I would classify myself as a people person, and as I reflect on my time as a fellow this past year, I realize that this year has been so full of flourishing and encouragement due to some of the amazing people God placed in my life here in Nashville. I want to take this opportunity to honor those people because my experience would be completely different without them.
I will start with my church placements. I have had the privilege of working for two churches throughout my time as a fellow. I serve West End Community Church (WECC) in their youth program on Wednesdays, leading a group of 11th-grade girls with co-leaders Jordan and Sabrina. Serving with them has been a huge part of Nashville feeling like home and has made serving in youth ministry a huge highlight of the program. In addition, the church leaders and coordinators within West End, Leah, Jenna, Rachel, and Daniel, have gone the extra mile to know me and ensure that my experience serving their church has been nothing short of amazing. On Sundays, I serve at Parks church (a church plant of WECC), where the church staff, Katie and Eric, have included me in the inner workings of their church processes. Whether it is reading scripture before the sermon or helping put out the bagels in the morning, I have felt like an integral part of this church community. Annette, my mentor, has made it a point to consistently meet and encourage me as I think through my next steps. Jeana, my Parks coordinator, has taken it upon herself to ensure I feel comfortable, welcomed, and known at Parks and in general. I think I have found a lifelong friend in Jeana.
Our classes have also been a highlight of the program for me, and I credit that to our excellent and invested instructors. We have had countless amazing teachers throughout the year, but a standout for me is Pastor Scotty Smith. He taught us the whole year and has been so clearly in the Word throughout his life that it is overflowing out of him. He has made the truth, beauty, and goodness of the Bible come to life for me in ways I could not have imagined.
Another major aspect of the fellows program is our host family placement. I have been living with Abby, Alex, and baby Caleb Carver. Abby is one of my favorite people ever. She is so down to earth and has never failed to include me in anything they did as a family. Alex helped answer some of my theological questions and even drove my car on the ice because, being from Florida, I did not even realize that was something I would need to prepare for. Baby Caleb has been a source of endless laughter and joy, and I will forever be thankful for the time I spent with the Carver family.
Work placement is another essential component of the program. I feel so lucky and blessed to be working at the Rabbit Room. I have met some of the coolest and kindest people. Elly has gone above and beyond to ensure I am receiving tangible work experience and having a great time in the process. Rachel has transformed my outlook on hospitality and shown me how it can be a vessel to extend God's love. I could list everyone at my work and have something nice to say, but I will summarize by saying the Rabbit Room staff has hugely impacted my experience as a fellow in a very positive way.
Lastly, I must mention the fellows themselves. This community that John and Sally have created and nurtured has completely altered how I view Christ-centered community and given me 12 additional friends. That said, John Allen, our all-star director, is one of the best people I have ever met. He cares for us fellows so deeply and does everything he can to ensure we have a great experience, but more importantly, we understand our belovedness through God. He has made us feel like family. His wife Kendra consistently welcomes us into her home, his son Wilder brings fun chaos into our mix, and his daughter Caroline has greatly enriched my time as a fellow with countless laughs and good friendships. Sally, our program coordinator, is intentional in her time with us and so clearly honors the Lord with how she cares for us, even through the management of logistics.
Okay, now for the fellows.
I will start with Jack. Put simply; he is a good friend. He listens intently, is present when you talk to him and enjoys having fun. Not to mention, he helped me get out of the rocks when I was stuck in a kayak on one of our first retreats.
Next is Paige, one of my quickest friends in this group. Paige is highly empathetic, nonjudgemental, and considerate. She loves to help people; whenever I am feeling overwhelmed or stressed, I know I can go to Paige. She is a genuinely selfless follower of Christ, a piñata enthusiast, and a huge inspiration.
Now Derek. He is easily one of the most intelligent people I have ever met, not in a way that makes you feel stupid, but in a way that makes you excited to learn and hear what he has to say. He is funny and kind, and we have a cool handshake.
Drew. If personable were a person, it would be Drew. When you talk to Drew, you feel heard and understood. He is a great encourager, question-asker, and listener. He is also one of the goofiest people I have ever met, with impressive pickleball skills.
Alex. I have never met anybody like Alex before. He is extremely witty, smart, thoughtful, and silly. He is always wearing Chacos and willing to have a deep theological conversation at the drop of a hat. He is also very bad at Rock/Paper/Scissors; he almost always goes rock.
Maddie is a leader. Maddie has shown me leadership in a way I have never seen before. She is confident in who she is and what she believes. She is steadfast, and that steadfastness translates into people trusting her and looking to her to lead. She is unafraid to go against the grain and is a beast at flag football.
Hunter is one of the most gentle and thoughtful people I know. I love to wait for whatever Hunter says in our class discussions because it is almost always a mic-drop moment. He is so fun to be around. He may not be the best when playing games, but if you're playing with him, you will indeed have a great time.'
Bekah. I felt understood by Bekah early on, as she is the only other graduate of an SEC school. She understood my previous experience with college ministry, and through that, many conversations were sparked. Bekah is another member of this class with whom I could have a deep theological conversation at any time. She is intelligent and witty, with a high capacity to feel and empathize, and I cannot wait for her to start her podcast.
Ashley. Ashley and I have the unique experience of serving at two churches together, and she has become one of my closest friends. She is also from Florida, so in those winter months, we bonded over our shared naivety to the cold. She is a joyful, dependable, and encouraging friend who is always down to get some Baked Bear (our favorite Nashville ice cream shop).
Laura. When I think of Laura, I think of the word lighthearted. She is tough, strong, and resilient while also being joyful, fun, and free. The freedom she lives in is the clearest reflection of Christ in her. She may be small in stature, but she is mighty, and she has some crazy dreams. Nothing enhances a fellow's camp retreat like Laura's crazy dreams.
Olivia. Liv is a challenger in our class. Her presence and thoughts challenge my way of thinking, my perceptions of situations and teachings, and how I react towards others. She also has one of the highest vocabularies, and she has mastered boldness and kindness simultaneously. Our class wouldn't be the same without her.
Dailey Rae. DR is the hospitality gem of our program. DR welcomes people into her space, life, and experiences, includes everyone, encourages us with her friendship, thrives in creative spaces, and loves to learn. She soaks it all in, whether it is learning about a new topic, book, or person. She is also a fantastic dance teacher, even for challenging students like myself.
There is not much else to say except God is good.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
I could have never imagined the privilege and gift of living with these people, who have shown me different facets of God's character and love by sharing their lives with me this year. As a people person, I can say I am very thankful for these people.
Macy Laegeler, Class 11
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Graduate of the University of Florida
