In 2009, I resigned from my faculty position at Alliance Theological Seminary and moved to Philadelphia to serve as the pastor of a newly planted church. Around that time, I began teaching online for Liberty University’s seminary as a secondary role—and somehow, that “side job” has now become seventeen years of service. Since Liberty began offering online degrees in 2007, I suppose I now count as one of the senior online faculty members.

 

This summer, I was assigned another course, and when I looked at the Summer D schedule beginning June 29, I saw that I would be teaching NBST 520, the course on Acts and the Pauline Epistles. As I reviewed my records, I realized that the last time I taught this course was exactly one year ago—also during the Summer D term. Reading through the announcements and materials I used back then stirred many emotions in me. Around this time last year, I was taken to the emergency room by ambulance for the first time in my life.

 

What stands out most from that season is the struggle with persistent sodium issues that kept sending me back to the ER. The anxiety, the sleepless nights, and the uncertainty still ripple through my heart when I think about it. At the same time, I vividly remember the compassion and kindness I received from my colleagues. They stepped in and covered my course for a week while I was hospitalized, and their care continues to touch me even now.

 

Since that experience, my perspective on life has undergone a dramatic paradigm shift. At first, I considered reusing the videos I recorded last year, but after some reflection, I decided to recreate everything from the beginning. I also plan to revise the announcements with a more pastoral tone. And considering the challenges I faced while teaching a new course during the Summer B term this year, I intend to make significant adjustments to the content as well.

 

Paul once said, “It was good for me to be afflicted,” and I feel that his words now resonate deeply with my own journey.