How It Started and How It's Going: Glenda Bohannon
I was raised in a tradition that taught that women were to be followers, and under the protection of the male authorities in their lives. Thankfully, my husband helped me question and challenge that belief system. He had felt the calling to ministry and we began making plans that we would both go. But before we could make that a reality he had passed away, and I was left with 2 small children. Seminary was a dream I forgot.
Sixteen years later, and several ministry staff positions later, someone I trusted as a spiritual mentor asked me if I had ever felt the call to full time ministry. As a single mom with 2 teenagers heading to college soon, and having the responsibility for aging parents, I laughed. There was no way I could do that. He took me to visitation day at CUDS, just to see what the possibilities could be. I was overwhelmed with a desire to be there from the moment we walked onto campus. I wasn’t sure if it was God tugging at my heart to be there or, if was me tugging at Him pleading to remember the dream I had forgotten.
A plan was laid out that seemed manageable, and I was assured funding would be available. Having been out of college almost 30 years, I was terrified about being able to study, take notes, and write papers. The excitement and belief I had that this was God’s gift and plan for me helped me lean into the uncertainty of going back to school. The next five years of seminary were some of the most beautiful, challenging, and life-giving years of my life.
I came to Campbell with a very conservative, legalist view of the Christian faith. I left with not only a deeper understanding of grace and love for others; but of God’s goodness and compassion for his people. I left with a new understanding of scripture and how to view the world through the lens of the greatest and second commandment: loving God and loving others. I also left with a life mission: to make Jesus Christ known to all and get everyone involved in the praise and glory of God.
While I am not currently on staff anywhere, I continue to engage the world through the tools and resources I gained while at Campbell. For nearly 30 years I have owned a small business, and God has continued to show me how every aspect of life can used as a ministry. As a Bible teacher at a small, conservative, Christian School I am able to use my education to not only teach the Bible, but create a safe and compassionate environment for students to challenge and question the world around them.
I will always be grateful for my time at Campbell Divinity School. It changed and influenced my life in ways that I am still learning and exploring. My hope and prayer is that I continue to challenge what I believe, that I continue to always point others towards Christ, and that my foundation will always be loving God, and loving others.