First Presbyterian Church members are living God’s love in all kinds of ways. One of them is Brittney Daniel, who grew up in our church, discovered she was called to the ministry and now is in her second year at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Here’s her story, in her own words.


My mom came to the church to see one of the theatrical performances and met her soon-to-be best friend, Judy Fisher. Judy invited her to come to church on a regular basis, and my mom has been attending ever since.


My mom raised me in the church, and I attended every program that I possibly could. Youth Club, choir, youth group, handbells, Sunday school—you name it, I was here. I loved coming as a child, and that love never dwindled as I grew older. If anything, it grew.


From the moment I was baptized in the church, and even before that, FPCA has been my family. Tey took those baptismal vows very seriously. I had numerous babysitters from church, countless extra grandparents and aunts and uncles who all played a huge part in raising me. My mom knew that FPCA was filled with good people who would be amazing role models for me.


My mentors, best friends, confirmation sponsor, my family were at FPCA. My church family has supported me through every step of my life.


But the most important role that FPCA played was as my home. At church I could always be myself, excited about God and the Bible, ready to volunteer wherever possible. During college, I struggled to find places where I could be


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myself. When I came home, my church family asked the important questions: “When are you going into ministry?” and “have you thought about seminary?”


Tey knew before I did that I was being called by God into ministry. Tey provided leadership opportunities and helped me cultivate my faith. To this day, FPCA has been the single most supportive group of people in my life.


I served as a youth volunteer at Wayne Presbyterian Church for all three years of college at Eastern University. I helped lead Bible studies, youth groups, and retreats. I served as an FPCA summer youth ministry intern for two summers.


Now I serve as Columbia Teological Seminary’s Imago Dei clerk (LGBTQIA+ inclusive club) and one of the co-leaders of Fellowship for Teological Discussion, which meets weekly to discuss random theological topics that come up in everyday life.


At Ormewood Church (my internship in Atlanta), another intern and I have started a youth group. We plan and lead biweekly groups and look forward to expanding the program. Tis job includes leading youth group preaching, writing liturgy, praying, and whatever else is needed as a general church intern. I also have a second job working for the Office of Worship Life here at Columbia


Teological Seminary, where I help plan and execute the two weekly chapel services on campus.


Seminary was never on my radar … until my second year of working with youth during college. Tey were the shining goal at the end of every week, my inspiration and motivation. And people started to notice—particularly my church family. Tis was when the question of seminary became more prevalent.


As I fell more in love with youth ministry and the church, it was clear, at least to everyone around me, that seminary was the next logical step. But all I wanted was to be done with education. I wanted to work every day and be committed to a church.


As I continued my volunteer work with the youth at Wayne Pres, I found myself unable to answer some of their questions and yearning for better answers for myself. When one of my mentors suggested seminary, at first I balked, but slowly, the idea grew on me. I wanted answers for my youth and for myself more and more each day.


After talking to my mentors at both Wayne Pres and FPCA, I decided to dive right into it. And here I am, in my second year of seminary, loving every minute of it.


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