0 Houghton student Michael Carey sitting with open book in hands.

Trusting in God’s Guidance

January 22, 2024

As Michael Carey 鈥27 contemplated his future, he wasn鈥檛 sure if college was even part of the picture. He thought it was possible that his vision of becoming a pastor could be fulfilled through internships with his church, where he鈥檚 already been preaching for a few years. As he prayed, however, Michael sensed God calling him into a season of preparation, during which he could refine his skills and ready himself to meet that calling.

Michael鈥檚 attempts to find the right school were challenging. The first few he considered were expensive, far from home or both. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to pay for an education in a place where God wasn鈥檛 calling me,鈥 Michael shared. 鈥淎nd I didn鈥檛 want to put the financial burden of an expensive education on my mom.鈥

Michael is a triplet, so determining the next steps and their financial implications was significant for his family. 鈥淚 trusted God鈥檚 guidance,鈥 reflected Michael, 鈥渂ut I wasn鈥檛 seeing the open door. It was a tough season, and I didn鈥檛 know what to do.鈥

Michael wanted to remain near his home outside Albany, New York, but didn鈥檛 want to give up on finding a college that shared his values. He didn鈥檛 want to compromise and remained firm in seeking the place God was calling him to. 鈥淚 think sometimes God doesn鈥檛 give clear answers right away, because He wants to grow our faith.鈥

I’m seeing so many benefits of growing in my faith and my calling and growing in an understanding of the world I live in.

Michael Carey ’27

As Michael dreaded making a college decision that he wasn鈥檛 sure he could afford, God was already at work. Upon arriving home from a visit to another institution, Michael received a letter from 黑料科. It was an acceptance letter that included his financial aid package. Michael could hardly believe it was real. 鈥淚 was awarded a Founder鈥檚 Promise Scholarship. I looked at my mom and said, 鈥楥an I be reading this right?鈥欌

Two months into his first semester, Michael is learning how to balance his academics and his social life. He loves people and has quickly developed a diverse group of friends who join him in a weekly Bible study. Michael also participates in and helps lead a small group study for young men on campus and occasionally goes home to preach in his home church.

Michael is already seeing the benefits of a liberal arts education. 鈥J.L. Miller [Chair of Religion and Associate Dean of the Chapel] told me Houghton鈥檚 goal is to shape well-rounded pastors who are able to understand the times they live in. I鈥檓 seeing so many benefits of growing in my faith and my calling and growing in an understanding of the world I live in.鈥

The Founder鈥檚 Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar tuition scholarship offered to incoming students who are eligible for federal Pell grants. In its inaugural year, 33% of incoming students received the Founder鈥檚 Promise Scholarship, equating to an affordable education for 90 aspiring scholar-servants like Michael. Houghton鈥檚 strategic plan highlights a continued emphasis on and commitment to access and affordability for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, a commitment played out through the Founder鈥檚 Promise Scholarship.

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