The wonderful thing about God is that he knows exactly what we need, not what we think we need. This is evident in my gracious host family, the Murchisons. Prior to moving to Charlotte, I was so excited to meet them, and I felt so hopeful about this family that I would be living with for the next 9 months. A little intro to my host family: Fred and Katy (parents), Ivy (14) and Ella (12). Rounding it out with 2 pets, we have their dog, Lolli (She and I are pals) and their cat, Raven. (We are… still warming up to each other).
Imagine being asked to solve a physics equation. That’s likely what learning how to round numbers feels like for a third grader.
Every Monday, the Charlotte Fellows serve at Brookstone School’s after school program, and I’ve paired up with the third grade class. In all honesty, sometimes I struggle articulating why we round up or down when I’m helping third graders with their homework. Most of the time, I’m trying to get them to lower their voices or focus on their homework. However, the hecticness doesn’t mean sweet moments don’t happen.
Already in just six short weeks, it seems I have learned more about myself and what it means to be a man of God than I did in four years of college. It’s not that college was a waste of time, it’s just that the unique blend of community, discipleship, service, and time for personal reflection provided through the Fellows has been the ultimate answered prayer for me.
To start a journey, one must first be willing to leave. To leave the comfort and safety of home and risk the unknown of what is beyond. To leave friends and family, and move to a new city and into a house of strangers. To leave college, a place of independence and fun, to be replaced by a job and learning what “adulting” really means.
The Charlotte Fellows Program is full of opportunities for us to serve in our community. Whether it be through our not-for-profit exposure, work in our churches, or volunteering at schools, there are many ways that we can serve. But it can be easy to forget how often people are serving us in this season of life.
Hello Charlotte Fellows blog and a belated hello to 2023! I still haven’t wrapped my head around the fact that it is already 2023 and we are halfway through the fellows program. If I think about it for too long I’ll get sad, so for now we will just ignore this and focus on the good.
The past six months have sort of felt like learning to ride a bike. The training wheels are off, but there is still someone there to catch you when you fall. The Charlotte Fellows Program has allowed each of us the time to discern what the Lord is calling us to and welcomed us into a community that is ready to support us.
Yooooo! What’s up CLT Fellows Fam! As my first blog post, I thought there would be no better way to start than to tell you how I got here.
Since high school, I have been involved in Chick-fil-A and Young Life. Both of these experiences allowed me to grow in my faith and as an individual. In the spring semester of my senior year, I considered pursuing both of these avenues post-grad. I thought I knew what was next, but I was wrong.
The Charlotte Fellows Program has brought me more than I could’ve imagined. Each week is busy and full of engagement, challenges, and new experiences. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It would be hard for me to see one of our weekly commitments taken off the schedule. I would be less busy, sure. But I would miss out on many of the opportunities and growth that is taking place.
Fellows life is full. My weeks are full of good things: a job where I get to contribute to the work of an awesome ministry (shoutout to the Eagles!), a seminary class, professional development opportunities, visiting nonprofits, volunteering at an after-school program, and time in the Word and in fellowship with my fellow fellows.
Do you have questions about what life looks like as a fellow? Contact us by filling out the form below, and learn more about the Charlotte Fellows!
