I was born in Romania, but moved to the US when I was six years old. Two years ago, I returned to serve for six months with a nonprofit combatting human trafficking while also volunteering at an orphanage. While there, the Lord opened my eyes to the evil that exists in the world, but I was also reminded of the saving power of Jesus. Through my experience, the Holy Spirit deepened my desire to serve the vulnerable, at risk, and those who have experienced trauma. I want to become a counselor to be a vessel that the Lord utilizes to serve his purpose of bringing healing to those who are hurting in the US and abroad.
Upon finishing college I applied only to Western because of the godly people I’ve had the honor to meet associated with this seminary. In my first year here, Western has equipped me with a gospel-centered education and the tools to serve and love those in my community holistically. I’m currently involved in several ministries at my local church including the nursery, young adult bible study, and hospitality team. Additionally, I have the pleasure of serving with another church at Foster Parent Night Out monthly, and I’m starting practicum in the fall with a local homeless shelter to love and serve my neighbors.
In my time here, I’ve been convicted, stretched, encouraged, and guided to be more like Christ by both faculty and students. My education is not only helping me get closer to my vocational goals, but it’s also helping me grow in my faith, knowledge, and skills to better serve, as a neighbor and counselor, those the Lord has placed in my life. At Western, I’m confronting the hardships of this world, while being reminded of the greatest hope, Christ. In one year, the Lord has used the Western community to shape me more into his image, and I anticipate the next years to be no different.
Explore your options in transformative training at Western Seminary:
Western Seminary is an accredited graduate school founded in 1927. It offers trustworthy and accessible training for gospel-centered transformation at both the graduate credit and personal enrichment levels for those currently serving, or aspiring to serve, in key ministry leadership roles. The Western system consists of four campuses (Portland, OR; San Jose and Sacramento, CA; and Online) and a teaching site (Seattle, WA) that together serve approximately 950 credit students annually.
