Why Luke Hummel is here...

What follows is a testimony of three specific people who have influenced my decision to pursue a career in counseling:

Dr. Fuhr is a professor for the Biblical Studies department at Liberty University. During my undergraduate studies I had the privilege of taking two courses (Hermeneutics and Minor Prophets) taught by him. I stopped by his office one day after class in order to pick up an assignment; this visit became a discussion about my future plans. [One insight about Luke Hummel: I am not good about making future plans.] I told him that I was considering pursuing a degree in counseling--at the time I had been accepted into the Human Services program. He strongly encouraged me to consider the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program because it would allow me to pursue a license. He then put me in contact with a man who was knowledgeable about the CMHC program, which finally convinced me that a licensure track was the better option.

I used the word “finally” because I had been resisting the idea of doing the CMHC program; frankly, I wanted the easier, cheaper route. Furthermore, and maybe of greater importance, my father had suggested that I choose a licensure track, but at the time I was very resistant to my father’s advice. My choosing the CMHC program at the advice of Dr. Fuhr and not my own father was an eye-opening and humbling moment for me, specifically giving me insight into my poor attitude towards my father.

Sam Schwenk is the pastor of my church in West Virginia. Sam is important to me because he was one of the first men to be intentional with me concerning my spiritual development. He acted as the motivator for my continuance in the program, whereas Dr. Fuhr was the catalyst for getting me into it. There was one day when Sam and I met at Chick-fil-a, and he asked me about my choice to pursue a career in counseling. I told him about some reservations that I had, attempting to be honest about my struggles with pursuing counseling. He opened my eyes, however, to the need--specifically in north central West Virginia--for more counselors who know both God and His Word. Having this need magnified for me led me to consider counseling in a rural setting, which is the main focus of my research proposal. I had not intended to stay in West Virginia, but God used that conversation to open that door for me, causing me to seriously consider my place in rural counseling.

Sheri Hummel, my mother, is the final person I will speak about. She truly wants me to succeed in life and has always seen way more potential in me than I have seen in myself. It is through the trials and suffering that she has faced in her life that my own life and character have been shaped. Concerning my career choice, when I mentioned to her that I was considering counseling, she was incredibly supportive and enthusiastic about it. She also liked my idea to study rural counseling in my research class. (I think she would be very pleased if I practiced counseling closer to home.)

These three people, Dr. Fuhr, Sam Schwenk, and my mother, were used by God in very different ways to encourage me to press on in my pursuit. Hopefully God will continue to provide more influencers in my life--He knows I need them.