One on One
10-06-2021
By Maryclare Beche
This is a storytelling segment, where students will be sharing their personal stories - highlighting their ministerial work, future goals and how McCormick is helping in this journey. Here, we will also explore some of the things that students are doing to maintain a balance between school, family, work and self-care.
In this week's issue, meet Frank Fosu, an international student From Ghana. Frank is a first year MTS student.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I am Frank Fosu, born on 6th April in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region of Ghana, West Africa. One important historical place in the Ashanti Region is the Manhyia Palace which seats the Ashanti King. I am the eldest of four siblings, and a pastor in Trinity Baptist Church under the Ghana Baptist Convention. I completed the University of Ghana with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Psychology. I have worked as an English Language Tutor in various schools and served as an Examiner for the West African Examination Council. Before moving to Chicago, I was a Social Health Worker for Compassion International, a Christian Non-Governmental Organization. I am yet to marry, and I strongly believe in teaching and preaching the total Gospel to man in totality with tangible proofs of the Holy Spirit's power in healing, deliverance, miracles, signs, and wonders.
Why Seminary?
I chose to come to seminary because I want to understand God better from a broad spectrum of theological perspectives and templates that could help me reach out to people around the globe. I have a keen interest in the Scriptures, and I want to ground my understanding of both the Greek and Hebrew texts to make accurate interpretations to benefit my audience. I want to be a Biblical Studies scholar and help the emerging generation to relate well with the Scriptures in deeper insights, understanding, and knowledge.
How do you see McCormick shaping you to achieve your goal?
McCormick Theological Seminary is cross-cultural, urban, reformed, and ecumenical in scope. It is a seminary of my choice because of her lasting legacy of equipping ministers of the Gospel to fit into a troubled world that needs to tremble at God's Word. McCormick is preparing me to minister to people from different faith traditions and cultures across the globe.
Is there a time when culture served as a barrier to you achieving your goal? How did you handle it?
When I was working with Compassion International, I remember one child (beneficiary) had a fracture in the left leg. Compassion International treats the children in a certified hospital, and a doctor fills a curative form which we filled together with the receipts of costs incurred on the child's file. Compassion International pays for the welfare, health, and education costs of each child. As we decided to take the child to the hospital, the caregivers (parents) insisted that they preferred herbal or traditional treatment because they thought that was more effective. It was a challenge though we invited the caregivers to the office to meet with the stakeholders involved. We had a series of meeting with them, yet the caregivers insisted that they preferred herbal treatment. I had to write a report on the issue for the beneficiary and make the caregivers, the project pastor, and the director sign it before sending it to the national office. There is nothing Compassion International could do if the caregivers did not consent to the treatment at the hospital. It taught me a great lesson to respect the cultural values and beliefs of other people.
Outside of school and ministry, what do you like to do for fun?
I have keen interests in reading, writing, researching, public speaking, listening to the news, and gospel music. I will set up a scholarship scheme or foundation to sponsor brilliant but needy students, single mothers, and struggling young pastors. I would also love to learn how to swim.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would like to commend the staff, faculty, and the whole student body of McCormick Theological Seminary for their immense contribution to humanity. It is a seminary that makes you belong to a familial community, share in your challenges and crowning moments, and spur you on in moments of discouragement and despair. I appreciate the value McCormick is adding to my life and that of many others in no small way.
