Forge Alumni
As of 2010, the Forge currently has 80 alumni from the past five years. These alumni are now living all over the United States and abroad. They are involved in everything from full-time ministry to med school to enlisting in the armed forces.
Loren Ransom, Class of 2006
Loren is currently working at Pine Cove as the Program Manager. He is heavily involved in the logistics of the recruiting process, and is enjoying using his gifts to improve the functioning of the Program Department.
Andy Watkins, Class of 2007
Andy is currently living in Dallas and has been married to his wife, Randi, for two years. He teaches 8th grade math and coaches football/basketball at Highland Park Middle School. Andy and Randi enjoy learning what it looks like to follow Jesus post-college and through their marriage.
Caitlin Clyde, Class of 2008
Caitlin began graduate school immediately after the Forge. She has now graduated and is living in Dallas, Texas with her husband Matt "Buck and a Half" Clyde. She works as a Physician Assistant in Inpatient Cardiology at Children's Medical Center.
Ben Humeniuk, Class of 2009
Ben is the graphic designer for Stonebridge Church in The Woodlands, TX, a job he was prepared for through an internship with Pine Cove's media department during his time at the Forge. He is responsible for communicating the church's mission through creating a number of web and print pieces, and serves on staff alongside his wife, Christin, who leads the 5th and 6th grade youth ministry.
Grant Seifried, Class of 2010
Grant is now living in South Sudan as a church-planter and program manager for East African Ministries. Within this role, he runs logistics for Water Harvest International, a water-well drilling ministry, and is overseeing the implementation of a new mobile clinic ministry, Mobile Health International, in order to share the gospel and support the indigenous church planting movement going on the region.
Lacey Melinder, Class of 2011
Lacey is currently working as a Children's Ministry Director at Bethel Bible Church in Tyler. She is utilizing her education degree and leadership gifts to develop the elementary age small groups, manage volunteer training and oversee recruitment.
What Alumni Say
We asked several of our alumni about the value of the program now that they have been out for a few years.
"The Forge has given me freedom from trying to prove my worth to myself and to others. Through discipleship and community, I have learned that my identity only comes from who the Lord has called me. He has created me to lead out of that, and the Forge has given me an accurate picture of what it looks like to glorify the Lord with my design instead of my performance." -Amanda, Class of 2010
“Making the sacrifices required to do the Forge and setting myself apart for eight months was the best decision I have ever made with my life. Looking back, the obstacles I faced to enter the Forge seem minuscule and insignificant compared to the growth that took place in my life during that time.” -Daniel, Class of 2007
"I can’t think of a better way to have spent the last 8 months than at the Forge to prepare me for graduate school. The Forge will prepare you to lead and disciple wherever you go." -Ryan, Class of 2011
“The Forge, through it's teachers, classes, and students helped to show me who I was, and who God has called me to be; then gave me the tools and training to match the two.” -Andrew, Class of 2006
"After one semester, my mom declared that God was saving my life through the Forge. It’s true; I can’t imagine where I would be headed without the guidance and direction offered through the various facets of the Forge." -Kara, Class of 2011
"I think the Forge prepared me to enter this world more than I would have thought a year ago. It happened in a very concrete way this week. My boss in the interview for my latest promotion told me that he needed a "leader" in this position and not a "manager" and asked if I knew the difference. I almost laughed in his face. I replied that I spent about 8 months thinking and talking about that very thing just a couple years back and went on to give him examples of both and how I think the Lord has blessed me with the ability to lead. He obviously liked my answer at least a little bit because I got the job!” -Drew, Class of 2006
Ask Forge Alumni
Do you have a question for one of our alumni in the program? Contact us here and we will put you in touch with an alumni that can best answer your question.
