Year/ Major: Graduated with a BA in Church Ministries in 2014. Currently working on a Master’s of Organizational Leadership
Hometown: From Nashville, MI, live in Hershey, PA.
Autumn and her husband Shelby work at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA. The school was founded by Milton Hershey in 1909 for orphaned boys. Today, it is a private boarding school for both boys and girls, and the students live on campus and are provided everything they need, from an entire wardrobe to medical, dental, orthodontics, and eye care, all at no cost to the families. Autumn and Shelby are house parents to 12 middle school girls. They live in a house with 12 girls and are their home away from home. Autumn writes, “The best way to describe it is, we are stay-at-home parents to these girls, plus our own daughter. Like a family, we cook for them and eat breakfast and dinner together every night. Each morning during breakfast, we do devotionals with them. The school has a mandatory Chapel for all staff and students on Sundays. We are fortunate to be able to live and work for such a great organization and to be able to have the freedom to share Jesus with our girls daily!” As a Church Ministries Major, Autumn wasn’t sure what life would look like because she never really wanted to do traditional vocational ministry. “Once we found this,” Autumn says, “we knew this was it; this was our ministry and mission field.“
Q: What led you to SAGU? I was going to another school and wanted a better spiritual atmosphere, so after looking at a few schools, I chose SAGU.
Q: What aspects of campus life have you enjoyed the most? I loved daily chapel and prayer before each class.
Q: How has your experience been with your major’s department? As a distance ed master’s student, I wasn’t sure how it would go, but the department has been great at being there and answering any questions.
Q: Have you had any professors who have positively influenced you during your time here? Dr. Owensby and Dr. Trewern were huge influences in my life during my time at SAGU, and ever since, many lessons have stuck with me, from time in their class to even events outside of class.
Q: What drew you to your area of study? What professional aspirations and goals do you have for the future? I chose church ministries because I didn’t know what I wanted to do vocationally, but I knew it would eventually involve ministry outside the church. I am now in a Master’s of Organizational Leadership program to be the best HouseMom at Milton Hershey School and lead our 12 girls in a good, Godly fashion. In the future, I would love to move up to a Trainer and help guide other houseparents to be impactful leaders.
Q: How has your faith impacted how you view your education and the personal goals you set for yourself? As Christians, we should never settle; we should constantly grow and strive to develop others. With that, I have high expectations for myself and my education. Also, trust that God is leading your steps, even when you are confused about why you’re doing something or if you should continue with your degree. I found myself there many times. I would pray and seek God and trust He had a plan.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming first-year students? Press in! You are paying to be here; get your money’s worth! Do not sell yourself short by skipping class, chapel, devos, etc. Your college experience at SAGU depends on YOU. Seek God like never before. Get involved in a church. Join and engage in on-campus groups and ministries. If I could change one thing about my time at SAGU, it would be that I worked too much to get involved in anything. Lastly, give yourself grace; you’re still learning!
Autumn is receiving the training and support they need to step into his God-given calling in ministry. At SAGU, we believe that God has a specific calling for every one of us. Through our learning community, you’ll have the knowledge and real-world experience to foster your talents and pursue your purpose, just like Autumn.
(Pictured above: Autumn with husband Shelby and daughter Emma)
About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927 and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
