2018 Messenger May 2018 Messenger | Page 5

Intern Corner You know, the water in Savannah is warm. Compared to the cold rush of the Pacific in San Diego, it is startlingly warm, calm, and good. It reminds me of something one of my seminary professors said to me as I considered entering into the ministry. Jaimie and I, with Elizah Jane in tow, had originally made the move across the country so that I could study historical theology. I had hopes of going on to doctoral studies and eventually the work of a college professor. That was the plan anyways. Many are the plans in the heart of man, but his steps are the LORD’s. Just two semesters into my studies I found myself standing at the top of the stairway that led to the administrator’s office to switch my major. No longer history, but ministry. I was hesitant, unsure of the shift. Was this really where God was leading? How had my steps led here? Maybe I should just stick with the current plan? I needed some counsel. At that moment I remembered Dr. Dennis Johnson and his perpetually open door. So down I went and turned left at the foot of the stair instead of right. As usual he was there sitting faithfully behind his desk with his usual warm greeting. I did not sit down but jumped right into the conversation. “I need wisdom.” He nodded expectantly. “I am about to change the direction of my studies. I am thinking about shifting from academics to the ministry; do you have any advice?” That is when he said it. He smiled with a glint in his eye and with a welcoming tone he said, “Come on in; the water is warm.” And so far he is right. The water is warm. What joy it has been to serve here in Savannah. What a blessing to live in the lane and open our home to the college students week after week. I am filled with thankfulness as I consider the students, both SCAD and covenant children, whom we have grown to love and delight in, to pray for and see God at work in, and to rejoice in the gifts He has given them. Truly the water here has been warm. I pray that this my joy would be infectious and that you all would know, as I do, the pleasant warmth of the Savannah water. May God see fit to increase this joy by adding to the little SCAD group (an official SCAD “dinner and conversation” club is in the works) and blessing the college fellowship this summer as we meet weekly to work through First Timothy together. —Evan Gear I.P.C. College Summer Study May 16 – July 25 Wednesdays ~ 8:00 p.m. Whitaker Street Building Summer Kickoff ~Studies in 1 Timothy~ BARBECUE College Sunday School May 23 ~ 7:00 p.m. at the home of Chuck & Kathy Moore 10 Shipyard Lane MESSENGER Administration Building Room #72 “Let’s Study Leviticus” (second floor classroom~overlooking Chippewa Square) MAY 2018 PAGE 5