Hansen Fellows

---

The mission of the HCTU is to bridge the gap that all too often separates the academy and the church. We aim to do this by promoting biblical wisdom in the church, academy and world, networking theological educators (at Trinity and elsewhere) with other leaders (pastors, writers, parachurch leaders, etc.) laboring in Christian ministry around the world. Our hope is that this networking will yield more faithful and effective strategies for biblical-theological ministry, creating a global culture of collaboration among evangelical ministers of the Word.

 

Active Fellows

---

Esther Atsen (2020-)

PhD, EDS Student

Esther Atsen is a PhD Candidate in Educational Studies at TEDS. She holds a BA in Christian Education from Jos ECWA Theological Seminary and taught at a Bible School owned by her denomination, the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Nigeria, where she met and married Isuwa (PhD THS, TEDS 2019). They have been blessed with four children: Atsen, Abi, Arum, and Anya. Anya has gone to be with the Lord. Esther served as a seminar leader of the COCIN Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program. She also coordinated and taught Bible study classes in the various churches where her husband served as a pastor. Her MA Educational Ministries was started at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, California, and completed at TEDS. Esther’s research focuses on narrative epistemology vis-à-vis narrative theology. She seeks to explore how narrative, both as a cognitive function that enables humans to construct reality and as the means by which they share this reality with others through culturally shared meaning, can contribute to a robust philosophy and practice of education. She hopes that her research would help improve classroom and ministry engagements and experience, enabling students to translate knowledge into practical wisdom.

Francesco Grassi (2019-)

PhD, THS Student

Francesco Grassi is a PhD student in New Testament. He is married to Manuela and they have been blessed with four children, Sofia, Naomi, Rebecca, and Rachele. Before coming to TEDS, Francesco served for ten years in his home church in Italy, primarily in the ministry of preaching and teaching. Upon his return to Italy, he will join the faculty of the Italian Evangelical Bible Institute (IBEI) in Rome where he will be teaching New Testament. Francesco is currently researching purity narratives and atonement theology in Luke-Acts as well as the theology of boasting in the Pauline letters. Passionate about theological integration and committed to bridging the gap between the academy and the church, Francesco prays that God will use his studies and ministry to promote Christian identity and unity, an efficacious testimony in the world, and a renewed affection for God and his word.

TaeJung Eric Kim (2020-)

PhD,  THS Student

TaeJung Eric Kim is a PhD student in systematic theology, with research focus in the relationship between physical science and Scripture in terms of epistemology and hermeneutics. He serves as a pastor of a local church, and he hopes that his studies will enable him to better fulfill that role, particularly in helping Christians confirm their unique identity in midst of various ideas and thoughts that the world has to offer. He is married to Jisu, and both are content to follow the Lord wherever He may lead them.

 

All Fellows

---

Ahyuwani Akanet (2019-2020)

PhD, EDS Student

Ahyuwani E.S. Akanet grew up in a small town called Zonkwa in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He has served as a faculty member of the Education department of Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS) in Nigeria. In addition, Akanet served as an interim youth pastor at his home church, ECWA Seminary Church, Jos, Nigeria. Prior to that, he had served as a volunteer Bible teacher at ECWA Secondary School, Jos, as well as a part-time teacher at ECWA Bible College, Tofa, Kano State, Nigeria. Currently, Akanet is a PhD student in educational studies. He also volunteers with the youth ministry of his local church, Crosslife EFC, Libertyville, Illinois. He is interested in exploring how graduate students learn in collaborative learning activities, employing meaning-making as the framework for the study.

Olugbenga Akinbola

Mount Zion Anglican Church

Olugbenga Akinbola is a PhD student in the Intercultural Studies program at TEDS. He is the Missioner of Mount Zion Anglican Church Chicago, a multinational Anglican church. He has his first degree in Sociology and Anthropology from O.A.U Ile-Ife and his Masters of Divinity degree from WATS, Lagos, Nigeria. He has a passion for cross-cultural youth ministry and has served as Youth chaplain of various Nigerian Anglican dioceses and parishes for over ten years. He is currently the coordinator of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) Youth Network. He and his wife serve as coordinator of Hearts-2-Hearts, a youth outreach initiative. His dissertation is concerned with the level of poverty in Nigeria, and its impact on Christian youth.

Kessia Reyne Bennett (2013-2014)

PhD, THS Student

Kessia Reyne Bennett is a current Hansen fellow studying systematic theology as a PhD student at TEDS. Her areas of research are in the doctrines of Scripture and of anthropology. She and her husband, Joshua, live in Chicago, where they worship and serve with a local church plant. Prior to pursuing her PhD, Kessia Reyne served in ministry as a local church pastor, evangelist, and campus chaplain. She holds an MDiv from Andrews University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in theology and intercultural communication. Kessia Reyne hopes by her studies and her service to edify the global church in its understanding of Scripture and of self.

David Bryan (2014-2016)

PhD, THS Student

David Bryan is working on a PhD in Theological Studies with a concentration in New Testament. After completing an MDiv at TEDS (’06), he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and served on a church planting team in Madrid, Spain, where he explored creative ways to engage the city’s university-age population with the gospel. Ministering in Spain affirmed for Dave that quality theological education is vital for the growth and strength of the church. Upon his return from Europe, he pursued an MTh (New Testament) at Luther Seminary before returning to TEDS to begin doctoral studies, which he hopes will allow him to help teach and shepherd future pastors at the seminary level. His research interests are currently focused on the kingdom of God in the Lukan writings, particularly the nature and rhetorical function of the kingdom in Luke’s passion narrative. Dave and his wife, Beth, have three children and live in Deerfield.

Sam Chan

Sydney Missionary and Bible College

Sam currently teaches at Sydney Missionary and Bible College, preaches at conferences and delivers public lectures on ethical issues. His latest passion is exploring how storytelling can be used to teach, preach and evangelize oral learners (90% of the world). He received his Hansen Scholarship in the early 2000s, which helped his PhD research into the application of speech act theory to preaching. Sam is married to Stephanie, and they are raising 3 very active boys – Toby, Cooper and Jonty. In his spare time, Sam enjoys running, surfing, karaoke and Krav Maga.

Ingrid Faro (2007-2009)

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Ingrid Faro is currently Assistant Director of the Master of Divinity Program and Affiliate Professor in Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. Previously, she was Assistant Professor of Old Testament at the Scandinavian School of Theology (Skandinavisk teologisk högskola) in Uppsala, Sweden. Her dissertation focused on the meaning and theology of evil in Genesis. She teaches, preaches, and is a conference speaker in various contexts on topics of evil, suffering, forgiveness, hope, identity in Christ, the goodness of God, and biblical leadership. She is a widow with a wonderful family, and enjoys deep conversation and any activities in the beauty of nature.

Rev. Ryan Fields (2016-2018)

PhD, THS Student

Rev. C. Ryan Fields is working on a PhD in Theological Studies with a concentration in Systematic Theology. After graduating from TEDS in 2011 with an MDiv and ThM (Systematic Theology) he returned to Gainesville, FL where he served as an associate pastor at Creekside Community Church and was ordained with the EFCA. His largest research interests focus on ecclesiology, specifically the nature of the church, catholicity, and the free church tradition. He aspires to serve the church as a pastor theologian, teaching the Scriptures and shepherding a local congregation to live in light of the gospel while providing broader theological leadership from an ecclesial context. He also has a strong sense of calling to invest in the next generation of pastors. Ryan is married to Emily and together they have two daughters and a desire to serve wherever the Lord would call them.

Austin Freeman (2017-2019)

PhD, THS Student

Austin M. Freeman is a PhD candidate in systematic theology, focusing on providing a dogmatic account of theological paradox. Aside from this, he is interested in the theology of fantasy and science fiction literature, and especially the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. Austin locates the tenor of his thought as in tune with recent Reformed Catholic theologies of retrieval, with a healthy dose of analytic theology thrown in. Before coming to Trinity Austin studied historical theology at the University of Edinburgh and religious studies and philosophy at Rhodes College. He and his wife Mandi live in Lake Forest, Illinois with their dog Henry, of whom they are much too fond.

Zachs-Toro Gaiya (2018-2020)

PhD, ICS Student

Zachs-Toro Gaiya is a PhD candidate in intercultural studies. He is married to Grace (a pastor’s kid), and they both have the privilege of being parents to Hesed, Haniel, and Hanamel. Zachs has served in a variety of Christian ministries, and is currently serving as Community Life Pastor at New Community Covenant Church in Logan Square, and as an adjunct professor. He is interested in researching who/what is an evangelical and what guides and frames evangelical engagement with non-evangelicals. He is also interested in the way we engage with difference without othering the other.

Rev. Valentine Kwame Hayibor (2010-2012)

International Leadership Foundation

Rev. Valentine Kwame Hayibor completed his PhD in Intercultural Studies at TEDS in 2012. Before coming to TEDS, he received his M.A. in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He was recently appointed as the Intercultural Leadership Consultant for the International Leadership Foundation. His primary assignment is to help increase the transformational leadership capacity of African Diplomats assigned to Washington DC, so that they can more effectively extend their influence to help the African church lead in the spiritual renewal and development of their nations. He has served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ in various capacities, including providing leadership as the Ghana National Director for nine years. His dissertation explored intercultural leadership interactions in cross-national mission collaboration. His primary research interests include global and collaborative leadership, moral vision for governance and development, mentoring, and theology of mission. Val and his wife, Hil, have been blessed with two sons and a daughter.

Meryl Herr (2012-2014)

PhD, EDS Student

Meryl is a mom as well as a doctoral student in the Educational Studies program. She received her MDiv (’07) from TEDS and was a Pastoral Fellow at Christ Community Church in Leawood, KS following graduation.  Meryl’s current research interests include transformative learning and cognitive neuroscience. For her dissertation, she hopes to study the role of future planning in helping Christians think about their vocational stewardship. Meryl, her husband, and her son live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Ricky Jenkins (2014-2015)

Fellowship Memphis

Ricky is pursuing a PhD in Historical Theology at TEDS. Ricky and his wife, April, envision planting a church in his hometown of Jackson, MS, some day. Sensing a call to prepare intensively to serve that city as a Pastor and Educator, Ricky and April moved to Chicago in 2013. Ricky was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He trusted Jesus Christ in high school before attending Mississippi College earning a degree in Political Science and a place in the Hall of Fame. He credits his college years as life changing times in which he accepted the call to pastoral ministry where he’s been serving in that role for the last 15 years.

Yohanna Katanacho

Bethlehem Bible College

Rev. Yohanna Katanacho is a Palestinian Evangelical who studied at Bethlehem University (B.Sc.), Wheaton College (M.A.) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (M. Div.; Ph.D.). Dr. Katanacho serves as the Academic Dean for Bethlehem Bible College. He has authored several books in English and Arabic including “The Land of Christ: A Palestinian Cry”; “A Commentary on Proverbs”; “The Seven ‘I AM’ Sayings in the Gospel of John”; and “The King of Peace and His Young Followers”. He is also one of the authors of the Palestinian Kairos Document.

SeongHan Kim (2014-2016)

PhD, ICS Student

SeongHan Kim is Media Director of Korea InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, an organization he has served with for over 15 years. His research interests lie at the intersection of Missiology and Peace Studies. “Reconciliation as the mission of God” is his central research interest, as he pursues a PhD in Intercultural Studies at TEDS. SeongHan also has formal educational training in philosophy (BA, Hallym University), church history (MA, George Fox University), and Peace Studies (MA, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary). SeongHan is a Mennonite and he lives in Goshen, IN with wife HaeYoung and four children. He enjoys NPR during the commute to Trinity, serving freshly brewed coffee to classmates (which he calls “coffee making as peace making”), biking, and playing with a band. SeongHan wants to bring his passion for mission and peace for equipping emerging leaders for ministry of reconciliation in Korea and East Asia.

Hans Madueme (2006-2008)

Covenant College

Hans Madueme is assistant professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Although this work has taken him out of the unique ministry setting of TEDS, the goals of the Hansen Fellowship are still very much front and center in his mentoring of college students. Hans was a Hansen Fellow from 2006 to 2008, working on research in the area of original sin and science. He is co-editing a new book dealing with the fall and original sin, issues that he began exploring during his Hansen Fellowship. Hans and his wife, Shelley, have one son and live in Flintstone (Georgia) where they can sometimes be seen cruising in a foot-pedaled car.

Rev. Jules Martinez

PhD, THS Student

Jules Martinez is studying systematic theology in the Theological Studies PhD program at TEDS. His research interests are in the doctrine of God and theological ethics. Jules and his wife, Ana, came from Puerto Rico to TEDS in the summer of 2000 to pursue the MDiv and MA in Counseling, respectively. Their passion is to eventually serve the church in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Jules served for four years as an assistant pastor at a local Spanish-speaking Christian Missionary Alliance church. Jules returns to Latin America in the summers where he regularly preaches and speaks at various churches and ministry gatherings. Jules has served as a moderator for missionary conferences and ministry workshops and as a consultant for theological training in Hispanic communities. Most recently, he has been invited to participate as a student coordinator for the Lexington Seminar in June, which focuses on theological education and higher education.

Lian Mung (2010-2012)

PhD, THS Student

Lian Mung, a Myanmar national, is currently working on a PhD in Theological Studies with a concentration in Old Testament at TEDS. He was the recipient of the Genie Lau Memorial Award for the year 2010, which is awarded to a TEDS student who has “a record of excellence in biblical studies with a commitment to service in the church.” Prior to coming to TEDS in 2008, he was actively involved in evangelism in Myanmar. He also served as both a youth and music director for several years in Myanmar and the Philippines. At Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in the Philippines, where he earned his M.A., M.Div., and Th.M., he taught Old Testament courses as a Myanmar missionary and faculty-in-training from 2004-2008, and served as the assistant to the academic dean from 2006-2008. While studying at TEDS, he regularly volunteers as a preacher and teacher among Burmese immigrants in Wheaton and Chicago. He has a pioneer’s vision to write Old Testament commentaries and textbooks in his own language for seminaries and Bible schools in Myanmar. He hopes this will help the pastors and ministers there understand the Bible in its historical-cultural context and make the biblical message relevant to their own.

Andy Naselli (2008-2010)

Bethlehem College and Seminary

Andy teaches courses primarily at the seminary-level on Greek exegesis, New Testament, biblical theology, and systematic theology. He loves to study and teach how the theological disciplines (exegesis, biblical theology, historical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology) interrelate and culminate in doxology. Andy completed his PhD in New Testament Exegesis and Theology under D. A. Carson. He served as Carson’s research assistant from 2006 to 2013 and continues to work with him on various projects, including the theological journal Themelios, for which Carson is editor and Andy is administrator.Andy continues to teach Bible and theology as adjunct faculty at several other seminaries. He blogs at AndyNaselli.com, and his Twitter handle is @AndyNaselli.Andy and his wife, Jenni, have been married since 2004, and God has blessed them with three girls. Their family often lives in Narnia or Middle-earth.

David Ng (2012-2014)

London City Mission

David H. F. Ng is a British-born Chinese. Prior to pursuing a PhD in Intercultural studies at TEDS, David was involved in cross cultural ministry in England, Australia, South Africa and Asia in the areas of student and pastoral ministry, church planting and leadership development. He is currently teaching at the Melbourne School of Theology in Australia, where he serves as the Program Leader for the MA in Missional Leadership. He is married to Jenn and they have two children, Caleb and Jemimah. He enjoys playing football (that is, soccer) with his son, beach holidays, eating good food and learning to fix old guitars.

Chukunulokwu Fyne Nsofo 

California Baptist University

Fyne Nsofor completed the PhD in Intercultural Studies at TEDS in 2006. He is currently serving as Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies at California Baptist University. Fyne is also President and Chair of Faculty of Global Chritian Ministry’s St. Augustine Institute of Advance Christian Studies (SAIACS), which seeks to develop leadership and facilitate Christian education, research and publishing.  Through SAIACS Fyne has been teaching and strengthening relationships with other local ministries, particularly those invested in church planting and HIV/AIDS crisis ministries.

Rev. Emmanuel Ogunyemi

Life Builders Ministries

Emmanuel Ogunyemi is the President of Life Builders Ministry International, focused on HIV/AIDS care and prevention in Africa.  Its goal is to serve as a bridge between the churches in Africa and North America as they seek to pull both human and material resources together in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic that has devastated Sub-Saharan Africa. LBMI operates a home for children who lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.  He graduated from TEDS PhD EDS, and his dissertation investigated the perspectives of Nigerian theological educators on the HIV/AIDS crisis, and how their theological position is reflected in their theory and practice of theological education. His article “Polygyny and the African Church” was published by the Common Ground Journal during the spring of 2006.

Rev. Rick Richardson

Wheaton College

Rick Richardson is an Associate Professor and Director of the Masters in Evangelism degree program at Wheaton College, and is the Associate National Director for Evangelism with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He is an ordained Anglican priest and served for three years as Pastor of Evangelism and Small Groups for Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois. He is in the process of completing a PhD in Intercultural Studies at TEDS. Rick seeks to bring together his passions for evangelism, prayer and racial reconciliation in order to cast vision and equip an emerging postmodern generation in ministry for the sake of the gospel. He also enjoys fly-fishing, hiking in the Colorado mountains, and reading fantasy literature.

Mark Rogers (2009-2011)

Fellowship in the Pass Church

Mark Rogers completed his PhD in Theological Studies (concentration in historical theology) in 2012. His dissertation, “Edward Dorr Griffin and the Edwardsian Second Great Awakening” focused on Jonathan Edwards’s influence on early nineteenth-century revivals. He is currently serving on the pastoral staff at Crossway Community Church in Bristol, Wisconsin. Mark is passionate about training future pastors, and seeks to do so by leading the CrossWay Pastoral Training Course and as an adjunct professor at TEDS. Mark is the editor of “Glimpses of Christian History” and has written articles published in Fides et Historia, The Westminster Theological Journal, Themelios, Trinity Journal, the International Bulletin of Missionary Research, and Christian History, and In Trust. Mark and his wife, Stephanie, have been blessed with three daughters.

John Simons (2012-2014)

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

John Simons is working on a Ph.D. in Theological Studies with a concentration on Church History, and also serves as the Coordinator of Distance Education at TEDS. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Law Review. After graduating from law school, he practiced law in Atlanta, GA and Ocala, FL for ten years before beginning his doctoral studies. In his doctoral studies, John is seeking to bridge his legal background with his interest in theology and society by studying the relationship between theology and law in Puritan New England. John and his wife, Lynn, have three children.

Elizabeth Sung

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Elizabeth Sung have taught full-time as Assistant Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School since 2008. She considers a great privilege to be able to contribute to the spiritual, theological and ministerial formation of men and women who are current and emerging leaders for the global church.Elizabeth Sung was a Hansen Fellow from 2002-04. Her research area is Systematic Theology, specializing in theological anthropology. She is particularly interested in expanding the doctrine of humanity beyond its traditional scope, by appropriating spiritual theology and social science theorizing relative to culture, ethnicity, and racialization to develop a fuller theological account of human persons and what makes for human flourishing in accordance with God’s design.Her formal educational background includes the following areas of study: B.A., Music (Lebanon Valley College); M.Mus., Piano Performance (The University of Michigan);  M.A., Music-Musicology (The University of Michigan); M.Div. (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School); Ph.D. in Theological Studies/Systematic Theology (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School).Among her hobbies are piano-playing, exploring Chicago’s fine arts offerings and ethnic cuisines, trying new recipes, and taking long walks in scenic spots.

Mary Willson (2017-2018)

PhD, THS Student

Mary Willson is a PhD student in Theological Studies, with a concentration in the Old Testament. Every Sunday morning during Mary’s early years, she joined with her church family in declaring: “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” God used this regular liturgical practice to form Mary’s foundational affections and convictions. After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv; ThM), Mary served a local church as director of women in ministry. She presently serves as the director of women’s initiatives at The Gospel Coalition. Her doctoral research focuses on how the cultic frame of the Deuteronomic law code shapes its intervening legislation, how this establishes a pattern for the relationship of worship and ethical living, and how this pattern appears throughout the canon.

Matthew Winslow (2018-2020)

PhD,  THS Student

Matthew Winslow is currently working on a PhD in church history with a focus on the history of the church in Asia. With his dissertation, he plans to explore the 1908 Manchurian Revival and its impacts on the development of the church in China. Matthew’s hope is that his studies will point people to what God has been doing in Asia and also foster an appreciation for how the Asian church is connected to the wider body of Christ. Prior to coming to TEDS, Matthew served as a missionary in Asia for eleven years. Most recently, he was on the faculty and served as Dean of Students at the East Asia School of Theology in Singapore. Matthew is married to Sze Chieh and they have three children and a dog.

La Tonia Winston (2016-2018)

PhD, EDS Student

La Tonia Winston is working on a PhD in Educational Studies. She is from Milwaukee, WI. Prior to pursuing seminary studies, she served as adjunct instructor and the Dean of Enrollment and Student Services for City College Milwaukee/Assembly of God District School of Ministry. She holds a MA in Human Resources and Labor Relations earned from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and completed a MA in Christian Doctrine and Church History at Regent University in 2010. She served as a Christian education and discipleship pastor for an Assemblies of God church in Milwaukee, prior to beginning her doctoral studies. Her research interests are currently focused on education and culture, specifically narrative pedagogies (the use of personal cultural stories and gospel stories in spiritual formation), higher education administration, and mentorship of college students. She hopes to bring her passion and commitment for faith-based adult learning to both the Academy and the Church.

Mafdy Yany (2011-2012)

DMin Student

Mafdy Yany is from Egypt and is a PhD student in Intercultural Studies at TEDS. He is the founder of the Living Water Ministry which is focused on humanitarian and social development in the Sudan. As part of his work, he established and directed two medical clinics and two orphanages. During the Sudan civil war, he supervised child relief mercy mission campaigns for seven years; he also established and directed a missionary training school in Sudan. Mafdy has also had significant ministry experience in Egypt. He founded Streams in the Desert, a national movement for training and sending missionaries. He has served as the Director of the Mobilization Office for Pioneers for the NAME Area (North Africa and Middle East) during 2003 to 2006. Mafdy is married to Vicky and they have two children.

Anonymous Chinese Student

This anonymous Chinese student has been very involved in Christian ministry both in the United States as well as China. He has shown tremendous perseverance in his faith and education despite the religious persecution in China. This student is nearing the completion of his PhD in Theological Studies at TEDS and has the goal of returning to China to make a significant investment in Christian ministry. This fellow also holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and teaches as an adjunct professor at a college in the Midwest. Most recently, he has been serving in several “creative access” areas of Asia, primarily preaching and teaching in churches.