1. Why did you choose to become a Briarwood Fellow? 

I wanted to do youth ministry, but I had done nothing else but ministry internships. I knew that Fellows would prepare me with real world experience in a safe environment, but at the same time, an unknown and uncomfortable environment. Moving to a new city and knowing no one was hard, but definitely needed. I also liked the seminary aspect of the program and the opportunity to learn more about Christ. 

2. Did you have any preconceived notions about the program that were different in reality/did anything surprise you?

The people. At the beginning, from the surface level, there were some people that I didn't think I would be friends with. But those are the ones that are some of my very best friends now. It was surprising. I also didn't realize how deep and fast friendships would form. Fellows is the perfect situation for that, and because all but one of us weren't from Birmingham, we all had to rely on each other to hang out with. 

3. What did you expect to learn through the program and how, if at all, did that differ from what you actually learned?

I didn't have a ton of expectations. It was one of those things that I thought I wouldn't fully grasp until I was in it. I did expect to learn a lot about Jesus in seminary classes and because Briarwood Fellows is through such a strong church, and that expectation was fulfilled. But I don't think I expected to learn as much about myself as I did. All the tests and assessments, and interacting with people and different scenarios taught me a lot about myself. We saw in a lot of ways how sinful we are as people, but those realizations just made Jesus that much sweeter.

4. What was your favorite weekly activity?

Tutoring. Beforehand, we got 20-30 minutes waiting with the fellows, and that was always a fun time to catch up with everyone. There was a lot of laughing: seeing everyone talk to a 2nd grader and learn how to teach kids that weren't always the most well behaved was comical. We also were paired with the same child each week, so I got to know my little girl over the course of the nine months and see actual improvement, which was a really cool experience. One of the fellows is a teacher, so on top of everything else, it was great to see her in her element and see her doing what she was made to do.

5. One of the more difficult aspects of your 9 months as a Fellow?

The demanding structure of it was very different than what I was used to. Fellows has so much structure, which was so different from college, and that was good but could be overwhelming. I had never worked an 8-5 job so jumping in and doing that was a lot. We had to learn time management, adjust to a new city and a new family, and so many other things. You don't always have time to think about it because you have to go onto the next thing. Working through that was hard at times, but it prepares you really well for post-fellows work.

6. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow? 

The relationships. With the other fellows, but also with Briarwood the church. Everyone understands and is bought into the program. Small things like Pastor Reeder inviting us to his house and telling his story made a big church feel small. The church as a whole does a good job of seeking out relationships with the fellows. That's one of the best parts about it. 

7. What was the most memorable moment?

There were so many memorable moments. We were the first class to be there when Seth's dog had puppies, and we loved that. The best moment though, hands down, is from our regional conference in Memphis. Every group has to do an introduction, and it can either be a dance, skit, or video. Most groups did videos, and we decided to do a step routine. Half of our group was pretty talented, and the other half can't dance to save our lives, so it went downhill very quickly. Seth started it off rapping, and we couldn't even finish the dance we were laughing so hard. Every other program was so confused, so we didn't make friends that week, but it was definitely one of the funnier moments for sure. 

8. How would you summarize your Fellows experience?

Funny. Fellows is like learning to be an adult with a safety net beneath you and room to fail. It was a hard, growing year accompanied with lots of laughter and lots of love. 

9. What is one word you would use to describe the program?

Intentional.

10. How did working in an internship jump-start or prepare you for your career afterwards?

I worked at UAB Hospital for their cancer foundation. There was a lot of event planning, marketing, etc. and I have definitely used a lot of that for my job in youth ministry now planning retreats and parent events. Marketing is all about talking to people about something you're passionate about and making it compelling, and that translates so well into youth ministry. I'm just marketing for Jesus with middle and high school students. 

I had the best boss that year, and he was very influential in developing me and the other fellow that worked there as people. He was great with personal development, which is a strong suit of fellows overall, and a lot of that carries over to what I do now. 

Along with that, Briarwood knew that I wanted to do youth ministry, so the high school staff brought me in more and let me come to trip planning and staff meetings to learn from them. Briarwood was so great to show me more behind the scenes of their youth program, and I was so thankful for that guidance. 

11. How did God change your outlook on faith, family, community, or work? 

"Seamless Life" is a buzz word in the Fellows world, but Seth does a great job of explaining what that looks like. There was such an emphasis on that in all facets. He told us what it meant, showed us what it looks like, and walked us through it before we did it ourselves. We had leadership lunches where people explained how they take the gospel into the workplace and so many other things that worked together to tell us and show us examples of what a seamless life can look like in the world.

12. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

Do it and don't look back. I couldn't think of anything better. In my world, a lot of people think they should do RUF internships, Fellows, or something similar. In Fellows, you're working towards something and getting paid, not paying to do something that's not setting you up for a career. Fellows is going to have eternal impact at the most basic level. There's not a better use of your time. 

13. In retrospect, what are you most thankful for from your time as a Fellow?

All of it. The requirement to get outside of your comfort zone was needed, because if it wasn't, I wouldn't have done it. You have to be all in or it's not going to be worth it. It's not easy to have one foot in: the program requires all of you and it won't have the same impact if you're not all in.

14. If you could go back, would you choose it again?

100%. There are so many different personalities of programs, and different directors, and I think Seth is the best all around. Not only would I do Fellows again, but I would do it at Briarwood again. (But only if there were puppies again.)

1. Why did you choose to become a Briarwood Fellow? How did you hear about Fellows?

I heard about Briarwood Fellows while I was at New Year's Conference for Campus Outreach. I had a few options, which were all great, but I think Fellows just settled in my heart more than the others. I knew that's where I was supposed to be.

2. Did you have any preconceived notions about the program that were different in reality/did anything surprise you?

I think the thing that most surprised me was how multifaceted and introspective the program is. You're constantly prodded and pushed to learn more and look at yourself closer, and that was the first time I'd really done that. 

This wasn't really a surprise, but I remember thinking that I was going to commit to these people for nine months, and that they would be my top priority. That mindset set me up well. I went to school in Birmingham, but committing to the other fellows helped me to spend time in the community that God had placed me in for that year, and I'm so thankful that I did.

3. What did you expect to learn through the program and how, if at all, did that differ from what you actually learned? 

Fellows is something I'll be able to draw from for the rest of my life. I didn't realize how much I would learn in all areas. We learned how to live life with a Biblical worldview, and that bled into every area. 

4. What was your favorite weekly activity?

Roundtable, especially cooking with people.

5. One of the more difficult aspects of your 9 months as a Fellow?

The stark reality of the high expectations I'd set on marriage and children. Living with a host family opened my eyes to the fact that having a family takes a lot of dying to yourself. Marriage and parenthood are both beautiful, but I also saw how much work it really takes. 

6. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow?

The connections I made in Birmingham during the fellows year were a huge thing for me. I know that I am forever and constantly covered in prayer by the people I met there, and that has made such an impact on my life. 

7. What was the most memorable moment? 

The most memorable moment for me was our vocational retreat. The trip is geared toward what's next for us and finding our calling, and I felt very certain that I was called to acting. It was so encouraging to invite people into that decision that asked me the hard questions and surrounded me with support and encouragement in such a pivotal moment in my life. I couldn't have asked for better guidance tangibly. 

8. What is one word you would use to describe the program? 

Introspective. The fellows program is geared towards the individual--every fellow will have a different and really unique experience. And then you're surrounded by people that cover you in prayer and stuff the gospel into you.

9. How did working in an internship jumpstart or prepare you for your career afterwards?

My internship wasn't in the arts, but I received a lot of cool connections through it that helped me move to Atlanta and pursue acting. All of my original connections to Atlanta, for roommates, career, church, etc, were all through the fellows program. You never know who you might meet, and for me, my job and the people I met were very pivotal in helping me navigate my next steps.

10. How did God change your outlook on faith, family, community, or work?

Basically, God put a bomb in all my ideas and blew it up. My fellows year was the first time I saw what it looked like to be a part of a church and serve in it. I had never chosen to be a part of a body of believers and love them through everything. I saw how necessary it is to live in community. I took that lesson to Atlanta, and my church here is what makes Atlanta home to me. 

There were so many pivotal moments for me during fellows. I went from a very churched life to actually having a relationship with God, knowing the character of God, and how to live out of that. I learned who God is, who He says I am, and what that means for my life. I learned that we don't all have to be a pastor or a missionary to follow God. God gives us all different gifts and passions for a reason, and we use those to honor Him. 

11. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

You won't regret it. I can't stress enough the importance of it. It's so pivotal to life and navigating your future, and I know so many people that wish they had done something like the fellows. I feel blessed that I got to be a part of the program; it was a total gift. 

1. Why did you choose to become a Briarwood Fellow? How did you hear about Fellows?

I chose Briarwood Fellows because I felt like it was a very appealing model for a year after college. Vocationally, I was considering full-time ministry and going into the marketplace. It was appealing to have a faith community where I could wrestle with vocational questions (and lots of others) while considering what the Lord would be drawing me to afterwards.

2. Did you have any pre-conceived notions about the program that were different in reality?

I didn't anticipate the host family component being so integral for me as I didn't really think about developing a deep relationship with my host home. But that was one of the dearest things the Lord provided for that year. I was embraced as their own daughter and my family let me see their marriage and how they parented. I walked through grief with them up close and personal. For somebody who had a healthy family growing up where the Lord was talked about, it was eye-opening to see how another Christian family does life. It was still good and still right. Being exposed to that was huge for me.

3. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow?

God grew my love for the institution of the church that year. I had always gone to church consistently, but most spiritual growth in my life had come from para-church ministries. In a way, I feel like the Lord opened my eyes to how important it is to be committed and serving in a local church body. It has propelled me into the rich church community where I am now. Because of Fellows, I'm serving on the worship team and in the women's ministry.

4. How would you summarize your Fellows experience?

It was a year of intense, holistic growth for me as we looked at every aspect of life under a microscrope. Fellows has had a continual return on investment that's been wildly beneficial to me in this stage of life four years later.

5. What is one word you would use to describe the program?

Holistic - every aspect of life gets examined from a Christian worldview. I saw a lot of my friends move straight from college into their professional career, but they didn't think through the importance of being plugged in to a local church body or other things you're thinking about in the safe place of Fellows. As believers, it allowed us to think through approaching life well and according to God's Word so future flourishing is possible.

6. How did working in an internship jumpstart or prepare you for your career afterwards?

After working three internships in college, I realized I didn't want to pursue event management. I knew I was interested in marketing, so I felt like Fellows was a good year to have a different experience. My internship prepared me most for the discipline of getting in the cadence of being somewhere on time and working hard. I learned how to be dependable and a self-starter. Both have helped me in my current position because I have to be a self-starter to initiate new projects.

7. What was your favorite weekly activity?

Roundtable nights were my favorite. Just being in Seth and Stacy's house was so comfortable and safe with them. I felt like it was a night where we could all share what was going on and worship together. It was a night I looked forward to because it felt like a good, healthy pause being in intentional community together studying God's Word. Amongst the hectic schedule, Roundtable felt like a breath of fresh air that helped break up the week.

8. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

This is the one opportunity you have to invest nine months in a safe community of peers and mentors that will be the foundation for the rest of your life. It's not a gap year you're tacking on to figure out what you want to do - every aspect of the program is intentional.

1. Why did you choose to become a Briarwood Fellow? How did you hear about Fellows?

I heard about the Briarwood Fellows program through my campus ministry in college. I was trying to decide what to do after graduation since I wasn't sure what I wanted. Fellows seemed like a really good way to start post-grad life!

2. Did you have any pre-conceived notions about the program that were different in reality?

Each Fellows class is so different. I got to know the class ahead of me when I was starting Fellows. I kept expecting my year to be where they were, but that class had already gone through the program. Our community was initially different than I thought because it took time to get to know one another. By the end of Fellows it matched what I had expected, but took time to get there.

3. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow?

The beach retreat in May. That trip was a really, really sweet time because every year it's the last thing you do together as a Fellows class. Everyone expressed their appreciation of each other and it ended up being an incredibly encouraging and uplifting week for the group. The beach retreat was a combination of being sad that Fellows was ending, but also realizing that you've gotten to know these people really well after spending 9 months together and you truly care about them. 

4. How would you summarize your Fellows experience in one sentence?

Fellows was the best way to prepare for the world after college.

5. How did working in an internship jumpstart or prepare you for your career afterwards?

God lined up all the pieces of the puzzle to prepare me for my career. During my Fellows internship I worked as a medical assistant. That role gave me a lot of experience working with people in that particular industry. The Lord has brought that experience back around now as I'm currently working as a chiropractic assistant. My internship during Fellows made the transition easy and it allowed me to feel very equipped for what I wanted to pursue after. 

6. What was your favorite weekly activity?

Roundtable. It's something that gets sweeter as time goes on!

7. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

Do it! Life can be scary after college, and the majority of us don't know what we want to do or how to start. Fellows helps give you a foundation from which you can step out and face the world. It helps you learn how to balance all aspects of life. Fellows taught me that work is important, but it's just a piece of the bigger picture. Those 9 months as a Fellow put everything into perspective, so when you do step out it's not scary. 

8. In retrospect, what are you most thankful for from your time as a Fellow?

I'm most thankful for the example that Seth and Stacy gave. It's bigger than what you're learning in class - but they live it out and mentor you through it. Dr. Friday is also a wealth of knowledge. He lives life well, so everything he teaches and does is worth noticing.

9. If you could go back, would you do it again?

Yes!

1. Why did you choose to become a Briarwood Fellow?

I was a fifth year senior and all my friends who had already graduated did one of the Fellows programs. The opportunity that Briarwood Fellows gave to go to Nicaragua was huge because I love missions. I wanted to do ministry full-time, so I thought Fellows would provide a good foundation before launching into that.

2. Did you have any pre-conceived notions that were different in reality?

The internship turned out differently than what I expected. However, God used that to really grow me in ways that He wanted to grow me, rather than ways I wanted to develop. While my expectation for the internship was different than what I thought, God used it for my good in the long run (which I'm very thankful for).

3. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow?

The most rewarding part was seeing the significance of being committed to a local church. I had been committed to a church in college, but spent 90% of my effort and energy toward a college ministry. Since Fellows is so engrained and invested in Briarwood Presbyterian Church, it really was a great experience to see what that commitment looks like. How do you spend time seeking the building of the church not just for the body, but being a part of the body? During Fellows, I was able to see the fuller purpose of why God has the church in our world. God's primary means is the local church and I felt like I experienced that for the first time during my Fellows year.

4. How would you summarize your Fellows experience in one sentence?

If I could go back in time, I would do it again.

5. What is one word you would use to describe the program?

Humbling.

6. One of the more difficult aspects of your 9 months as a Fellow?

I had a great community in college and lived with a lot of people in very close proximity. When I started Fellows, not only did I not get to choose my friends, but I didn't get to choose where I lived either. I learned you have to be much more intentional about spending time with people because you live in different parts of the city. It takes a lot of intentionality and effort on both sides to develop good and strong relationships.

7. How did God change your outlook on faith, family, community or work?

Before Fellows, I definitely had the mindset that to work in a ministry position was holier than to not work in a ministry-related job. Through Fellows, God showed me that you can do any job using the gifts He's given you to bring Him glory - whether that's working at a store, in high school ministry or at an accounting firm. God just desires that we work and gives us the freedom to choose. I was convinced that everybody should do a "ministry" job, but that would be silly and unproductive. God gifts people in all sorts of ways and every job is a form of ministry.

8. Favorite weekly activity?

Roundtable, for sure.

9. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

Apply - and do it!

10. If you could go back, would you do it again?

Yes! But with a more humble heart and open mind.

1. How did you hear about Briarwood Fellows? Why did you choose to become one?

I was working with a ministry in East Asia and I didn't really know what I was going to do once I got back to the United States. My mom worked at the church, and she ran into Seth who told her about the program. It looked really interesting and fit with what I needed at the time. Working in East Asia wasn't particularly easy, and I knew coming back it would be hard not having believers around me in the workplace. After interviewing with the board, they sold me on how the Fellows would prepare me for work and help me get my feet set professionally. I knew I would need that kind of support and guidance.

2. What did you expect to learn through the program and how, if at all, did that differ from what you actually learned?

I'm a pretty career-driven person. I expected to build my skillset as a professional and learn how to live out my faith at work. Although those things are important, the program was so much more than that. I learned about who I was as a person on a much deeper level than I could have ever expected. Starting the Fellows program I thought I would learn about external factors - things outside myself. In reality, it was the complete opposite. It was a huge year of self-development and self-understanding. So much of what I learned was driven by relationships and engaging with the truly fantastic people involved in the program who loved on me more than I could have ever dreamed. I thought I would pour into others, but it was more of people pouring into and investing in me.

3. Most rewarding part of being a Briarwood Fellow?

I think Fellows changes your mindset. I'm a firm believer that the first few years out of college make a big difference in terms of your life path and where you end up going. For me, it was a wonderful chance to really reinforce that God truly matters in my everyday life. When you get into the workforce outside of Fellows, it's so easy to forget that.

4. What was one of the most memorable moments?

One of my favorite memories was when we were at The Fellows Initiative conference in Washington, D.C. At the end of the program was a talent show. While it was going on, the Alabama and LSU game was playing that year. The talent show was dragging on...so I was sitting next to Rosson Anderson and we decided to "discretely" watch the game in the middle of the conference room. Alabama scored the go-ahead touchdown with a few seconds left in the game, and Rosson jumped up and screamed right in the middle of one of the group performances. The guys in front of us turned around and were utterly appalled that we'd just interrupted the talent show. It was a running joke after that!

5. What is one word you would use to describe the program?

Unconditional. There are so many people - other fellows, Seth and Stacy, the Briarwood community - that showed unconditional love. There were so many times where I felt as if I wasn't able to give back to the people who had given to me, and they just continued to give. The guys in our group were extremely close in the program - they were 100% behind me the whole time when 90% of the time I had nothing to offer them. There are so many people involved in the Fellows program you don't even see, and those people are loving on and praying for you. That is probably one of the reasons it had such a big impact on me.

6. How did working in an internship jumpstart or prepare you for your career afterwards?

The Fellows program gives you a fantastic opportunity to get your feet set in your career. For me, I needed that extra time to make sure I made the right career choice. There's a perception that you need to start your career path immediately after college. But usually, if you just take one more year to figure it out, it makes a world of difference. I love what I'm doing right now. I know for a fact I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't been given that opportunity to explore what I want and love to do through Fellows.

If you look at where all the Fellows graduates are now, we have people with some really impressive resumes. There's a misconception that Fellows aren't ambitious or driven for not going straight into a career. It couldn't be farther from the truth - the vast majority of our graduates are doing extremely well and are positioned to play significant roles in their respective careers and professions.

7. Favorite weekly activity?

My favorite weekly activity was leading a small group. I really enjoyed being able to talk to and mentor the high school guys. As Fellows poured into me, it was a chance for me to make an immediate return on that investment. It was like we were friends - I wasn't expecting that. I took them to the movies and we had dinner at their houses. I respected them, they respected me. It was a really cool bonding experience - something I never anticipated.

8. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

Other than, do it? My advice would be to slow down. You need to realize that these are still formative years. Guys, in particular, get caught up in the ambition and drive for a career. But you still need development right out of college. You have 40 years of work ahead of you, it's important to make sure you're on the right track before you get started. 

It's almost like giving your first fruits to the Lord. Before going into your career, you need to make sure you're stable in your faith and you know how to live out your faith. Making Christ a priority early on changes the trajectory of your career. Taking that extra year to really make sure you understand what your faith means, especially in the workplace, is crucial. 

9. If you could go back, would you do it again?

Yeah, I definitely would! Coming back from East Asia, I thought I was good to go. But in reality, I needed a lot of spiritual development and a better understanding of who I am. I would definitely do it again because I wouldn't be where I am right now if I hadn't. 

1. Did you have any pre-conceived notions about the Fellows Program that were different in reality?

I don't think I realized how busy I was going to be. I didn't have many expectations, but I knew we'd be taking some classes and working with the church. I didn't realize how much we would be involved in. I learned the capacity the Lord has given me to handle things has immensely grown through all of the Fellows commitments.

2. What did you expect to learn through the program and how, if at all, did that differ from what you actually learned?

I definitely thought I would learn so many different things about God that I didn't know. The main thing I learned during Fellows was the Gospel and the Gospel lived out. I totally learned what the Gospel meant. I thought I already knew, but definitely learned it during Fellows.

3. What do you think it means for the Gospel to be lived out?

Dying to myself, my wants and my desires - focusing on others the way Christ has done that for us. The Gospel lived out means picking up our cross everyday and trusting Him. Every day in Fellows is so different - you have to literally trust the Lord that each day is a new day. Focusing on others was also difficult as I really struggled with being around people I didn't necessarily choose to be around. I had to rely on the Lord to die to myself. 

4. What was the most rewarding part of being a Fellow?

We had so many opportunities to serve people and learn in classes - so many opportunities to dive into a lot of areas that I wouldn't have necessarily chosen to do on my own.

5. What was one of the most memorable moments as a Fellow?

Some of the most memorable moments were on Tuesday nights at Roundtable. I really enjoyed the times that the girls got to spend together. We had so many sleepovers - I always spent the night with somebody. Overall, Tuesday nights and times spent with the girls were the most memorable.

One particular moment that was memorable was when we were in Nicaragua and I found out I got into nursing school. We had very minimal wifi. One email popped up and I found out. Tears started streaming down my face and one of the guys had to read the email to me. 

6. How would you summarize your Fellows experience in one sentence?

My Fellows year was one of the hardest, best and most rewarding years.

7. How did working in an internship jumpstart or prepare you for your career afterwards?

Working as a medical assistant, I got encouragement from the doctors I worked with to pursue nursing school. Actually working in a doctor's office in a Christian setting pushed me towards really pursuing it. 

8. How did God change your outlook on faith, family, community or work?

Well, kind of it all. Before, I put everything in its own compartment and then after Fellows, I learned to integrate those compartments together to live the "seamless" life. I learned that God controls all of it - not just this area or another. He controls the whole thing. He is in every part of my life, not just my home life or my work life.

9. What advice would you give to prospective students interested in applying?

Definitely apply. It is for sure one of the best things you could do after college. It is a great year to evaluate yourself and what you're doing. You have the opportunity to learn and grow intentionally with the Lord and other Christians as you learn how to be in community with people. 

10. If you could go back, would you do it again?

Absolutely.