Heidi Smith, 2008 Lydia Scholar

The Network of Presbyterian Women in Leadership (NPWL) is proud to introduce Heidi Smith as its 2008 Lydia Scholar.  Heidi is a distance learning student at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She is a member of Dubuque’s first student “cohort” which consists of students who are studying for their Masters of Divinity degree off site, and on-line. Because there is very little scholarship or grant money available for distance students within the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Lydia Scholarship is truly a blessing to her.  Heidi is an Inquirer (a person in the process of answering God’s call to ordained ministry) with the Kendall Presbytery and a Commissioned Lay Pastor serving Salmon First Presbyterian Church in Salmon, Idaho.  Heidi’s father served in Salmon as a Methodist minister and she “grew up with both a strong faith example and a strong tie to the land and to the rural and small town people who live close to the land.”  Therefore Heidi’s passionate goal is to serve in rural, small church ministry.  Before answering God’s call to ministry, Heidi was a veterinarian for 19 years. She and her husband, Paul Pedersen, still run a small horse ranch.  Those who know Heidi well, say she is “a dedicated Christian who not only knows the Bible, but lives her life by it.  She is a bundle of energy, creativity, and drive.” Heidi represents a new type of person entering ministry; a person who is actively responding to God’s call, while intentionally staying in their place of service.  NPWL congratulates Heidi Smith.

Return to the list of Lydia Scholarship recipients.