Alumni News
Families & Outreach Pastor, Full-Time, Christ’s Church: Albany, NY
We are looking for someone with a strong passion for youth, discipleship, and community outreach.
This role would:
- Oversee our kids, youth, and young adult ministries within our church family.
- Lead and help expand outreach initiatives focused on children, youth, and families in the broader community
- View internal discipleship and external mission as two sides of the same calling
The salary range for this position is $40,000–$50,000.
Contact Person
Jonathan Hentrich
Lead Pastor // Christ’s Church Albany
518.331.9330
www.christschurchalbany.org
Irvin Mark Conner, D.Min., ’78, ’82
The following obituary was originally published by Beard Mortuary and can be found here.
The Reverend Doctor I. Mark Conner, 72, of Huntington, passed away on April 15, 2026, at St. Mary's Medical Center, following a short illness. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7
Mark was an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and faithfully served congregations throughout West Virginia. His ministry included appointments at First United at Fairmont, Hope and Aldersgate charge Wheeling, First United Methodist Barboursville, Trinity in Bluefield, and First United Methodist Church in Huntington. He also served as Western District Superintendent and continued his calling in retirement as an interim pastor and guest speaker, touching countless lives through his leadership, compassion, and dedication to faith.
He was a graduate of Parkersburg South High School, earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1975, and later attended Boston University School of Theology.
Mark was born on July 31, 1953, to the late J. Irvin and Alphon Godwin Conner.
He is survived by his sisters, Amy Beth Conner and Chyrl Conner Budd. He is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews, including Hulse (the late Melissa) Budd and his companion, Andrea Carrico; and David (Kirsten) Budd; great-nephews, Austin (Jenna) and Karson (Ashleigh) Budd; great-nieces, Leslie Cogan and Stephanie Cogan (David LeGrow) along with six great-great nieces and nephews who brought him much joy. He leaves behind a host of extended family, cherished friends, colleagues and dearly loved congregation members.
Throughout his life, Mark remained active in the United Methodist community, serving on various committees and supporting ministries such as Ebenezer Community Outreach Center, where he assisted in numerous capacities and Faith In Action as a Board Member. He actively volunteered at many local mission and outreach programs.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 4:00 p.m. at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 5th Avenue and 10th Street. Friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any United Methodist Church, Church- based scholarship, charity or to Faith in Action, Inc. Please leave an online condolence for Mark’s family at www.beardmortuary.com.
For Such a Time As This: BUSTH Faculty Members respond to Ongoing Democratic Crises
By Nathan Davis Hunt (‘29)
What does theology need to learn and what does it have to teach “for such a time as this?” In a time when democracy is in crisis, what is the relevance of theological education to the pursuit of a more democratic and just present?
So asks a group of faculty members at Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH). For Such a Time As This is a new independent project launched by a BUSTH faculty collective. The title recalls the words of Mordecai to his adopted daughter Esther.
“For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14, NRSV)
The text conveys confidence that liberation will come for Israel in a time of exile and oppression. Yet, with something like a sly wink, Mordecai encourages Esther—and the author encourages their readers—to reflect on whether she has been placed in her role precisely for the purpose of cooperating in that task of deliverance.
Theology reminds faith practitioners that humanity is tied to liberation, and that liberation is entangled with the divine. In the delicate balance between comfort and protest, the leaders of this project believe that those who teach in theological education, like Esther for her people, are called to break through the noise to speak about what it means to live together as creation in this fragile space called “democracy.”
Such is the wager of these faculty who risked breaking silence in a time of fear and repression. Each week, they are posting original essays in response to two questions:
- What is the theological/religious significance of this era?
- What does theological and religious education have to offer, considering such a diagnosis?
In the first diverse set of essays posted since the project's launch on April 3, the contributors are in agreement on several matters. We are indeed in a time of crisis requiring urgent and courageous responses. Democracy is in retreat and worth fighting for—a genuine political community of cooperative decision-making oriented toward inclusive justice. The stakes are ultimate. International students hide from ICE while fearing visa renewals will be denied. Genocide has raged in Gaza. Christianity has been co-opted by right wing demagogues. Meanwhile, even as these crises demand careful attention and deep relations, we are collectively numbed and isolated by generations of neoliberal consumerism and digital algorithms.
Each essay has contributed a unique insight and ethical charge.
Dr. Luther Young shows education does not liberate on its own. Higher education has been and continues to be a producer of harm. Therefore, we must unapologetically re-craft pedagogies and institutions for justice.
Dr. Debbie Brubaker dares us, in an age terrified of institutional failure, to embrace the spirit of artists and advocates who practice generative failure. Theological education can foster a space for radical experiments in life formed otherwise.
Dr. Luis Menéndez-Antuña models vulnerability, expressing his grief at the lack of resistance by state and church to growing repression. Theological educators have a responsibility to leverage the prophetic strengths of their disciplines.
Dr. James McCarty declares the most central task is to “imagine and practice new ways of being human together.” He looks to South African leader Steve Biko, for whom education was a praxis of humanization in resistance to apartheid, as a model.
Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones reminds us that when conditions are urgent, sometimes the best thing to do is slow down. We need a theological education that helps “us find the time and ability to notice things with friends.”
Dr. Nicolette Manglos-Weber teaches us not to confuse the edifice for the form of democracy, nor to allow what we once had to keep us from becoming what we could be. Theology can offer “the creative force to do that very hard but necessary work.” 
Dr. Filipe Maia, in the spirit of liberation, returns us to prayer as a “practice for confronting the absurdity of the world and its evil forces…of attending to the world, to its joys and pain.”
And most recently, Dr. Shively Smith points us back to Howard Thurman to help us remember that beneath what we are calling a “crisis of democracy” is a deeper “spiritual arrhythmia.” As educators and ministers, in classrooms and fellowship halls, we are called to help people remember their essential connectedness by creating what Thurman calls “experiences of unity between peoples.”
Collectively, these contributor voices renew democratic hope in the capacity of theological studies to form all who are touched by these disciplines for the work of attention, care, and creative resistance for justice.
New contributions will continue to be released every week from renowned and respected scholars at BUSTH and a wide diversity of other institutions. Sign up and join the work required for such times.
BUSTH Faculty featured in Scene at BU in BU Today
Clinical Assistant Professor of Religion & Conflict Transformation Jimmy McCarty, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion & Black Studies emilie m. townes, and Associate Professor of New Testament Shively T. J. Smith were on the panel for the inaugural Boston University Shares Values lecture on April 29. Photo by Cydney Scott.
Director of Music, Part-Time, The Union Church in Waban: Newton MA
The Union Church in Waban seeks a skilled and enthusiastic Director of Music for 15-20 hours a week, from September through June each year (the church does not hold formal worship services in July and August). Start date is September 1, 2026.
The Director of Music plays piano and organ, directsand accompanies on piano an adult choir with occasional handbell accompaniment, and works with the pastor to plan music for weekly 10am Sunday worship services, along with 3-5 special worship services throughout the year (e.g., Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday).
Successful candidates will be proficient on piano, experienced directing a choir with varying proficiencies in voice and reading music, able to accompany the choir and guest musicians on piano, and eager to explore new opportunities working with a team to sustain and enhance the worship life of our congregation. Experience with an eclectic range of sacred music is desirable, and experience with the organ (for hymns and postlude) would be helpful, but is not essential.
Compensation base is $25,000 per year and may be increased depending on experience.
We are a small and vibrant suburban interdenominational church affiliated with the United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches.
We are inclusive, intergenerational, outreach- and mission-minded.
The Union Church in Waban is easily accessible on public transportation. Contact James Cooke, Music Search Committee
Co-Chair @ james.l.cooke@gmail.com for further information or to apply.
We invite interested candidates to submit a cover letter, resume, and any sound or video recordings of performance to James Cooke at the email address above. Please be prepared to provide three professional references if selected for an interview.
Check the Website: www.ucw.org
Reverend Jack Kissel (’62)
The following obituary was originally published by Legacy and can be found here.
It only takes one smile to offer welcome, andBlessed is the person who will share it.It only takes one moment to be helpful, andBlessed be the person who will spare it.It only takes one joy to lift a spirit, andBlessed be the person who will give it.It only takes one life to make a difference, andBlessed be the person who will live it.
(Amanda Bradley) Rev. Jack Kissel, 95, who was quick to smile, to help others, to lift a spirit, and to make a difference in the world for Jesus, came to Southeast Texas from the Syracuse, NY, area in 2022 to reside with family. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 8, 2026.Jack was born on August 24, 1930, in Jersey Shore, PA, to John and Elizabeth Herritt Kissel.
Years later the family moved to Elmira, NY, where Jack and his siblings (Joan and James Keith Kissel) were raised. As a child Jack saw how important the Christian faith was to his parents, and years later realized that being raised in a Christian home was the greatest gift his parents gave him. In high school Jack was a wrestler and a star quarterback on the football team. After high school he played a year of semi-pro football before enlisting in the US Navy during the Korean War.
While in the Navy Jack sensed God calling him to pastoral ministry. So, after receiving an honorable discharge, he began preparing for ministry at West Virginia Wesleyan College. During his senior year Jack married the registered nurse, Beverly Ann Snyder, he'd been pursuing ever since they met during summer church camp at Casowasco.Upon graduation from West Virginia Wesleyan, Jack and Beverly moved to Boston, where Jack continued his studies at the Boston University School of Theology.
During his years at Boston University Jack began serving a church in Berlin, NH. And that's where he and Beverly began their family. First with a daughter, Kathy. Then a son, Kevin. When Jack graduated from Boston with a Master of Divinity degree, he and Beverly and their growing family moved back to Upstate NY. They soon had their third child, Kriss, as they continued their life of ministry in numerous churches across the Finger Lakes Region. Striving to keep their church life and family life in balance, Jack and Beverly took their children on many adventures through the years. In addition to mission trips, they took them on vacations and camping trips nearby home in the Finger Lakes, and in places from Maine to Virginia to Arizona, and many places in between.
Jack and Beverly wanted their children to understand there was a big, beautiful world out there to be discovered. More than anything else, though, they wanted their children to understand they loved and served a big, beautiful God! That was the greatest gift they gave their children. They introduced them to Jesus and raised them in a Christian home.
While busy with pastoral duties, Jack always found additional ways to serve the communities he was in. He brought a spiritual dimension to many, many local organizations through the years, and was always ready to serve as a chaplain for local fire departments, police departments, sheriff departments, veteran organizations, and more. And every step of the way Beverly served alongside Jack until her death in 1988.Years later Jack married Dolores Young Wiser, who became another partner in ministry during his final decade in the pulpit.
Anyone who knew Jack knew about his love for people. It was so obvious. You could see it in his smile, hear it in his laugh, feel it his kindness, in his generosity, in his compassionate servant heart, and in his passionate preaching. Jack was 80 when he retired from pastoral ministry. By then he'd served a dozen churches over the course of 50-plus years in ministry. On April 8, 2026, Jesus welcomed Jack into his eternal home, probably with a big smile, a huge hug, and the words: "Well done good and faithful servant... enter the joy of your Master." (Matt. 25:21)
Survivors include his children: Kathy Wade and husband Marshall of Venice Center, NY; Kevin and wife Karen of Buna, TX; Kriss and wife Jennifer of Fulton, NY. Grandchildren RJ Ellison and wife Annie of Waterloo, NY; Patrick Ellison and wife Sarah of Gates, NY; Emily Patterson and husband Blake of Lumberton, TX; Elizabeth Masteller of New Bern, NC; Mark Kissel and wife Ali of West Columbia, TX; Christian Kissel and wife Kristin of Jamesville, NY; Anthony Goetz of Fulton, NY; Sebastian Jack Kissel of Fulton, NY; Dusty Wheeler and wife Melissa of Buna, TX; Jon Wheeler of Buna TX; Dustan Wade and wife Stephanie of Weedsport NY; Patrick Wade of Austerlitz NY.
Numerous great and great, great grandchildren.Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Elizabeth Kissel, his sister Joan South, his brother James Keith Kissel, his wife Beverly Snyder Kissel, and his wife Dolores Young Kissel.
A worship service to celebrate Jack's life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at New Hope Methodist Church, 3703 State Rt. 41A, Moravia, NY 13118.
Memorials gifts may be given to the church where Jack's daughter, Kathy Kissel Wade, serves as pastor: New Hope Methodist Church, 3703 State Rt. 41A, Moravia, NY 13118.
For support please contact obituarydatasupport@pbinfo.com
BUSTH Alumnus Jean Luc Enyegue, S.J., (’18) is Jesuit Superior Provincial in Yaoundé, Cameroon
The following is an excerpt from America Magazine's "Vatican Dispatch article “Interview: Jesuit provincial on what Pope Leo’s visit meant for Cameroon” featuring alumnus Father Jean Luc Enyegue, S.J., (18), published on April 27, 2026 by Gerard O’Connell.
“Pope Leo is widely seen in Cameroon as a deeply inspiring and unifying spiritual leader, whose presence evokes strong emotional and religious fervor among the faithful,” Jean Luc Enyegue, S.J., the superior provincial of the Jesuits in 14 French-speaking countries of West Africa, told America in Yaoundé on Friday, April 17, the last full day of the pope’s visit to the majority-Christian country.
To better understand the situation in Cameroon and the impact of Pope Leo’s visit, I emailed Father Enyegue several questions and later sat down with the Cameroonian Jesuit for a lengthy conversation the evening after the pope visited the Catholic University of Central Africa, where the Jesuits are in charge of the largest faculty.
Father Enyegue was born in 1979 in Awaé, Cameroon, and studied history at the University of Yaoundé before entering the Society of Jesus in 2002. His Jesuit studies and formation took him to Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Spain and the United States, where he earned a licentiate in theology from Boston College in 2012.
Ordained a priest in Yaoundé in 2012, he went on to obtain a doctorate in church history and hermeneutics from Boston University in 2018. Father Enyegue was then missioned to Hekima College in Nairobi, Kenya, where he taught church history. He coordinated the Ignatian year celebrations for the West Africa Province in 2021 and was elected procurator of the province. The superior general of the Jesuits, Arturo Sosa, S.J., appointed him provincial for West Africa, effective Jan. 3, 2026.
Everywhere we see so many young people. Pope Leo, in his talk yesterday, spoke about unemployment and many young people leaving the country but also their deep spirituality. The pope also spoke about the situation of women in the country. How do you see it?
Young people in Cameroon represent both a major potential and a growing frustration: They are numerous, energetic (Cameroonians play and love football [soccer]) and often deeply religious. However, they also face high unemployment, limited opportunities and a lack of hope for their future, pushing many to emigrate or disengage. While their strong spirituality can be a source of resilience, it also reflects a search for meaning in a context where economic and social structures fail to integrate them.
BUSTH announces 2026 Student Leadership Awards
On Wednesday, April 29, the BUSTH community gathered for the final Wednesday Community Day of the academic year. During community lunch, Dean G. Sujin Pak, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Rady Roldán-Figueroa, and Associate Dean for Students and Community Life Nicolette Manglos-Weber awarded 11 outstanding students their certificates reflecting their extraordinary contributions to the School and their fellow students.
Award Title |
Description |
Awardee |
| Belonging & Justice | Awarded to an outstanding student who has made significant contributions to fulfilling the School of Theology’s stated commitment to being a place that celebrates cultural diversity, creates an inclusive environment for all members of the STH community, and/or furthers racial justice, gender justice, disability justice, and/or justice for other minoritized communities at the STH | Darby McMonagle |
| Chaplaincy Leadership | Awarded to a graduating student who has exhibited outstanding promise in the work of chaplaincy | Karen Aalto |
| Community Life and Fellowship | Community life awards are given to students across residential master’s programs, the PhD program, and online and hybrid programs at STH. Awardees will be graduating students who model leadership within the social and/or academic life of the STH community | Joseph Iriana, Bright Nogoh, Wesley Bolden |
| Interfaith Leadership | Awarded to an outstanding student who has exercised transformative leadership toward making the School of Theology a place where people across religious traditions are included and their gifts nurtured | Jingyi “Jade” Huang |
| International Student Leadership | Awarded to an international student who has exercised leadership in building community among international students and/or between international and domestic students | Elizabeth Opoku-Baffour |
| Justice, Advocacy, and Community Engagement Beyond BU | Awarded to a student who has provided outstanding service to and leadership in the work of social justice in the communities of Boston, New England, and/or globally | Inyeop Choi |
| Methodist/Wesleyan Spirituality | Awarded to a graduating student from a Wesleyan tradition who has embodied the spirit of Wesleyan spirituality at the School of Theology and/or is a promising leader in the broader Wesleyan fellowship of churches | Jacob Farmer-Rylands |
| Pastoral Leadership | Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated extraordinary promise in the work of pastoral care | Maria Gorret Nampiima |
| Doctor of Ministry | Awarded to one graduating DMin student who has exemplified leadership within the social and/or academic life of the DMin program or whose work in an external community models the program’s commitments to transformational leadership | Kealani Nunes Willbanks |
Director of Family Ministries, Full-Time, Midland First United Methodist Church: Midland, MI
About the Church
Midland First United Methodist Church, founded in 1857, is nestled in the heart of downtown Midland, Michigan. The church places a high priority on following Jesus’s command to love your neighbor and shows this love by remaining actively involved in the surrounding community. First United Methodist Church is an intergenerational church where congregation members become like family.
About the Ministry
The children’s ministry serves babies through fifth graders each Sunday morning. Children begin with their families in the worship service and leave together after the children’s blessing to attend Sunday School. Here, the children join together to enjoy varied opportunities to engage with the lectionary-based curriculum.
The youth ministry is in a rebuilding phase. With abundant physical space and devoted volunteers, families are eager to watch the youth ministry develop a critical mass as students grow in faith and impact the Midland community.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced team builder who will come alongside faithful ministry volunteers and recruit others to join the team. This person will nurture relationships with children, youth, and families to develop a cohesive, fun discipleship ministry that thrives within the life and mission of the congregation.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and implement ministries that include opportunities for fun, connection, worship, Christian education, mission, and spiritual growth
- Work with teams and staff to integrate children and youth ministries into the church’s broader life
- Recruit, train, and support volunteers for children and youth ministries
- Facilitate clear, consistent communication with families
Qualifications
- Love God, children, and youth, and have spiritual gifts to share
- A sense of calling to ministry with children, youth, and families
- A foundational understanding of Scripture, Christian faith, and United Methodist theology
- Knowledge of child and youth development with an openness to each person’s individuality, background, abilities, and needs
- Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter and lead teams through instilling trust, inspiring others, good organization, clear communication, and flexibility
About the Community
Midland, Michigan combines the warmth of a close-knit community with the resources of a thriving city. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and a deeply held commitment to community life. With beautiful parks, excellent schools, and a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities, it is a great place for someone to feel right at home.
Interested candidates can learn more and should apply at https://jobs.ministryarchitects.com/jobs/7510737-director-of-family-ministries-children-youth-at-fumc-midland?promotion=1949478-trackable-share-link-posting.
BUSTH announces Faculty Publications and Presentations for April 2026
The School of Theology is pleased to announce the following faculty publications and scholarly presentations for April 2026:
- Daryl Ireland
- Presentation: “Subtle Acts of Subversion: Song Shangjie and Revivalism in Colonial Taiwan,” Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and Boston University, April 1st, 2026
- Presentation: “Chinese Christian Visual Materials and the Reconfiguration of Mission Discourse,” Soongsil University, April 13th, 2026
- James McCarty
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“Organizing for Change: Restorative Justice and Community Transformation,” Restorative Works! Podcast, a publication of the International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School, April 9, 2026
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- Luis Menéndez-Antuña
- Dana Robert, et al
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Cameron, Euan, Dana L. Robert, and Andrea Sterk. Introduction, “‘The Quest for Christian Unity from Nicaea to the Twenty-First Century.’” Church History, 2026, 1–4. Co-edited volume and co-written introduction https://doi.org/10.1017/S000964072510259X
- Award: Judith Becker and Dana L. Robert, eds. Nationalism and Internationalism in the Young Ecumenical Movement, 1895–1920s (Leiden: Brill, 2025). Selected one of “Ten Outstanding Books in Mission Studies, World Christianity, and Intercultural Theology for 2025,” by the International Bulletin of Mission Research
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- Steven Sandage, et al
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Choe, E.J.Y., Crabtree, S.A., Hydinger, K.R., Stein, L.B., & Sandage, S.J. (2026). Trauma, burnout, and well-being among chaplains and clergy in the United States. Pastoral Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-026-01318-7
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