Fridbert August's story

In November 2007, my wife Monica and I got an unexpected letter from the staff of our local congregation in Curitiba, Brazil. This letter came in a time of significant changes in our lives. I had worked for 16 years with logistics in the automotive industry. This career had taken a high toll: I did not have enough time for my family, my ministry at the church, or even to live a healthy lifestyle. We were praying for a solution: ‘God, something has to change, and we surrender all we have and are in your hands.’ When I was in the middle of a hiring process for another job that we thought was the answer to our prayers, the letter arrived. In it, our church’s staff was asking us to consider the possibility of quitting my job and become a full-time pastor. This would likely include an MDiv formation somewhere overseas. Our first reaction was, ‘Thanks, but no thanks!’ But God had different plans for us. Deeply troubled with the invitation, we decided to take a week-long vacation. We figured that along with our daughters Bianca and Amanda (then 12 and 10), we should discern God’s plan for us. We prayed that his will would be revealed to each one of us individually. During that week, day by day, each one of us was convinced about the answer to our prayers. I quit my job and the hiring process the next week.

The next months were filled with prayers about which seminary to choose. Having worked in the corporative world and at the same time being involved with the congregation’s leadership for a significant amount of time made us look for an institution that would incorporate both academic learning and practical application. AMBS’s MDiv in Pastoral Care and Counseling has a perfect balance between both areas. What is taught in class can be practiced on the field and the sharing of experiences is welcomed in class discussions.

The trans-cultural experience was another decisive factor in our discernment process. Nevertheless, once we arrived here, we realized that our experience would not be limited to interacting with American people. At AMBS we met people from many different countries. Each one of them enriched our experience in more ways than we expected. To have the privilege of listening about other cultures and how they face their dilemmas was a real gift. More than learning from other peoples, this experience helped us to understand our beloved Brazilian people a little bit better.

AMBS has been an excellent laboratory for us. As students we learned from professors, from books and from each other. Interaction in classroom is welcomed and the outcome is a more comprehensive learning. While we prepare ourselves to return to Curitiba, our hearts are filled with gratefulness for the time we spent here. We felt welcomed from the first day we arrived; we received an outstanding education and felt useful in the community. We thank our God for his direction and sustaining. To surrender our path in his hands was certainly the best choice, and we are thankful for him having included AMBS as one of the steps of our journey.

Fridbert August completed the pastoral care and counseling concentration of the Master of Divinity degree in December 2010. He and Monica, his wife, and their two daughters have returned to Curitaba, Brazil, where he will join the leadership team of the congregation where he previously served.