Exchange program leads seminary student to India

INDIANAPOLIS - Renee Perkins has been selected to attend United Theological College in Bangalore, India as an exchange student from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis during the current academic year.

This is the second year of the CTS reciprocal exchange program. Last year Jacob William Sundararaj came to CTS as the first student in the exchange. Each school provides a scholarship covering tuition, room and board for the visiting student.

Perkins, 50, is a second-year student in the masters of divinity program at CTS and will continue taking classes toward her degree while in India. She says she is especially interested in studying missionary work while living in a foreign country.

"I've always had an interest in overseas mission work," she says. "When I saw this opportunity, it instantly piqued my interest."

Most of Perkins' professional career has been spent as a registered nurse. A career that she thinks may have prepared her for what she describes as a "calling toward a chaplaincy position in a hospital."

Perkins' husband, Steve, is retired and will accompany her to India. In addition to continuing his study of the Bible with the Bangalore, India chapter of Bible Study Fellowship, Perkins believes her husband will pursue his love of fishing while in India.

While in India, Perkins will be on leave from her appointment to Dearborn Hills United Methodist Church where she has served as minister of visitation.

CTS is a fully accredited ecumenical seminary and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It offers eight graduate-level degree programs, including theology, ministry and counseling, with specializations in ministries that emphasize the arts and programs for life-long learning. More than 40 denominations are represented among faculty and students.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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