When Colin Horne came to saving faith in Christ in high school, he didn’t waste any time putting that faith into action.
While attending a youth conference in Southern California, Horne returned home to Modesto, determined to help others know Jesus. Alongside a few friends, he launched a neighborhood Bible study.
Looking back now, he is quick to admit that he was still learning what ministry looked like. “I had no idea what I was doing,” he said. “I just wanted people to get together and study the Bible.”
While the Bible study might have been “rough around the edges,” it showed what God was doing in Horne’s heart and life: cultivating a desire to open the Word of God and preparing him for the pastorate.
A Biblical Studies Degree Rooted in Calling
Horne grew up in a Charis Fellowship Church in California. When considering college, he knew he wanted to prepare for ministry, but wasn’t sure where or what that would look like.
Grace College quickly rose to the top of Horne’s list because of connections through his church. “I thought, maybe pastoral ministry is something I should do,” he said. “And if that’s the case, I should go to a Christian college.”
Soon enough, Horne enrolled, pursuing a degree in biblical studies with a minor in biblical languages. In his senior year, he met his wife, Casey, and pursued leadership roles in residence life as an Assistant Resident Director (ARD) and then as a Resident Director (RD).
College Mentorship Beyond the Classroom
While there were several powerful moments during his studies, some of the most influential in his college journey occurred outside the classroom.
As an only child, Horne was introduced to a new kind of community in his residence halls. Andy Gross, his resident assistant, became one of the first people to intentionally invest in him during college. “He would just pop into our room all the time,” Horne said. “We spent a lot of time talking about life, theology, and following Christ.”
Throughout his time at Grace, he found professors, pastors, and mentors who challenged him to think deeply about Scripture and modeled godly character. The combination of classroom instruction and college mentorship became one of the defining aspects of Horne’s education. And the lessons he learned through discipleship relationships during his college years continue to influence him to this day.
Seminary Training and Preparation
After earning his undergraduate degree, Horne stayed at Grace to pursue a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies at Grace Theological Seminary. “There was a lot of theology I was still working through,” he said. “I wanted to know what I believed and why I believed it.”
A seminary education provided the environment he needed to wrestle with those questions. Once again, college mentorship played a big role in that process. Horne remembers meeting regularly at Dr. Matt Harmon’s home with other seminary students to study Scripture together, discuss books, or simply watch a football game.
It was an incredible experience for Horne to learn from a professor who cared deeply about both theology and people. “I got to know him not just as a professor, but as a brother in Christ.”
These relationships, in combination with theological study, helped prepare Horne for effective leadership in the church. It reinforced the idea that ministry is not just about knowing the right answers. Instead, it’s about shepherding people.
Preparing for a Lifetime of Ministry
In 2019, Horne accepted a position as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Warsaw, Indiana. During his time there, he navigated COVID-19, an experience that tested and strengthened his leadership through unprecedented times.
In 2023, Horne transitioned to Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, Indiana, serving as co-pastor of the church. Many of the lessons he learned in his biblical studies degree and MDiv continue to shape his ministry.
Still, one lesson stands out. “So much of ministry is shepherding,” Horne said. “It’s helping people follow Christ in everyday life.”
Horne’s experience prepared him to preach God’s Word faithfully and to shepherd others with God’s love.
If you’re considering ministry, Horne’s story demonstrates how a strong foundation can prepare believers for a lifetime of service. Through a biblical studies degree and an MDiv in Pastoral Studies, college mentorship, and hands-on ministry opportunities, Grace helped equip him for the future.
Interested in a degree in biblical studies? Discover how it connects you with college mentorship and guides you into your calling in ministry.
