The Heavenly Seven – 100% Graduation Rate for Trailblazing DMin Cohort

In 2020, a cohort of seven students began their Doctor of Ministry degree studies at CTS. All seven were African American – a first in the history of the DMin program. They quickly connected, committing to support one another all the way to graduation and deeming themselves the “Heavenly Seven.” At this year’s Commencement ceremony, the seventh member of this cohort walked across the stage to mark successful completion of the Doctor of Ministry degree, making the graduation rate of the cohort 100% – a testament to these incredible leaders and their support of one another.

What made the group so successful? According to Doctor of Ministry program co-director Dr. Scott Seay, it was the caliber of each as individuals combined with their intentional support of one another. He shares, “This group of amazing leaders in ministry formed a tight cohort of support and encouragement from day one. No one had the option of quitting. This group illustrates the wisdom of saying that true scholarship is a communal enterprise. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.”

Cohort members agree. Rev. Dr. Sheri Session says, “The cohort experience was nothing short of transformative. Embracing the communal spirit of our ancestors, we journeyed together – caring for one another, cheering each other on, and offering consistent support. The prayers, shared meals, deep conversations, writing sessions, and regular check-ins became sacred spaces of connection and strength. When I felt like I couldn’t go on, it was my cohort that called me to keep pushing forward.” The support wasn’t just surface level or limited to academics; the cohort showed up for one another in tough personal moments as well. “We were there when we lost loved ones and when we had additional family members being born. I lost my husband in 2021. My Cohort and CTS staff were there for me in full support. My Cohort showed up for me in my emotional distress through their compassionate acts of service, empathic listening, and presence, which gave me hope in my darkest time,” recalls Rev. Dr. Tawanda Kay Wallace.

A group of people takes a selfie in front of a yellow wall, a window, and a Christmas tree lit up with pink lights.

The Heavenly Seven at a December 2021 Christmas gathering.

While their group success certainly stands out, it is not unprecedented. Cohort member Rev. Dr. Milton Keys is not new to successful cohort learning. In his Master of Divinity degree program at CTS which he completed in 2017, he was a part of a Discipleship Project cohort of seven students who started together in the fall of 2014. All seven persisted through graduation. When asked what he thinks the special sauce that guided these two groups was, Dr. Keys reflects, “I think one of the most important things was the power of collaborative learning. We were genuinely cohorts – we studied together, laughed together, prayed together, and always checked on one another. I am in contact with almost all of the people from both groups. We still work together, and we still share our wins and losses. Our relationships helped us make it through our respective programs.”

Six of the seven cohort members serve as chaplains, using a beautiful blend of theology and counseling in their careers. They are also a group of strong women, something the one male of the group is grateful for. Dr. Keys says, “It was amazing to be part of the first all-black DMin cohort. It was also awesome that the majority of our cohort were black women (all except for myself). It was truly a privilege to work with all these women who are now all doctors.”

Some members of the cohort came from educational backgrounds in historically Black institutions. Rev. Dr. Lynel Brooks Beaty shares, “I enjoyed being a part of the first All Black Cohort of CTS’s Doctor of Ministry program. My undergraduate education was at an HBCU, and my Master’s degree was from an all African-American institution. CTS was the first non-black higher education institution that I experienced, and at first, I was nervous about it. So to me, this was divinely orchestrated just for me!”

While the cohort has been successful academically and in their respective career fields, their time at CTS was not all sunshine and roses. They began the program in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic, navigating the difficulties of a sudden shift to online programming. Dr. Wallace shares, “My DMin Cohort started in the hype of the Global Pandemic, so our coursework studies were online, but we instantly connected and supported one another.” She also expressed that “being part of an all-Black DMin Cohort came with some hesitation and concerns. I wondered if I might miss the opportunity to glean from people who did not look like me and came from different backgrounds. In fact, I spoke with my Professor about my concerns, and he listened to my feelings in a safe space. He encouraged me to continue on with the program and listen to God’s voice, that this could be something special, not just that it was an all-black Cohort, but that this was my time to be present in this moment with God and community.  I’m glad I did. My cohort – later named the ‘Heavenly Seven’ – became my family. Not only were we supportive of one another and tougher in our DMin program, but we also shared our achievements, values, and interests outside of our studies. We made a declaration to be fully invested in one another; to be fulfilling and supportive.”

They came together not only because of their similarities, but also because they had to navigate profound differences and chose to do so with great respect and committed presence. “The Heavenly Seven cohort is a strong group of individuals that had its differences despite a shared Black identity. Our Blackness brought about a special unity, but our unique differences is what did it for me. They supported me and challenged my perspectives, motivating me to complete my Project in Ministry (PIM) and earn my DMin in a record time of 2 years,” says Dr. Brianna Finney.

Six people smile at the camera and sit side by side on blue padded seating in a round theater with wooden walls.

The Heavenly Seven cohort at 2025 Commencement cheering on their 7th cohort member as she walks across the stage. One member of the group flew in from Florida to be present.

Other members of the group agree. “I can say that the support I received didn’t always feel like support. We challenged each other’s theology and each other’s dissertation question. However, it made me a stronger student, and it made me better all because of the support,” reflects Rev. Dr. Lynel Brooks Beaty.

When asked about the type of impact they envision their cohort having on the world, the Heavenly Seven express a clear sense of purpose, calling, and hope. Dr. Beaty believes the group will have a profound impact on our community, sharing “each of our dissertations was to help those in our world. Mine focused on grief and led to establishing Alice’s Hope, LLC – a comprehensive grief support program for individuals, churches, and more. Others are focusing on trauma, disabilities, and making our world a better place one person at a time. I believe in my heart that 5 years from now, the Heavenly Seven will have successfully started what we set out to do as we graduated.”

What will successful impact look like? While the contributions of the group will grow and shift with them as they continue in their careers, it is clear that their passion for social justice and commitment to community service will lead to a better world for the marginalized. “As Servant leaders, we lead with compassion, knowledge, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, responding to the need for equality and equity, focusing on social justice, the vulnerable and the brokenhearted, bringing the ‘Good News’ with hope for a redeemed world and community through preaching, counseling, teaching, financial contribution, and service,” says Dr. Wallace.

Cohort member Rev. Dr. Lynn Jameson sums it up better than any outside observer could: “We came together as seven—six phenomenal women and one courageous brother—not by chance, but by divine appointment. As an all-African American cohort in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Christian Theological Seminary, we brought with us stories forged in struggle, rooted in resilience, and overflowing with a deep call to care. We laughed from our bellies, prayed from our souls, and held space for one another through every twist and turn. And by the grace of God, we all made it—every single one of us crossed that finish line. But we didn’t just earn degrees. We emerged as a circle of care, a testimony of courage, and a movement for change. I believe the world will feel the ripple effects of this sacred bond through transformed churches, empowered communities, and lives made whole by the compassion we dared to cultivate together.”