My name is Rena LeBlanc, and I am a second-year student in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart. My hometown is Berne, Indiana, where I am a member of Emmaus Road Mennonite Fellowship. Currently, my husband, Rene, and I live on campus at AMBS with our dog, Nori.
As part of the MDiv program, students are required to complete two ministry placements in churches or other ministry settings. I chose to do one of my ministry placements at Pathways Retreat. One reason I chose Pathways is that I am from a background where I did not learn anything about contemplative spiritual practices in church. About 10 years ago, I stumbled upon Thomas Merton's writing, which significantly broadened my understanding of who God is and how God works in the world. I found myself drawn to spiritual practices like solitude, silence, lectio divina, and centering prayer. I was excited to learn there was a retreat center in Goshen that offered programming in these practices. I am also interested in learning about the organizational structure and day-to-day operations of a retreat center.
I look forward to working closely with Linda, Janell, and other Pathways board members and program facilitators over the next several months, as well as getting to know the people who participate in Pathways’ programs!
As part of the MDiv program, students are required to complete two ministry placements in churches or other ministry settings. I chose to do one of my ministry placements at Pathways Retreat. One reason I chose Pathways is that I am from a background where I did not learn anything about contemplative spiritual practices in church. About 10 years ago, I stumbled upon Thomas Merton's writing, which significantly broadened my understanding of who God is and how God works in the world. I found myself drawn to spiritual practices like solitude, silence, lectio divina, and centering prayer. I was excited to learn there was a retreat center in Goshen that offered programming in these practices. I am also interested in learning about the organizational structure and day-to-day operations of a retreat center.
I look forward to working closely with Linda, Janell, and other Pathways board members and program facilitators over the next several months, as well as getting to know the people who participate in Pathways’ programs!