Imagine standing at a crossroads—feeling the stirrings of a divine call, yet unsure of the path ahead. For many young adults wrestling with questions of identity, purpose and faith, that moment can be overwhelming. Chelsea Weber (BA ’14) knows that feeling intimately, and today, she walks alongside others experiencing the same.
Now the Bridge to Ministry Program Specialist at Fresno Pacific University, Chelsea once sat in the very classrooms her students now fill. Her journey, rooted in obedience and service, has come full circle.
From Local Church to Life-Changing Program
Before stepping into her current role, Chelsea spent nearly a decade as the children’s and youth pastor at La Viña Covenant Church in Kerman, CA. That chapter grounded her in hands-on ministry and helped her live out the very lessons she learned at FPU.
“The Christian Ministry program at FPU gave [me] the well-rounded experience needed to go out and impact the next generation for the Gospel, then return to pour into students walking through the same experience [I] had,” she reflects.
The Bridge to Ministry Program: A Pathway with Purpose
Now, Chelsea is at the forefront of a transformative opportunity: the Bridge to Ministry Program, an accelerated, grant-funded track designed to help students earn both their B.A. and M.A. in Christian Ministry in as little as five years. But the program is more than a fast track; it’s a holistic experience that includes:
- Personalized mentoring
- Real-world ministry opportunities
- A supportive cohort environment
- A $1,500 annual scholarship for students in good standing
What fuels Chelsea’s passion is the privilege of walking with students as they discover their God-given callings. “We have amazing students in our program, all of whom have a deep love for Jesus and a strong desire to be equipped for faithful Kingdom service,” she says.
“It is beautiful that I now have the privilege to journey with young people who are discovering who they are, how they are uniquely designed and how they are being called by God into ministry. This was the same journey I went through years ago and I am acutely aware of how difficult that road can be.”
Discerning God’s Call—Together
Chelsea sees this sacred season in her students’ lives as both tender and powerful.
“This season of hearing and discerning God’s call in their life is such a tender one,” she explains. “But it has great potential to yield a harvest of young people who understand their role as image-bearers, leaders and Shalom-bringers in whatever context the Lord leads.”
Her admiration for these students shines through. “I am constantly inspired by them as they eagerly seek to love God and love people well.”
How FPU Shaped Her Calling
When asked about how FPU prepared her for ministry, Chelsea points to a deeply integrated experience: knowledge, practice and formation.
She highlights the spiritual formation courses, mentorship by compassionate professors, practicum experience and sacred rhythms that laid a foundation for sustainability in ministry.
“The Christian ministry program has always desired to prepare its students holistically and I was no exception,” she says. “This well-rounded learning experience allowed [me] to enter ministry, not knowing it all, but equipped and empowered to navigate faithfully and engage local communities with compassion.”
Rooted in Community: A Kingdom Value
Chelsea’s ministry is not only shaped by theological education. It’s rooted in community. She references the words of Henri Nouwen in The Genesee Diary: “The way to ‘God alone’ is seldom traveled alone.”
This truth carried her through real-life ministry moments—from counseling a distressed parent to cheering on students at their sports games. It also continues to guide her work today.
“FPU has been foundational and transformative in every way,” Chelsea says.
Through her leadership, the Bridge to Ministry program becomes more than a degree. It becomes a sacred journey. And Chelsea Weber stands faithfully at the bridge, pointing others toward their call with empathy, experience and enduring hope.
Adapted from the Alumni Blog post on March 13, 2025.
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