By Libby Scroggins
Less than two weeks ago, all 13 fellows arrived at a retreat center nestled in the rolling hills of Maryland. Stepping into the week as strangers with uniquely beautiful yet distinct stories, we prepared ourselves to discover more about the world we had just entered into and the strangers with whom we would be exploring it. In our first formal meeting, John Kyle (Director of Capital Fellows) presented us with two questions: “why am I here?” and “why has God put me here?” As we considered these questions throughout the week, we told one another our stories, shared meals, and formed friendships that I couldn’t have imagined a few days prior.
When I first considered why God put me here in the Capital Fellows program, I considered the ways in which each part of the program (classes, internships, host families) would be edifying to me and each fellow individually. What I didn’t realize is that the fellows themselves, too, are a gift from God to me.
Last week, Paul’s words in Romans 12 came to life: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:4-6) Though vastly different, each fellow’s story of redemption reminded me in new ways of Jesus’ grace, as each fellow’s respective gifts of grace shined through their testimonies.
From an outsider’s glance, the cohesion of our Kickoff Retreat didn’t make sense. Our differing backgrounds, interests, and personalities could have served to divide; but only through Christ our Redeemer could we have experienced unity and love for one another, forming friendships that will go beyond a nine-month program and last into eternity.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it well in his book Life Together: “there is something about you that can make something about God known in a way no one else can.”
By the Lord’s grace, He has gifted me with a community of 12 unique individuals who make God known and proclaim His glory in their own individualized way. I’m deeply grateful, and eager for a year of learning and loving both the Lord and my community.
Libby Scroggins is a member of the Capital Fellows class of 2024-25. She is from Magnolia, TX ,and is a graduate of Wake Forest University. This year, she is working at The Clapham Group in Springfield, VA
Pictures From The Week
The Capital Fellows on Day 1!
The Capital Fellows complete a DC-wide scavenger hunt & celebrate Curtis' birthday!
Group hike to a river in Maryland - during Kickoff Retreat
Receiving our books for the semester...
Know a Potential Capital Fellow?
If you know a college senior or recent graduate who should consider joining the Capital Fellows program in 2025-26, please encourage them to get in touch with us. The easiest way to express interest in the program is through our Contact Us Form. You can learn more about the program, including application deadlines, by visiting the Capital Fellows website.
About Capital Fellows. Capital Fellows is an advanced leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Through graduate courses, a paid internship, one-on-one mentoring, and many leadership and community service opportunities, fellows develop and apply their gifts in real-world situations while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life. Capital Fellows is a unique opportunity to live and work in the Washington DC area and to be an active member of a supportive community that seeks to serve the city with the love of Christ. It is also a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace while deeply exploring God’s design for us as workers and contributors to human flourishing.
Pray for the Capital Fellows
Thank you for praying for the Capital Fellows each week!
Starting with their arrival last week, the fellows have had a season of new - new city, new friends, new host family, new jobs, new church, new classes. So many new things can be a bit overwhelming. Please pray for the fellows as they navigate all of the change. At the same time, simply surviving all of the new things isn't actually the goal. Jesus tells us, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:5) So, please also pray that they would see Jesus at work in all that is happening in these first days of Capital Fellows Season 18!
Want to learn more about Season 18? Click the button below to read through their bios!
About The Fellows Initiative
Capital Fellows is part of a network of similar programs across the country. This network is called The Fellows Initiative. There are 34 Fellows programs in TFI, roughly 3,200 alumni living around the world, and more Fellows programs on the way.
If you know a church in the US or Canada that would benefit from joining TFI by launching a new Fellows program. Please contact TFI by visiting their website.
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