New Students, Fall 2004

'I Can Do Nothing Less Than Try':
Marva R. Rice

Marva R. Rice of Philadelphia has 25 years of experience as an educator. A member of Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, she has a Master's in Education and Elementary and Secondary Principal Certification. She's been a dedicated church volunteer, "but I don't have a theological background in a scholarly sense even though I thoroughly enjoy the Bible study classes taught in my home church." Marva says she does have an intense desire, at this stage of her life, "to learn about the many facets of Christianity. Through many hardships and some rather difficult times, I have learned to talk with God." Through listening she began to have a more intense interest in learning about her faith. She also experienced a spiritual interchange while advising a friend about communicating with God. She says she came to feel that God wants something more from her than the traditional things she has done at church and through her faith life. Now she thinks the challenge may involve teaching in a new way. "I can do nothing less than try," she says. "And that is why I am here at the seminary. I've experienced an awakening, an insight that has developed over time. I'm somewhat perplexed, but I'm not really concerned because all of this was God's idea. I'm just along for the ride."