At Duke Divinity School, field education is a central part of preparing Master of Divinity students for ministry. Through placements in churches, nonprofits, chaplaincy settings, and community organizations, students move beyond the classroom and into real-world ministry contexts to practice pastoral skills and discern their vocations.

For Reagan Kelly, M.Div. ’27, that formation has taken place at Croasdaile Retirement Village in Durham, where she has spent the academic year accompanying older adults through some of life’s most meaningful and vulnerable moments.

Kelly serves under chaplains Laurie Hays Coffman and Mandy Mizelle Norris at the retirement community, which includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation services. 

Field education has provided opportunities for her to practice ministry in tangible ways—one of the reasons she wanted to go to Duke in the first place. “When deciding on a school, I realized Duke's emphasis on practical ministry while being theologically trained was something I needed,” Kelly said.

While coursework has equipped her with theological knowledge and ministerial frameworks, Kelly said field education has shown her what ministry actually feels like. Her work has ranged from helping plan worship services and participating in chapel programs to providing pastoral care visits for residents in rehabilitation and assisted living. Plus, the experience has emphasized the sacred work of presence—something difficult to learn from textbooks alone. 

“Being at Croasdaile while simultaneously attending classes and doing schoolwork, I was given crumbs of what my life in ministry will look like after graduation,” she said. “I was able to hold hands of those mourning the loss of their life partners, shed tears with those who tell stories of their parent who passed away 50 years ago, and simply just be present with those who needed a friend."

Kelly is preparing for ordained ministry and appreciated gaining experience assisting with sacraments and special services. But she says her favorite field education memories came from moments of community and learning from residents with powerful stories of faith.

“Three of my favorite activities I have been a part of have been weekly walks around the lake with our buddies from Reality Ministries, the blessing of residents' animals, and being invited to the Passover Seder hosted by the Jewish community on Croasdaile campus,” she said.

Through field education, she continued to discover that ministry is not only about preaching or leading programs. It is also about listening, accompanying, and showing up faithfully for people.

"I like to think God placed me at Croasdaile because I needed to be reminded that God is at work in different places, among different generations, and in walks of life I never would have imagined,” she said.