It started with a nudge—a nudge from God. Darlene Figgs ’13 first responded to that nudge to more study and growth in her relationship with God by enrolling in the Seminary’s Christian Leadership Certificate program.
The non-matriculating CLC program, offered through the Seminary’s Metro-Urban Institute, is open to the public without regard to educational credentials beyond high school. Students participate in biblically oriented seminars designed to expand their knowledge of Scripture and address issues of importance to urban ministry, practical ministry, Christian education, church-based community organizing, and evangelism strategies.
Darlene says, “When I enrolled in the CLC program I had no idea that it would lead to anything more. But God’s nudge became a pull to get more involved in ministry.” Responding again, Darlene joined the Evangelism Ministry, began teaching Sunday school classes, and started leading New Member classes at Bidwell Presbyterian Church.
In addition to part-time studies as an evening M.Div. student, Darlene continued to work as a special education teacher in the McNaugher Education Center in the Pittsburgh’s Perry South community.
“Unlike some who are called into ministry,” Darlene says, “I have not yet heard a clear call from God of what that means beyond study. However, as I study God continues to shape—or reshape—the ordinary things in my life. While I have my own ideas of how my ministry could or should be structured, I’ve been careful not to let what I think interfere with where God is leading me. So in this process, as God moves I move, step-by-step and in God’s time.”