Rooted in the belief that wilderness can be a space of divine encounter and transformation, this longer project (170 pages) explores how growing up in Holden Village—a remote, intentional Christian community—shapes faith, identity, and a lifelong commitment to justice. Through interviews with adults who spent formative years in this unique setting, the research draws connections between communal life, worship, and the call to serve neighbor and creation. It offers a theological reflection on how churches, camps, and families can form young people for discipleship grounded in peace, justice, and the way of Christ.
This short work (98 pages including a 5-week curriculum) critically examines Christian understandings of forgiveness, challenging the notion that a single model can fit all experiences—especially for those who have suffered abuse, victimization, or imbalanced power dynamics. It introduces and explores three distinct models of forgiveness, each grounded in the interpersonal power relationships of “power-over,” “power-under,” and “power-equal.” Drawing from New Testament passages, these models reveal a richer, more nuanced biblical perspective on forgiveness.
This brief handbook (42 pages) explores the unique nature of public tragedies within college communities, highlighting how students grieve and seek healing. Drawing on oral histories from Texas A&M’s Bonfire tragedy and Virginia Tech’s mass shooting, it reveals distinct coping patterns shaped by the tragedy’s cause and the community’s needs. College students often turn to peers rather than spiritual care, underscoring a gap in grief resources and pastoral support. The research concludes with practical recommendations for campus ministers to foster healing through collaboration, ritual, education, and ongoing spiritual care—addressing the profound need for community and hope amid loss.