“We are all called,” said 2008 Bridgeport High School Alumnus Michael Burge.  “First by God to follow Christ and then to serve in the world.  Whether or not we listen to the call can be a different story.” 

 

Burge, along with Tyler Sprouse and Jill Steele have indeed listened to their call to serve and are now considered certified candidates for ministry in the United Methodist Church.

 

In order to be a certified candidate, the three have undergone a process that takes at least a year, undergoing interviews, participating in group meetings, studying and learning how to be discerning.

 

“The process is intended to help persons more thoroughly explore the call of God in their lives and give the United Methodist Church the opportunity to confirm that call,” said Senior Pastor Ken Ramsey of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church.

 

Steele is planning to become a licensed local pastor and will pursue classes and theological education toward that goal. Sprouse and Burge are both pursuing ordained ministry, which will require a Master of Divinity degree from a seminary.

 

Burge, the son of Michael and Beverly Burge, is a fifth generation Bridgeport resident and currently works as an Associate Broker at KRB Kaufman Properties,LLC.  He also serves as a Certified Lay Servant at BUMC and teaches the young adult Bible study class and leads the live-stream/media ministry team.  Additionally. He helps with youth events, preaching, and serves on several committees and ministry teams. He is in the first year of a three-year seminary program currently.

 

Steele is the Principal at Simpson Elementary School and has been leading a women’s ministry at BUMC for over a year. Last April, she co-organized a regional faith conference for women that drew hundreds to the area to worship together.  She serves without hesitation in every aspect of the church as well as in the community.

 

Sprouse will be heading to Duke Divinity School in August to after serving as a student minister at BUMC.  After preaching over two dozen services at the church and graduating from WVU in May, he will begin a three-year program of study in North Carolina ultimately leading him into a full-time career in ministry.

 

“I am excited that God is calling persons into ministry from our congregation,” said Ramsey.  “It speaks to the spiritual climate and supportive nature of our congregation and to our faith in God.”