At the end of Blake Burns’ freshman year at Grace, he wasn’t sure his health science major was the right track for him. Though he had enjoyed science as a high schooler, something just seemed to be missing in college. Around the same time, he had taken stock of his spiritual life and felt disappointed. From this, a question arose:
“What if I studied the Bible the way I do science?” Burns wondered.
Burns contacted Dr. Tiberius Rata, a professor of Old Testament Studies, who walked him through his options. Before his sophomore year, Burns switched to a biblical studies major with a double minor in biblical languages and biology.
Many assume Blake was planning to become a pastor. But he views his education as a highway with many exits rather than a one-way track to a single occupation. Currently completing an internship at a local church, he plans to use his degrees to teach or preach the Bible in his future career.
“I can do that in a lot of different ways, whether that’s in a private school, higher education, or the local church,” said Burns.
Burns’ professors recognized his desire to teach early on, giving him several opportunities to lead a class. He remembers one day when he filled in for Rata’s Understanding the New Testament class. He felt that his teaching had been subpar. Rata and Professor of New Testament Studies Dr. Matt Harmon met with Burns privately to debrief.
“I was discouraged,” he said. “But they both poured into me, encouraged me, and gave me some practical tips going forward. I have those tips written down to this day.”
And Burns has felt that support personally, not just academically. He found a spiritual community in Rata’s faculty mentor group, where Burns and other students read through “Humility,” by Andrew Murray, and supported each other with prayer and encouragement.
Burns’ professors frequently asked him, a student-athlete, about his soccer season. Sometimes, they’d stop by his games. And sophomore year, when Burns sustained an injury that kept him off the field for seven months, Dr. Rock La Gioia’s support helped him through it.
“He was really helpful in helping me finish up, even though I had surgery over Thanksgiving,” said Burns. “And they prayed for me in class. It was a big deal.”
This summer, Burns completed his bachelor’s degree in biblical studies. Through Grace’s accelerated master’s degree program, he’ll graduate next spring with his master’s in divinity.
Burns can’t describe the impact Grace has had on him without naming the friendship and mentorship his professors have extended to him. According to him, Grace is a place where striving is rewarded by relationships double-fold.
“If you put in effort and intentionality, you’ll get so much more back,” he said. “Professors are willing to meet with you and talk with you on a personal level, not just an academic one. If you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and reach out, people will invest in you.”
At Grace College, we know you were created for more than shallow relationships, a tolerable job, and weeks spent scraping by. You were created for community, knowledge, and eternal impact. You were created for more. Our mission is to help you discover what “more” looks like for you.
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