The Kids of Western Theological Seminary

A reflection on the impact of partnership with WTS on our entire community – Written by Dr. Brent LaVigne, Vice President of Development

For the first few months in my role as Vice President of Development at WTS, as we waited for our house to sell and find a new one, we got the opportunity to live in the apartments owned by Western Seminary, which are affectionately known as the “Red Bricks”. The Red Bricks are townhouse/apartment units with front doors facing the seminary and the surrounding blocks and back doors opening to a common green space with a playground, fire pit, and picnic tables, etc.

One morning, I woke up to a beautiful snowfall after returning late the night before from a trip for Western. Even before eating breakfast, my kids saw other kids playing in the backyard, dressed in their snow gear, and ran out the door. My kids asked me to play outside, so I put on my jacket and boots and joined them. I would normally concentrate on shoveling snow and removing snow from my cars, but my daughter repeatedly asked me to help her. She was intent on pulling down the long icicles that were hanging from the roofline.

As I broke off a few large icicles, other kids came over and wanted some as well. So that is how I was recruited to be the “Ice Man” for all the kids of the Red Bricks.
As I became part of their operation, which included building a snow fort from the pile of snow that was plowed together from the parking lot, I took a few moments to reflect on what was happening.

These kids are on a unique journey. Every one of their parents is responding to a call from God to learn more from His word and prepare for ministry. The kids come along and are a part of that journey, too.

I was a pastor’s kid growing up, and although my father completed seminary by correspondence, I know what it was like to follow God’s call even as a child. The reality is that these kids are here short term while one or both of their parents are studying at WTS. After this, they will disperse to other places. But while they are here, they are creating special friendships – a bundled-up tribe – and forming a unique community, which is truly a gift to them and to their parents.

When you pray, give to, and advocate for the seminary, it impacts the women and men who are being trained for Christian ministry – and their families. You are partnering in the work that God is doing at WTS – in the classroom, in the library, on the Red Bricks playground, and on the pile of snow in our parking lot that is part snow fort and part mini sledding hill. You are part of what God is doing within the adults as well as the kids.

God is providing for my kids by giving them this wonderful, temporary, rich community filled with laughter and joy.

I am grateful. Grateful that as the snow falls, we eat warm soup for lunch, and we hang the snow-clothes to dry. Grateful for God’s care for my family and for the other families of our students. Grateful for the way that your partnership reverberates in so many ways, even and especially to our kids. 

May God bless you, wherever you are, from snowy Holland, Michigan, and Western Theological Seminary.