By Emy Luong
Eight months ago, fifteen soon-to-be Capital Fellows donned their caps and gowns to receive their diplomas – bright, eager, and ready to join the working world. Fast forward to today, the beginning of a new year, and those same Fellows are still bright but perhaps not as eager. The pomp and circumstance march has faded, and the caps and gowns are put away, only to be replaced with the murmurs of career planning and job searching. Every recent college graduate’s worst nightmare: resume, cover letter, interview, another interview... anticipation... job offer (or rejection), rinse and repeat. For this reason, the Capital Fellows spent intentional time at the Winter Retreat exploring what it would look like to invite the Lord into our season of vocational exploration.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
We are told from a young age that we can be anything. We are taught the American Dream, where opportunities are infinite, and anything is possible through hard work and perseverance. There is a great deal of pressure on vocational success. So, it is no surprise that when you ask a group of recent graduates how they feel about starting their careers, common themes are anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and heaviness.
In John Kyle’s recent blog post, he challenged us to reflect on the question “What if?” in the context of Advent. At the retreat, the Fellows pressed into our own list of questions for the next season of adulthood. What happens if I don’t get a job, or worse, a job that I don’t like? What if I get stuck? What if I never accomplish something meaningful? What will they think of me? What if my life is ordinary?
Fortunately, there is hope and good news in a man named Jesus. I encourage you, my dear Fellows, and anyone else who needs to hear this: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
Your Heavenly Father abundantly cares and provides for you. He knows our deepest longings, our biggest aspirations, and yes, even our career goals. He knows our uttermost fears that are so deep that we cannot begin to articulate them.
How poetic! The Maker of Heaven knows we are scared, and He doesn’t tell us to “get over it” or laugh at our tiny human feelings. Instead, He scoops us up, puts us on His knee, and says “Trust in me...take delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
Shift your gaze away from earthly forms of success and towards the Lord and His glory. No job, promotion, or salary will fill the desires of your heart. Give yourself away to the Lord, and He will become your goal, satisfaction, and delight.
Recent Capital Fellows Pictures
How many selfies does it take to squeeze in 15 Fellows, and 2 staff members? A lot.
4 on a couch!
Spending our snow days by the fire
The early breakfast crew at the beautiful retreat center
Become A Capital Fellow in 2022-23
We are now receiving applications for Season 16 of the Capital Fellows program!
THE CLASS IS FILLING UP! APPLY TODAY!
IMPORTANT: SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK AT MCLEAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Most fellows work in the marketplace - for companies, nonprofits, government offices. Three Capital Fellows work at our church each year as well. For these roles, we are looking for a worship fellow, a children's ministry fellow, and a missions fellow. These are special Capital Fellows opportunities because you are not only paid a salary, but also your Capital Fellows program fees are covered as well!
The Season 16 program year runs from late August 2022 through mid-May 2023. If you are a college senior or recent graduate - or know someone that is - we would love to hear from you!
Pray for the Capital Fellows
Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!
The Capital Fellows are the midst of our guest speaker season. This year we are hearing from fifteen amazing individuals that do everything under the sun - world renowned computer scientist, senior government officials, a professional musician, a stay-at-home Mom, an entrepreneur, someone working to combat human trafficking, and more! We are thrilled that so many guests come and meet with our fellows each year. Please pray that God would bless each of the guest speakers in their work and ministries. Please pray for the Fellows who are discerning God's callings in their lives.
Want to pray for the Capital Fellows throughout the year? Download this handy prayer guide for your phone or tablet.
Benefits of The Fellows Initiative
You probably already know that Capital Fellows is one of 32 fellows programs in The Fellows Initiative network. Capital Fellows benefit from our affiliation with The Fellows Initiative in many ways. One of those ways is that all Capital Fellows alumni receive a 33% tuition discount at Reformed Theological Seminary for 5 years. For more information, please contact us.
If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining The Fellows Initiative by launching a new fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.
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