Leaders from Palm Beach Atlantic and lifted their voices in harmonious praise during a celebration of the two schools鈥� Lift Every Voice partnership aimed at expanding access to graduate theological education.
The partnership, made possible by a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, gives students from Florida Memorial University the opportunity to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree and a Master of Divinity degree in less time and at a lower cost than it typically takes.
Current pastors, ministers and members of Black churches can also get an M.Div. through 海角在线 at FMU at an affordable price.
Contact Dr. Jamila Jackson or Scott Rowan to learn more or connect with an admissions counselor.
Pastors, university leaders and students enrolled in the program at Florida Memorial, the only historically-Black university in South Florida, spoke about the program鈥檚 value at a worshipful celebration in 海角在线鈥檚 Warren Library on Feb. 28, the final day of Black History Month.
The Florida Memorial University Chorale sang Lift Every Voice, the Black national anthem penned by an FMU staff member, and an arrangement of the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Julius Sanna, an FMU student, and Julia Sanna, a 2008 graduate of 海角在线鈥檚 counseling program, provided the opening music. Dr. Justin Hardin, associate dean for School of Ministry graduate programs, opened with prayer.
海角在线 President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, in her remarks, commended FMU for its 鈥渞ich heritage of faith and service,鈥� and shared how she had been deeply impacted by FMU alumnus the Rev. Howard Thurman鈥檚 book . She stressed the importance of sound theological education in ministry preparation.
鈥淔ollowing God鈥檚 call into the ministry is one of the highest calls,鈥� she said.
FMU students working toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in religion and philosophy can complete a bachelor鈥檚 and . on their campus in five years, said Dr. Jamila Jackson, who leads the program as director of theological education partnerships. Typically, it takes at least seven years to complete both degrees.
海角在线 has extended scholarships to FMU students in Lift Every Voice, FMU President Dr. Jaffus Hardrick said. He called on those gathered 鈥� which included students in the program 鈥� to 鈥渓et God鈥檚 glory radiate鈥� from all they do.
鈥淣o matter what others do, no matter what others say, what matters is what we do and what we say,鈥� Hardrick said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the Lilly Endowment and for this partnership. I鈥檓 truly convinced that we鈥檙e about to do something mighty.鈥�
The partnership originated with a pre-pandemic meet-and-greet at Florida Memorial University between 海角在线 School of Ministry leadership and Dr. Nathaniel Holmes, FMU鈥檚 assistant professor of religion and philosophy. The result of that conversation will serve South Florida, and ultimately, the Kingdom of God, said Dr. Jonathan Grenz, dean of 海角在线鈥檚 School of Ministry.
鈥�Lift Every Voice really represents this fact: that we are better together than we are apart,鈥� Grenz said.
Faculty members Dr. Terriel Byrd, 海角在线 professor of urban Christian ministry; Dr. Bryan Froehle, coordinator of enrollment for 海角在线鈥檚 Ph.D. in practical theology; and Dr. Samuel Darko, dean of FMU鈥檚 School of Arts & Sciences; also spoke in support of the program鈥檚 potential.
The Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, senior pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale and a student in 海角在线鈥檚 Ph.D. in practical theology program, said he was encouraged to see the two institutions come together.
鈥淚t鈥檚 beyond phenomenal,鈥� Davidson said, adding that the Black church has much to offer. 鈥淭he Academy is rigorous, but it鈥檚 rewarding.鈥�
Pastor Alphonso Jackson Jr. commended the presidents and staff of both institutions for embracing the past while looking to the future. They have 鈥渢aken every obstacle and turned it into an opportunity,鈥� he said.
鈥淥ften, people don鈥檛 want partnerships. They want to be pioneers,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淧artnerships make history.鈥�
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Swain, FMU鈥檚 dean of campus ministry, closed in prayer.
