As I prepare to [virtually] cross the stage as my Doctor of Ministry degree is conferred next week, I wanted to publicly thank all of those who aided me in getting to this point. The following post is actually the acknowledgments page of my final work, but most of you will never get to see a copy of that after it’s published, so I wanted to share my thanks through a post!

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

            First, I would like to thank my wife, Heather. When I began my doctoral journey in 2017, it was she that encouraged me to apply and to keep going even as the twists and turns of the journey would get rockier than we could have ever imagined. Over the last few years, this journey has seen us add two more children to our family and move to a new town. Through all of this, Heather has been a steady source of support, and for that I am truly thankful.

            I am not sure that they have completely understood what this doctoral journey is, but I am thankful that my children Jackson, Devon, and Kennedy have been a part of this path with me. Though they likely had no real idea why I was going away for weeks at a time for this work, they were a constant encouragement to keep working in order that we might build better spaces for them in our local church contexts as they grow in faith. I hope that the local congregations where they might one day find themselves will be places that allow them to ask tough questions, explore the depths of their beliefs, and to think critically about what faith means for them moving forward.

            This doctoral journey has taken place in two different institutions that each have brought something deeply meaningful to it. When I started the pursuit of this degree in 2017, I did so as a student at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BSTR). While the school would close before I could complete my degree, the impact of BTSR on my life, ministry, and doctoral work has been critical in the completion of this work. I am thankful to the members of my BTSR cohort who encouraged me to keep working –– especially Lee Fox who reminded me that my work was important and needed in the church. To the staff of BTSR, I will also be in your debt for the things you taught me about systems theory, innovative thinking, religious liberty, and much more. My life and ministry will never be the same for your presence in it.

            To the staff of the Campbell University Divinity School who welcomed me “back” when I found myself in need of a place to continue this journey, I also owe a great debt. The time I have spent as a student in the hallways of Taylor Hall – both for this degree, and my two others – has been life-changing. I would not be the minister, person of faith, or man that I am today if not for the ways that you gave me space to discover what God has called me to do. In has indeed been worth a life.

            To my doctoral advisors, Dr. Art Wright (BTSR) and Dr. Tony Cartledge (Campbell Divinity) I owe you more than I could ever repay. From the very beginnings of this journey you have done more than just review my papers, suggest edits, and give grades; you have reminded me how important this work is and have challenged me to keep at it. I would not be typing these words if not for the wise counsel that you both have given. This work exists because of you.

            To my field supervisor, Dr. Brian Foreman, I express deep thanks for not only being a sounding board over the course of this work, but also for meeting with me for coffee before I ever applied to BTSR and encouraging me to set aside my doubts and just take a leap of faith. I appreciate your guidance and friendship –– in this work and beyond.

            To the college students of the Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship groups at East Carolina University, NC State University, Meredith College, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke University, thank you for your insight, survey taking, and encouragement over the last few years. Much of the idea for this project came from you. I am thankful to have been able to walk this road of faith with you as you’ve sought to figure out what’s next after you crossed the graduation stage in high school.

            To the congregations that were willing to teach the curriculum with your students, this project would not be complete without you. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to make this project a success!

            I am also thankful for Ben Peery who opened his apartment in Richmond for me to have a (free) place to stay while completing my week-long seminars at BTSR. Your friendship, encouragement, and provisions have made much of this work possible.

           To Dr. Kevin Moore, thank you for walking this doctoral road before me and assuring me I was not crazy as I questioned the long hours, extensive research, and entire path of this doctoral journey.

          To Dr. Wanda Kidd and Rev. Amy Andrews, I say thank you for instilling within me a love for young adult ministry and for helping me see their importance in the future of the local church. I will never be able to serve in any context without paying attention to the young adults our midst because of your mentorship and guidance.

          I would be remiss if I did not thank the congregations and organizations that have taken a chance on giving me opportunities to serve and lead over the years. To Bells Baptist Church, Baptist Chapel Baptist Church, Plymouth Church, Oakmont Baptist Church, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, and Benson Baptist Church, I give my deepest thanks.

         Above all, thank you to Jesus Christ who has guided me through all of this. Through his teaching we learn to not just be people of faith, but to be people who ask tough questions and think deeply about why we believe. I am hopeful in the future of the church as long as we continue to rise to his challenge to do these things.