THE FLAME VOL. 2 NO. 5, Nov-December 2015
A PUBLICATION OF WELCH COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
From Welch to the World
A former student recalls how Welch College gave him a heart for the nations. Photo: The Smiths
TreeTop Photography (by Mary Kaye Girst)
When I arrived at Welch College in Fall 1997, little did I know how my life would change during the next five years. Academically speaking, I learned to study, to manage my time wisely, and the importance of prioritizing my tasks. Outside the classroom, I learned invaluable life lessons from godly professors and amazing friends. The faculty and staff challenged me to look deeper into the Word of God to know Him better each day. And, through travel groups and my Christian service assignment (teaching two-year-olds at The Donelson Fellowship), I had many opportunities to grow and share my faith. During my junior year, I had the unforgettable opportunity to live with Jeff and Susan Turnbough in Spain and study Spanish at University of Madrid. While observing these missionaries firsthand, my heart began to beat for global evangelism. When I returned to Welch I began to work towards some type of cross-cultural ministry. After graduating in 2002, my wife and I were approved for a two-year, short-term assignment in Madrid. We spent two years learning all we could from the team in Madrid. The Lord gave us many opportunities to continue learning from other godly men and women, and more importantly, from His Word. After returning to the States, we settled in Detroit, Michigan, and the Lord blessed me with a great job at Comerica Bank, where I am a banking center manager and business development officer. I utilize many of the skills I learned at Welch to work with integrity. It is my goal to lead my team as more than just their manager; I consider my office my mission field. My wife Christi and I work in my home church, Kirby Church, by leading missions trips. Over the past ten years, we have seen our church become more and more globally minded as students and adults have traveled to Spain, France, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Uganda, Kenya, and Costa Rica. I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend Welch College. God used my time there to prepare me for a lifetime of ministry. The college and its godly leaders gave me the leadership skills necessary to lead a team of people in a secular job. More importantly, my time at Welch instilled in me a heart for ministry and for furthering the Kingdom of Christ to the ends of earth.
About the writer: Josh Smith (‘02) and his wife Christi (Wilson, ‘02) live in Woodhaven, Michigan, and attend Kirby Free Will Baptist Church. Learn more about the Missions program at Welch College: www.welch.edu.
Perfect for Christmas! Order the latest CD from the College Choir and Rejoice! under direction of Dr. James M Stevens. Produced by John G. Elliott and recorded in Ricky Skaggs studio. Available at Welch.edu, iTunes, or Amazon.