Three of the most intense and enjoyable weeks of my life

You’re doing what?” This was the response of a friend I work with when I explained that I was going to spend three weeks of my summer vacation at a seminary studying theology. Totally foreign to him was the idea that I would sacrifice three weeks of my summer to something that was, in his mind, utterly uninteresting. However, I couldn’t have been more excited.

Last summer I attended the Theological Foundations for Youth program, and it exceeded my highest expectations.

The Theological Foundations for Youth (TFY) program is a ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Youth Ministries Committee of Reformed Presbyterian Synod. Held annually, TFY consists of three weeks of intensive theological instruction, including a week of practical ministry opportunities spent with a local RP congregation in the Pittsburgh area. The purpose of the program is to provide a biblical foundation in the theology of the church to young people on the brink of adulthood.

In general, the program goes like this: A group of nearly 30 excited high school juniors and seniors spends one week at the seminary, listening to lectures from seminary professors and TFY staff on a variety of topics ranging from “The Mediatorial Kingship of Christ” to “The Sabbath Day” to “Apologetics” to “Biblical Eschatology.” After this, the group of exhausted–but still enthusiastic–students is split up into groups of five or six, and shipped off to different RP congregations around the Pittsburgh and Beaver Falls, Pa., areas. For a full week, these kids are at the disposal of their assigned churches, and are given various ministry opportunities. Finally, this group of very excited and even more exhausted students reassembles at the seminary for another week of lectures.

TFY is intense. I think of it as a theological boot camp; it’s not for the faint of heart. However, TFY is also a lot of fun. After long days of concentrated study, students can engage in all kinds of fun activities, including ping-pong or “sardines” (both involve fierce competition, and are traditions at TFY), or just sit and talk. Singing in the stairwell at the back of the seminary happened to be our group’s favorite pastime.

Whatever the activity, students will enjoy themselves. Three weeks spent with likeminded peers and gifted mentors, studying, working and playing together is a delightful experience.

This past year, 28 students participated in TFY. We sat under exceptional instruction from gifted teachers. Pastor Micah Ramsey’s unbridled enthusiasm kept us on the edge of our seats as he taught on effective evangelism. Dr. Denny Prutow’s thoughtful answers satisfied our plethora of questions about eschatology and the regulative principle of worship. TFY leaders David Whitla and Rut Etheridge taught on a variety of subjects, and also were willing to spend time in conversation answering the questions we had. Many other teachers contributed to our instruction, and we came away from every lecture encouraged and challenged.

The program was also full of exciting ministry opportunities. I spent time going door to door surveying the spiritual needs of the community, helping run a Backyard Bible Club, and shadowing Pastors Martin Blocki and Harry Metzger as they went about shepherding their congregation. The pastors crammed our schedules, while our gracious hosts stuffed our stomachs. Fellow “TFYers” returned to the seminary with their own stories: evangelism opportunities, hammer-and-nail jobs, and even chicken butchering! One of our favorite activities was visiting with residents of the Reformed Presbyter-ian Home. It was great to be able to put to use the instruction we had been given.

I grew up in this denomination. The doctrines of the regulative principle of worship, covenant theology, and infant baptism were not new to me. However, my understanding of much of our church’s doctrine was disjointed. Sure, if asked about a cappella worship I would have been able to rattle off something about Old Testament temple worship and Christ’s fulfilling sacrifice, but my answer would have sounded robotic. The professors and staff at TFY helped me tremendously by guiding our group through a careful study of God’s Word in order to show us how all these doctrines tie together. Unpacked in front of me, I found the beauty of God’s Word astonishing. At TFY the beliefs of my parents and my church were cemented as my own.

During TFY God created in me a love for our church greater than I ever had previously. Experiencing firsthand the joy of learning and working side by side with peers who have become some of my closest friends, I understood anew the blessings of being a part of this branch of Christ’s Church.

TFY attempts to provide a solid Biblical foundation for the youth in our denomination. In my life, it certainly has. I recommend this excellent program to any young person who desires to establish a firm basis in biblical theology. I assure you, it is three weeks more than well spent.