Elizabeth Campbell earns Master of Divinity degree from SFTS

SAN ANSELMO, CA (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- San Francisco Theological Seminary graduated 62 students in six degree and diploma programs on Saturday, May 21, on a beautiful, sunny day amid the redwoods at Bouick Field. With 20 graduates from Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Mexico and Canada, SFTS continues to stand out as a training ground for international theologians and pastors.

Elizabeth Campbell of Oswego, N.Y., is one of 28 students who earned a Master of Divinity degree, the first professional degree in theological studies. She is the winner of the Seminary Fellowship award.

Campbell has been accepted into the "For Such a Time as This" program offered through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Vocation. This two-year residency program seeks to pair small, healthy congregations without pastoral leadership with recent seminary graduates exploring a call to ministry in the small church. Elizabeth will serve in the Ohio Valley Presbytery.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to go back to my roots and serve in a small church in the United States," Campbell said. "This program is unique in that the pastors in this program will have the opportunity to develop community together as well as have the opportunity to be supported by the greater denomination."

Campbell will serve in a full-time designated pastor position. She will work with a mentor and with the presbytery and synod to gain pastoral experience and insights during her first years of ministry.

During her final year at SFTS, Campbell and fellow SFTS student Ray Maleke organized a book drive to help grow a library in the Indonesian village where Maleke grew up. They collected new and used children's books to help village children see the world, instill motivation to learn, grow their imaginations and learn English.

Campbell earned a Bachelor of Arts from Davidson College in 2005 before attending seminary.

Founded in 1871, SFTS has a rich history of service to the church. As an institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of the Graduate Theological Union, SFTS remains dedicated to being a Christ-centered academic community, rooted in the Reformed tradition that embraces a diverse student body. With a focus on spiritual formation, critical theological reflection, and the skills and arts of ministry, SFTS prepares Christian leaders to serve in congregations, the wider church, classrooms and the public sphere.