MSH offers graduate-level seminary courses at an affordable cost taught predominately by Black field specialists with terminal degrees and ministerial experience. MSH provides synchronous distance education. Tamaharis (students) can attend all classes via live streaming and obtain their sahafi (degree) fully online. Programs offered are the Tamahare Dersat (TD) and Sahafe Haymanot (SH). If taken full-time the TD can be completed in as little as 6 months and the SH in 3 years. MSH partners with NAIITS: An Indigenous Community to offer the Sahafe Haymanot (MDiv) degree program in which tamaharis will receive an accredited MDiv degree. Please contact admin@meachum.org for more information about the MDiv program and how to apply.
Cost
$135/credit hour (for certificate)
$50/credit hour (for audit)
Vincent Bacote (Ph.D., Drew University) is Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. Publications include the books Reckoning with Race and Performing the Good News: In Search of a Better of a Evangelical Theology (2020) and The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life and he has contributed to books including Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course in Contemporary Issues (2019), The Church’s Social Responsibility (2015), and Black Scholars in White Space (2015). He has been an assistant theology editor for Christianity Today and has been a columnist for Comment (wrf.ca/comment) and has also had articles appear in magazines such as The Banner, Books and Culture, Christianity Today, Think Christian and re:generation quarterly and journals such as The Journal of Markets and Morality, Christian Scholars Review, Urban Mission and the Journal for Christian Theological Research. An avid tennis player, occasional bass guitarist and incessantly curious person, he lives in Glen Ellyn, IL with his family.
Author | Teacher | Advocate Rev. Dr. Lori (Dr. Lo) Banfield is a native and resident of Philadelphia, PA with multidisciplinary expertise in psychology, social justice and practical theology. She serves as a higher learning educator, mental health clinician, researcher, clergy person, and all-around social justice advocate. Dr. Lo has dedicated her life to fostering spiritual resilience and liberation paths to oppressed and suppressed groups. She serves as the executive director of the Philly-based non-profit Redemption Housing – reentry services and is founder of the Spiritual Resilience Council, a reentry advocate training initiative under Lori Banfield Ministries, LLC. She is also the author of the spiritual formation book Walking Worthy of My Calling: Journey Back to the Likeness of God, among other articles and publications. Dr. Lo is an ordained Elder in the Lord’s church and currently serves as an Associate Elder at Gates of Heaven Pentecostal Church in West Philadelphia and Beulah Tabernacle Church in Drexel Hill, PA. A wife and mother of two children, Dr. Lo endeavors to build atmosphere changers and restore sacred space within and beyond church, school, and prison walls. "Though we are prone to wander, we have been called to walk; allow me to walk with you.”
Vince Bantu is the Ohene (President) of the Meachum School of Haymanot and is Assistant Professor of Church History and Black Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Vince’s assignment from the Lord is to proclaim that the Bisrat (Gospel) of Yeshua is for all nations, tribes and tongues and to do this by teaching on the earliest history of Christianity in Africa and Asia. Vince is the author of A Multitude of All Peoples (IVP), Gospel Haymanot (UMI) and The Bisrat (Jude 3 Project). Vince is also the Ohene (President) of the Society of Gospel Haymanot (SGH), an academic society of theological Gospelism—Afro-rooted theology committed to the universal Lordship of Jesus, biblical authority and the liberation of the oppressed. Vince also serves as the Katabi (Editor) of the publication of SGH—the Haymanot Journal. Vince, his wife Diana, and their daughters live and minister at Beloved Community Church in St. Louis and they love to travel, watch movies and bust some spades.
Suzanne Bates, MA, LPC, and PhD Candidate (’21) at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, brings a wealth of experience from the counseling field into the classroom and her work as Associate Dean of Students and Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology (Counseling) at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. In addition, she has served as staff counselor at New City Fellowship Church in St. Louis for more than a decade providing care and counsel to individuals, couples and families. She serves Covenant students and the body of New City Fellowship Church with the wisdom she has gleaned as she counsels, shepherds and or teaches them through counseling courses, bible studies, women’s groups and more. Suzanne is a native of St. Louis; has four grown children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Luke Bobo as co-owner of Pursuing the Greater Good, LLC, with his wife, Rita (Shawnee, KS). Dr. Bobo worked for 15 years in the marketplace as an engineer before pursuing an M.Div. and Ph.D., and eventually serving as the executive director of the Francis Schaeffer Institute at Covenant Seminary. He also enjoyed a seven year stint at Lindenwood University (St. Charles, MO), where he was the Department Chair and Associate Professor for the Christian Ministry Studies program. After re-locating to Kansas City, MO, he landed a Director of Curriculum and Resources position with Made to Flourish (Overland Park, KS). Eventually, Luke was promoted to Vice President of Networks at Made to Flourish. Luke is a visiting instructor of contemporary culture at Covenant Seminary. He co-edited Stories, Statistics, Solutions: Toward Understanding and Including People With Disabilities in Faith Communities (2023). He is the author of Living Salty and Light Filled Lives in the Workplace, A Layperson’s Guide to Biblical Interpretation: A Means to Know the Personal God, and Race, Economics, and Apologetics. He also co-authored, Discipleship With Monday in Mind and Worked Up: Navigating Calling After College. In addition to a M.Div. and Ph.D., Dr. Bobo has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He enjoys teaching, mentoring, writing, speaking, traveling, coffee, and practical theology.
Rodrick Burton is the senior pastor of the historic New Northside Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis. He received a Master of Educational Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is a mentor and Visiting Instructor of Applied Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary, a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, the Ecumenical Leadership Council, The Jennings Clergy Coalition, The Baptist Minister’s Union of St. Louis, Pastoral Fellowship of St. Louis, The Korean African American Pastors Association, and on the Cabinet of the Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis. Burton is the author of the Moral State of Black America and a columnist in several St. Louis Metropolitan area periodicals. Rev. Burton is the Berean District Social Justice Ministry Director and very active on environmental justice issues. Burton is a board member and chaplain for St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport as well as a member of the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains. Rev. Burton is married to Carlotta Cheers Burton and is the father of twins, Zoe and Zarek.
Quonekuia A. Day is a full-time Instructor of Old Testament & Biblical Hebrew at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She teaches at the Boston campus and the Hispanic Ministries Program at South Hamilton, MA. She serves on the board for the Society of Gospel Haymanot (SGH).Professor Day has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Emmanuel College, a Master of Social Work from Boston University, a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Her doctoral studies have been at London School of Theology in Northwood, England. As an instructor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary she has taught courses in Old Testament Survey, Genesis, Exodus, Interpreting the OT/NT and Hebrew language. Shehas taught at Meachum School of Haymanot in St. Louis, MO and conducted seminars for Pine Manor College and University of Vermont campus ministries. In addition, Prof Day is a public speaker specializing in the area of Old Testament and Sexuality. Prof Day can be viewed on YouTube or www.Jude3project.org as one of the guest panelists for the Courageous Conversations Conference. Prof Day is the author of “Feminist, Womanist and Gospelist Interpretations of the Daughters of Zelophehad: Bridging the Gap amongst competing traditions,” in the multi authored book Gospel Haymanot.
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Dyer is a Professor of Practice, and the Program Director of the Doctorate of Social Work Program at Simmons University, Boston. She has been a social worker for more than 25 years in direct mental health counseling practice and has also served as a clinical supervisor in secular and Christian agencies, community outreach and advocacy, program development & leadership, and academia. Her research and scholarly interests include clergy compassion fatigue, historical trauma, and intimate partner violence in faith communities. In addition to being a trained clinician, and maintaining a small private practice, she is also trained in providing spiritual direction and maintains a practice for clergy and church members, and runs a group at her church. She is an Associate Minister at Peoples Baptist Church in Boston
Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards is Associate Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary (Lisle, IL) and the author of 1 Peter in the Story of God Bible Commentary series. Dennis has served as a pastor in Minneapolis, MN, Washington, DC, and Brooklyn, NY. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering (Cornell University) and has been a high school science and math teacher. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree in Urban Ministry (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) as well as Master of Arts and PhD degrees in Biblical Studies (Catholic University of America). Dennis is married to Susan Steele Edwards and they are the parents of four children. Dennis enjoys playing his flute and saxophone, as well as weightlifting, cycling, and playing racquetball and as much as possible.
Sarah Farmer is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Community Development in the School of Theology and Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. As a practical theologian, she not only teaches community development courses, but also teaches in the areas of psychosocial identity and faith formation, youth ministry, and transformative pedagogy. Before coming to Indiana Wesleyan University in Fall of 2018, Farmer served as an associate research scholar and lecturer at Yale Divinity School and helped direct the Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Program at Yale Center for Faith and Culture. Sarah received her M.Div and PhD from Emory University, where she taught as an adjunct faculty and co-directed a Certificate in Theological Studies Program at a Women’s Prison. She is co-author with Anne E. Streaty Wimberly of Raising Hope: 4 Paths to Courageous Living for Black Youth, which the ways adults can become agents of hope in the lives of young people who might be in the midst of circumstances that seem hopeless. Sarah Farmer is married to Ronnie Farmer and has three children.
Ernest Gray Jr. is an Assistant Professor of Bible at the Moody Bible institute. He is a graduate of the Institute with a degree in Pastoral Ministries, and a graduate of Wheaton College with a Master’s Degree in Biblical Exegesis. He completed his PhD coursework at McMaster Divinity College and is currently completing his thesis within the corpus of 1 Peter. Mr. Gray teaches undergraduate students in the areas of Hermeneutics, first year Greek Grammar, General Epistles, the Gospel of John and Senior Seminar. It is Mr. Gray’s hope to impact the African American through scholarship. Teaching has been one way that God has blessed him to live this out.
Dr. Charles G. Kim, Jr. teaches theology and ancient languages in a variety of contexts. He holds an M.Div with an emphasis on Biblical Languages from Princeton Theological Seminary. As part of his time there, he took courses in Hebrew and Rabbinic Exegesis with Jewish Theologians from Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Recently, Kim passed his dissertation with distinction at Saint Louis University in Historical Theology, focusing on the preaching and the North African context of St. Augustine of Hippo. He is delighted to bring to the Meachum School a wealth of experience of language teaching having taught ancient languages from elementary to the graduate level. His teaching of Hebrew will draw on recent research in linguistics and Second Language Acquisition as well as the best of modern approaches to learning Hebrew for preaching at the congregational level. His wife, young son, and two dogs bring him the greatest joy.
Larissa Malone holds a doctorate in Cultural Foundations of Education from the School of Foundations, Leadership, and Administration at Kent State University. She completed her Master of Arts in Education at Walsh University and her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Malone also holds a primary teacher certification from the American Montessori Internationale. Dr. Malone has extensive experience teaching traditionally and online in both undergraduate and graduate programs, specializing in foundational, multicultural, and research courses. Prior to teaching in higher education, Dr. Malone taught early childhood and early elementary grades and served as an administrator in a bilingual community-based school. A critical race theorist, Dr. Malone’s research centers on the minority experience in American schooling and the motivation in all of her scholarly endeavors is towards creating equitable educational spaces for all students. Her other research interests include minoritized teachers, the African diaspora, and the integration of faith, teaching and learning.
Dr. Paul Patterson was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. After attending college and seminary at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL, he returned to St. Louis, where he enrolled in the theology program at Saint Louis University. In 2011, he earned his PhD in Historical Theology, specializing in the area of Patristics. Since that time, he has served on staff at New City Fellowship Church in St. Louis; he is now director of Workday, a ministry that seeks to meet the needs of widows, the elderly, and the disabled. Paul is married to Jessica (a long-time first grade teacher) and has two sons, Cole and Jack.
Rev. Cleotha Robertson is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He received his early Christian nurture at Cornerstone Baptist Church. He was licensed and ordained to Christian ministry under Dr. Harry Wright. Rev. Robertson has earned a Bachelor of Arts (Dartmouth College), Master of Divinity (Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary), Master of Science (Brooklyn College), Doctor of Philosophy (New York University), and Doctor of Ministry (Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia). Rev. Robertson previously worked as Minister of Youth and Christian Education at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Rev. Robertson also served as the Director of Urban Ministry Programs at the New York City Mission Society, one of New York’s oldest private social service agencies. Rev. Robertson is also an Adjunct professor for New York Theological Seminary, Hartford Theological Seminary and Eastern Baptist Seminary. Since August 2004, he is the Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City. Since 1994, Rev. Robertson has served as Senior Pastor of Sound View Presbyterian, one of the larger and most active Presbyterian churches in the Presbytery of New York City. During his tenure as Pastor at Sound View, the Church as grown both spiritually and numerically. Rev. Robertson sees his role as Pastor of Sound View Church to continue to preach the Good News of Christ Jesus and to continue to facilitate the role that Sound View Church has played in the Bronx since 1924. This role is to provide for the spiritual, physical and emotional welfare of those in need.
DR. LEOPOLDO A. SÁNCHEZ M. is the Werner R.H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. A Concordia faculty member since 2004, he is Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies. Born in Chile and raised in Panama, Sánchez completed his post-secondary education in the US. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (2003), and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana (1999). He holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisconsin (1995). Dr. Sánchez’s primary research interests are in the theology of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, the theology of the Trinity, and ethical-moral issues affecting U.S. communities such as immigration, poverty and marginality, and the intersection of theology and culture. Sánchez teaches regularly in English and Spanish in the United States and abroad. He has delivered courses, workshops, and lectures in Uganda, Ethiopia, Brazil, Cuba, India, Ghana, Indonesia, Chile, Panama, Argentina and Venezuela. He has participated in various colloquies on pedagogy through the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, Wabash, Indiana. He has also served as a mentor for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American doctoral students in theology and religion through the Hispanic Theological Initiative Consortium housed at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey. In the community, Dr. Sánchez is Principal Double-Bass player with the St. Louis Civic Orchestra. He also enjoys swimming and cooking. Sánchez and his wife have two children and reside in St. Louis.
Rev. Carlos B. Smith is a passionate expositor of the Word of God who is dedicated to equipping believers through Biblically faithful preaching. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of The Journey Hanley Road in University City, MO. Carlos has served several congregations as Associate Pastor, Pastor of Student & Family Ministries, and Minister of Music. His community involvement has included working in the juvenile detention centers of Detroit, mentoring at-risk youth, volunteering as a music and artistic educator, as well as leading multiple churches to form church/public school partnerships. Carlos is currently a Ph.D student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City and received his Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He is also a graduate of Indiana University-Fort Wayne, earning a Bachelor of Music Education. Carlos is happily married to his wife of 12 years, Monique, and they have 3 wonderful children: Carlton, Nia and Maia. In his spare moments, he enjoys reading, playing the piano, and staying up-to-date on the latest tech.
Jaclyn is a preacher, teacher, chaplain, and actor. The connecting point in all of these endeavors is the living and sharing of the story of God, creation and humanity. Jaclyn graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Theology and Religion from the University of Birmingham (UK). Her dissertation research focus is embodied preaching methodology. She is an ordained American Baptist minister and a Board-Certified Chaplain. Jaclyn also performs as an actor, director, and playwright, having completed a BA in Theatre from the University of Houston, as well as an MFA in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Washington. In addition, she serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary.
Thurman is currently the Pastor of New City Fellowship Church - West End (PCA) in St. Louis. Prior to moving to St. Louis in July of 2013, he was the Pastor of New Song Community Church (PCA), in the Sandtown community of inner-city Baltimore, MD, beginning in February of 2000. Prior to that, he served as the Minister of Outreach and Youth at Faith Christian Fellowship Church (PCA), also in the city of Baltimore, for 5 years while completing his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) at Chesapeake Theological Seminary. Thurman completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2011. Thurman has been married to his lovely wife, Evie, for 21 years and they have been blessed with four beautiful children, Charvez, Shaquana, Joshua, and Caleb. Thurman serves as the Chairman of the PCA's Mission to North America Committee and was previously the chairman of Chesapeake Presbytery's Urban and Mercy Ministries Committee. He also serves now on the Missouri Presbytery’s Reconciliation and Kingdom Justice Committee and as an adjunct professor in homiletics at Covenant Seminary.
Danny completed his PhD in New Testament studies through the University of Aberdeen at Highland Theological College, and is a graduate of Acadia Divinity College (ADC), with both his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts (Theology). Previous to this, Danny resided in Winnipeg where he earned his Bachelor of Arts at Providence College. Danny also carries administrative responsibilities relating to distance education and the Hayward lectures. In addition to his role at ADC, Danny is a faculty member of the NAIITS Learning Community. More than any of these achievements, Danny is most proud to call Maria his wife, Lex, Jack, and Hudson his sons, and Ella-Rose his little princess. Danny teaches in the area of New Testament and Advanced Greek.
Tamahare Dersat (TD): The TD (otherwise known as “Certificate of Ministry”) is designed to provide introductory proficiency in graduate-level theological studies. Tamahari of the TD program will complete 18 credit hours of biblical, theological and ministerial studies through which they will gain capacity in advanced ministerial methodology and theological research. The TD program is ideally suited for tamahari interested in ministerial training to supplement their areas of service and leadership. MSH tamahari who do not already possess a bachelor’s degree are required to complete the TD with a 2.5 GPA or higher in order to matriculate into one of the other MSH certificate programs.
Sahafe Haymanot (SH): The SH (otherwise known as “Certificate in Exegetical and Practical Theology”) reflects the traditional Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree as an advanced survey of biblical and theological courses including philological and exegetical education. The SH consists of 79 credit hours involving a well-rounded program that familiarizes the tamahari with academic disciplines designed to enhance ministerial effectiveness. The SH aids ministry leaders interested in gaining faculty in biblical dersat (exegesis) as well as advanced leadership administration.
Dersat
OT501 Old Testament Survey: A general introduction of the primary themes, literary genres and individual books of the Tanakh as well as an introduction to the history and culture of the Old Testament involving archeological, philological and geographical considerations. 3 credits
OT502 Old Testament Elective: Old Testament mamheran will offer a series of electives satisfying the additional OT elective requirement for the SD or SH that will include advanced courses in OT geography, literary genres, theology, typology or ethics. 3 credits
OT601 Hebrew I: A basic introduction to the philology, morphology and syntax of Old Testament Hebrew. 3 credits
OT602 Hebrew II: The solidification of basic Hebrew grammar with an introduction to the practice of biblical translation. 3 credits
OT701 Old Testament Dersat I: Old Testament mamheran will offer a series of dersat (“exegesis”) courses that will fulfill the exegetical requirement for the SH that will include a selection of courses focused on a specific OT book (e.g. “Dersat of Isaiah,” “Dersat of Genesis,” “Dersat of Psalms”). Tamahareyan will engage in regular translations of the book under review and prepare an exegetical paper deploying the methodologies of philology, history and exegesis. 3 credits
OT702 Old Testament Dersat II: Old Testament mamheran will offer a series of dersat (“exegesis”) courses that will fulfill the exegetical requirement for the SH that will include a selection of courses focused on a specific OT literary genre or collection of books (e.g. “Minor Prophets,” “Torah,” “Hamesh Megillot”). Tamahareyan will engage in select translations from various books in the genre under review and prepare an exegetical paper deploying the methodologies of philology, history and exegesis. 3 credits
NT501 New Testament Survey: A general introduction of the primary themes, literary genres and individual books of the New Testament as well as an introduction to the history and culture of the NT involving archeological, philological and geographical considerations. 3 credits
NT502 New Testament Elective: New Testament mamheran will offer a series of electives satisfying the additional NT elective requirement for the SD or SH that will include advanced courses in NT geography, literary genres, theology, typology or ethics. 3 credits
NT601 Greek I: A basic introduction to the philology, morphology and syntax of Koine Greek. 3 credits
NT602 Greek II: The solidification of basic Greek grammar with an introduction to the practice of biblical translation. 3 credits
NT701 New Testament Dersat I: New Testament mamheran will offer a series of dersat (“exegesis”) courses that will fulfill the exegetical requirement for the SH that will include a selection of courses focused on a specific NT book (e.g. “Dersat of Revelation,” “Dersat of Mark,” “Dersat of Ephesians”). Students will engage in regular translations of the book under review and prepare an exegetical paper deploying the methodologies of philology, history and exegesis. 3 credits
NT702 New Testament Dersat II: New Testament mamheran will offer a series of exegesis courses that will fulfill the exegetical requirement for the SH that will include a selection of courses focused on a specific NT literary genre or collection of books (e.g. “Pastoral Epistles,” “Gospels,” “Paul’s Prison Letters”). Tamahareyan will engage in select translations from various books in the genre under review and prepare an exegetical paper deploying the methodologies of philology, history and exegesis. 3 credits
Haymanot
HY501 Haymanot I (Systematic Theology I): An introduction to the discipline of haymanot (“theology”) with an overview of some of the core Christian doctrines and how they have been approached in global perspective including the doctrine of the Trinity, attributes of God, the canon of Scripture, theological anthropology and Christology. 3 credits
HY502 Haymanot II (Systematic Theology II): Advanced theological methodology and a survey of global doctrinal reflection on salvation, eschatology, ecclesiology and pneumatology. 3 credits
HY601 Ubuntu (Theology of Justice): A focused study of the role of social justice in the life and witness of the Church. Historical attention will be given to the development of the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy and the subsequent theological trajectories over the last century. Sociological and ethical resources will contribute to the formulation of a biblical understanding of the place of justice in Christian theology and ministry. This course will also explore the basic principles of public advocacy and neighborhood organizing. 3 credits
HY602 Urban Apologetics: A survey of the leading religious, cultural and social phenomena with which Black churches are engaged in dialogue. This course will introduce core apologetic principles equipping leaders to engage with truth and grace in the increasingly complex Black religious landscape. 3 credits
HY603 Missions: This course explores the relationship between the universal Gospel of Jesus Christ and the diverse cultural frameworks of human societies. The course explores the various anthropological and missiological theories regarding culture theory and contextualization, historical outline of Christian mission and practical methodology for developing indigenous Church movements. 3 credits
HY701 Christian Social Ethics: An investigation into the method and practice of public theology that engages the core social issues of contemporary society. Methodological frameworks will be considered in conversation with case studies that provide resources for Church leaders to faithfully engage issues of racism, economic inequality, globalization and sexuality. 3 credits
HY702 World Religions: An introduction to the Sociology of Religion including competence with some of the leading sociological methodologies. The course will include a historical and theological survey of the major world religions concluding with practical ministry considerations regarding biblical inter-faith dialogue. 3 credits
Sankofa
SK501 Sankofa - The First Millennium (Church History I): A historical survey of global Christian history from Pentecost to the East-West Schism. Special attention will be given to the major theological and ecclesiastical developments in historical context across Europe, Africa and Asia. 3 credits
SK502 Sankofa - The Second Millennium (Church History II): A historical survey of global Christian history from the East-West Schism to the twenty-first century. Special attention will be given to the major theological and ecclesiastical developments in historical contexts in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. 3 credits
SK601 Local Context: History, Theology & Culture: An in-depth look at the tamahari’s local context including its historical development as well as sociological and ethnographic dynamics. This course will include focused study on the theological developments as seen in the church history that describes the spiritual and theological landscape of the local context. 3 credits
SK602 Black Church Worship:
SK701 Ge'ez I: An introduction to the phonology, morphology and syntax of Classical Ethiopic (Ge'ez). 3 credits
SK702 Ge'ez II: The solidification of basic Ge'ez grammar with an introduction to the practice of translating biblical and historical texts. 3 credits
Ujamaa
UJ501 Ujamaa (Christian Community Development): An introduction to the fundamental principles of Christian community development. Vital, faith-based models creating sustainable housing, employment, entrepreneurial, health and educational resources will be assessed in light of biblical principles for the role of the Church in community. 3 credits
UJ502 Pastoral Counseling: An introduction of the core principles of pastoral counseling and psychological theory. This course will offer a basic understanding of cognitive processes, personality development and addictive behavior with a focus on the urban, multiethnic context. Tamaharis will receive practical tools in psychological assessment, prevention, intervention and care for urban, multiethnic community members. 3 credits
UJ503 Preaching the Word: Homiletical and practical resources for understanding, preparing and delivering sermons that are faithful to the biblical text and relevant to the contemporary audience. This course will explore rhetorical skills and exegetical application while receiving practical feedback on real-life sermons. 3 credits
UJ601 Temhert (Educaton):This course explores questions of how human beings receive, process and disseminate knowledge. This course will provide an introduction to central pedagogical theories and offer skills for effective teaching in the Black church context. 3 credits
UJ602 Urban Youth Ministry: An exploration of best practices in empowering teens and young adults in the Black context rooted in leading theories on adolescent development. This course seeks to understand the adolescent in the context of family, church and community dynamics—with special attention given to youth violence. Course content will include successful models of urban youth ministry for practical contextualization. 3 credits
UJ603 Growing Healthy Immigrant & Refugee Churches: This course explores the complex dynamic of inter-generational issues in Black immigrant churches. Primary attention will focus on the internal needs of the first generation in conversation with the identity formation process of the second generation. The course will introduce tamaharis to exemplar churches that have deployed successful models of inter-generational community. 3 credits
UJ701 Bokonzi (Leadership):Designed for tamaharis in ministry leadership positions, this course provides advanced resources for tamaharis of the SH program. This course involves administrative assessment of tamaharis current ministry context and explores leading models in organizational theory. 3 credits
UJ702 Metcabouie (Mentored Ministry): Tamaharis of the SH program will engage in advanced mentorship involving field-specific oversight from respected leaders. This course is designed to supplement the tamahari’s current ministry work with in-depth consultation involving regular mentor meetings and detailed assessments of the tamahari’s ministry context and role. 3 credits
Please fill out an evaluation after the completion of a course.