Published October 20, 2017
The landscape view of the mountains drew Nathan Miller (’15) to Clarks Summit University. The authentic relationships on campus caused him to stay. Now, two years after his graduation, ministry and discipleship remain his focus.
Spiritual Growth
Hailing from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Miller attended CSU as a Communications-Writing major, where the community on campus challenged him to grow spiritually. “I cherish the bonds I formed in the dorm of guys I lived with, who I would consider life-long friends…my resident director family, Frank and Lisa Judson, will always be like my second parents who are still investing into my life,” says Miller. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Miller began working for the university as the coordinator of mail services and marketing assistant. This allowed him to step up as a leader, both in the workforce and in ministry.
Ministry Development
Mission Scranton is a ministry to kids and teens in a low-income housing community that was developed by Dr. Mike Stallard, former dean of Baptist Bible Seminary. As Miller began serving with this ministry, he quickly saw God using Mission Scranton to change his perspective. “It scared me,” Miller recalls. “There were legitimate risks and dangers we had to be aware of. There are many things that could have pushed me away, but my heart was captured as I saw a whole other side to society that is neglected, suffering and hungry for a loving relationship and a hope that can be found in Jesus.” While the ministry is tough, Miller saw God working in the community as well as in his own life
Leadership and Discipleship
Stallard invested in Miller and challenged him to step out of his comfort zone, eventually putting him in charge of one of the nights of ministry. “As a student, I was working through many insecurities and didn’t think that I would have any leadership ability,” admits Miller. “I questioned his decision, but he said that he believed that I could do it. That was a major turning point in my life where I began to lead and begin my growth as a leader.”
God lead Stallard to take a new job in Philadelphia, but Mission Scranton’s founder did not want to see the organization die. Miller was named director and leads the week-to-week ministries of Mission Scranton, giving him the opportunity to disciple other workers. “I love to bring other CSU students into this ministry and help them to have the same transforming experience that I had. This is not only a ministry to reach the city of Scranton, but it provides opportunities for me to build and invest into relationships with people serving on the team,” says Miller.
He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership online at CSU. The practical learning experience has allowed him to become more intentional as a leader. While Miller is able to immediately apply what he is learning, he has an eternal perspective, saying, “God used Mission Scranton to mobilize me into ministry and focus me on living a life with an eternal purpose of reaching the lost.”
-Haley Seboe is a Communications-Writing major from Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
