Brian Siriwardena spent the last 8 months interning at Terra Nova. We said goodbye to him a few weeks ago as he left for Dallas Theological Seminary. Here are a few parting words from Brian from his new home in Dallas.

Due to overwhelming demand here is a blog from Brian formerly known as The Intern. It isn’t really a manifesto but whatever it sounds clever.

I got into my new place and met two of three of my new roommates. They are both good guys, sane and normal. I’m not gonna lie, it is bloody hot here. When I arrived the thermometer in my car said it was 107, I was then informed by the housing lady that this has been a fairly mild summer. I know I’m not in great shape, or I have too much shape depending on how you look at things, but it has to be hot when you start sweating uncontrollably from walking 20 ft from the car to the front door. Also I must look odd to people here because in the past few days I have been asked the question “You aren’t from around here are you?” more than once. Another thing too is I must look Mexican to people because people keep trying to talk to me in Spanish. Seriously now, what the crap! I don’t look anything like a person from Central or South America. Also I have yet to meet any rednecks here which I must admit is kind of disappointing though there have been several cowboy hat sightings.

Orientation is this week on Thursday and Friday and classes start Monday. I am really looking forward to meeting some people and getting started here. I got all my books and found it rather humorous that the Bible was not on the required reading list in any form nor was it on the suggested list, I got a small kick out of that. For anyone who is not up to speed on what I am doing in Dallas here is the 411. I am here going to Dallas Theological Seminary(www.dts.edu). I am getting my Masters in Christian Education with a focus on Youth Ministry. I will be here for about 3 years. I intend on being a Student Ministries pastor. What is that you ask, well think of a youth pastor and expand the duties to include the overseeing of all things related to youth; for example a kids program on sundays.

I would like to thank all of you that over my time at Terra poured your time and your energy into me in hopes of preparing me for a life of full-time ministry. I consider you my friends and my church family. Words will fail to express how sad I am to have to leave you. I have been blessed to have you. I am looking forward to seeing all of you in October when I come back for a wedding. Any growth that I have experienced over the past 8 months can be credited to God working through you. I am beyond grateful that you allowed me to be apart of your community. It has been my pleasure to have been your Intern, Lacky, Sherpa, Brownie, Slave….and whatever else I have been called. May you continue to seek out the blessings the Lord has laid out for you.

Brian “The Intern” Siriwardena
DeificParadigm@aol.com
Brian@TerraNovaChurch.org