A Christian program for rising young professionals
Briarwood Fellows Class of 2023-2024
Hannah Arguelles
Hometown • Tampa, FL
College • UAB
Degree • Biology
Internship • OB-GYN South
I'm Hannah Arguelles. I graduated from UAB with a bachelor's degree in Biology. I'm from Tampa, FL, but also lived in California for 5 years. I'm a Disney lover who loves to travel, so my dream is to travel to all of the Disney parks in the world! I'm very passionate about meeting people where they're at and showing them the love of Jesus. My prayer is that the Lord will use the Fellows program to help me identify my vocational calling and how I can glorify Him through that. I also hope that I will be able to take my love for people to a new level where I can grow in boldness in proclaiming His name everywhere I go.
Libby Faucett
Hometown • Birmingham, AL
College • Samford University
Degree • Human Development & Family Science
Internship • Unless U
My name is Libby Faucett, and in April, I will be graduating with my bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science from Samford University. I was born in Birmingham, but I grew up in Georgia. I am very passionate about working with people with special needs. My dream is to have a job working with this population, but I am also open to other career opportunities that fit within my degree. One thing that I am really looking forward to during my time in the Fellows Program is the community that I get to be a part of. The Lord has called us to be in community with other believers, so I can't wait to get to know my fellow Fellows this year and grow in Christ with them. I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for me as a fellow this upcoming year!
Stephen Bush
Hometown • Pell City, AL
College • UAB
Degree • Mechanical Engineering
Internship • Asplundh Tree Expert Company
My name is Stephen Bush. I grew up in Pell City, Alabama deep in the heart of rural Alabama. I graduated from UAB with a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Finance. My career interests include project management and systems thinking. I enjoy woodworking, reading, and exercising. As I Fellow, I hope to grow closer to the Lord and better understand the plans that he has for me while cultivating a community with others that will bring me closer to him. Additionally, I hope to deepen my knowledge of theology this upcoming year as well and become more strongly rooted in my faith.
Michael Merchant
Hometown • Oxford, MS
College • University of Mississippi
Degree • Biochemistry
Internship • Christ Health Center
My name is Michael Merchant. I am from Oxford, Mississippi and I graduated with a degree in Biochemistry from Ole Miss. For years I have thought that I wanted to attend medical school, but I have never been too sure of that. During my Fellows year, I hope to really dive in to my vocational calling and fully lean in to what God has in store for me in that. I am looking forward to learning how to live a "seamless life" in the way that God calls us to.
Luke Owen
Hometown • Pinehurst, NC
College • Appalachian State
Degree • Exercise Science
Internship • TherapySouth
Hello! My name is Luke Owen. I graduated from Appalachian State University (Go Neers!) with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. I grew up moving all over the country, and the world, with my family as an army brat. I love to travel and experience cultures different from my own. I am passionate about the human body, and I love being active and exercising. Professionally, I plan on pursuing my doctorate in physical therapy. My biggest hope as a Birmingham Fellow is to be greatly challenged and encouraged in my faith by the different aspects the program provides. 
Daniel Reeves
Hometown • Greensborough, NC
College • The Citadel
Degree • Political Science
Internship • Blackstone Construction
My name is Daniel Cleburne Reeves. I graduated from The Citadel with a degree in Political Science. I am so excited to bring the low country to Birmingham, Alabama. As someone who loves sports and hunting I can’t wait see what the Lord has in store. During my Fellows year I am really praying for wisdom and discernment on what the Lord is calling me to do. I can’t wait to continue grow in my relationship with Him while also growing with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
Ethan Bracker
Hometown • Oneonta, AL
College • UAB
Degree • Civil Engineering
Internship • Briarwood A/V
My name is Ethan Bracker. I grew up in an out-of-the-way Alabama town named Oneonta. After 10 years of telling people that I wanted to build bridges for a living, I graduated with a degree in civil engineering. I hope to discover how the Lord plans to use my degree in His Kingdom. My hope is that, through the Fellows program, I can grow in holiness and develop a faith that’s seamless with my everyday life. I pray that I grow intentional relationships with every person who pours into my life, and that God prepares me to be His steward in the field of engineering.