Grace in Action
Studying at Grace is a “Blessing of a Lifetime”
Andrew Filer’s father has always been his inspiration and motivation to pursue his college degree at Grace School of Theology. But when his father passed away, he needed a new motivation to finish what he had started. Thankfully, he found it at Grace. He considers studying at Grace as “one of the greatest moments” in his lifetime.
Grace in Action
Studying at Grace is a “Blessing of a Lifetime”
Andrew Filer’s father has always been his inspiration and motivation to pursue his college degree at Grace School of Theology. But when his father passed away, he needed a new motivation to finish what he had started. Thankfully, he found it at Grace. He considers studying at Grace as “one of the greatest moments” in his lifetime.
There is something unique about this school that I honestly did not expect to find elsewhere. Despite the obvious teacher-student dynamic, there is a true feeling of family among the professors and my classmates.
Drew started studying at Grace after graduating high school. It was during a time he described as a “transitional period” in his life—he was preparing to enter the workforce to save money for college and his family was actively involved in a church planting ministry. Drew chose Grace because it offered an affordable tuition fee, and since the nature of his family’s ministry involved moving from one place to another, it helped that the lessons were accessible online. This made finishing a degree program highly attainable for someone like him.
Drew considers his dad, Joseph Filer, as the person who encouraged him the most to finish college at Grace and continue learning and growing in the ministry. As a matter of fact, he spent and finished his internship serving side-by-side with his dad in his ministry called Freedom Church Movement—a ministry that helped plant and revitalize churches across the United States.
“Throughout this entire period, my dad raised me up to learn what his calling was and what my role in it could be.”
Thus, when Drew’s dad passed away in October 2021, it became a very heartbreaking experience and a dark moment for him and the entire family. The person who encouraged him and inspired him to study in the seminary was suddenly gone. He wasn’t ready for this and it made him question whether or not it was even worth it to finish his degree.
Thankfully, Drew found new inspiration and purpose through the help of his Grace family who encouraged him to “see it through.” For Drew, his professors and their classes really made an impact on his life. Principles of Biblical Interpretation with Dr. Mark Haywood taught him a more practical approach to Bible study, something which he struggled with before. General Psychology and Counseling with Prof. Kristen Peña gave him more understanding on how people think. And Doctrinal Summary with Dr. Mark Cancel set a clear foundation for his beliefs.
According to Drew, Professors Haywood, Peña, and Cancel were all of great counsel and encouragement as he processed his trauma and grief, while trying to finish his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (BABS) degree.
“Without the three of them, I likely would have dropped out after losing my dad.”
For Drew, what made studying at Grace so unique was the opportunity to develop relationships with his spiritual leaders and feel the love and support from his brothers in Christ through the most exciting and difficult months of his life.
It was at Grace wherein Drew experienced the love of Christ that transcended through his friends, classmates, discipleship group, and professors. It is the love that he felt through the encouragement and support he received from his Grace family from day one. For Drew, his experience at the seminary is really a “blessing of a lifetime.”
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