Since Semester in Scotland began in 2003, 18 students from the U.S. and N. Ireland have participated or are currently participating in the program. We caught up with a few of the students to see what they had to say about their experience.

Natalie Faris went to Scotland four years ago. She and her husband, Daniel, are members of the First (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC and plan to become long-term missionaries as part of the Cush4Christ team in Africa.

Noah Bailey participated in the program three years ago. He is currently studying to become a pastor at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. He and his wife, Lydia, who also participated in the program, are also members of First RPC. They have two children.

Brenda Gladfelter is currently in Scotland with the Covenanter Training Institute (CTI). Brenda is a junior history major at Geneva College. She is a member of the Broomall, Pa., RPC.

What do you remember most about your experience in Scotland?

Natalie: Intense conversations, intense prayer, intense personal reflection. I was deeply impressed with the rediscovery that the key to spiritual life and growth is to use the simple things God has given us: the Word and prayer. Also, I was thrilled to get academic credit for things that so often only seem to compete with academic commitments.

Noah: I best remember the people of Airdrie—quick to laugh, quick to love, and completely committed to Christ. In short, the good food, the great craic [conversation and fun], and all the love.

Brenda: The thing about CTI that sticks out the most to me is how we aren’t just learning a lot of theology; we are learning how to apply it to our lives. The program that has been put together pretty much guarantees that the things you learn will stay with you and make a difference in your life. You don’t just learn about God, you learn how you should be living for Him in your everyday life.

How has the program had a lasting effect on your life?

Natalie: It solidified my understanding of the supremacy of Jesus Christ and the importance of the Word and prayer. [It] convinced me that Jesus Christ is just as much glorified by our obedient lives in the 21st Century as He was by the deaths of the Covenanters in the 17th Century.  Only inasmuch as the Covenanters lived for King Jesus  could they die for Him, and the same is true for us. I can think of at least two ongoing prayers of mine that originated in Airdrie: that God would give me a love for people, and that He would call men, even at a young age, to the ministry.

Noah: CTI really r eoriented  my focus  for ministry. I went to CTI with a lot of the knowledge and skills, but the Airdrie RP Church really taught me to love and to work for Christ’s kingdom. Too often ministry is “my work” for Christ, but CTI  continually reminded me that it is Christ’s work for Christ’s glory–and that it is my privilege to share in it!

Brenda: I’m still in the program, so I can’t exactly say that it has had a lasting effect on my life, but I’m positive that it will. I’ve come to know and understand God a lot more and I’ve really been growing in my relationship with Him these past couple months.