The A. Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial Program offers an exceptional undergraduate experience, leading to matriculation in seminary and eventually to a rewarding clergy career. We expect that these students will be leaders in the Methodist and other mainstream Christian denominations.
Josie Fawcett, from Glen Allen, Virginia, held an internship in contemporary worship at Wesley United Methodist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina and an internship in children’s and youth ministry at Skipwith United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia. The second in her family to participate in the Bailey Program, Josie plans to enroll at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Tim Gochenour, from Danville, Virginia, explored youth ministry at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia and conducted a pastoral internship at Fairview United Methodist Church in Danville. He is enrolled at Wesley Seminary, part of American University, in Washington, D.C. and hopes to work in religious drama and the arts.
James “JD” Jump, from Richmond, Virginia, held a contemporary worship internship at New Season United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He has a passion for merging drama and worship and further developed this interest in a second internship at the West End Assembly of God in Richmond, where he explored religious drama production. He is enrolled at Duke Divinity School, part of Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina.
Adam Kelchner, from Mechanicsville, Virginia, held internships with United Methodist Volunteers in Mission at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Office in Decatur, Georgia and the Virginia United Methodist Center in Glen Allen, Virginia. A Phi Beta Kappa student at R-MC, Kelchner is currently enrolled at Vanderbilt Divinity School, which is part of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is interested in pursuing a doctoral program and eventually becoming a professor of religious studies at a seminary.
Tommy Suh, from Midlothian, Virginia, added an international flair to his internships while a student at R-MC. One experience gave him the opportunity to work at Eil San Joonim eh Church in Seoul, Korea. He also held an internship with the Stratford Hills Korean Community Church in Richmond, Virginia. Suh is enrolled at Wesley Seminary, part of American University, in Washington, D.C.
Anne West, from Richmond, Virginia, participated in internships focusing on youth ministry at Reveille United Methodist Church in Richmond and at the Virginia United Methodist Center in Glen Allen, Virginia. A Phi Beta Kappa student at R-MC, West is enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey and plans to become a youth minister.