Faculty & University Leadership
Meet the People of Abide University
Meet the people behind theological study at Abide University. Explore academic appointments, education, and areas of specialization across the School of Divinity, together with the university's president and trustee leadership.
Directory at a Glance
31 faculty members across 6 academic areas in the School of Divinity, together with 2 university leaders.
School of Divinity
Theology, History & Public Life
Study of Christian doctrine, the history of the church, apologetics, and the relationship between faith and public life. Specializations connect the Christian intellectual tradition with questions of belief, ethics, and society.
6 faculty members
Dr. Jonathan M. Edwards
Professor of Theology
Department: Theology
Areas of specialization: Systematic Theology, Church History
Education: Th.D., Duke Divinity School
Dr. Michael T. Reynolds
Professor of Systematic Theology
Department: Theology
Areas of specialization: Systematic Theology, Christology, Doctrine of God
Education: Th.D., Duke Divinity School
Dr. Rebecca L. Whitaker
Professor of Historical Theology
Department: Historical Theology
Areas of specialization: Church History, Reformation Theology, Historical Theology
Education: Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
Dr. Karen E. Wallace
Professor of Christian Ethics
Department: Christian Ethics
Areas of specialization: Christian Ethics, Public Theology, Bioethics
Education: Ph.D., Duke University
Dr. Matthew D. Lawrence
Professor of Christian Apologetics
Department: Theology
Areas of specialization: Christian Apologetics, Philosophy of Religion, Worldview Studies
Education: Ph.D., Biola University
Dr. Susan E. Bradford
Associate Professor of Public Theology
Department: Theology and Public Life
Areas of specialization: Public Theology, Christian Ethics, Church and Society
Education: Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
Biblical Studies & Interpretation
Expertise across the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, biblical languages, hermeneutics, and the historical worlds of Scripture. These fields bring close reading of the biblical text into conversation with theological interpretation.
4 faculty members
Dr. Mary E. Campbell
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
Department: Biblical Studies
Areas of specialization: New Testament, Greek
Education: Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
Dr. Christopher J. Bennett
Professor of Old Testament
Department: Biblical Studies
Areas of specialization: Hebrew Bible, Old Testament Theology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Education: Ph.D., Yale University
Dr. Elizabeth A. Morgan
Associate Professor of New Testament
Department: Biblical Studies
Areas of specialization: Pauline Studies, New Testament Theology, Biblical Interpretation
Education: Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
Dr. Nathaniel R. Collins
Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Department: Biblical Studies
Areas of specialization: Biblical Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Second Temple Judaism
Education: Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
Ministry, Pastoral Care & Formation
Pastoral leadership, preaching, congregational life, and spiritual formation are brought together here. Areas of specialization address both the public responsibilities of ministry and the personal work of care and discipleship.
6 faculty members
Dr. Paul R. Mitchell
Professor of Ministry
Department: Ministry
Areas of specialization: Pastoral Care, Homiletics
Education: D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary
Dr. Thomas J. Richardson
Professor of Pastoral Ministry
Department: Ministry
Areas of specialization: Pastoral Leadership, Church Administration, Spiritual Formation
Education: D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary
Dr. Patricia A. Henderson
Associate Professor of Pastoral Care
Department: Pastoral Care
Areas of specialization: Pastoral Care, Crisis Ministry, Spiritual Direction
Education: D.Min., Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Dr. Samuel D. Walker
Professor of Homiletics
Department: Ministry
Areas of specialization: Expository Preaching, Homiletics, Pastoral Communication
Education: Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. Robert J. McAllister
Professor of Practical Theology
Department: Practical Theology
Areas of specialization: Practical Theology, Ecclesiology, Congregational Studies
Education: Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Dr. Caroline B. Spencer
Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation
Department: Spiritual Formation
Areas of specialization: Spiritual Theology, Discipleship, Christian Formation
Education: D.Min., Asbury Theological Seminary
Counseling & Family Studies
Christian counseling and marriage and family therapy, with specializations in pastoral counseling, family systems, trauma, grief, and child and adolescent development. The shared focus is attentive care for people and their relationships.
4 faculty members
Dr. Ruth A. Peterson
Assistant Professor of Christian Counseling
Department: Christian Counseling
Areas of specialization: Marriage & Family, Pastoral Counseling
Education: Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. Laura M. Davidson
Professor of Christian Counseling
Department: Christian Counseling
Areas of specialization: Christian Counseling, Trauma-Informed Care, Grief Counseling
Education: Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
Dr. Gregory P. Sullivan
Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Department: Marriage and Family Therapy
Areas of specialization: Christian Marriage and Family Therapy, Couple Relationships, Family Systems
Education: Ph.D., Brigham Young University
Dr. Kimberly S. Foster
Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology
Department: Christian Counseling
Areas of specialization: Child and Family Counseling, Parenting, Adolescent Development
Education: Psy.D., Wheaton College
Education, Worship & Global Mission
Christian education, liturgical theology, sacred music, and intercultural ministry. These interconnected fields explore how faith is taught, expressed in worship, and lived across cultures and communities.
3 faculty members
Dr. Andrew C. Harrison
Professor of Christian Education
Department: Christian Education
Areas of specialization: Christian Education, Faith Formation, Discipleship
Education: Ed.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. Melissa J. Crawford
Associate Professor of Worship Studies
Department: Worship Studies
Areas of specialization: Christian Worship, Liturgical Theology, Sacred Music
Education: Ph.D., Baylor University
Dr. Daniel R. Thompson
Professor of Missions and Intercultural Studies
Department: Missions and Global Christianity
Areas of specialization: Missiology, World Christianity, Intercultural Ministry
Education: Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
Canon Law & Christian Legal Studies
Canonical jurisprudence, matrimonial and sacramental law, ecclesiastical governance, and law and religion. Specializations include religious liberty, constitutional law, canonical procedure, and the legal life of religious institutions.
8 faculty members
Dr. Anthony J. Romano
Professor of Canon Law
Department: Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Matrimonial Law, Canonical Procedure, Canonical Jurisprudence
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
Dr. Catherine M. Donovan
Associate Professor of Canon Law
Department: Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Administrative Canon Law, Church Governance, General Norms
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
Dr. Vincent P. Moretti
Professor of Ecclesiastical Law
Department: Law and Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Ecclesiastical Law, Church Governance, Religious Organizations
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
Dr. Margaret E. Callahan
Professor of Law and Religion
Department: Law
Areas of specialization: Religious Liberty, Christian Jurisprudence, Law and Religion
Education: J.D., Notre Dame Law School
Dr. Joseph A. Brennan
Associate Professor of Matrimonial Canon Law
Department: Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Matrimonial Jurisprudence, Marriage Nullity, Canonical Procedure
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
Dr. Teresa M. Gallagher
Associate Professor of Sacramental Law
Department: Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Sacramental Law, Ecclesiastical Governance, Canonical Administration
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
Dr. Benjamin C. Hayes
Professor of Law and Religion
Department: Law
Areas of specialization: Religious Liberty, Constitutional Law, Church-State Relations
Education: J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
Dr. Nicholas P. Caruso
Professor of Canonical Jurisprudence
Department: Canon Law
Areas of specialization: Penal Canon Law, Procedural Law, History of Canon Law
Education: J.C.D., The Catholic University of America
President & Trustee Leadership
Dr. Richard A. Sterling
President & Chief Academic Officer
Abide University
Dr. William H. Kensington
Chairman of Trustees
Abide University
Scholarship connected to faith and service
Scripture and theological inquiry
Theology, church history, and biblical studies provide a foundation for careful interpretation. The directory includes expertise in the Old and New Testaments, Greek, Christology, and the history of Christian thought.
Knowledge in the service of people
Pastoral care, preaching, education, counseling, and family studies connect theological learning with the circumstances of daily life. These fields address the needs of congregations, families, and communities.
Faith in institutional and public life
Canon law, Christian ethics, and public theology explore the responsibilities of religious institutions and their place in society. Areas of expertise range from church governance to religious liberty and intercultural ministry.
Using the directory
How is the faculty organized?
The faculty listed here belong to the School of Divinity. The directory groups their profiles into six academic areas to help you explore related expertise. These areas are disciplines within the school, rather than separate schools.
What information is included in each profile?
Each faculty profile includes a portrait, academic title, department, areas of specialization, and education. University leadership is presented separately, with profiles for the president and trustee leadership.
How can I find someone in my area of interest?
Choose an academic area or search by name, title, specialization, degree, or institution. For example, you can search for New Testament, family systems, canon law, or the name of a university. Search and area filters can be used together.
How can I make an academic or institutional inquiry?
Use the university contact page and include the faculty member, academic field, or office relevant to your question. For study options, the program directory provides degree descriptions, curricula, and admission requirements.