This article was originally published in the 2026 issue of focus magazine, the annual publication of the BU School of Theology. This article can be found on page 7. By Steve Holt. Photo courtesy of Jacob Farmer-Rylands.
In 2025, Master of Theological Studies candidate Jacob Farmer-Rylands (’26) worked as a pastoral development intern at Kailua Christian Church (KCC), a United Church of Christ congregation on Oahu. He also served as a chaplain at the nonprofit Institute for Human Services (IHS), providing spiritual care for people experiencing homelessness and recovering from substance abuse.
How did your summer in Hawaii help shape your pastoral identity?
My summer taught me how to do ministry with, rather than to or for, marginalized populations. And I learned that providing presence and spiritual care can be effective even when people do not want to engage in explicitly religious conversation. My pastoral identity is grounded in presence, partnership, and shared humanity.
You also engaged in research. Was there a takeaway or two you can share?
I researched mainline church decline and ministry in a postcolonial context. Studying the history of colonization and evangelism in Hawaii, along with visiting sites such as ’Iolani Palace, Kawaiaha’o Church, and the Bishop Museum, helped me better understand how churches operate in historically colonized environments. I also saw firsthand the challenges modern mainline churches face, including sustaining spiritual and financial vitality, individualism, and imagining creative forms of ministry and discipleship in a changing world.
What is bringing you hope these days?
I find hope these days in the work I am honored to do as president of the BU School of Theology Student Association. I am grateful to collaborate with other student leaders, STH deans, and the wider community to represent and amplify student voices in this time of institutional, national, and global change. I am also encouraged by my work as a graduate assistant for the Trauma-Responsive Congregations grant project, where I can put my learning from Hawaii into practice by supporting healing, advocacy, and community-building within local churches.