Rolando Sosa's story

On July of 2006, as I was considering leaving my full-time job with all its benefits and privileges in exchange for full-time studies at AMBS, vividly I remember the anxiety and uncertainty that invaded the most inner part of my soul. Thoughts about financial and/or academic failure persisted for several weeks in my tired and undecided mind. As my cognition tried to warn me of possible losses, my spirit was at peace and reminded me of God’s unfailing faithfulness through 1999–2003 when my family and I left our comfort zone in Canada and moved to Goshen for me to attend Goshen College.

I remember one particular day when my ambivalence felt like a spiritual stronghold which was preventing me from following the Lord’s will. I prayed, “Lord I do want to obey you, but you need to let me know if it is indeed your will for me to quit my job and go to seminary ... .”

Without having a clear answer from the Lord, on August 1 I presented my resignation to the president of the agency, who, with a flabbergasted expression on his face, said “What … What are you thinking …?” Needless to say, he did not like my decision, but there was nothing he could do to sway me. Several colleagues expressed their disappointment and questioned my decision; most of them affirmed my decision to start my grad studies.

The answer for my prayers did not come until I had made the decision to quit my job. In the last day of work, as I started the drive from LaGrange to Goshen, my mind was screaming, “You are crazy; go back and withdraw your resignation,” but my heart felt liberated and at peace.

I turned on the radio and listened to my favorite preacher. In his sermon he recalled a transition when he was in his early 50s and the emotional struggles he went through at that time. He described how, at the end of his assignment in the church where he was ministering, he felt as if his ministry had nothing more to offer, and he was ready to retire.

A friend approached him and nudged him to go to seminary at his mid-life. He did, and now he is one of the most heard preachers in radio and has a prominent Christian ministry; he continues to minister to my life. The answer to my prayer came when the old preacher with a powerful and convincing voice proclaimed: “Your best days are head of you.” On that day I received the answer for which I agonized for several weeks.

It’s been three years since I made my decision and became part of the worshipping community at AMBS. Now I have completed my MSW and am well into completing my MDiv.

Why am I at AMBS? Because of my longing for the knowledge of God, desire to follow his lead for my life, and my need to be equipped as I seek to serve the church and become a minister of healing and hope.

Rolando Sosa is a student in the Master of Divinity program at AMBS and the Master of Social Work program at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich. Originally from El Salvador, Rolando came to AMBS from Calgary, Alb.