As an undergraduate, I studied political science at the University of Northern Iowa and worshipped at the First United Methodist Church of Cedar Falls. My time there nurtured in me a love for community service and making a difference for the good in the lives of our neighbors.
When I completed my undergraduate studies, I moved to Washington, DC, and worked for the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. I served Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming as one of his higher education policy advisors. I married Raymie, who was (and still is) working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When I experienced a “Holy Nudging” to be more involved in the life of my community, Wesley Seminary was there to come alongside our family on that journey. I am now an elder in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
These past few months, it has been heartbreaking to see the good work of so many faithful civil servants be demolished so recklessly. My wife’s vocation is among thousands of others now in jeopardy. I believe that all Christians are called to study and practice the way of Jesus. There is
no evidence of Christian faith being demonstrated in the behavior of our president and his advisors.
But our family’s faith has been a sustaining force through this season of uncertainty.
I experienced Wesley Seminary as a place of formation, preparing leaders to serve in churches where people are NOT asked to “check their brains at the entrance to the sanctuary.” Wesley’s faculty consistently challenged us to be mindful of the church’s responsibility to care for the poor, look after people on the margins, and be faithful to a God who expects us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Perhaps Wesley has been preparing faithful leaders for a time such as this, and for that, I am grateful.
Rev. Adam Briddell leads the Amity Campus of the Cathedral of the Rockies, Boise First United Methodist Church, in Idaho.