Potential college students traditionally enlist the aid of high school guidance counselors when deciding educational choices. However, two young Sharpsville men went higher for their guidance counseling. They say God helped shape their choices.

Twin brothers Brian and Chris Kilbert graduated from Grove City College with a degree in Christian thought and are attending seminaries. However, they said they entered college with very different professional goals. It was God's leading, their Christian upbringing and outreach experiences, they said, that formed changes in their careers.

Among many church activities during their high school years, both men were counselors at Summer's Best Two Weeks, a sports-oriented Christian day camp, and went on many mission trips. During college, they were active in New Life, a campus ministry that witnesses to delinquent boys and focuses on evangelism and discipleship.

Brian intended to be a math teacher and Chris a physics teacher.

So what does the Christian thought course of study involve?

"Primarily the Christian thought degree functions as a pre-professional ministry degree like pre-law or pre-med," explained Brian, a student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

He explained that the degree is not only for students planning to enter seminary but also for students seeking personal development.

The Rev. Dr. James Bibza, professor of Christian thought at the college, said, "The required courses are in-depth studies of the Bible and church history, preparing people for seminary or to do youth ministry or a para-church ministry.

"Most students take a class or two in Christian thought and like them and then take a few more classes, then decide to major in it. Christian thought can be a major or part of a double major or a minor," said Rev. Bibza.

"The course of study gives a student a good, solid background so that a teacher or accountant with a minor in Christian thought can be a knowledgeable lay person in their church -- Biblically literate leaders and elders. It is not a pre-seminary factory."

Rev. Bibza explained that the Christian thought course requires a tremendous amount of reading, extensive exams and many papers.

According to the seminary students, many of the Christian thought classes were life changing.

"The Life of Christ class, taught by Rev. Bibza, shows the deity and humanity of Jesus, making him more of a person than a character, adding a new perspective with which to study the gospels," explained Brian.

For Chris, the Theology of the Spiritual Life class "made me aware that I am part of a larger body of Christ and appreciative of other forms of worship and doctrines."

Their advice for students considering a Christian thought degree or entering the ministry is very specific.

"If you don't like studying the scriptures, seek some other profession. Pray very sincerely and receive counseling from your pastor to see if he feels you have the gift of ministry."

However, as a student at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass., Chris feels the degree and all the courses "equipped me with all the tools I needed for seminary; not simply Bible or religion but theology, scripture, missions, history and practical parts of the church setting. It has shown me more of a big picture and helps to see what you are dealing with in your ministry."

"I have done very well because the courses gave me a broad background so I didn't have to study as much as the students without the Christian thought courses," said Brian.

"They, the Kilbert brothers, are very hard working and bright, the kind of people you'd want to be around, the kind of pastor that the Presbyterian Church needs," said Rev. Bibza.