Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Luther Seminary is pleased to announce the hiring of seven new faculty and staff members.
Faculty appointments include:
- The Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace, associate professor of congregational and community care, starting June 3;
- The Rev. Dr. Joy Moore, associate professor of homiletics, starting July 1;
- Dr. Michael Chan, assistant professor of Old Testament, starting June 3;
- Dr. Jennifer Wojciechowski, affiliate faculty, starting July 1; and
- The Rev. Dr. Michael Binder, affiliate faculty, starting July 1.
Staff hires include:
- Dr. David Fenrick, dean of students, starting May 1; and
- Dr. Leon A. Rodrigues, chief diversity officer, starting May 1.
Beverly Wallace is an ordained Lutheran pastor, a pastoral care educator, a trained chaplain, and a trained marriage and family therapist. She has fifteen years experience in higher education as a professor of pastoral care and counseling and director of ministry and context. Her areas of expertise include ambiguous loss, grief and trauma, Lutheran womanist ethics, mass incarceration, and sociology of religion. She has an M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from the University of Minnesota.
Joy Moore is an ordained Methodist pastor who has taught practical theology and preaching at Wesley Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, and Asbury Theological Seminary. She served as the founding associate dean for the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and as the associate dean for church relations, black church studies, and lifelong learning at Duke Divinity School. Dr. Moore has an M.Div. from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in practical theology from Brunel University/London School of Theology. Her book, Just Faith: Justification and Sanctification is forthcoming through Cascade Press.
Michael Chan is a scholar, preacher, entrepreneur, public theologian, and digital storyteller. A lifelong Lutheran, Dr. Chan returns to Luther Seminary after two years away. He has an M.A. in Old Testament from Luther Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University. He is the author of The City on a HIll: A Tradition-Historical Study of the Wealth of Nations Tradition and co-author of Exploring the Bible with Eric Barreto.
Jennifer Wojciechowski has served as an adjunct instructor at Luther Seminary and Augsburg College, teaching church history, vocational discernment, and religion in America. She has a background in development and grant writing with Cornerstone Advocacy Services, a domestic abuse non-profit organization. Dr. Wojciechowski has an M.A. in community ministry leadership from Bethel Seminary and a Ph.D. in church history from Luther Seminary.
Michael Binder is co-lead pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis, which he helped to found in 2008. He has worked as an adjunct instructor at Luther Seminary and serves on the seminary’s innovation leadership team. He consults with congregations and denominations in the United States and Canada on issues of faith formation, congregational vibrancy, and mission. Dr. Binder has an M.Div. from Bethel Seminary and a Ph.D. in missional theology and leadership development from Luther Seminary.
David Fenrick most recently served as the assistant dean for cultural development and director of the Act Six Urban Scholar and Leadership Program at University of Northwestern. He has been an adjunct instructor of intercultural studies, communications, and biblical and theological studies. He has an M.A. in church history from Luther Seminary, an M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Leon Rodrigues has been the chief diversity officer for the Minnesota State Colleges and University system, as well as at Bethel University and Seminary. Most recently, he founded a non-profit organization that aims to reduce poverty, address educational disparities, and provide services in disadvantaged communities by providing support to ministry NGO’s. Dr. Rodrigues has a Master of Education in youth development and leadership and a Doctor of Education in multicultural education, critical pedagogy, and organizational development from the University of Minnesota.