Rev. Lou Whitmer didn't follow a traditional path to ministry, graduating from college and then going onto seminary. In fact, she didn't even apply to Garrett-Evangelical's Course of Study Program until she was in her early fifties.
Nonetheless, Whitmer said she is deeply appreciative of the education she received from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary - so much so she decided to name Garrett-Evangelical as a beneficiary for one of her annuity funds.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of the United Methodist Church.
"I believe so highly in the value of a broad, deep, and nonfundamental theological education," she said. "And that's what I received at Garrett-Evangelical."
So earlier this year when Whitmer saw a Facebook post asking alumni to support Garrett-Evangelical, she started to think about giving money to the seminary's scholarship fund. She called Rev. Dr. David Heetland, Senior Vice President for Planned Giving at Garrett-Evangelical, and told him she wanted to make it possible for other people to get the same type of education she received.
"All the pastors I know who did their theological studies at Garrett-Evangelical are very balanced in their theology," she said. "I really appreciate that about Garrett-Evangelical.
Whitmer was born in Minot, North Dakota, and as a child, she moved to Hettinger, North Dakota, where her maternal grandparents lived. In about the sixth grade, Whitmer had what she referred to "as one of the most informative experiences." One evening, as she sat around a camp fire at Wesley Acres Bible Camp, Whitmer said she felt God's presence and realized, "God really does love me."
She worked as a church organist, a job she kept for 31 years, an office manager in a doctor's office and later as a gift shop owner and an administrative assistant for the music department at Minot State University. One summer day in 2006 as she was waiting for something to come out of the printer, she said aloud, "I am going to go into the ministry."
"Then, I stopped and looked around and thought, who did I just say that to?" she said. "It was such a strong feeling."
Just a few months later, she accepted an appointment in Kimball, South Dakota, a town of about 350 people. "I knew in the deepest part of myself that this was the path," she said. "This was what I needed to be doing."
Midway through her first appointment, Whitmer started her coursework at Garrett-Evangelical. Because she didn't have a bachelor's degree, she was encouraged to enroll in Garrett-Evangelical's Course of Study Program.
Although she found starting her theological studies in her 50's stressful, she enjoyed her time on campus.
After four years in Kimball, South Dakota, Whitmer took an appointment as an associate pastor at Mitchell United Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota.
Whitmer finished her course of study in 2014. She went through the commissioning process and became an associate member of the Dakotas Annual Conference in 2015. Today, she continues her work at North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen.
Although, there were times over the years Whitmer wished she had pursued a more traditional seminary experience and master's degree, her feelings have changed. "I am now proud of my journey and where I have ended up," she said. "And, I am really, really appreciative that Garrett-Evangelical was there for me."
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary website, Evanston, IL
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The 13 United Methodist seminaries help students to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. The fund enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
