Thanks to the Strengthening Pastoral Formation grant received from City Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary provided two urban immersions that allowed students to see transformative innovative ministry taking place in urban contexts. The first course entitled, “Community Engagement, Leadership, & Spiritual Entrepreneurship,” was offered in Spring 2024 and taught by Dr. Parrish and Ms. Hyepin Im, a Wesley alumna and president of Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE), a national organization that empowers churches and nonprofits to leverage their resources by building capacity, leadership, and partnerships in economic development.
Students visited various ministry sites, including Rev. Hudson, Pastor of Ames Memorial UMC and its newly acquired warehouse with its new community ministries, including a Wesley student-initiated carpentry training nonprofit and a food pantry; the clinic founded and run by Dr. Irance Reddix-McCray, a family practice physician and ordained United Methodist pastor, who opened the nonprofit, Adullum Community Healthcare Center, on the first floor of her church to provide healthcare to underserved members of her community. In the summer 2024 course, entitled, “NCES (National Capital Experience for Seminarians) Advocacy and Action,” students experienced theology and advocacy in action in D.C.‘s local urban communities and legislative bodies.