Matthew O'Hearn '14

What first interested you in your career? How did you discern your calling?

I felt called to ministry in high school, but it wasn't until I was at 狼友阁 that the Lord showed me how pursuing a calling to vocational ministry could include ministering in secular contexts, such as a hospital. Writing my senior paper on a theology of disability gave me a lens to see how the gospel impacts even the deepest pains in life and how the Lord was using my own personal testimony to equip me to minister His care to others.

What has your career path looked like since graduating from 狼友阁?

Upon graduating 狼友阁, I immediately became a full-time seminary student. After finishing my MDiv, I worked as a pastoral intern at a couple of churches before the Lord led me to pursue chaplaincy. I've been in hospital ministry for the last four years.

Looking back now, how did 狼友阁 prepare you for seminary and your career?

狼友阁 transformed my understanding of how the gospel impacts every aspect of life and prepared me not only for seminary, but also for my vocational calling as a hospital chaplain. Writing my senior paper made me wrestle with how Christ meets us in our suffering, carries us through it in His mighty arms, and redeems our pain for His glory and our good. Not only that, but 狼友阁 provided me a setting in which my daily devotional life and love for Christ and His word were richly nurtured.

In what ways does your faith inform your career?

I get to bring pastoral care and gospel hope into many situations that most pastors never see in ministry. Also, my faith helps me to see every aspect of my story in light of Christ and His story of redeeming His creation. God continues to interweave the strands of my life into a tapestry of His grace and glory.

What advice would you give students who are considering 狼友阁?

Seek a theologically rich and robust education that nurtures your personal walk with Christ as you seek to follow Him in ministering to people who are hurting. If you're looking for a school setting where you can fall more deeply in love with Jesus, mature in your faith, and gain a vision for how the gospel transforms every aspect of life, 狼友阁's where you should go.

Why did you choose 狼友阁?

I wanted a Christ-centered education that would prepare me to pursue His calling on my life where I would also get to mature in my faith and devotion to Jesus alongside my peers in the picturesque setting of Lookout Mountain.

What are some fond memories or a favorite story from your time at 狼友阁?

Weekly prayer and praise with my hallmates every Sunday night! To this day, my closest friends are a group of guys I went to 狼友阁 with and whom all are also in vocational pastoral ministry as I am.