Under the Fig Tree: From Lutheran teacher to deaconess student with Jessica Thompson

Under the Fig Tree

In this episode of Under the Fig Tree, hosts Rev. Micah Glenn and Dr. Ben Haupt chat with Jessica Thompson, a residential Deaconess Studies student and a new admissions officer at Concordia Seminary. Thompson, whose husband is a pastor, previously served as a Lutheran teacher before she started the deaconess program. “It’s been everything that I hoped it would be and even better,” she says of the classes she has taken so far. “It’s amazing. I eat it up. I’ve loved every class that I have taken. I even love writing papers. I love writing, so writing papers is even fun for me. I’ve been amazed at the theologians we have here as professors. These are people who really know so much about God’s Word, but they’re also so pastoral, which has been such a blessing.” She also shares some advice for prospective students: “Talk to people who really know you, faithful people who really know you. We as a church, we’re Americans, and we like to be very individual [and] make our own decisions and figure things out. But we are the body of Christ. I think we need to be in conversation with each other, helping each other discern.” For the recurring concluding segment, “Ripe for the picking or leave it on the tree,” hear the trio feel about gazpacho, Harry Potter books, Christmas music in November and Pictionary!

“Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. New video and audio episodes are added weekly each Monday during the academic year. “Under the Fig Tree” can be found on YouTube, the Seminary’s Scholar site (scholar.csl.edu) and most podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Those interested in vocational ministry are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary at http://www.csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [e-mail] or 800-822-9545.