This article was originally published in celebrations, the magazine of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Felicia Zamora is a 2002 graduate of EMU with a degree in psychology.
Felicia Zamora was raised in the Baptist church – in Managua, Nicaragua. “My grandfather, a pastor, had an illustrated Bible and a lot of books on theology, which I always liked reading,” she says. Felicia went to a Baptist school through grade four. Then the Zamoras moved temporarily to Fairfax, Va., where they began attending a Mennonite church – a connection that would play a major role in Felicia’s future education.
“My education at EMU taught me not only to evangelize but actually to become part of the community in which I live and minister.”
Felicia Zamora ’02
After two years and the family’s return to Managua, Felicia completed her secondary education at a school run by two missionary families. “I took it upon myself to study sects and cults, and I made a personal hobby out of learning how to defend my Christian faith in the light of their tenets.” When she started considering college, the family’s Mennonite connection resurfaced.
“American friends in Virginia had offered to house any of us kids who wanted to attend Eastern Mennonite University, so that’s where I headed!” Coming from a country plagued by violence, she identified with and appreciated the Mennonites’ pacifist views. “My education at EMU taught me not only to evangelize but actually to become part of the community in which I live and minister.”
Returning to Nicaragua following graduation, Felicia took a job with Provadenic, a non-profit focusing on primary health care by training people in rural areas to be the “doctors” in their communities. Felicia’s job required travel to communities that lacked the comforts of electricity and running water. “I learned to see these people as brothers and sisters who helped strengthen my faith – as valuable human beings discriminated against just because of where they are from,” she notes.
For 14 years, Felicia connected teams of American pastors and their congregations with these communities and learned skills in resolving conflicts between the culturally different groups. Throughout that time, she maintained her interest in reading theology.
“Over the years, friends and pastors had suggested that I go to seminary,” she recalls. “Finally, in 2017, I decided to heed them. Through my work, the Rev. Tim Spring ’84 had introduced me to PTS. I liked its diversity of perspectives and decided to trust God to lead me. Miraculously, I got my visa to come to the U.S. in 2018, amid much unrest in Nicaragua.”
Now an Master of Divinity student, Felicia’s “not here only to gain knowledge about the Bible but also to acquire skills in sharing that knowledge effectively in contexts that are different from my own.” Like the contexts of her former work in Nicaragua.
Blessings on your continued study and preparation for ministry, Felicia.
Good to hear about your current studies, Felicia. It sounds like your vision has widened from those first uncertain days in Northern Virginia. Its been a long journey and I know in a sense it is just beginning. Blessings to you.