FOW Joshua Kuramoto | Wesley Theological Seminary

Meet first-year Master of Divinity student and Wesley Community Engagement Fellow Joshua Kuramoto.

Joshua is originally from Japan. He earned a Bachelors' degree in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, Washington).

Wesley's location in the District of Columbia Metro area and its diverse community urged Joshua to consider Wesley Theological Seminary to pursue his theological studies. "I had known a few Wesley graduates prior to coming to Wesley; those whom I consider prophetic leaders. My seeing the difference that they make within their communities, the diversity that exists within Wesley's community and academia, and its location within the D.C. area, solidified Wesley as the seminary for me," said Joshua.

Joshua is also a 2020 Wesley Community Engagement Fellow. The Wesley Community Engagement Institute offers fellowship that works to aid seminarians' Master of Divinity education with academic, theological, formational, and leadership development experiences that equip them to serve nuanced issues of the 21st-century church.

Currently serving as a ministry intern and a former missionary who has served and worked alongside migrants and refugees, Joshua has a heart for service and embodying the call to love our neighbors through his ministry works.

Joshua's Community Engagement project seeks to extend his spirit of service to those existing in communities who have suffered maternal mortality by lowering this rate that affects many women within the D.C. area. "My project will focus on lowering the maternal mortality rate in Washington DC. I became a fellow because of my sincere desire to be faithful be and for me, faithful is to embody the love of Christ through my actions; I learned much of this from Methodism. In the future, I hope to become an ordained elder through the United Methodist Church," shared Joshua.

Something we do not know about Joshua:

"I'm a real big gym fan, so if any of you seminarians are looking for a partner beginning this fall, I'm your man!" said Joshua.

A word that inspires Joshua is the Japanese word 'Shoshin', which means 'beginner's heart.' "When we first start something, whether that is a new job or seminary, we are filled with a sense of gratitude, humility, and openness that allows for us fully be present in the task that is ahead of us. Seminary is tough, and as the semester passes by, it becomes easier to take what is here for granted. This word reminds me that no matter how tough or heavy things may feel, not to lose sight of the purpose that I committed to in the beginning of this journey." shared Joshua. #Japan #shoshin #gratitude #WTSCommunityEngagementFellows #FacesofWesley

Join Joshua and our many students and graduates who have found in Wesley a seminary that supports students following their passion to serve God and others in many expected and unexpected ways.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Wesley Theological Seminary is currently offering online courses only until further notice. Please check back at this website for further information on class status.

We are currently accepting applications for Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Study and Master of Arts programs, as well as our Doctor of Ministry degree programs. If you would like to try a class, there is still time to take a July online class this summer and Fall registration is now open.

Learn more and apply by going to https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/admissions/try-a-class-2/

For more information about any of Wesley's programs, contact Admissions at (202) 885-8659 or admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or chat with our Admissions staff via UChat on the Wesley website homepage, wesleyseminary.edu.

Faces of Wesley is a weekly profile of one of the members of our Wesley Community - faculty, students, alumni, staff, administration and other friends of Wesley. You can read it weekly on our Facebook or Instagram platforms or on our website's home page.