Trees that grow from deep roots can make the strongest leaves and bear the sweetest fruit. The same can be true of within faith traditions; where established congregations can have the most promising of futures. This is one of those moments. 

We are proud to share news of the Reverend R.E. Robinson, a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary and current doctoral student, who now serves as pastor of St. John Baptist Church on Indianapolis’s near east side. Under his leadership, the congregation is celebrating a significant milestone as its historic church building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

For more than 110 years, St. John Baptist Church has stood as a witness to faith, resilience, and community. Its recognition is not only a celebration of a cherished sacred space, but also a reminder that congregations with deep roots can continue to bear new fruit for generations to come. 

Reflecting on the historic designation and what it means to the community, Rev. Robinson shared, “The beauty of it is that the legacy St. John’s brings to the table in the fight for social justice and economic empowerment will not be allowed to fade in history. That building will always be there as a testament of the work that has gone forth from that sanctuary and from that congregation.” 

We invite you to read more about this remarkable church and the CTS leader helping guide its next chapter. 

The post CTS Alum pastors at historic church in Indianapolis appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Nuestra historia apenas comienza – our history is just beginning. This is an apt sentiment for the Hispanic Scholars Program (HSP) which offers theological education, mentorship, and professional development to the next general of Latine/Hispanic leaders. The program equips Latine students to navigate the evolving landscapes of theology and pastoral counseling. In doing so, the program aspires not only to take part in theological education, but to lead it. CTS is proud to be a member of this organization.  

Formerly known as the Hispanic Summer Program, the HSP’s overall goal is to integrate Latine/Hispanic students into mainline theological education. Since its start in 1989, it has grown to include both undergraduate and graduate student programs as well as support the development of the Latine/Hispanic community. All of this has been done in partnership with existing programs and seminaries.  

“CTS has demonstrated itself to be a highly engaged and active member of the program, consistently investing in and promoting these opportunities for the benefit of its students and broader community,” said CTS Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Dr. Francisco Lozada, Jr. CTS joined the Hispanic Scholars Program in the early 2000s.

Lozada is also Chair of the HSP Governing Board whose mission is to bring together the diversity in the Latine/Hispanic community, build bridges with non-Latine/Hispanic organizations, and empower the next generation of Latine/Hispanic leaders. He works with representatives (e.g., Deans, professors, Presidents) from partner institutions as well as the Executive Director to oversee program development. “It’s both leadership and a collaborative role, requiring attention to both big-picture goals and practical implementation,” he said. HSP offers programming that engages Latine/Hispanic community, culture, and history with religious studies and theological exploration. 

This is one of the reasons that Tyne Parlett (current CTS dual degree student) joined HSP and attended summer programming in 2023. “It was an opportunity for me to engage not only in practical theology more fully, but to be in community, embedded into a culture of learning, wrestling, praying, and forming one another. Academia that seeks to challenge power, culture, inhospitable conditions of the world, and that ignites possibilities for learners to grow is where I wish to spend my days,” Parlett shared. 

For CTS, the goal of affiliation was to promote the seminary’s values of embracing diversity, advancing scholarship, and promoting wholeness throughout creation. According to Lozada, CTS students in particular, the program enriches their experience by providing access to courses and perspectives that are not otherwise available on campus. It also fosters intercultural competence, which is increasingly essential for ministry and counseling today.  

“These courses disrupt the binaries and punctures holes in any border that keeps them contained in their thinking,” Lozada said. “And, more broadly, it signals CTS’s commitment to our value that all are made in the image of God.” 

Students enrolled in one of the over 40 affiliated schools can take part in HSP programs. The flagship Summer Session classes are geared to address different domains of theological education, including biblical studies, pastoral care and counseling, ethics, and theology, foregrounding the Latine identifications. Lozada stated that students can also engage with their own and other diverse spiritual and religious traditions through the courses. It is truly an ecumenical experience. 

“There is a rich diversity in the Latine community,” he said. “The courses are rooted in the Latine experience and the human condition.” Lozada added that students do not need to identify as Latine to take part in the program. “It is intentionally open to all representations of students just as they are – with intentional inclusion regarding gender and sexuality, ethnicity and race, class, etc. It is for whoever is interested in engaging these perspectives.” 

CTS student Cindy Gil Perez is Latinx and joined HSP in 2025 to gain greater insight into the history of her community in the United States. “I wanted to be able to identify shortcomings and assets for and within our communities. Also, I wanted to carve space for personal reflection and growth.” Perez is enrolled in the Master of Theological Studies Program.  

Each summer, HSP classes are offered at different campuses, and during the 2026 schedule, they will take place at Villanova University. Those on the calendar include courses in ecology, education, indigenous feminist perspective, immigration, and pastoral question.  

Parlett said the ESPERANZA, PLAY, AND PRACTICE course was their best experience, in part because of community immersion.  “The chapel services, community meals, walks and adventures into the city, and the breaks in the day to laugh, sing, dance, and play made the learning experience memorable,” they said. “This did not just academically inform me about how to bring hope alive; it created the conditions for hope and connection to sustain it.”  

According to Lozada, each course represents an intentional effort from the faculty, staff, and leadership of the HSP team. “Each course approaches Latino/a/x identity alongside other fields, including Latine theology combined with gender and sexuality, feminism, or grassroots activism,” Lozada said.  

“This program has allowed me to strengthen my sense of belonging as a Latinx scholar and to better articulate my contribution to the field of practical theology,” Gil added.  

Beyond the classroom topics, Lozada emphasized how HSP students relate to faculty, peers, and mentors across multiple institutions. This expands their academic and vocational horizons, he said. “It reminds the students that they belong and that their questions are everyone’s questions.” 

“As we often say in Spanish, it is about doing teteología latinamente (doing theology from a Latinx perspective) and teología en conjunto (doing theology together). Its future is rooted in sustained partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to elevating Hispanic voices and epistemologies in theological education,” Lozada said.  

Gil agreed, “When you join HSP, you are not alone but become part of a constellation of scholars that grow and develop en conjunto. I was fortunate to have learned about HSP early in my journey and found exactly what I was seeking. I have met scholars from other institutions and developed friendships and a network with seminarians across the country from Puerto Rico to California.” 

Parlett echoed this by saying, “If you find yourself with the capacity to engage in HSP in any of the incredible offerings, do not hesitate. There is magic contained within the program, the faculty, and the learning that is durable, formative.” 

As one of the over 40 schools that takes part in the program, CTS has a position in the HSP governing board which includes access to professional development, diversity, and collaborative initiatives. The HSP Executive Director Rev. Dr. Daisy Machado will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree at this year’s CTS Commencement Ceremony and is preaching at the upcoming Baccalaureate Chapel during graduation weekend.  

 Click here to learn more about the Hispanic Scholars Program. The summer course list can be found here.  

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Sandy Garcia’s Ministry of Connection, Communion, and Community 

When Rev. Sandy Garcia (MDiv ’25) stood before the congregation at her ordination, she found herself at a moment she once never imagined — serving Communion for the first time as an ordained minister. Surrounded by pastors, mentors, friends, and family, she felt both the weight and the grace of the moment. 

“It was powerful,” she said. “To be surrounded by so many pastors praying over me, and then to serve Communion — I felt the presence of God in a very real way.” 

For Garcia, that moment marked not just a milestone, but the continuation of a journey shaped by calling, community, and a growing understanding of what it means to gather at the table. 

A Growing Call to Serve 

Garcia graduated from Christian Theological Seminary in 2025 with her Master of Divinity degree and is already continuing her academic journey as a Doctor of Ministry student. Her ministry, however, extends far beyond the classroom. 

She currently serves part-time at two Indiana congregations — Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne and First Presbyterian Church in Bluffton — where she leads Spanish and English-language classes open to the broader community. Her bilingual ministry has become a vital bridge, connecting congregations with Spanish-speaking and immigrant neighbors. 

Her work in Bluffton began during her supervised ministry placement while she was an MDiv student at CTS. The congregation recognized a growing need for pastoral leadership that could engage both English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Garcia stepped into that space — and when her placement ended, the ministry continued. 

“What started as a supervised ministry placement became something much deeper,” Garcia said. “There was a clear need, and I felt called to continue serving there.” 

Her recent installation as Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church was a full-circle moment. She notes she had seen their post calling for a pastor years ago while she was a MDiv student, but she thought it sounded like a great fit. She wondered if the position would still be available after she graduated but assumed it would already be filled. As providence would have it, the position remained open despite continuing to interview candidates. They were looking for the right fit, and Sandy’s inclination was no coincidence – the pairing is a match made in heaven. 

Today, her work in both congregations reflects a ministry centered on relationship-building and accessibility — creating spaces where people feel welcomed, heard, and connected. 

At the center of Garcia’s ministry is a deep commitment to hospitality — creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Whether teaching language classes, leading worship, or walking alongside individuals in moments of uncertainty, she understands hospitality as more than friendliness. For Garcia, it is a theological practice — one that reflects God’s welcome and invites people into community and belonging. 

That commitment to hospitality also shapes her academic work as a Doctor of Ministry student at CTS. Her dissertation research focuses on questions that resonate deeply for her: How can the church continue to open its doors to the community? What does a ministry of hospitality and reconciliation look like in our current context? Her studies help her explore how congregations can cultivate deeper welcome and belonging, particularly among Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities. 

Her studies continue to inform her ministry, helping her develop practices that foster connection, dignity, and care. “The DMin coursework has been great so far. While the MDiv follows a lot of required courses, the DMin allows me to focus on a central research topic that matters to me for my dissertation. I am able to personalize my coursework with courses that are particularly relevant to my topic,” Garcia says. 

As part of her coursework, she is currently enrolled in Trauma and Theology, taught by Helene Russell, a class that is shaping her understanding of how churches can respond to individuals navigating difficult life experiences. The course has helped Garcia further consider how hospitality includes recognizing trauma, honoring dignity, and creating spaces of care and compassion. 

Learning and Growing Together 

Garcia’s journey at CTS has also been shaped by partnership — both in ministry and at home. Her husband, Rev. Martin Garcia, has served as a pastor for more than 30 years and is also currently a Doctor of Ministry student at CTS. The two are members of the same cohort, allowing them to learn, reflect, and grow together. 

“It’s been really special,” Garcia shared. “We’re able to talk about what we’re learning, support each other, and grow together in this season of ministry.” 

Their shared academic experience reflects a broader theme in Garcia’s life — ministry grounded in community, collaboration, and mutual encouragement. When asked about the unique blessings and difficulties of a marriage where both spouses work as pastors in different congregations, she shares that the experience is overwhelmingly positive. The couple supports one another in the work they do, particularly when it comes to sermon preparation. 

“I will often ask Martin to listen to me delivering my sermon before it is final and give me feedback on how to make it stronger. I am able to support him in the same way. The hardest part of married ministry is making sure we set aside time every week to prioritize our relationship and connect with each other outside of ministry. Last week, we went to a movie together on a weeknight, and it was a great way to connect with no distractions.” 

Expanding Outreach and Community Connection 

Garcia is particularly energized by the growing outreach of both congregations she serves — especially among Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities. 

Her pastoral commitment to hospitality extends beyond the church walls. In Bluffton, she works with the local court system, helping translate for Spanish-speaking individuals navigating legal proceedings. Many of those she serves, she notes, are frightened, overwhelmed, or unsure of what is happening. 

“Often people will nod when asked if they understand,” Garcia said, “but they’re scared, shocked, or overwhelmed, and the information can be hard to process.” 

In those moments, Garcia sees her role as more than translation. Her presence as a minister offers reassurance and dignity, reminding individuals that they are seen and valued during difficult experiences. 

“It’s a way our church can serve the community,” she said. “Recognizing people’s humanity and offering hospitality in those moments can make a meaningful difference.” 

At Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, that outreach recently expanded through a new partnership with IU Health. The congregation launched a Congregational Care Network, a program designed to support individuals in the local community who are homebound. 

Through the initiative, volunteers commit to making weekly one-hour phone calls or check-ins, offering companionship and encouragement. While the church has long supported members through its elders’ ministry, this new program extends care beyond the congregation’s walls. 

“This is a way to meet people where they are,” Garcia said. “It allows us to connect with people we might never have known otherwise.” 

The program reflects Garcia’s broader vision for ministry — one rooted in compassion, accessibility, and meaningful connection. 

A Changing Understanding of Communion 

Garcia’s ordination service also marked a deeply personal milestone in her spiritual journey — her evolving understanding of Communion. 

She recalls a time when she struggled to connect with the ritual. While she recognized its significance, she often found deeper connection with God in other ways, such as running or personal prayer. 

“I used to laugh privately with God,” she said. “I knew Communion was important, but gathering at the table didn’t feel as powerful to me as other ways I connected with God.” 

Over time, however, that perspective changed. 

God began to reveal the deeper meaning of Communion — as a gathering of believers, united not only with Christ but with one another. As Garcia began to experience Communion in new ways, her understanding grew. 

Still, when she first considered leading Communion herself, she felt hesitant. 

“I wondered who I was to lead such a powerful moment,” she said. 

That hesitation gave way to affirmation during her ordination. 

“As I served Communion, I felt the presence of God in a powerful way,” she said. “It was deeply affirming — a moment that reminded me that God had prepared me for this.” 

True to her spirit of hospitality, Garcia made sure that Communion was accessible for everyone. She notes that gluten free options were provided, and a mobile Communion station moved around the sanctuary to those who could not come forward. Grace Presbyterian Church even makes digital communion guides available on their website alongside digital worship materials for those who join the service online. 

Leadership Formed at CTS 

During her time at CTS, Garcia also contributed to campus life by helping lead chapel services. That experience, she said, helped shape her pastoral voice and deepen her understanding of worship leadership. 

“Leading chapel was formative for me,” she said. “It helped me grow in confidence and in understanding how worship can bring people together.” 

Those experiences — combined with her academic formation and supervised ministry — prepared her for her recent ordination and installation as pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne. 

Looking Ahead 

As she continues her Doctor of Ministry studies and serves two congregations, Garcia remains focused on building bridges — between languages, cultures, and communities. Grounded in a theology of hospitality, her ministry reflects a deep commitment to welcoming others, honoring dignity, and creating spaces of belonging. 

“There’s so much opportunity,” she said. “People are looking for connection, for community, and for hope.” 

Garcia’s ministry reflects that calling — one conversation, one class, one act of hospitality, and one Communion table at a time. 

The post Alumna’s Ministry of Connection, Communion, and Community appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Getting organizations in the same room to have a shared learning experience and helping them take time to make connections is exactly what the Faith & Action Project does – and the benefit it provides to its program attendees who are collectively working toward reducing poverty in Marion County. Over the past 10 years since its beginning in 2016, the Faith & Action Project has witnessed how lasting change requires ongoing learning, alignment, and a shared collective vision. 

“We are intentional about who we invite as speakers and guests to our spring and fall conferences,” said Director Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch. “We want to share best practices with the faith, community, business, and government partners in the room and hope they ask, ‘what role can I play?’” 

And the participating partners could not agree more! 

“To be in the room with others was a fantastic experience for us,” said IYG – Empowering Queer Young People Grants and Compliance Manager Anamika Krishnan. “It was really affirming to see so many faith-based, non-faith based, and queer non-profits in the room.”  IYG serves young people (12-24) who identify as LGBTQ+ and their peer allies.  

We Bloom Center for Growth’s Co-Founder and Executive Director Beth Kreitl agreed. “I think the success of the Faith & Action Project speaks to the reputation of CTS in the community. They are very inclusive, trauma-informed, and equity focused in everything they offer.” We Bloom offers a place for people to “encounter love, heal trauma, and connect.”  

Both organizations have received funding through the Faith & Action Project, which invests in initiatives providing holistic pathways out of poverty for families and individuals. Rabinowitch acknowledged that there are many great organizations doing work in the community, but they often work in silos – not even knowing about each other. Connecting these providers not only allows them to amplify their impact but also not duplicate services.  

“I think that so many programs can only focus on the clients they are serving because the needs are so great,” Rabinowitch said. “It’s critical to create spaces for shared learning, collaboration, and referrals. Our goal is to cultivate spaces where learning and relationships intersect—building a more connected ecosystem where organizations coordinate more effectively, strengthen referral pathways, and achieve better outcomes together.” 

We Bloom supported the holistic approach that Faith & Action Project models. “The work we do is collective and there is clear alignment (for us) in addressing systematic barriers. That is how we can all begin to thrive.”  

Both IYG and We Bloom have been particularly engaged in the commitment to mental health services through Faith & Action initiatives. Understanding that trauma is a wound that disrupts safety, identity, and connection allows leaders to more effectively support individuals facing poverty with a trauma informed lens and to help individuals restore dignity, hope, emotional stability, and wholeness. Both these organizations create safe spaces and systems to allow that to happen. 

IYG is headquartered on the south side of Indianapolis but has four satellite locations in Crawfordsville, Columbus, Evansville, and Crown Point. Their strategic goal is to exist in enough locations that queer youth and their allies would have no more than a one-hour drive to receive services. Each location offers a one-stop shop model for users to access the Basic Needs Program and counseling services. The former includes food pantry, hygiene resources, and other concrete supplies. Those in Crawfordsville, Crown Point, and Evansville can also access the counseling services located in Indianapolis and Columbus via telehealth appointments.  

IYG was founded in 1987 and is the oldest continually operating organization serving LGBTQIA+ youth. In 2025, they served over 900 youth in Indianapolis. Natasha Chopra, IYG’s Director of Mental Health Services, said that in addition to seeing over 80 people in counseling last year, the program connects clients with other providers – with housing and employment being at the top of their referral list.  

We Bloom was created to offer an intentional, welcoming space for people in recovery to connect, Kreitl said. While their Recovery Café model serves people 18 and older, they also have a Youth Café program for those between the ages of 12-18. The spaces allow participants to “co-create their own community, which is a space for healing, love, and justice,” she added.  

Kreitl added that in addition to the opportunity to gain experience and collaborate with community partners, she values the data that the Faith & Action Project has been able to provide. “They help give us numbers and words to prove what we know is true.”  

Faith & Action hosted its 2026 Spring Conference in March with keynote speaker Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes talking about how to move from trauma to transformation. Both Krishnan and Kreitl received help from her presentation about traumagenics which is a shared social trauma, not just a personal experience.  

According to Walker-Barnes in her address, we live in a traumagenic environment – a society whose structures, norms, and narratives routinely generate harm, stress, and disconnection, particularly for minoritized communities. Drawing from psychology, public health, and spirituality, she examined the shared experience of everyday trauma.  

“The information during the keynote and breakout sessions caused me to be very introspective,” Krishnan said. “But she also shared many practical suggestions for trauma-informed care.”  

“The keynote address continues to resonate with me and informs my work,” Kreitl added. “It was very affirming.”  

Organizations who took part in the Spring Faith & Action conference are eligible to submit funding applications for the 2026-2027 Faith & Action Grant Program. Both IYG and We Bloom received funding in the 2025-2026 cycle. Grant awards will be announced in July 2026.  

The post Connecting for Impact appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

On paper, the School of Counseling’s degree monikers may look like alphabet soup, but there is more to them than just a handful of letters. The two degrees offered prepare counseling students to be some of the most highly trained therapists and leaders in mental health services in Indiana.  

“I would put the quality of care provided by our student clinicians up against anyone in the state,” said CTS Counseling Center Director Bryan Votaw. He helps provide supervision to students as they begin providing clinical services to patients seeking mental health treatment. 

The program options include the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) and the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT). Both programs allow students to develop therapeutic skills that can be used with a variety of people who present a wide range of mental health issues.  

There are certainly similarities between the programs:  

• Both promote a holistic approach to healing and human flourishing;  
• Both are committed to best practice techniques and topics in the classroom;  
• Both offer in-person and virtual options; and  
• Both require supervised clinical hours with clients to graduate.  

However, there are unique aspects of each program that prospective students may not fully understand when applying. Both department directors like to talk with potential students to make sure they are making the best choice for their area of interest. Dr. Nicole Robertson, Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, said she encourages students to ask themselves what kind of work setting and client population they prefer – that is often a way to decide which degree track is the better choice.  

According to Robertson, the MACMHC program tends to focus on individual clients (not exclusively), and clinicians are trained in a variety of theories to help the person deeply explore themselves. “Our program emphasizes an expansive and thorough approach to help the person discover deeper, internal matters,” she said.  

 Dr. Suzanne Coyle, Director of the MAMFT program, said that while MFT students may work with individuals, their interest is really on the relational and systemic issues that are related to the presenting person. “We tend to attract students who have a real interest in family therapy – and all the cultural and political issues that impact families.” 

The objectives of the MACMHC program are the development of a professional grounded in a variety of theoretical orientations, with an emphasis on relational and depth psychological perspectives – someone who can help the client reflect deeply on their presenting issues.  

The MAMFT program, on the other hand, emphasizes mental health issues that are accentuated within relationships – helping individuals, couples, and families deal with change. Coyle also said that the program emphasizes the professional and personal development of the clinician through the POTT approach. This refers to the Person of the Therapist theory developed by Harry Aponte which offers a structured model for therapists to intentionally use their whole selves, including race, gender, culture, values, and personal vulnerabilities in therapy to enhance effectiveness. 

Both programs also encourage the integration of spiritual/theological and cultural reflection that aligns with CTS’s commitment to social justice, diversity, and advocacy. The faculty are committed to training students to discern clients’ worldviews and the healthiest, life-giving possibilities within them. 

There are four blended classes that students in both programs must take: Human Growth and Development, Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Work, Psychopathology and Diagnoses, and Research Methods. Robertson said these topics work with any theoretical approach to counseling. Beyond these, each program offers its own coursework tract with room for electives.  

Both programs also include a substantial number of hours in supervised clinical services with actual clients. In the MACMHC program, students begin seeing clients in session after the first year, and most have five semesters remaining to complete their degree. For MAMFT students, it is three semesters. All students do their clinical services at the CTS Counseling Center.  

Robertson said her goal for students when they begin collaborating with clients is to “be comfortable in the room.” MACMHC students are prepared to use the OARS model until they begin to develop more varied techniques. This approach stands for Open (questions), Affirmation, Reflection, and Summarize. They practice this in mock counseling situations to develop confidence.  

According to Coyle, MAMFT students can watch actual therapy sessions as part of the “MFT live supervision” model used in that program. Teams of students can see a real-life session (with client permission) with their supervisor to discuss what they are experiencing. This allows them to not only see a session but also gain insight into the questions and responses that the clinician used.  

“This is a unique and pioneering approach to student training,” Coyle said.  

While providing clinical care, all students take part in supervision with a licensed provider. For all students, they can receive their supervised hours at the CTS Counseling Center instead of having to look for outside opportunities. This ensures they are monitored and receive feedback about their techniques.  

Practicum refers to the first semester of in-session work, while internship refers to remaining semesters of clinical work. There are opportunities for off-site options if a student has an interest in doing a particular kind of therapy. An advanced internship refers to the final semester of seeing clients. Each level is needed to graduate and prepare for licensure.  

One final thing that both programs have in common is their standard of excellence. The MAMFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Graduates are eligible to pursue licensure exams following completion of the coursework and supervised clinical hours. The MACMHC program is aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs CACREP standards and the professional orientation of the American Counseling Association.  

Over the 40 years of counseling programs within CTS, they have undergone different names and structures. The current model has helped attract minority populations to both counseling programs. Robertson and Coyle agree that many students are looking for a second career opportunity in these two counseling programs. They are drawn to CTS for its superior reputation, promotion of integrated techniques, and virtual options. There are approximately 40 students enrolled in each program at this time.  

Please visit the School of Counseling to learn more.  

The post School of Counseling Degrees at CTS: What to Know appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools ten years ago in 2016, the CTS School of Theology’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric celebrated its first ever graduates at Commencement in May 2024. The program’s first four graduates recently reflected on that milestone, and the common theme of what got them to the program is not what got them through.  

First cohort members Nicole McDonald, Justin West, Jennifer Carner, and Eugene Gibson, part of the self-named Jubilee 50 cohort, participated in graduation ceremonies in 2024. The program remains the world’s first academic opportunity of its kind where practitioner-scholars research, develop, and expose the untold treasures of the unique and indigenous American art form of African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric.  

The four agreed that they were drawn to the program not only by its uniqueness but by the chance to study under Dr. Frank Thomas, the visionary founder of the program. Thomas transitioned from Program Director of the degree program to the Director role with the Compelling Preaching Initiative in 2023 and fully retired in December 2025. “I continue to hold fast to the vision articulated by Dr. Frank A. Thomas—that African American preaching has the power to invoke a Christian renaissance in the world,” Carner said.  

“Because of him, I fell in love with the art, science, and tradition of African American preaching,” said Gibson.” Both McDonald and West agreed that being able to learn from Thomas was too good of an opportunity to miss.  

Thomas was well known for this vision of connecting preaching and academics with critical awareness of history, theology, and the sacred rhetoric and traditions of African Americanism. His vision was the driving force of the PhD program which appeals to candidates from the pulpit and the university classroom.  

“At the time, I could not have imagined that this decision would lead me into a community of some of the most gifted preachers, scholars, and generous colleagues I have ever encountered,” Carner said.  

While these three students agreed that it was the potential of working with Thomas that preceded their applications, it was the cohort model, sharing the experience with like students, that helped them survive the rigorous program.   

“One of my best memories of the program is the journey with my brilliant and supportive cohort,” West said. “The bonding that took place and the relationships that were established were profoundly impactful.”  

McDonald agreed, describing the cohort as a “blessing and life-giving.” She specifically recalled fellowship dinners and friendly academic arguments as some of the most formative activities of the PhD experience.  

“We prayed for one another, supported one another, and made decisions not in isolation, but in shared responsibility” said Carner. “That experience embodied for me what practical theology looks like when it is lived, not just studied.” 

“The wisdom and brilliance of my cohort continue to have a profound influence in my life; journeying with them made me a better scholar, preacher, and person,” added West. Members of the original cohort have remained close, even collaborating on projects and publications.  

The program was intentionally designed around this cohort model. Students complete their studies in a small group with an initial focus on course work followed by comprehensive exams and culminating with a written dissertation. The PhD program starts a new cohort every three years. These small groups are meant to be supportive and not competitive, encouraging each participant to maximize their best efforts and abilities.  

Another experience that these students shared was the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on academics. Carner wonders how significant the pandemic’s impact was on their experience. “COVID inevitably limited our time together in physical space. While our cohort cultivated a strong and genuine bond through virtual engagement, I do wonder how our relationships—and even our collaborative scholarship—might have developed with more sustained in-person interaction.”  

While there may have been some fine-tuning suggestions that the first year PhD students made about the exam and dissertation process, all agreed that it was a fulfilling, rigorous, and life-changing opportunity.  

“In many ways, the choice became both an academic and vocational turning point—one that deepened my commitment to preaching as a sacred, communal, and transformative practice,” Carner said.  

Gibson wants potential students to know that this is not just “an elevated program you take just to get a Dr. in front of your name. If you give yourself to this process, you will not leave the same way you came. You will be a scholar-practioner.”  

All four graduates emphasized that the impact the program had on their writing before finishing has continued; in fact, West would encourage incoming students to “write with your dissertation in mind and write to publish.”  

Carner encourages incoming students to “Trust your gift and trust the process. As you immerse yourself in the literature, engage critical conversations, and remain attentive to your own intellectual and spiritual curiosities, your research trajectory will begin to take shape.” 

West added that some aspects of his dissertation on Howard Thurman have been submitted for publication. McDonald has a book coming out in 2026 from The Pilgram Press as well as chapters in books being published. Gibson also has used his skill in co-editing book volumes and has his first journal article coming out this year. Carner, too, is under contract for publication.  

McDonald and Gibson both highlighted the PhD program’s emphasis on communication and the Scholarship Matrix (learning the field, critiquing the field, and contributing to the field) as practical resources that have helped them in the “real” world. Both tools have helped spark creativity and high-quality work.  

Carner added, “This program gave me the language to articulate the vibrancy and theological depth of the preaching tradition that has shaped and sustained me. It helped me to name what I had long experienced—that African American preaching is not only expressive, but intellectually rigorous, ethically grounded, and spiritually transformative.” 

All four of these graduates noted that the expertise that they developed has allowed them to excel in teaching positions as well. Creating academic opportunities is one of the basic designs of the program.  

Jennifer Carner 

Director of the Preaching in a Post Christian Age Initiative, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburg, PA 

Eugene L. Gibson, Jr.  

Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Church Leadership, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Delaware, OH (tenure track) 

Senior Pastor, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Columbus OH 

Nicole McDonald 

Adjunct Faculty at Christian Theological Seminary teaching Gender, Sexuality, and Theology  

Adjunct Faculty at Chicago Theological Seminary Teaching Queer Womanist Preaching 

Adjunct Faculty at Ball State University teaching MSW – Diversity, Oppression, and Privilege 

Adjunct Faculty at Lexington Theological Seminary teaching two classes: 1. Worship and Preaching in the African American Church and 2. Building Bridges of Understanding Regarding Human Sexuality 

Adjunct Faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary teaching DMin – Womanist Rhetoric, Criticism, and Theory   

Justin West 

Executive Director of the Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action at Aurora University 

The post Reflections From the First PhD Cohort appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

At Christian Theological Seminary, alumni are not simply former students—they are an essential and ongoing part of the seminary’s life and mission. In this season of renewed connection and engagement, the CTS Alumni Board plays a central role in nurturing that connection, ensuring that the relationships formed during one’s time at CTS continue to grow, deepen, and bear fruit in the years that follow. 

Rooted in the belief that a seminary is shaped not only by its students, faculty, and trustees but also by its graduates, the Alumni Board works to sustain a vibrant, engaged alumni community. In partnership with the Alumni Engagement Officer and the Advancement Office, the Alumni Board oversees the work of the Alumni Association and helps carry forward its mission: to support theological education, encourage lifelong learning, recruit future leaders for ministry and counseling, and foster meaningful alumni participation in the life of the seminary. In recent years, the Alumni Board has been intentionally reengaging and reorganizing the Alumni Association, working to reconnect alumni with one another and with the seminary in meaningful and accessible ways. 

All who have graduated from CTS—whether through a degree program or a certificate program—are considered alumni and are part of the Alumni Association. This wide and diverse community reflects the breadth of vocations shaped at CTS and serves as a powerful network of connection, support, and shared calling. Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, this renewed effort is about making it easier to reconnect, re-engage, and find your place within the CTS alumni community. 

Composed of dedicated alumni from a range of ministry, counseling, and professional contexts, the Alumni Board includes elected officers and members-at-large who serve staggered terms. The Alumni Board also liaises with alumni representatives who serve on the seminary’s Board of Trustees. Together, Alumni Board members bring both leadership and lived experience to their work, offering insight, guidance, and a deep commitment to the seminary’s future. 

While the Alumni Board gathers formally throughout the year, much of the Alumni Board’s work happens in between meetings—through committees, ongoing initiatives, and collaboration with seminary leadership. From helping shape alumni programming and events to strengthening communication and connection across generations of graduates, Alumni Board members contribute their time and talents in ways that extend far beyond the classroom and campus. Increasingly, this work is focused on creating more consistent touchpoints for alumni connection—through gatherings, communication, and shared opportunities for support and prayer. 

As part of this renewed focus, the Alumni Board is exploring new ways to listen more closely to alumni needs and respond with care and presence. In this current cultural moment, the work of connection feels especially important. The Alumni Board is attentive not only to how alumni stay engaged with CTS, but also to how CTS can support alumni in their ministries, chaplaincy, clinical practice, leadership, and daily lives. This includes creating space to listen, to walk alongside one another, and to ask a simple but meaningful question: How can we pray for you—and with you? In this way, the Alumni Board helps cultivate a community that is not only connected, but also deeply rooted in care, compassion, and shared faith. 

For many who serve, involvement on the Alumni Board is a natural extension of their CTS experience. As Vice President of the Alumni Board Rev. Allan Wallace (MDiv ’20) shares, “CTS is a resource and a safe place for continued growth, where I can maintain old relationships and establish new ones. By serving on the Alumni Board, I stay connected. CTS continues to be a place where I can support others on their journey and be supported as well.” This spirit of mutual support and shared calling is at the heart of the Alumni Board’s work. 

As this work continues to grow, all CTS alumni are invited to take part in the life of this community, whether by attending events, mentoring students, sharing prayer requests, supporting the seminary’s mission, or considering future service on the Alumni Board. 

In every season of life and ministry, CTS alumni remain connected by a shared commitment to faith, learning, and service. Through the work of the Alumni Board, that connection continues to grow—strengthening both the seminary and the communities its graduates serve. 

Are you an alum interested in serving on the Alumni Board—or simply reconnecting with the CTS alumni community? Reach out to Alumni Engagement Officer Stephanie Seeger at sseeger@cts.edu!  

The post Staying Connected: Rediscover the Alumni Board appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Healing Solutions for Children, Families, and Leaders 

With a calm yet dynamic presence, therapist and theologian Chanequa Walker-Barnes, PhD grounded more than 300 faith leaders, practitioners, and community partners gathered for the 2026 Faith & Action Spring Conference to explore how communities can respond to the growing reality of trauma with wisdom, compassion, and collective action. Dr. Walker-Barnes framed the moment clearly: “Trauma is no longer the exception, it is part of our daily existence.” 

Poverty, violence, instability, and chronic stress shape the lives of many individuals and families. Recognizing this reality requires a shift in perspective—from asking what is wrong with people to asking what has happened and what systems continue to cause harm. Trauma-informed responses, presenters noted, begin by restoring agency, dignity, and control. 

What follows are key lessons from the 2026 Spring Conference: 

Understanding Behavior Through a Trauma Lens 

Conference speakers emphasized that behaviors often labeled as resistance—withdrawal, exhaustion, or disengagement—are frequently survival responses to prolonged stress. When viewed through this lens, the challenge becomes less about correcting individuals and more about building systems capable of holding what people are carrying. 

Participants repeatedly returned to a central insight: people are not failing systems. Systems are often failing people. 

Resilience and Accountability 

While individuals possess remarkable resilience and capacity for healing, speakers cautioned against allowing resilience to excuse harmful systems. True progress requires both recognizing people’s strengths and holding institutions accountable for the conditions that produce trauma. 

Restorative justice models were highlighted as one promising example—bringing schools, courts, and service providers together to center on healing rather than punishment. 

Restoring Agency and Partnership 

Across panels and breakout sessions, healing was described as restoring what trauma often takes away: safety, agency, and dignity. This work shifts the focus from fixing people to walking alongside them as they rebuild stability and reclaim choice. 

Solutions grounded in partnership—rather than intervention—allow communities to draw on people’s strengths, culture, and lived experience. 

The Unique Role of Faith Communities 

Faith communities were recognized as uniquely positioned to support healing because they already cultivate relationships, belonging, and shared purpose. Yet conference presenters emphasized that congregations must evolve how they address trauma and mental health. 

Stronger collaboration between faith leaders, clinicians, and community organizations will be essential. These partnerships create the infrastructure needed to respond to trauma with both compassion and evidence-based care. 

Healing Happens in Community 

Speakers returned again and again to the power of connection. Human nervous systems are designed for relationship, and healing often begins when people feel seen, supported, and safe. 

Building community—through shared practices, ritual, and relationships—can restore what trauma disrupts. Leaders were encouraged to cultivate spaces where individuals and families do not face hardship alone. 

Beyond Survival Toward Flourishing 

Finally, the conference challenged participants to rethink how success is measured. Addressing trauma requires more than services or programs—it requires removing the conditions that keep people in survival mode. 

Stable housing, food security, living wages, and strong relationships create the conditions where healing can take root. When communities focus on these foundations, the goal moves beyond crisis management toward human flourishing. 

What’s next: 

SHARE WHAT YOU LEARNED: If something from these lessons resonates with you, share what you learned. 

READ THE COMPLETE LIST OF KEY TAKEAWAYS: Lessons Learned

WATCH THE RECORDING: A recording of the Faith & Action Spring Conference will be coming soon and shared on the CTS YouTube page. 

SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendar for the 2026 Faith & Action Fall Event, Restoring Hope Through Relationships: Mentorships that Support Pathways out of Poverty on Oct. 29, 2026.  

QUESTIONS: Contact the Director of the Faith & Action Project, Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch, at lrabinowitch@cts.edu. 

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Dr. Timothy McNinch admits despite his training, he still underestimates the genius of the ancients. However, following a 15-day pilgrimage to Egypt and Jordan, he was reminded of the “artistic, thoughtful, and cultured” life in antiquity.  

“We were able to reflect on the intersection of the religions of ancient Egypt and our own experiences of faith,” he said. “There are many similarities. We are all imagining our place in the cosmos.”  

McNinch, Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible and Director of the Master of Theological Studies Program at Christian Theological Seminary, recently served as “scholar in residence” on a 2026 trip that was organized by the Prince of Peace ELCA Church in Dublin, Ohio. Over 30 members of that congregation traveled on what McNinch called a “faith pilgrimage in the Holy Land.” 

“Although we traveled by bus, plane, and boat, we essentially followed the path of the Biblical Exodus,” he said. “We climbed Mt. Sinai, saw the Red Sea, visited Mt. Nebo where Moses died – we saw some really amazing things.” 

According to McNinch, he developed a fuller appreciation of how economically and culturally stable Ancient Egypt was to have such a strong infrastructure. He cited the construction of the Pyramids as one example by saying they are “baffling” in their scale and engineering.  

McNinch felt the same about many of the temples that they visited. “On the surface, they seem so different from our (churches) today, but they were marking sacred space in very similar ways.”  

One of the highlights of the trip for McNinch was a visit to the St. Catherine Monastery where one of the oldest surviving Greek copies of the Bible was found over 100 years ago. The “Codex Sinaiticus” was believed to have been created during the 4th century AD. This monastery claims to be on the site of the Burning Bush that Moses encountered.  

The hope for any pilgrimage, McNinch said, is for the participants to experience their own faith being transformed because of the immersion. For himself, he said he feels more connected to the stories of the Hebrew Bible – which are often focal points of the classes he teaches at CTS. 

“The writers of the stories, prophecies, and poems did not invent the stories in isolation,” he said. “They were regular people connecting the stories of their faith with their daily lives which helps me see the humanity in their writing. I am now someone who knows those places they are writing about.”  

McNinch hopes he can lead CTS students and alumni on similar travel seminars in the future.  

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According to the Indiana Capital Chronical, approximately 1 in 3 Hoosiers go without mental health care due to lack of access or other barriers. The CTS Counseling Center is able to address those barriers with immediate opportunities to meet with a clinician.  

Bryan Votaw, Clinic Director, said that while the Counseling Center is on pace to conduct 11,000 sessions this year, they have capacity for at least a 50 percent increase and telehealth capabilities – a combination that could directly address the magnitude of mental health needs that go unmet in our state. Right now, there are 40 Student Interns from CTS’s School of Counseling in supervised training and another 20 Post-Graduate Residents who have openings to see clients on their caseload.  

“I hear comments all the time that people have never heard of the CTS Counseling Center,” Votaw said. “But we have a lot to offer Indiana residents in terms of affordable mental health care. We are here to provide help to those in need and serve our community.” 

The student clinicians who work at the Counseling Center are enrolled in either the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) or Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) programs at CTS. Each program has different requirements for the number and kinds of therapy that students must complete, but all the students are under direct supervision.  

“It’s a hidden benefit of working with a student practitioner,” Votaw said. “In addition to the student who is being trained on the most cutting-edge treatment approaches, clients also get the benefit of a seasoned supervisor.”  

The Counseling Center also employs post-graduate residents who are completing supervised hours required for licensure. Clinicians offer individual, couple, family, and group therapy sessions at the clinic (which is found on the CTS campus). 

Votaw said that the therapists can address a variety of issues from depression and anxiety to life and relationship adjustments and trauma. Due to their training in a seminary setting, they are all well prepared to address any spiritual issues that the client may present. He stressed, however, that it is not a Christian counseling service.  

“You don’t have to be a Christian to come here,” Votaw said. “We can talk about God if that’s what the client needs, but we don’t have that as an agenda.” Votaw noted that CTS often receives feedback that our clinicians are some of the best trained providers in the State. 

If you are considering engaging in mental health services and are not sure where to start, Votaw encourages folks to give the Counseling Center a call. Staff are available to help answer questions prospective clients might have. Votaw said that they can contact the clinic by phone or web and complete a very brief intake (questions about the presenting issues, their availability, and any characteristics of a therapist they would prefer). Often, the person can have an appointment scheduled with a clinician within a week.  

“It’s important to get help before the problem gets too big.”     

The Counseling Center is a fee for service operation and does not bill any health insurance plans. According to Votaw, this helps CTS clinicians offer treatment that is more focused on the needs and goals of the clients who seek treatment than being bound to third-party payer requirements and obstructions. Fees for services rendered by Student Interns are decided based on CTS’s subsidized fee scale, which ranges from $15-99 an hour depending on household income.  

While they do not offer medication management services, CTS clinicians can offer referrals to medical providers in the area and can collaborate with other providers if a client signs a release form giving the clinician permission to do so. All clinicians at the clinic use an electronic medical record system. 

Votaw also said that CTS clinicians can offer telehealth sessions to reach Hoosiers who do not live in the Indianapolis area. In some areas of the State, there are a limited number of mental health providers to address the needs of their communities – and the CTS Counseling Center can help in those cases.  

“Where there is a treatment desert, we can help,” he said. “As long as the prospective client is physically in Indiana, we may be able to work with them depending on the presenting concerns.” Votaw added that all services, virtual or in person, are bound by applicable confidentiality laws and ethics. 

“From a public health standpoint, we need more access to mental health treatment,” Votaw said. “Even if you don’t need services, please tell others about the Counseling Center. We can help.” 

If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about the services offered at the CTS Counseling Center, please visit https://www.cts.edu/counseling-center/ or call 317-924-5205.  

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