Participating in "Theological Education for Youth" for high schoolers was one reason our author was inspired to explore vocation and service in the church. This is her story.

I am one of a growing number of young adults in our seminaries. Like many of my classmates and colleagues, I entered seminary right out of college. I am currently in my third year and am on internship. I am frequently asked if I am old enough to be a pastor or vicar. I explain that I am and that I already have a bachelor's degree.

Some people assume that because I am young, I will be the great hope and salvation of all high school, college-age, and young-adult members of the congregation. Truth be told, many congregations do not have much in place to make these folks feel welcomed and a part of both congregational life and the larger church. While I enjoy working with the above-mentioned groups, I cannot guarantee that I will have them beating down church doors. I know I certainly cannot do this by myself. Fortunately, the larger church is working to change this via outdoor ministry programs and vocational programs for high school youth such as "Theological Education with Youth" (TEY) and "Project Connect." And let us not forget the individuals who take time to bond with youth or young adults in a congregation.

The Importance of Mentors
These factors made a world of difference for me. After confirmation, my classmates drifted away, but for some reason I remained. Shortly afterward, we called a new pastor who, whenever I tried to drift, would assign me tasks and somehow got me to teach Sunday school. Another pastor I knew got me involved in a youth group in the town she worked in. She also nominated me for the TEY's Summer Theological Academy at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP).

My home congregation had dropped its youth group and decided to stop searching for a youth director. I was starting to feel as if the church did not care about its young members. But a packet from LTSP told of a new program for individuals my age who were active in church and eager to learn more and serve. It was manna from heaven!

I had the most amazing two weeks with sixteen other persons my age, seminary professors, a college professor, and seminary students as mentors. I arrived at the Academy already toying with the notion of becoming a pastor, but I was not sure about it. Many folks at church and adults who had helped with youth group had told me I should consider pastoral ministry. Two weeks of truly being me, exploring faith, exploring vocation, and learning about spiritual gifts was such a wonderful experience that words will never do it justice. I am still in touch with some people from the Academy and with some of its staff. Just knowing some of the professors that well and having Bill Bixby (the former director of TEY) on campus at seminary really helped me my first two years.

Having these mentors and a caring pastor helped and continues to help as I now travel through seminary, internship, and the candidacy process. If it weren't for these individuals and for congregations who support me in prayer and check in on me from time to time, I honestly do not know if I would be writing this article or even still be in seminary. They are my companions along the winding, hilly road of seminary and candidacy. Even when I feel lost in the shuffle or put on the back burner, it is a joy and a relief to know that there are folks praying for me and keeping me on their front burner.

Financial Challenges
I also would not be in seminary if I had not received a partial scholarship from the Fund for Leaders in Mission and from LTSP. Like many seminarians just out of college, I carry a large amount of educational debt. Many seminarians rely heavily on educational loans to pay for their education.

One thing that needs improving, however, is the health insurance program for seminarians. Currently there are very few doctors in the network and very few things the insurance pays for. Students are required to shell out several thousand dollars a year for the insurance only to pay many medical bills out of their own pockets. Better, less expensive health insurance is one huge way the ELCA could help its seminarians. We may be able to cajole doctors to donate services, but we still have to pay for medications, tests, equipment, and other services.

Nevertheless, through all of this, my companions-and mentors-are walking with me, and their presence helps me to realize that this is what God is calling me to do.

Laura Esposito, a student at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, is currently on internship in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.