The mission of Wesley Theological Seminary is to equip persons for Christian ministry and leadership in the church and the world, to advance theological scholarship, and to model a prophetic voice in the public square.
New Faces of Wesley
Meet 1st year Master of Divinity student and Community Engagement Fellow Evan Taylor.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Evan earned a B.A. in Mass Communications and Political Science at Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA). She also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Strayer University.
Though new to the student body, Evan is no stranger to the Wesley community. " I had worked with the Wesley Innovation Hub, taken a class with Dr. Lee, and already established a connection with many Wesley students and graduates,” said Evan. Her familiarity and community connections made Wesley the logical choice when Evan decided to pursue theological studies. “I knew that I needed an environment that would allow me to immerse myself in theological study alongside a community to have conversation and relationship with; Wesley had that," shared Evan. “Wesley felt like home.”
Serving as the editor of the student-run Wesley Journal, Evan has a vision for the digital publication to be "a means of connection in a time of disconnection,” shared Evan. "Wesley's community journal provides an opportunity to lift, amplify, and highlight voices from the Wesley community as people grow and expand in their theological exploration and discovery. I hope that the Wesley Journal will inform, inspire, ground, and celebrate us as a diverse community," said Evan.
Evan is also an incoming Community Engagement Institute fellow. As she works to explore methods that will allow her to follow her “blended call,” Evan is hopeful that the CEI cohort will aid her in her desired work. "Community Engagement is a space that I was always engaged in. I chose the Community Engagement Program because I wanted to grow in practical ways and explore more theological groundings for work within community organizing, developing collectives and cooperatives, and nurturing communities of healing and reconciliation. I'm exploring ways to connect public theology, teaching, and curriculum design that allows me to follow my blended calls as a journalist, creative, technologist, teacher, grant writer, and coach," said Evan.
Something we don't know about Evan? "I am designing and working to build a middle school. I come from a family where school building/founding and teaching is a generational call. In 2016, I began the actualization of my desired work by spending 10 days traveling across the country with the Millennial Trains Project, beginning that work by interviewing teachers and parents about college and career readiness in communities of color," shared Evan.
An important text for Evan is “The Sound of the Genuine,” a commencement address delivered in 1980 by Howard Thurman (read it here: https://bit.ly/3jmNVTJ). It has provided for her “inspired affirmations of worthiness (I deserve space & grace, Always ask, I am more than enough, I choose impact over comfort, I am resilient & self-care is non-negotiable and I am the product of my ancestors' sacrifices, prayers and dreams).”
#communityengagement #WesleyJournal #HowardThurman #FacesofWesley
