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Pgh. theology school to host camp at WU

By Teghan Simonton managing Editor 3 min read

For the first time ever, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is planning to hold its annual summer camp on Waynesburg University’s campus in June 2017, said the Rev. Erin Davenport, co-director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute.

“Why make the change?” said Davenport. “The great resources of Waynesburg University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary together are stronger than us apart, and Waynesburg [has the] opportunity to offer college credit for our program.”

The summer institute, normally held on the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary campus, is aimed toward building connections and relationships within a community of students who are interested in studying theology and religion.

“What makes it special is the community that it builds of faithful young Christians who are trying to discern who God is calling them to be, what is God calling them to do,” said Davenport.

Co-director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute, the Rev. Derek Davenport, added that students who attend the event often find that they are not alone in their interests and are able to forge new relationships.

“It gathers a specific type of person who wants to study that sort of stuff in the summer,” said Derek Davenport. “They get there and they have the chance to ask…experts in the fields these really deep questions and find out there are other people asking the questions [too].”

According to University Chaplain Rev. James Tinnemeyer, Waynesburg University will now have a role in those connections, introducing students to the Christian life on campus and the other camps that Waynesburg offers.

“I think it’s a very natural collaboration,” said Tinnemeyer. “I think it’s a great way for high school students to experience all the wonderful things about the camp, now located on a college campus that’s…more so closer to where they are in life.”

During the week of camp, students will take classes taught by faculty members from both Waynesburg University and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, focusing on church history, biblical languages, archaeology and other related areas. 

They also participate in service projects, tying in to the idea of taking leadership in the church.

“The two big questions that the Summer Youth Institute tries to ask and help them answer is ‘Who is God calling me to be?’ and ‘What is God calling me to do?'” said Erin Davenport. “Our goal is to not answer questions but to ask better questions.”

Derek Davenport added that, in this way, the camp encourages students to explore a variety of fields.

“Students who have come to the Summer Youth Institute have gone on to do a whole lot of different things,” he said. “We’ve got folks that have gone into accounting, into medicine, into finance, into church ministry. But each of them sees what they’re doing as a way to serve God and they see what they’re doing as a ministry of God.”

The Summer Youth Institute is a pilot program that the directors hope to duplicate in the future, usually gathering around 24 students from all around the country. 

Erin Davenport said that the camp creates a lasting experience for those students, and geographical distance has no impact on the connections made.

“The community lasts beyond the week,” she said. “We follow up throughout their college career…the program and the community is strong and active. Even though we’re from all around the country, we’re very engaged in one another’s lives.”

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