by Rev. Belva Brown Jordan, Interim Executive Director at DSF
Disciples Seminary Foundation has been supporting the formation of emerging theological leaders for 63 years! Over the past three years, DSF has evaluated, reorganized, and forged a path squarely in line with its original goals – “serving seminarians and graduate students and
interpreting theological education to the church.” Through many seasons of discernment, significant markers have remained in place while clarity about needed changes emerged. Just as HELM has worked to “nurture Christian leaders who are transforming church, society, and world,” DSF has connected with ecumenical and educational partners to do the same.
Claremont School of Theology (CST) was our first ecumenical and educational partner. The list of schools in the west that DSF has affiliated with it has changed over the years. In addition to CST, our partner schools today include Pacific School of Religion, Iliff School of Theology, and the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. At the time of this writing, DSF offers tuition scholarships to 30 students at these partner schools. As we look at the number of students who have received DSF scholarships, 90 students have graduated since 2019. True to our vision, these graduates are serving the wider church in congregational ministry, military and hospital chaplaincy, at higher theological education faculties, and as bi-vocational ministers engaged as social justice advocates and community organizers.
DSF’s commitment to supporting the formation of emerging theological leaders 
goes beyond the walls of seminaries and theological schools. We can be found in church basements and fellowship halls supporting professors/instructors, and teaching lay adults, “who are interested in deepening their knowledge of theology, the Bible, and the practice of ministry,” as they serve in a local congregation. Our Certificate Ministry Studies and Diploma Ministry Studies programs are vibrant and serve Disciples Hispanic church communities along the West Coast.
DSF has a rich history, and I have had the privilege to serve as the Interim Executive Director for three years. It has been an incredible journey, which called for discernment, patience, prayer, and the dedication of three amazing staff – Jess Kim, Siobhan Lopez, and Xose Escamilla. DSF is not the same expression of ministry it was in 1960, or even in 2020, when I came on board. But it will be around 60 years from now to tell its faithful story.