Written by Jason Flinn, Master of Divinity Student.
For more than 50 years, Acadia Divinity College has extended an invitation to new students to join them on the journey of growing in Christ. This invitation goes beyond geographical boundaries – reaching countries like the Bahamas, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Kenya, Macedonia, Martinique, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America. Since arriving at ADC in September 2023, I have witnessed how faculty members express this invitation inside and outside of the classroom, building authentic relationships. This is my personal reflection on how faculty engages our hands, heads, and hearts in theological learning, and the impact this has on our diverse student body.
Hands: Coming Alongside
In my first semester, I had the privilege of taking Interpreting the Old Testament with Dr. Matthew Walsh, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies (pictured right). His practical, hands-on approach brought theological exegesis to life. Dr. Walsh encourages creativity by offering open-ended assignments that allow students to showcase their unique gifts. For our final presentation on Theological Reflection, my group included Olusegun Olusipe from Nigeria, who preached a short sermon on Missional Hermeneutics, drawing from his personal and cultural background. It was a beautiful example of how ADC fosters creativity and self-expression in an academic environment, encouraging students to integrate their personal experiences.
Head: Building Community
In my first week, I attended chapel, and during the community lunch afterward, I sat alone until Dr. Danny Zacharias, the Associate Dean, joined me. He asked me about my thoughts on his orientation course, demonstrating an openness to feedback and creating a welcoming environment that made me feel seen and included in the community from the start.
Dr. Zacharias acknowledges that the diverse cultural, ethnic, denominational, and geographical backgrounds of students add richness into the conversation. He also recognizes that it can take time for students understand that they bring value, but with open discussion, students feel more and more confident to bring their whole selves into these conversations.
For Zubby Ezennia (pictured below), an ADC student from Nigeria, the welcoming spirit of the College was evident from the start:
“The classes are excellent because you’re encouraged to bring your own perspectives and culture into the discussion. No one looks down on your background; instead, there is an openness to bring your culture into the theological space. Everyone shares from their own perspective and cultural stories. The freedom to express yourself without restriction is an intangible asset that makes us feel truly welcome. You don’t have to tone down your Africanness or hide who you are – rather, you are encouraged to fully express it.”
Heart: Attentive to the Spirit
I’m sometimes asked about my Master of Divinity and a common question is, “What will you do with that?” My answer has been, “Whatever the Lord wants me to do.” While I genuinely mean this, it also reveals my uncertainty about the future. Thankfully, I’ve had countless prayerful conversations with my peers that have helped me greatly in my discernment process and spiritual formation. This connection would not be possible without the faculty first setting the tone by coming alongside students and seeking the Spirit’s guidance in their teaching.
At ADC, we are encouraged to bring our authentic selves, including our voices and traditions. This openness has helped me find a deeper sense of belonging. Reflecting on the sacrifices I’ve made to study part-time, commuting from Halifax and balancing work and study, I am reminded of the sacrifices my fellow students have made in responding to the call. They’ve left much behind, and I see the faculty’s efforts to support them when they arrive.
Margaret Mensah from Ghana (pictured right), Abosede Samuel from Nigeria, and Vipin Joseph from India told me their experience of a special tour around Wolfville guided by Dr. Anna Robbins, the President of ADC. This personal touch was both unexpected and appreciated, demonstrating how this school has a heart for all its students.
At Acadia Divinity College, community is real and lived. From the President to the new student adjusting to life in a new country, ADC understands that the more students from different countries feel welcome, the more we all do.
