Melanie Timber MDiv/MSW program studentMelanie Timbers, MDiv student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, felt God’s call in her life years ago, a call to make a difference. However, it wasn’t until 2000 under her preacher’s tutelage that she started walking that path. She took the classes offered at her church, becoming licensed to preach in 2004, and was ordained to preach in 2006. 

Around that time, Melanie also graduated from Carlow University, becoming the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. The plan was to continue with schooling, earning her credentials in counseling in order help her church be better able to offer counseling. She was accepted into the master’s program at Carlow, but God was tugging her elsewhere. Though her denomination doesn’t require a seminary degree, Melanie felt the call to attend seminary. She wanted to gain a stronger biblical understanding in order to be equipped to do the work of the Kingdom. So, she enrolled in PTS and intends to do the MDiv/MSW joint degree with the University of Pittsburgh.

Melanie didn’t think she was college material, but she trusted God, and so she continues to trust that God will get her through. With two years of seminary under her belt, Melanie has felt the building confidence in her call. She has spent her time diving into her classes, cultivating a firmer foundation in God through biblical studies, and continuously discerning her call to church leadership. 

“I’m being equipped by gaining confidence as a leader because knowledge is power. I am here to gather the strength to be the leader God is calling me to be,” she says.

When Melanie completes the MDiv portion of her joint degree, she’ll continue her education to fulfill the counseling part of her call. Though what the end looks like is unclear, Melanie will continue to trust God who will use her help others know who Christ is so that their lives too can be changed.

Written July 2014
 

Melanie Timber MDiv/MSW program studentMelanie Timbers, MDiv student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, felt God’s call in her life years ago, a call to make a difference. However, it wasn’t until 2000 under her preacher’s tutelage that she started walking that path. She took the classes offered at her church, becoming licensed to preach in 2004, and was ordained to preach in 2006. 

Around that time, Melanie also graduated from Carlow University, becoming the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. The plan was to continue with schooling, earning her credentials in counseling in order help her church be better able to offer counseling. She was accepted into the master’s program at Carlow, but God was tugging her elsewhere. Though her denomination doesn’t require a seminary degree, Melanie felt the call to attend seminary. She wanted to gain a stronger biblical understanding in order to be equipped to do the work of the Kingdom. So, she enrolled in PTS and intends to do the MDiv/MSW joint degree with the University of Pittsburgh.

Melanie didn’t think she was college material, but she trusted God, and so she continues to trust that God will get her through. With two years of seminary under her belt, Melanie has felt the building confidence in her call. She has spent her time diving into her classes, cultivating a firmer foundation in God through biblical studies, and continuously discerning her call to church leadership. 

“I’m being equipped by gaining confidence as a leader because knowledge is power. I am here to gather the strength to be the leader God is calling me to be,” she says.

When Melanie completes the MDiv portion of her joint degree, she’ll continue her education to fulfill the counseling part of her call. Though what the end looks like is unclear, Melanie will continue to trust God who will use her help others know who Christ is so that their lives too can be changed.

Written July 2014