Tag: Alum Stories

In 2014, Welsh began to think about what’s next. “I felt that I had done what I was sent to do at the church,” she said. She also began thinking about making a change and becoming a chaplain full time. “When we think about Jesus’s mission, we think about clothing the naked and feeding the hungry,” she said. “I didn’t feel like I had had the opportunity to do that.” 

For the Reverend Dr. Duane Gebhard (GTS 1969, 1972), the call to serve came early in life. He grew up in Minnesota, surrounded by pastors and religious educators.

Cassandra Chee (G-ETS 2021) came to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2018 with a call to ministry – but not necessarily a call to the church.

Not only were we captivated by the words of the story about Good News Now, but the image of Dr. Wilson reading physically transformed the chapel space. He turned Garrett’s Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful into a Freedom School!  

At Garrett-Evangelical, Choi found professors who spoke to her interests and experiences…“These and other professors helped me to continuously grow as a person, as a theologian, and as a minister,” says Choi.

For LGBTQIA+ Christians, living into our authentic selves, let alone our vocational call, is often a journey of struggle and pain. Many discriminatory barriers are setup within our Church structures and community expectations to prevent LGBTQIA+ young people from finding wholeness in Christ through their church homes. In many ways, my own story reflects this journey: finding a path to wholeness in Christ despite the voices and messages around me saying that no such wholeness could exist between the identities of ‘gay’ and ‘Christian.’

Reverend TiShaunda McPherson (G-ETS 2015) and Reverend Dr. Roger Ireson (GTS 1966) have been named the 2022 Distinguished Alums of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Both will be honored at the 165th Commencement service on Friday, May 13, 2022, at Alice Millar Chapel, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Through this award, Wesleyan Investive has recognized four leaders, including DMin alumna Rev. Kit Evans-Ford (G-ETS 2017), who exemplify innovative spiritual leadership and missionally driven entrepreneurship across the Wesleyan ecosystem.

She received her certificate as a Kellogg Executive Scholar in Nonprofit Management and graduated with her Doctor of Ministry degree (Strategic Leadership for Black Congregation) in 2020 from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Article Originally Published by Perkins School of Theology The Perkins School of Theology Alumni/ae Council has selected Evelyn L. Parker […]

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is saddened to share the passing of retired United Methodist bishop and beloved alumna Bishop Beverly J. […]

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will welcome “home” PhD alumna Dr. Evelyn L. Parker (G-ETS and Northwestern 1996) as distinguished visiting professor […]

Rev. Bill Tomlinson (GBI 1954) said he feels strongly that a Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary education is important — so important […]

Rev. Jenny Hallenbeck Orr Master of Divinity, 2003Associate Pastor, McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, North Dakota Since the summer of […]

In the middle of the multitude of pandemics, I assumed the position of executive director of Care for Real, one of the largest food pantries in Chicago. In my new ministry setting, I have witnessed how the pandemics are so intertwined if not in one single knot.

While many healthcare facilities even suspended in-person spiritual care to patients in quarantine or in isolation rooms, I started visiting patients with COVID-19 after I received appropriate personal protective equipment.

Lisa Lackey Master of Arts in Christian Education, 1992Chief Engagement Officer and Co-Owner, Insideout Living, Inc, Evanston, Illinois Even though […]

When I set out to answer my call to ministry, I never imagined that I would be serving during a global pandemic. I have seen many challenges during this pandemic: people’s need to come together for worship services, the limitations for those who live with mental illness to easily connect with resources, and rising food insecurity.

When Rev. Kook Ho Kim (G-ETS 2015) and Rev. Ran Yoo (G-ETS 2016) graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, they knew […]

“The Year of Crises,” 2020 is arguably one of the most difficult years in modern American history. Many Americans navigated […]

Before I could be an agent for change, I discovered I needed to examine my own blindness to racism and my white privilege. Startled by my findings, I learned that my views on racism and privilege—held for decades—were untethered to the truth.

Rev. Steven Poole (G-ETS 1986) was at a crossroads when he decided to create an endowed scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological […]

Garrett Biblical Institute alumna, Rosalie Jane Bentzinger (GBI 1958) of Donnellson, Iowa, died on October 25th at the age of […]

Reverend Harlene Harden knows Black women in ministry’s dilemma – feeling God’s call but not having that call fully affirmed […]