When I was a student at the University of Mobile, we talked a lot about the “University of Mobile family.” It’s amazing how, in just four years, you can become so close to people who once were strangers, that you really do feel a special bond.
It’s graduation season now, and I think back to when I graduated and was leaving my Mobile family. While it was an exciting time, it was also a bit sad, because we were all going our separate ways. The college brochures had talked about “friendships that last a lifetime,” but … would they?
Fast-forward a few years, and something interesting has happened. Even though I moved to another state and started a family of my own, the University of Mobile family is still part of my life. And in a really unique way!
My husband, Tim, and I are both Mobile grads on staff at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. And we aren’t the only Mobile grads to serve at this incredible community of Christ-followers we consider family.
So it was really a family celebration all the way around when our church held an ordination service led by Senior Pastor Michael Catt in January. Three University of Mobile graduates and another with connections to Mobile were ordained into the Gospel ministry. The worship and ordination service was marked as “historical” because seven men total were recognized for ordination in one ceremony – the highest amount of candidates for ordination in one service at Sherwood.
Here’s how my Sherwood family and my Mobile family intersect:
Katie Compton | Seth Brasher – Photography by Brian Kelley
Seth Brasher, a 2014 graduate with a degree in worship leadership, serves as worship associate pastor and is engaged to be married to Katie Compton, who just graduated in the University of Mobile Class of 2016.
Rebecca Capone Johnson | Tim Johnson | Mazie Grace Johnson – Photography by Brian Kelley
My husband, Tim Johnson, graduated in 2008 with a degree in worship leadership graduate, and he serves as youth worship associate pastor. I graduated the same year with a communication degree, and I’m on staff as marketing associate at Sherwood Baptist Church.
Kristin Oliver Crosby | Adam Crosby – Photography by Brian Kelley
Adam Crosby was also ordained, and although he isn’t a Mobile graduate, he is married to Kristin Oliver Crosby, who did graduate from Mobile in 2010 as an elementary education major. Adam is the sports and recreation associate pastor and Kristin is on staff as the children’s ministry associate.
Wyatt Family: Bruce | Alaina | Letecia | Clay –Photography by Brian Kelley
Clay Wyatt, a 2014 University of Mobile theology graduate, was also ordained. He serves at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, as the high school ministry associate. Clay is a native of Albany, and his home church is Sherwood Baptist.
Three others were also ordained: Brian Dougherty, Dan Mingo and William Stanford.
It was an amazing experience to celebrate the ordination of Seth, Tim, Adam and Clay on the same day. What made the day extra special is the bond we share as University of Mobile graduates – members of the Mobile family.
To add to the connections at Sherwood, our Mobile family is growing! We’re excited to welcome Emily Danforth, a 2016 graduate majoring in vocal performance, who will serve in the Worship Ministry and oversee our children’s music program. Emily was the 2015 Miss University of Mobile.
Yes, I can say that the University of Mobile family ties are strong. And what can be better than being part of a family that serves God together?
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