In 2016 God called us, the McMinn family of seven, to seminary. This must be distinctly understood. He didn’t only call Bryce. Bryce and I both discerned the Lord’s call, and we’re all intimately involved in this as a family. The two years that Bryce has been in seminary have been a time of growth and intentionality for us. Bryce as a full-time student, I as a full-time home educator, and both running a home business, all while modeling godly family life to our five children. It’s been a challenge to say the least. 

Upon arriving on campus we set up Bryce’s desk in the corner of our bedroom. To date that desk remains unused. Being a father of five, Bryce quickly realized that he needed to learn to study with the kids around or he’d rarely see them. So instead of using his beautiful, 19th century desk, his office is a thrift store recliner in the corner of our living room. He writes papers and sermons while the kids are asleep, but most of his reading and studying happens amidst the craziness of five home-schooled children.  

God called me to homeschooling when our first son, Noah, turned 5. When we moved to campus in 2016, after four years of homeschooling, we discerned no call from God to stop. Making this decision for our family has made our financial situation more challenging. But God is faithful. He continually provides for our needs.  

Seminary is hard. No seminary family will disagree with that. It’s hard, but it’s also very good. Through this experience God has grown our faith and trust in Him. We’ve become more intentional about spending time together, talking about things, spending time with the other seminary families, worshiping together, praying together, and spending time in His Word together. We prayerfully make decisions together, intentionally seeking guidance from the Word. We’ve grown together as a family. God wants us close to Him, and He wants us fully trusting in Him. 

These words ring clear and true to my heart: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey” (John H. Sammis). 

Erin McMinn and her husband, Bryce [AFLTS senior], and their family are members of Ruthfred Evangelical Lutheran, Bethel Park, Pa. 

This article first appeared in Kinship Magazine, Fall 2018 Edition.

Kinship is a magazine of the Free Lutheran Schools. Stay up to date on latest news, student stories, classroom highlights, and fun tidbits about life on the AFLBS and AFLTS campus.

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