Life prompts student to finish seminary degree

[May 11, 2011]  Suzanne Gowin started studying at Lincoln Christian Seminary in 1994. She will graduate at the Lincoln Christian University commencement service on Saturday.

Gowin actually finished her coursework in 1996, but life intervened when she married her husband, Michael, and she never finished her thesis.

Last summer, she felt prompted by God to finally finish when she changed her thesis topic to "God's Heart for the Fatherless." She chose this topic because it focuses on the study of God's special concern for orphans in the Bible. The Gowins, who already had three children, were in the process of adopting two more from Ethiopia while she was writing her final thesis.

"I know it seemed crazy to others, and to us, that I was attempting to finish this in the middle of our adoption, which included two trips to Ethiopia. But, I have a feeling the timing was not a coincidence," says Gowin. "Our two newest children are my thesis with skin on it!

"The more I argued with God and ‘reminded' Him that it was crazy and that we could possibly have new kids coming that fall, the more I felt He would laugh and say, ‘Well, you'd better hurry up then!'"

Gowin pushed hard to finish, getting most of the writing done before traveling to Ethiopia. Time kept ticking, and before she knew it, she was bringing two new additions home to the family in Lincoln. Not as much got done on her thesis during this time because of unexpected doctor appointments and hospital stays for the new children.

Gowin shares: "God showed His faithfulness once again. With the help of my husband and some good friends sharing in the care of the kids, I have been able to finally finish my thesis."

As a student at Lincoln Christian Seminary, Gowin majored in New Testament and is one of the last to graduate under the instruction of Dr. Bob Lowery, who died April 28. Gowin says that studying under Lowery was invaluable and she is honored to have been taught by someone she respects so much.

"I have learned amazing things about interpreting and applying Scripture, and also about how true Christian men and women live their lives," she said. "Dr. Gary Hall has also been very influential in my education and spiritual growth.

"I am so thankful to finally have the thesis finished, but I have enjoyed the process and what I have learned, and if one family is prompted to adopt because of our experience, then it will all be worth it!"

Lincoln Christian University will host two commencement services on Saturday. The School of Undergraduate Studies and the School of Adult & Graduate Studies will recognize graduates at the 10 a.m. service. Seminary commencement will take place at 1 p.m. on the LCU campus, 100 Campus View Drive in Lincoln.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Christian University]