During her time at Reinhardt, Marianella Lopez ’17 seemed to be everywhere on campus. The voice performance major could be found jogging with friends across campus, playing her guitar and singing on the campus green or working service projects on and off campus. Lopez credits her interactions at Reinhardt for finding her faith – experiences that have led her to the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
She was a regular at Common Ground worship and said she has been drawn to the ministry.
“Reinhardt gave me a good place to establish a firm faith,” Lopez said.
It was through programs like campus ministry, caring professors and a connection to Waleska United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School that Lopez found her true calling. The recent graduate will start classes at the Candler School of Theology in August where she will pursue her master’s degree. She hopes one day to become an ordained minister and serve disadvantage youth in communities that need connection.
“There are communities that need special attention and special love,” she said. “I want to work with youth with the hopes of inspiring them. Loving one another and having a firm believe gives them a purpose and they can follow their dreams and realize the Lord’s plan for them.”