Feeling Weird?

I’ve heard it said many times over the years, “There’s something different about Shepherds. You feel at peace as soon as you step onto campus.”  After making this statement, one person added, “It’s weird, but I love it!”

Weird? I had to smile.  Maybe when compared to a bustling organization whose main goal is to show a profit at the end of every fiscal year, but when an organization puts “Spiritual Growth” high on its list of desired outcomes, as Shepherds College does, that “peaceful” feeling is not weird at all!

It’s not that we don’t bustle – just watch the Res Life staff in the dorms after school. And it’s not that we don’t feel stress or concern (have you ever visited campus during finals week?). We have our share of problems. Copy machines break down. Students fight. Teachers get sick. Plans don’t work out.

So why do people often use the word “peaceful” when they visit Shepherds College?

The staff at Shepherds College recognizes that peaceful feeling as the presence of God.  He is invited here every day with our prayers. He is honored through our words and actions. And He is loved through our service to young adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The staff is regularly encouraged to stay close to Him, to strengthen their relationship with Him through practices which result in spiritual growth.

The results are amazing! 

You know that peaceful feeling you get when you arrive on campus? Well, it’s inside each one of us working here too. It comes from knowing who God is, walking in His ways, and realizing His purpose for our lives.  Our deepest desire as staff at Shepherds College is to have the students also know this peace, not just by strolling around the sidewalks admiring the flowers and breathing in the clean, country air, but by carrying it around inside of them each and every day. 

To this end, Shepherds College provides many opportunities for spiritual growth:

Bible Courses – Each semester, students take two Bible courses designed to increase their knowledge of God, His Word, and His plan for their lives. This semester our 1^st year students will take Personal Bible Study and Roots of Faith, the 2^nd year students will take Apologetics and Life of Christ, and the 3^rd year students will take New Testament Letters and Ready 4 Life.

Church Attendance – Once students get used to the routine of college, it is our expectation that they will attend weekly church services. We will provide transportation every Sunday morning to one of six different churches in the area.

Miranda presenting in Chapel

Chapel – On Monday mornings, a chapel service is offered in the Commons. This service focuses on worship, prayer, and Bible instruction for the students.

Spiritual Counseling – Our students are provided with numerous opportunities to receive counseling based on the truths from God’s Word. This counseling may come from the teacher in a classroom setting, or it may come to an individual from his Academic Advisor, Residential Life Staff or even from our campus psychologist, Dr. Russ Kinkade.

Scripture Memory – An important piece of spiritual growth is the memorization of Scripture. Students are encouraged to commit God’s Word to memory on a regular basis through Bible classes.

Service Opportunities – We recognize the value of service to others and are committed to providing our students with plenty of opportunities to serve. Staff will look at the individual strengths and gifts of the students before attempting to place them in service opportunities.

So, is feeling peaceful on a busy campus filled with yelling, laughing, running students weird? Yeah, maybe for the rest of the world. But it’s the norm at Shepherds College.

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.