Current Students  | Alumni  | Resources | Give

Experience at Grace Inspired a Future Youth Pastor
Grace in Action

Experience at Grace Inspired a Future Youth Pastor

Zechariah Filer considers these three simple words, “God is Enough,” as the most important ones during his academic experience at Grace School of Theology. Through the different trials that his family experienced in the ministry and in life, these three simple words had been his battle cry to finish his studies at Grace and continue running the race of faith in his life and ministry.
Grace in Action

Experience at Grace Inspired a Future Youth Pastor

Zechariah Filer considers these three simple words, “God is Enough,” as the most important ones during his academic experience at Grace School of Theology. Through the different trials that his family experienced in the ministry and in life, these three simple words had been his battle cry to finish his studies at Grace and continue running the race of faith in his life and ministry.
Experience at Grace Inspired a Future Youth Pastor
Experience at Grace Inspired a Future Youth Pastor
{

But I do know that because of my time here at Grace, I am a better person and a more capable messenger for God.  I want the world to see how on fire I am for God; I want to walk into a room and people notice that something is different about me.  I want to die to my flesh and be alive in Christ.

Zech grew up in the ministry, as his father Joseph Filer was a Senior Pastor and Church Planter in the state of Utah. Eventually, he got into seminary education through the encouragement and inspiration drawn from his father who had always been the biggest factor and contributor to his dedication to schooling.

“He always encouraged me to get my degree so that I could be used by God in more ways.”

According to Zech, what made him choose Grace is its statement of faith and its doctrine on the grace of God. “I was seeking a school that has sound doctrine, one that could teach me theology without having to filter through legalism or ideas that salvation can be lost.” Moreover, Grace is more affordable compared to other schools and that distinctive is what gave him a chance to pay out-of-pocket with less loans. And since his family usually travels from one place to another to do missionary work, it helped that the program was online—allowing him to continue schooling wherever he was and attain his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (BABS) degree in the long run.
Although student life and ministry have their share of joy and fulfillment in the Lord, there are also some challenges from time to time. When Zech’s father passed away in October 2021, it was the most difficult period of his life. Zech considers his father as his “hero” and the man he “strives to be most like in the world.” Needless to say, the incident left him with some very difficult decisions to make, including whether or not to finish his studies.
“The one who gave me the most encouragement to keep going onwards to get my degree, this was the man that I lost.”
Still, Zech held on to his faith and continued with his battle cry—“God is enough.” And by God’s grace, he was able to keep pushing forward in life, ministry, and even in his studies at Grace. According to Zech, his Grace family—which included his classmates, professors, and staff—had been instrumental in helping him cope with the situation and in pursuing and finishing his studies.
“They were willing to sacrifice their time, even when they were miles away from me, to walk beside me in this time of struggle. They truly are the imitators of God’s grace, and they helped me to ‘see it through!’”

For Zech, the classes he took at Grace really made an impact in his life and ministry. The Principles of Biblical Interpretation with Dr. Mark Haywood taught him how to really dig deeper through the Scriptures and find their life application. “To this day, I still use many of the methods that I learned in this class.”

His Ministry Internship with Dr. Robert Miller taught him how to apply the principles he learned from Grace into practice. It was also the time when he got the opportunity to serve with his father in the ministry for the very last time. According to Zech, during his grieving process, because of the death of his father, Dr. Miller had been gracious enough towards him when it came to his subject requirements. “I was in tears. I was able to pass the course, learn from my father, learn from Dr. Miller, and truly be touched by God’s grace in this course.”

Lastly, Zech’s course on Evangelism and Discipleship with Prof. Edward Waken and Dr. Steve Norris helped him to be bolder in sharing the Gospel of Christ to others and in making disciples who will also teach others about the love of Christ.
Zech plans to use the lessons learned at Grace to accomplish God’s calling in his life—to become a youth pastor and teach the youth about how to share the love of Christ to others.
“I want to raise up the next generation of spiritual leaders that can lead others to a relationship with our graceful God.”
Despite the many challenges and trials his family experienced, Zech did not only “see it through” but made it through as well! His battle cry, “God is Enough,” resonated during his experience at Grace and Zech was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies degree with the Class of 2022.

Interested to Learn More?

Find out more about Grace’s degree offerings.

Request for Information

Help Develop Spiritual Leaders

Help students become equipped spiritual leaders.

Give Today

Become a Grace Student

Start your Grace journey today!

Apply Today
Course Syllabi

Deepen Your Theological Foundation

Enhance Your Ministry Skills