doctor of ministry students walk toward justice

november 22, 2024

over ten days in october, fourteen students met to take classes and build community during hazelip school of theology’s doctor of ministry (dmin) fall residency. the students learned from a variety of professors through their four courses plus a justice pilgrimage that concluded their time together. this included dmin orientation with dr. greg anderson and dr. carlus gupton, missional ecclesiology with dr. earl lavender, spiritual retreat with dr. kris miller, and justice, mission, and the kingdom of god with dr. aaron howard.

reflecting on his experience with the professors, rob jankowski of new hope christian church
said, “they were all so passionate. teaching was more than a job; they believe that what they
teach is integral to leading in the kingdom of god.”

perhaps nowhere was this made more clear than on the justice pilgrimage led by dr. howard. this
four-day trip allowed students to visit the major sites of the civil rights movement in atlanta,
montgomery, and birmingham. one stop on this pilgrimage was the legacy museum of the equal justice initiative in montgomery, alabama. this museum displays graphic and lifelike portrayals of kidnapped and
enslaved africans to create a multi-sensory experience that leave no room for apathy at the suffering endured.

“the history from that point in the museum showed an undeniable thread of deep-seated racial
injustice that is woven so deeply into our culture that the only appropriate responses are a deep
and lasting penitence and a relentless desire to make things right in the work of reconciliation,”
said dr. gupton about the experience. current student, eric davenport, continued saying, "the justice pilgrimage was eye-opening, sobering, and formative as a minister of reconciliation and follower of jesus."

this pilgrimage invited students to a greater awareness of the injustice around them as well as
empowering them to be a force of justice, mercy and reconciliation in whatever ministry context
they inhabit. yet, the students learned that their pilgrimage toward justice is not one they have to face alone.
“i have developed friendships this semester that i can see growing and developing into deep
friendships,” jankowski stated. “this would not have been possible without the residency piece
of the program.”

read more about our doctor of ministry program and the formational community being developed in our cohort model.

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