, but he discovered a denominationally diverse student body and felt it would be enriching.

“Being in relationship with different people from different backgrounds has helped me to break down my walls and open up. In my experience at PTS, you can engage and express true feelings in conversations, understanding and believing each other as brothers and sisters.”

It is this theologically diverse community that has been instrumental in his ministry formation and preparation, because for the past five months he has been serving as head pastor at a Baptist church.  Here he seeks to emphasize Christ and the importance of being in relationship with Christ and with one another.

With at least one more year of seminary ahead, Darren is eager to learn what God is going to teach him.