Category Archives: Leadership Fellows

Global Awareness 2022: Puerto Rico

The HELM Leadership Fellows Program is for undergraduate students who are part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Program aims to develop leaders through an intentional focus on four major areas. The first year of the program focuses on Community and students reflect on what it means to be Christian community.

The theme for the second year is Transformation and it gives students a chance to reflect on how Christian communities engage in transforming church, society, and world. In the third year, students focus on Global Awareness and the interconnectedness of Christian communities around the world. The fourth and final year focuses on mentoring and spiritual vocational discernment.

In the third year, HELM partners with the Division of Overseas Missions/Global Ministries to take the students on an international trip to see how we engage in ministries of accompaniment in a particular part of the world. This year students traveled to Puerto Rico, please click pictures below to read the student and mentor reflections!

Emma Drake

Colton Lott

William Matherly

Sam Wilkinson

Meet Graduating Leadership Fellow Yejin Lim

 What college/university will you be graduating from?

Texas Christian University

Majoring in…

Marketing with a Minor in Accounting

What was your motivation for deciding your major(s)?

I switched from an Accounting major to a Marketing major in the discovery that accounting was not a good fit for me, and I wanted something more creative. The mixture of research, data analysis, and creativity in marketing drew me to the major. I am really enjoying all my marketing classes right now and look forward to where my career will go from here.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

My dream is to become an influential leader in the business world that demonstrates Christ through my life – being a person who is loving, accepting, and forgiving. In five years, I imagine myself out of the beginner years of my career and somewhat confident in the work I am doing. I will probably be involved in my church and community, hopefully working with children in some form. I want to contribute to building an equitable community that honors and glorifies God. Where whoever you are and whatever brokenness you feel, people are able to come in the presence of Christ. Isn’t that what God’s kingdom about?

What advice would you give the Freshman year version of yourself?

The biggest thing I learned and realized through the last four years is to be okay with who I am. To embrace all of it – the shy, the diligent, the unconfident, the nervous. Embrace both the good and maybe not so good. “You are growing every day, so be patient with yourself.” It might sound cliche, but the saying rings true.

If you had a talk show, who would your first three guests be?

Lin-Manuel Miranda. Jake Zeratsky and John Knapp. And if it could be someone not alive right now, I would say King Sejong, the one who made the Hangul, the Korean language, in hopes that the greater population with no access to education could easily read and write.

How has your vision of the future been enhanced by your time in the Leadership Fellowship?

One of the beautiful things about being a young adult is that the many questions about life, faith, society, etc. are unanswered. We must try to figure life out ourselves. The Leadership Fellows Program really taught me things I never know before. I felt “knowledge is power” was demonstrated by the various speakers we met and interacted with through our retreats. Furthermore, the community created by the different individuals all wanting to learn was amazing. It was a space for me to ask my questions and also be challenged by others with their thoughts and ideas. I vision a future where the community I felt through the Leadership Fellows Program might be formed in many places, so we may have intellectual but fun conversations that can lead to a positive movement forward.

Updated bio:

Yejin will be graduating with a marketing major and an accounting minor at Texas Christian University in May. She is part of the John V. Roach Honors College with a Magna Cum Lauda. She enjoyed being part of the International Student Association (ISA) leadership for two years and being part of the Disciples of Christ (DOC) community on campus. Yejin is a small group leader for the young adult group at her church in Dallas. During breaks, she has been serving at her home church, Nashville Hanshin Christian Church, with service broadcasting, singing in the choir, and playing the flute in the worship team. She is currently working as a marketing coordinator for her school’s dining services. Yejin does not know yet what is next for her after graduation, but she has peace in her heart and faith that God will lead her well as God always has. For God’s plans are greater than ours!

Meet Graduating Leadership Fellow Zaemelys Ramos-Rodriguez

What college/university will you be graduating from?
Biola University this past December.

Majoring in…
Psychology with a minor in Art.

What was your motivation for deciding your major(s)?
I am a strong advocate for mental health care, especially in underserved communities,
and I knew I could help add to that field of work as a clinical psychologist. I desire to continue my education by studying in a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology and hope to work with ethnic minority children through research and clinical work.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I hope to be graduating, if not almost graduating, from a clinical psychology program,
and hopefully, accomplish some of the projects I’ve set myself to do.

What advice would you give the Freshman year version of yourself?
I would say to be true to what you stand for and not be afraid to share your perspective
on life. Your opinions and viewpoints matter and they may help others navigate life.

If you had a talk show, who would your first three guests be?
It would probably just be an excuse to meet people I greatly admire (as well as my
celebrity crushes), so I would for sure love to have Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and
Pedro Pascal. I also really value these people because of how they carry themselves
and what they stand for and believe.

How has your vision of the future been enhanced by your time in the Leadership Fellowship?
The Leadership Fellows Program has helped me gain more confidence in myself and
helped strengthen my values and beliefs. It has helped me grow in ways that I needed
and equipped me as a leader as I step forward in a new journey in my life.

2021 Leadership Fellows Named

An incoming class of eight students has been selected to join the Leadership Fellows Program in the Fall of 2021. These students were selected from a large pool of extremely qualified applicants. Through their involvement in their schools and churches, the eight new Fellows have successfully established themselves as leaders within their own communities. Through the Leadership Fellows Program, HELM hopes to nurture and support each Fellow’s undergraduate career to further expand on their already impressive accomplishments towards positive impact in our communities.

Annika Fuller

Annika Fuller is a member of Palm Lake Christian Church in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. She has been involved with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since she was born, and both of her grandfathers served as pastors within the DoC. She has been a member of the Florida Regional Youth Ministry Council as well as the General Youth Council for more than two years. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and canoeing. She is also a professional musician and singer-songwriter and plans to someday try to sell her songs to a producer or an artist. While she is not entirely sure which career path she would like to follow, she does know whatever she chooses will relate to helping others. In the fall she will be attending New College of Florida and majoring in either Neuroscience or Biopsychology.

Ella Gordon

Ella Gordon is from Corvallis, Oregon. She loves to read and write and has been writing fiction stories for as long as she can remember. She also enjoys other forms of art, including drawing and painting. For exercise, Ella runs whenever she has the time. At her church, First Christian Church of Corvallis, she is involved in Sunday School activities with her peers and adult teachers and plays the violin in the folk band. In the fall she will attend the University of Oregon and plans to major in English.

Hayden Skaggs

Hayden Skaggs is from Mansfield, Texas, and will be pursuing a degree in Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Religion & Philosophy at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. While in high school, Hayden was a part of the National Honor Society, a leader in the school’s marching band, and ran cross country. At his home congregation, The Welcome Table Christian Church, he has been the youth representative in the hiring and ordination process of two student ministers. While attending The Welcome Table, he has seen it become an open and affirming congregation, which he believes is an important step into the inclusion of all. His time as a Disciple has propelled him to serve his community and helped it to become a place of inclusion today.

Ruthie Weeks

Ruthie Weeks is from Mechanicsville, Virginia, and is a member of Slash Christian Church in Ashland. She says that growing up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) helped her develop a strong love for God and the community of her denomination. Her passion lies in journalism and videography, and she enjoys using these gifts in and out of the church. She served Hanover County Public Schools as a TV99 Intern, creating video content, along with serving as the Editor-In-Chief of Atlee High School’s newspaper. These opportunities allowed Ruthie to develop her skill set and she notes that taking her interest in writing and video production and channeling them into life as a Christian is extremely important. She has done this in a variety of ways over the years, including the creation of a video highlighting her youth group’s volunteer experiences for a Youth Sunday worship service and documenting Vacation Bible School each year through photography, including the creation of slideshows detailing each day’s Bible story. During the COVID pandemic, she videoed and edited communion, music, and the sermon. Ruthie is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, and Girl Scouts, where she earned the Gold Award by working to make her home congregation Green Chalice Certified. In the fall she will attend Chapman University to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary.

Virginia Fullerton

Virginia Fullerton is from Kansas City, Missouri.  She loves creating, reading, chatting, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends. This fall she will be attending Kansas State University and pursuing a degree in Fashion Studies with a concentration in Business. She hopes to blaze a path in the fashion industry and create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable fashion. She works for Pro Athlete Inc. and has had the opportunity to take part in the Community and Charitable Outreach team, creating innovative projects to touch the community including donating stuffed animals to local children’s hospitals and providing goodie boxes for healthcare workers. Virginia has served as Moderator to the Regional Youth Cabinet of the Greater Kansas City Region from 2019-2021. She is excited to be a part of the Leadership Fellows Program and can’t wait to experience all the future holds.

Katie Madole

Katie Madole is from Nashville, Tennessee, and will be attending Birmingham Southern College, pursuing a double major in Biology and Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Justice. She served as president of her high school’s environmental club, Livable Schools, and was an active member of the National Honor Society. Katie also enjoyed performing with her school’s theatre and choral departments. For the past four years, Katie has attended the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) one day a week where she engaged in interdisciplinary scientific research. Katie loves hiking, exploring nature, traveling, trying any and all coffee shops, performing theatre, singing, and playing with kids. Katie regularly performs theatre with the Theater Bug, a youth arts group in Nashville which performs original works about social issues facing today’s youth and kids. She is a member of Eastwood Christian Church, where she has enjoyed engaging with the youth group, helping out with the children’s ministries, and deepening her faith through the rich, thought-provoking, and diverse community that Eastwood provides. Additionally, Katie has loved serving as Chaplain for the Christian Church of Tennessee’s regional camp, Bethany Hills. Both Eastwood and Bethany Hills have helped Katie gain a deeper understanding of the unconditional love of God and sparked a desire to make the Church more equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, and loving. Through HELM, Katie is excited to see how this passion further blossoms.

Julia Vasquez

Julia Vasquez is from Arlington, Texas, and is a member of Rush Creek Christian Church. Some of her interests include watching movies, reading, crocheting, and hanging out with friends. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Youth Ministry Council, and she is excited to join new clubs once her university studies begin.  In the fall she will be attending Texas Christian University and plans to major in Environmental Science

Anna Whittle

Anna Whittle is from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a member of Beargrass Christian Church. She loves reading cool books, hiking with friends, and traveling. She served as a three-year member of the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council, which led to her involvement with various nonprofits in her community. Through volunteering and working at both TreesLouisville, a local environmental organization, and Just Creations, a fair-trade marketplace, Anna has developed her passion for environmental and economic justice. At her school, Anna was captain of the Future Problem-Solving team and competed at state and international competitions during her senior year. Anna is a youth elder at her church and has loved attending Camp WaKonDaHo, Kentucky’s Disciples camp, during the summers. In the fall, she will be attending Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and plans to double major in Environmental Studies and Spanish.

2020 Leadership Fellows Named

Meet The 2020 Cohort!

An incoming class of 9 students has been selected to join the Leadership Fellows Program in the Fall of 2020. These students were selected from a large pool of extremely qualified applicants. Through their involvement in their schools and churches, the 9 new Fellows have successfully established themselves as leaders within their own communities. Through the Leadership Fellows Program, HELM hopes to nurture and support each Fellow’s undergraduate career to further expand on their already impressive accomplishments towards positive impact in our communities.

Eli Baldwin

Eli Baldwin is from Raleigh, North Carolina and enjoys many outdoor activities like playing basketball, fishing, hiking, and other forms of exercise. He has been a member of Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cary, North Carolina for most of his life. He also has attended Camp Caroline and Christmount, both local Disciples camps, multiple times as well. These camps have served to help strengthen his spiritual life and showed him the unconditional love of God. He will be attending Texas Christian University and majoring in Religion. After graduation, he plans to attend seminary and become an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Ella Johnson

Ella Johnson is from Fort Collins, Colorado, and is a member of Heart of the Rockies Christian Church. She loves to be in the outdoors, whether that be hiking, hammocking, or camping. In high school, she was on the high school tennis team for four years, was a part of her school’s musical theater and choir programs, and was involved with many volunteer organizations such as Key Club and National Honors Society. She also enjoys playing the piano or guitar and spending time with family and friends. Ella has served on both the Executive Council of Youth (her regional youth council) as well as the General Youth Council, where she served first as vice-moderator and then moderator. She will be attending Texas Christian University and will be double majoring in Political Science and Religion. Her goal after college is to attend seminary and become a youth minister.

Sarah Sandoval

Sarah Sandoval was born and raised in Irvine, California, and is a lifelong Disciple. She has always been involved in church leadership, including serving during worship, leading crafts during vacation bible school, and being part of the Youth Leadership Team in the Pacific Southwest Region. Outside of the church, she served her community as a member of the Youth Leadership Council at Pretend City (an organization that helps promote Pretend City Children’s Museum’s mission to build better brains, helping children in their development through educational play) and was the Public Relations Officer for two years. During her senior year, she was the CEO and President of Bridge Clothing Company, a graphic t-shirt company based in her high school. During her time in high school, she ran on the cross-country team, serving as co-captain during her senior year. Sarah will be attending Chapman University as an English major with a minor in Religious Studies. After college, she hopes to be a teacher.

Kathleen Varon

Kathleen (Katie) Varon is from Jacksonville, Florida. She is a vegetarian, a middle child, and a big believer in human rights. Some of her favorite things include Broadway musicals, dogs, pasta, and the show Schitt’s Creek. After graduating from high school in 2019, she deferred one year to volunteer with AmeriCorps NCCC, a ten-month program for young adults that serve in team-based community service. Her service term was cut short due to COVID-19, but in six months she was able to spend time serving in Colorado, Missouri, and Arizona. She is a lifelong member of Riverside Avenue Christian Church. She has also been active in church camps and mission trips and served during her junior and senior years on the General Youth Council. She plans to attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, majoring in Political Science.

Dylan Wyly

Dylan Wyly was born and raised in Lubbock Texas. He has been involved with the Disciples throughout his life and though the church camp program began to feel a calling towards ministry and leadership within the church. During high school, he was heavily involved with his school’s orchestra program, national honors society, tennis, and the AP Capstone diploma program. Through the AP program, he surveyed 30 churches in Lubbock and wrote a 5,000-word research essay on the most effective church responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is currently in the process of getting this paper published. After school, he worked part-time at his church managing the technology and online presence as well as lending a hand with the children’s department. Dylan spent seven years in the scouting program and served multiple terms as Senior Patrol Leader. In the fall he will attend Texas Christian University, majoring in Religious Studies.

Abigail Bender

Abigail (Abby) Bender grew up a preacher’s kid in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and knew she wanted to continue to be part of the Disciples community after high school. She served on the Youth Ministry Council for her local church camp and was also on the Regional Youth Ministry Council for the Christian Church in the Southwest. She is a dancer and coached gymnastics during her senior year of high school. After being in and out of the hospital when she was ten years old, she knew she wanted to help kids who were sick. Her life goal is to become a pediatric nurse. Abby will be attending Texas Christian University and has already joined the Disciples on Campus group. She is planning to major in Nursing.

Marci Mazza-Fredley

Marci Mazza-Fredley is from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and describes herself as three things: an activist, a baker, and an author. She helps organize local protests and strikes centered around women’s rights, immigrant rights, the support of black and brown individuals, and the rights of the LGBTQIA community. The inequality she sees around her drives her to fight for an equitable society for all people. This passion is seen in her writing, having published poetry with Girls Write Pittsburgh and online with Heated Magazine. She also loves baking and works part-time at a local bakery. One day she hopes to open her own bakery. Prior to COVID-19, she regularly practiced her faith by accompanying her minister on Sunday mornings to gather the congregation in preparation for worship. She is a member of the diaconate at The First Christian Church of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Marci will attend Bethany College and major in Political Science.

Deshaun Snowden

Deshaun Snowden is from Lexington, Kentucky, and has two siblings as well as a cousin who he considers a little brother. Growing up, he valued his faith, his talent, and his self-worth. Deshaun always wanted to stand out from the crowd, be his own person, and make something of himself. Art was his gateway for this and, from the age of five, he remembers ignoring things like sports, which most young boys his age gravitated towards. At first, it was music and drawing but when he was in fifth grade, he found his true calling to be a writer. With writing, he could escape to a world where there was no judgment, no evil, and a place he could be himself. He continued writing and, through that process, found his calling to be an English teacher. After noticing how many of the students around him disliked English, he thought it was his duty to show them the fun within the subject. He shared that spreading the love of writing and English to future generations is why he is going to college. In the fall, Deshaun will be attending Transylvania University.

Sara Wilson

Sara Wilson is a life-long Disciple and a member of Rush Creek Christian Church in Arlington, Texas. She served on the regional Youth Ministry Council during her junior and senior years of high school and also participated in mission trips every summer, visiting places such as Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries in Los Fresnos, Texas and the Tennyson Center for Children in Denver, Colorado. In high school, she was Valedictorian and was part of the Student Council and National Honor Society, the golf team, and participated in Scientific Research Design where she built transonic rockets and launched them at the end of the school year. Some of her favorite things to do include learning, sewing, art, baking, being outdoors, golf, and volunteering. This fall she will be attending Butler University as part of the Pharmacy Program.

Where Are They Now? Former LFP participant Diana Hodges-Batzka and DLI participant Beau Underwood

Diana Hodges-Batzka

HELM’s Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) is a leadership training initiative for undergraduate students, seeking to cultivate and strengthen participants’ potential for leadership through intentional focus on Christian community, societal transformation, global awareness, and leadership engagement. This month we are highlighting former LFP participant Diana Hodges-Batzka to learn how participating in the program impacted her life and calling.

On her current work:

I currently serve as the Associate Minister at Florence Christian Church in Florence, Kentucky.  I lead faith formation ministries for all ages and provide the pastoral supervision for the Discover Zone Preschool and Childcare Center, IT & Communications Ministries, and our Scout Troops and Pack. In my spare time, I am working towards a Doctor of Ministry at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

On memories from participating:

I remember the unconditional support and encouragement of the HELM staff as well as other fellows. We were all trying to figure out how God was working in our lives. Having a group of people also committed to their faith and to the church journeying with you in the time of discovery was so formational.

On important learnings:

Through the Leadership Fellows Program, I was able to get a broader sense of the church beyond local congregations as well as understand how deeply we are all connected. Meeting young leaders from across the country and with a wide variety of experiences helped me see that the ministry of the church is bigger and filled with more possibilities than I could ever dream. It also enabled me to see that there was a place for my own leadership gifts and strengths, which helped open me up to a call into ordained ministry during my participating in the LFP. I believe that I would have eventually listened for God’s call and said, “Yes.” However, I know that my experiences with the Leadership Fellows helped me be ready to receive that call sooner in my journey.

On how participating shaped her sense of calling and understanding of leadership:

By being in the Leadership Fellows Program, I learned that people can and are leaders at any age. In turn, it has helped me be attentive to others and encourage them in finding their calling and leadership abilities.

Beau Underwood

The Disciples Leadership Institute (DLI) brings together emerging Disciples leaders (clergy and lay), seeking to deepen their understanding and develop their relationships across perceived boundaries of race, culture, and language. This month we highlight past participant Beau Underwood as he shares how his experience in the DLI program continues to shape his understanding of life and ministry.

On his current work:

Since early 2015, I’ve had the joy of serving as the Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Jefferson City, Missouri. The church is located two blocks from the State Capitol. Many of my members work in government or politics so shepherding this community connects very practically with my interests in how faith and politics intersect. Beyond my local congregation, I have the privilege of being a trustee of my undergraduate alma mater, Eureka College, and a member of the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

On memories from participating:

DLI was an amazing experience for me. I made connections with leaders from across the denomination that have carried through to this day. Our gathering was in Salt Lake City, Utah. My strongest memories are of walking around downtown and talking about life’s biggest questions with folks I had just met. Those sort of instant relationships are so rare and DLI was an embarrassment of riches in that respect.

On important learnings:

This will sound obvious but the greatest gain for me from the DLI experience was encountering people and perspectives far different from my own. As the program intended, our cohort gathered a diverse group that was united not by ideological or theological agreement but through our common confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and a trust built around the shared experience of the communion table. This gift of unity, despite the lack of uniformity, allowed us to share our stories and convictions, be challenged by others in ways that led to spiritual growth, and gain an appreciation of the unique ways each of us carries the Image of God.

On how participating shaped her sense of calling and understanding of leadership:

Our cultural struggles with the ability to listen and empathize. We lack the imagination to consider the perspectives and experiences of others that are radically different – and perhaps even in conflict – with our own. Leaders, especially those in ministry, cannot afford to lack this skill set; it is necessary given the changing religious dynamics of society and its increasing pluralism. DLI nurtures these critical abilities and demands participants begin to practice them.

2019 Leadership Fellows Retreat

The 2019 HELM Leadership Fellows represent more than 20 colleges and universities from across the United States. Comprised of 32 university students, the HELM Leadership Fellows attended their annual retreat in Oakland and San Francisco, California on October 31 to November 3. Given the opportunity to explore the housing crisis of the greater Bay Area from several vantage points, this year’s Leadership Fellows were transformed and challenged by the systematic injustice taking place in the Bay Area. Woven into the difficult topics of displacement, systematic racism, and violent capitalism were opportunities for the 2019 cohort to fellowship and grow together through such challenging themes. Below are some photos from the retreat.

2019 HELM Leadership Fellows, Board Members, HELM Staff, and Starr Watkins during walking tour of Downtown Berkeley. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Rev. Vy Nguyen answers questions about the ministry and impact that Week of Compassion makes around the world. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Rev. Jha has HELM Fellows discuss in small groups during her plenary session, prompting them to think of ways to be advocates for racial justice reform in their respective communities. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

HELM Board Member and NBA Mission Specialist, Ben Bohren, gives a presentation to the HELM Leadership Fellows. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

A small group of the Leadership Fellows take a quick visit to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Chris Dorsey.

HELM Leadership Fellows snap a quick selfie as they transition between activities (from left to right: Paulina Garcia, Iris Jang, Emily Swett, Gracie Wagnon, Clay York, William Matherly, and Hamin Yang). Photo by Emily Sweet.

Rev. Sandhya Jha gives an interactive plenary at the Oakland Peace Center to explore the intersection of systematic racism and capitalism, as well as historic organizing efforts to dismantle them. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Local community organizer, Starr Watkins, guides us through Downtown Berkley to discuss recent displacements of Berkeley’s houseless citizens, as well as newly implemented policies that sometimes further harm these same citizens. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

HELM Fellows enjoy First Fridays in Oakland, a locally organized and lead art event that is free to the public and features live music, local artisans, and delicious food from around the world (from left to right: Jordan White, Emma Faye Crider, Hobbs, Colten Johnson, Yejin Lim, and Patrick McCarthy). Photo by a member of the Oakland community.

2017 HELM PhD Scholars

This past Fall 2017, Higher Education & Leadership Ministries named 9 doctoral students as recipients of either the Ann E. Dickerson Scholarship or the William Gilbert & Florence Leonard Jones Scholarship.

The Dickerson Scholarship honors Ann E. Dickerson who was elected Vice-Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in August 1975. A member of the faculty of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, she died in October 1975, shortly after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. This scholarship is awarded to female members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pursuing a Ph.D. in religion.

The William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones scholarship recognizes members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) working towards a Ph.D. in religion, who are also currently ordained or preparing for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and who intend to provide leadership to a congregation or other agency of the church.

The recipients for the 2017-2018 academic year include:

Ann E. Dickerson Scholars

(From left to right)
  • Toni Bond Leonard, Claremont School of Theology, Religion, Ethics & Society
  • Miseon Choi, Claremont School of Theology, Practical Theology
  • Lydia Hernández-Marcial, Lutheran School of Theology, Bible Studies/Hebrew Bible
  • Leah Laird, Claremont School of Theology, Hebrew Bible
  • Ruth Schulenberg, Brite Divinity School, Pastoral Theology

William Gilbert and Florence Leonard Jones Scholars

(from left to right)
  • Nestor A. Gómez Morales, University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology, Religion and Social Change
  • José Morales Torres, Claremont School of Theology, Comparative Theology and Philosophy
  • Andrew Packman, the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, Theology
  • Laura Jean Torgerson, Graduate Theological Union, Interdisciplinary Studies

For more information about these scholarships, including application process, visit: helmdisciples.org/scholarships

2017 HELM Leadership Fellows Named

9 Disciples College First Year Students Selected as HELM Leadership Fellows

In the Fall of 2017, HELM selected 9 incoming students to join the cohort of the Leadership Fellows Program. These students were selected from an expansive pool of extremely qualified applicants. Through their mindful involvement in their schools and churches, the 9 new Fellows have successfully established themselves as leaders within their own communities. Through the Leadership Fellows Program, HELM hopes to nurture and support each Fellow’s undergraduate career to further expand on their already impressive accomplishments towards positive impact in our communities.

The 2017-2018 Cohort, listed in alphabetical order, includes:

Olivia Adams is attending DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she will study film. Olivia served on her school’s student council, was Student President of the Theater Department, and participated in the Disciples Indiana Region Youth Leadership Team, among other things. Linda McCrae, Olivia’s home pastor at Central Christian Church in Indianapolis, described Olivia as “intelligent, insightful, able to engage in mature conversation.”

McKinnon Anderson is from Mount Carmel, IL and is studying business and accounting at Eureka College. McKinnon is “always reaching out to help those in need,” according Rev. Leslie James Summers, Jr. of First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel, and “is not afraid to take charge in a loving way.” Her leadership roles include regional youth events, deacon at her home church, and Band Council President, among others.

Iris Jang is pursuing her interest in film at Chapman University.  Among many activities demonstrating her leadership, Iris interned at the Children’s Choir of the Korean American Music Academy, was a teacher for Korean Bethel Church’s kindergarten ministry, and co-captained her school’s tennis team. “Iris has such a unique perspective in life,” says her teacher, and she “made a commitment to using her talents to help other people.”

Tristan Spangler-Dunning is from Mitchellville, Iowa and is attending Chapman University while focusing on history. He served as CYF Camp President, church deacon, has preached at church and at a regional assembly, and has held lead roles at plays. Rev. McKinna Daugherty of Altoona Christian Church said that Tristan is “passionate about social just with a heart for the underdog” and that “he displays excellent leadership skills...”

Clay York is attending Transylvania University in Kentucky. Clay has been active in the Kentucky Region through youth programs and locally, serving as deacon and worship and wonder leader. Clay has also participated in church-sponsored mission trips and volunteered at the TJ Samson Hospital. Clay, according to Rev. Anne Bruce, “is well versed in what it means to live in community” thus “an easygoing but passionate leader.”

Kaylie Allen attends Bethany College in West Virginia and is interested in elementary education and psychology. National Honors Society, Drill Team Leader, Church Deacon, and General Assembly Workshop Leader are a few examples of Kaylie’s leadership roles. According to Rev. David T. Chafin of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in WV and Pa, Kaylie is “a shining example to the church and to the world.”

Linnea Blakemore is a dancer attending the University of Southern Mississippi. She has been a tutor, dance teaching assistant, served on local and short-term mission trips, and has served First Christian Church in Birmingham as a deacon, worship and wonder leader, and more. Rev. Troy A. Tatum affirms that Linnea is “a person of strong faith and integrity” and someone who “embodies what it means to be a servant-leader.”

Paulina Garcia Gonzalez is from La Jolla, California, is attending Chapman University and is interested in psychology. She has participated in mission trips sponsored by Torrey Pines Christian Church, and serves as leader of her church’s kids’ ministries. Additionally, she was captain of her school’s Varsity Swim team and Water Polo team. Paulina’s English teacher says that she “will try and try and try to make [the right thing] happen.”

Emily Swett is pursuing her interest of music education and music therapy at James Madison University. She provided leadership for various theater-related clubs at school and has counseled, and worked as cook, for various summer camps in the Capitol area. Robert K. Degges, Senior Pastor at Bethany Christian Church, says that Emily has a “desire to help others” and reaches “beyond her comfort zones to make a difference.”

The 9 incoming fellows join 14 returning fellows:

2016: Ainsley Anderson (Carthage College); Lauren Kim (Yale University); Cris Marin (Eureka College); Quinlan Pulleyking (Missouri State University); Courtney Sells (Centre College); Isabelle Smith (Georgetown University); Jordan White (Northern Kentucky University); Lydia Yang (Chapman University).

2015: Emily Benson (East Carolina University); Stephanie Caress (Chapman University); Fiyori Kidane (Texas Christian University); Jost Mata (University of Texas - Austin); Rachel Sames (Earlham College); Alex Smith (Texas Christian University).

Fellows gathered together this past November in Chicago for the annual Leadership Fellows Retreat. Students had an opportunity to strengthen their relationships to one another, converse about community, societal transformation, and global awareness, and to join in fellowship. Additionally, fellows had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Reggie Williams, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary; and, from Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope, Associate Professor in the School of Accountancy of DePaul University and director of the documentary All the Queen's Horses. Before departing Chicago, fellows worshipped with Root & Branch Church, a recent Disciples church plant in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood.

Inaugural International Trip for HELM Leadership Fellows

From May 27 to June 3, six participants in the HELM Leadership Fellows Program traveled to Cuba to visit Disciples partners and learn about the country’s cultures, history, and religious and political life. This was the first international trip for the Leadership Fellows Program and partner visits included the Martin Luther King Center, the Cuban Council of Churches, the Evangelical Seminary of Theology in Matanzas, and Sunday worship with a local congregation of the Pentecostal Church of Cuba. Cultural visits included the old city of Havana, Revolution Square, the Museum of the Revolution, a conversation with local youth, salsa lessons, an organic farm, and the towns of Los Palos and Varadero.

The group was hosted by the Martin Luther King Center in Havana, an organization involved in contextual theology and popular education. In his conversation with the Fellows, Rev. Raúl Suárez, founder of the MLK Center and a member of the Cuban Parliament, shared that Cuba is in a time of transition. With the recent opening of relations with the United States, many anticipant economic and social changes as contact and inv
estment increases. Rev. Suárez noted that with these changes comes the need for Cubans to insist on an “ethics-based economy” so that a culture of consumption does not begin to erode the values that have guided Cuban society over the years. In a visit to the Cuban Council of Churches, Rev. Joel Ortega Dopico, President of the Council, shared with the Fellows his belief and hope that peace and justice in the future will be due to their generations engagement and leadership in the world.

The Leadership Fellows Program aims to develop leaders through an intentional focus on four major areas. While the first two years focus on Community and Transformation respectively, the third year focuses on Global Awareness and our obligations and responsibilities of faithful leadership in a global and interconnected world, including the call to standin solidarity with those from diverse backgrounds and contexts. This was the inaugural trip for the Leadership Fellowship Program and, going forward, subsequent international trips will be offered for students in the third year of the program. The fourth and final year of the Program focuses on Mentoring.

The Fellows participating in this trip are recent graduates who began the Leadership Fellows Program under a previous model that only had a three-year commitment. They were invited to join this first international experience as part of what would have been their post college participation under the previous model. The six participants were Annaliese Baker (Chapman University), Finley Baldwin (North Carolina State University), Abbi Frings (Culver-Stockton College), Abby Henegar (Texas Christian University), Jonaphine Rae Mata (University of Texas) and Toni Trujillo (Texas Christian University). The students were accompanied on the trip by Chris Dorsey, Rebecca Hale, Ben Bohren, Pam Sparks, and Dawn and Jon Barnes.