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Student.Church Reflection | Houston Blake

By Houston Blake, Summer Intern

When I was sixteen years old, I prayed the scariest prayer and told God, “Here I am. Send me.” Little did I know all the things that prayer would bring. From joining the Army straight out of high school to preaching my first sermon and interning during a pandemic, I have been sent in all sorts of directions that I didn’t even know existed. After praying that prayer, I immediately felt a strong calling into ministry. I knew I was called to preach and work with youth. Since then, CBF and CBFVA have blessed me with countless opportunities to fulfill this call.  This summer was my second year as a CBF Student.Church intern. I had the honor of working with Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. My former youth pastor described this as a once in a lifetime opportunity that I needed to get involved with as soon as possible. She was so right. Despite the chaos of social distancing, the Tabernacle family still managed to welcome with open arms through their screens.  I worked with and alongside the youth and pastoral staff. I participated in weekly staff meetings and worship prep. I hosted Thursday game nights with our youth on Zoom. My last week with Tabernacle was spent participating in “Camp Corona” with our youth. Tabernacle really knows how to have fun, even with social distancing. Tabernacle recently gave me what they like to call “Bread for the Journey.” It is their beautiful way of sending members of their church family onto their next adventure. This had me replaying the entire summer over in my head. This summer was not easy for anyone, but Tabernacle shaped my call and helped me learn more about who God wants me to be. Their congregation supported me wholeheartedly, without ever seeing me in person. Their youth, who are wise beyond their years touched my heart and often left me teary eyed. The staff gave me a platform to share my testimony and guided me through my walk with Christ in a time where I needed it most.  I’ve learned a lot this summer. I learned to meet people where they’re at and to love first. I was reminded of the importance of giving everyone a place at the table, even if we are six feet apart. This is what beloved community looks like. This is ministry. 

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Call Stories: Kate & Miriam, Part 2

For the next few weeks on Thursdays, we will be sharing a series of podcasts about the call stories of our pastoral staff.

We’re starting with Miriam Kennedy and Kate Clatterbuck, our pastoral interns from this summer! We are so glad that they were here with us for the last few months, and grateful for all of their contributions to the life of Tabernacle. Listen as they discuss their experiences in the Church, growing up with mothers working as ministers, and what ministry means to them.

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Thank You TBC | Kate Clatterbuck

Tabernacle Family, 
After a challenging freshman year, I was stuck feeling lost concerning God’s presence in my life and what I was called to do. As I wrestled with my plans for this summer, Mark Snipes suggested an internship at his church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, an opportunity that finally felt like something to lead me further on my path to God and calling. As summer got closer, I began to feel scared of the unknowns that I would face and anxious about the task of meeting new people. Before I came to Richmond, Sterling asked me to watch previous live-streamed services to get a better understanding of Tabernacle. The first livestream I watched featured Ryan Corbitt playing an instrumental version of “As the Deer,” my favorite hymn for as long as I can remember. As I listened and felt tears welling up in my eyes, I knew that, although this summer would be challenging, I was prepared to handle those challenges, knowing that I was not alone, for the journey I was embarking on was a part of God’s path for my life.

I have always struggled to remain clear in understanding who I am and college does not make this task easy. With so many opportunities, it is so easy to want to be and do everything. When I entered this summer, I was in a cycle of deciding to change my major every two seconds, questioning if ministry was even what I was called to do, and wondering if I was ready for the responsibility of a 40-hour-a-week job. This summer, I have grown so much in who I am and my calling to ministry. Because Tabernacle is filled with so many different types of people, there was no mold for me to conform to, no group of people to impersonate. I had to be genuine. I have learned to be myself and to feel confident in my leadership skills, passion for youth, and love of laughing. I credit this growth to the kind and loving nature of Tabernacle Baptist Church, for you all have loved me for who I am, never expecting me to conform into a tiny version of you. 

Throughout this summer, I have been so grateful for the opportunity to serve here. From quiet hours in the conference room to crazy, child-filled Sunday mornings, this place is never predictable and is always moving. Thank you for showing me new ways  to do ministry. Thank you for all of the wise advice and kind words when I needed them most. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and open-arms as I entered the role of Tabernacle’s intern. For all of those who ate, laughed, prayed, and worshipped with me, I am grateful for your presence and friendship. I want to specifically thank Hogan Brock and the youth group for allowing me to become a part of such an amazing group of people, letting me experience leading youth, and for getting to know me as I got to know you all. I want to thank the staff for welcoming me as an equal rather than a college student, giving me responsibilities and opportunities that have contributed to the amazing growth I have seen in myself this summer. Lastly, thank you Tabernacle for becoming a place filled with people who feel like home. You have welcomed me as one of your own, filling me with new life and confidence to take on the next opportunity that enters my life. 
Thank you, 
 Kate Clatterbuck Pastoral Intern Summer 2019

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Thank You TBC | Miriam Kennedy

Dear Tabernacle,

I hold a million thank yous in my heart. You have my gratitude for letting me learn how to do ministry alongside of you all for the second summer in a row. This summer you all taught me that ministry lies in the bottom of coffee cups and shared meals, in working and worshiping together. While holding me in your care, you let me explore call and faith, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Thank you for making me laugh and letting me make mistakes and learn to love so fully. From Community Ministry to Community Room Sunday School to helping out with youth events, you all have shaped my being.

One of the first Sundays I was at TBC in 2018, there was a Bread for the Journey. I was so intrigued and in awe of the meaning of this practice of equipping and sending. I am grateful for God’s handiwork in leading me to you. Church, you have equipped me well, of that I am certain. As you send me, I am comforted and overjoyed that you will always be a part of my story, and I will have a place in yours. Thank you for giving me bread for this journey of life and calling.

Grace and Peace,

Miriam Kennedy

tbc Blog, Media

Call Stories: Kate & Miriam, Part 1

For the next few weeks on Thursdays, we will be sharing a series of podcasts about the call stories of our pastoral staff.

We’re starting with Miriam Kennedy and Kate Clatterbuck, our pastoral interns from this summer! We are so glad that they were here with us for the last few months, and grateful for all of their contributions to the life of Tabernacle. Listen as they discuss their experiences in the Church, growing up with mothers working as ministers, and what ministry means to them.