Winebrenner Theological Seminary

09/14/2026

When our very own Dr. Kathryn Helleman, Associate Professor of Christian Thought and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, was asked to teach a class at a local prison, she was scared. She didn’t know what to expect or how the students would respond.

However, the men in her class were some of the most engaged and eager students she had ever taught. They were hungry to learn, hungry to know the Lord, and eager to share what they were learning with others.

Kathryn’s story is a powerful reminder that God is at work in places we might not expect, and by saying yes to his calling, we can powerfully impact those around us.

Kathryn’s experience reflects the heart of Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s prison education initiatives: equipping leaders for service in God’s kingdom as well as their own communities and contexts. Through partnerships among seminary faculty, prison chaplains, correctional institutions, and incarcerated students, lives are being transformed on both sides of the classroom. As Kathryn’s story demonstrates, God often works in unexpected places, calling people beyond their comfort zones and using those encounters to shape everyone involved.

Watch Kathryn's story below, and read more about her experience via the link in our comments 👇

When seminary professor Kathryn Helleman was asked to teach a class...

08/31/2026

In this week's InDepth, University of Findlay Campus Ministry Assistant Director Alex Miller shares his story, reflecting on his journey to Winebrenner, his experiences with coursework, and his interactions with faculty and staff. He also discusses how his Winebrenner education has equipped him for a new season of ministry with students at UF.

To read more of Alex's story, click the link below! 👇

https://winebrenner.edu/2026/08/31/student-story-alex-miller-assistant-director-of-campus-ministries-the-university-of-findlay/

08/25/2026

In this week's InDepth, WTS student Erica Zerkle (MAPT '27) shares about her journey here at Winebrenner and reflects on her past experiences as a student.

"God has used Winebrenner as an instrument of healing and sanctification," writes Erica.

"So when people ask me what God is calling me to, my answer is simple: I am in school to heal me, break curses, and bless my family and everyone else around me."

To read more of Erica's story, click the link below!👇

https://winebrenner.edu/2026/08/24/student-story-erica-zerkle/

08/17/2026

Fridays we feature stories of how Ascent connects across North America through partnerships and resources.

At the Ascent Summit, Brent Swanson, Dean of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, picked up a business card for Kurt Caddy, artist and steward of one of the Fields of the Sower's Abbey. Kurt offers Kintsugi Workshops across North America. Brent was preparing for a Young Adult Retreat the last weekend in May and invited Kurt to come and facilitate a Kintsugi workshop for the attendees. The retreat was held in partnership with Camp Sonrise Mountain.

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"Kurt was a vital part of that event. Since the event was focused on young adults, I asked my daughter, who is 20, to write something based upon her experience:

“Being able to visualize the brokenness of our lives and learning how Jesus glues us back together was an experience that is life changing, especially being in a workshop surrounded by friends! I loved being able to see everyone’s bowls afterward and acknowledging that we’re all broken in different ways, but , ultimately, are all put back together by Jesus.”

From an administrative perspective, Kurt was easy to work with and was open to being fully integrated into the weekend. I would love to work with him again."

- Brent C. Sleasman, Ph.D.
President of Winebrenner Theological Seminary

Please, click on the link to read more about the retreat:
https://winebrenner.edu/2026/06/01/highlighting-collaboration-young-adults-camp-sonrise-mountain/).

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Kurt Caddy stewards Four Winds Art Farm in Springfield, Missouri (a Field of the Sower's Abbey). Kurt is a visual artist and theologian. Kurt is constantly in search of ways to express the point at which brokenness and beauty meet in our everyday lives. One way he does this is through his Kintsugi Workshops. Kurt teaches a hands-on workshop and weaves spiritual truth throughout the mending process. Kurt Caddy is an artist who believes that art is generative and transformative.

If you would like to connect with Kurt, please, visit the Fields of the Sower's Abbey website below:

https://www.ascentmovement.org/fields1ead7eb2

08/17/2026

From July 29, 2026, to July 31, 2026, rising third-year MACC students gathered for the first-ever “residency maiden voyage.” Together with Winebrenner staff, alumni, and other professional guests, students learned, practiced, and honed skills in clinical assessments, documentation systems, the holy ground of sexuality and intimacy, and career counseling.

This three-day intensive residency was designed to deliver a high-quality educational experience required by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), and to prepare students to meet their states’ requirements to become licensed clinical mental health counselors.

Read more about this unique experience in this week's InDepth by clicking the link in the comments below! 👇

08/10/2026

On Saturday, August 1, Winebrenner Theological Seminary celebrated its 2026 Commencement. If you're a recent graduate—or the family and friends of one—we'd love for you to share your stories and photos from the day!

In this week's InDepth, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Marty Johnson reflects on a weekend that was less solemn ceremony than joyful reunion. "The relationships that began online in our virtual classrooms have become authentic friendships that will continue to grow both digitally and in real life," he writes. "The environment for Commencement was charged with joy and triumph, mixed with a little melancholy, enveloped by friendship that may last a lifetime."

For more, see the link in our comments! 👇

08/06/2026

During Winebrenner’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony, we proudly recognized Dr. David Datema (MDiv, ’97) as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring a lifetime of faithful ministry, global leadership in missions, and significant contributions to the advancement of God’s kingdom.

Read more about our recent Commencement and Dr. Datema's lifetime of ministry by clicking the link below! 👇

https://winebrenner.edu/2026/08/03/student-story-dr-dave-datema-2026-distinguished-alumni-award/

08/04/2026

In today's InDepth, President Brent Sleasman shares about a local expression of the universal story of God’s work among all people!

In July, a team of teenagers, young adults, and adults representing multiple generations participated in a 10-day short-term mission experience through the ACTS Teams (Advancing Christ Through Service) ministry of Global Reach, the missions arm of the Churches of God, General Conference. The team served in and around Gamerco, New Mexico, ministering to communities on and near the Navajo Nation.

Read more below! 👇

https://winebrenner.edu/2026/07/27/highlighting-collaboration-gamerco-church-of-god-acts-team-cggc-global-reach/

07/21/2026

Winebrenner Theological Seminary is grateful to announce that we have been awarded $295,968 through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship (OBHS) Program.

This investment represents a significant opportunity to support future mental health professionals while addressing Ohio’s growing need for licensed behavioral health providers.

Through the Ohio Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, eligible students in Winebrenner’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program may receive significant financial assistance to support their education. Scholarship recipients must be Ohio residents, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled at least half-time, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

In addition to reducing educational costs, the program invests in Ohio’s future behavioral health workforce. Students who receive scholarship funding commit to serving in eligible behavioral health settings located in underserved Ohio communities following graduation. The length of service corresponds to the number of years a student receives scholarship support, and graduates are expected to begin eligible employment within six months of completing their degree.

Scholarship funding may support tuition, fees, textbooks, licensure-related expenses, and other educational costs, helping students pursue counseling careers with significantly reduced financial burden. Through this investment, Winebrenner students will be better positioned to answer the growing call for compassionate, professional mental health care throughout Ohio.

You can learn more about this exciting development by reading the post on our website at the link in the comments!

07/13/2026

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share and learn!

Recently, Winebrenner’s President joined a conversation on leading organizations through significant structural transition—exploring how shifts in language, reporting structures, and information‑sharing can lay the groundwork for deeper collaboration.

Watch President Sleasman's conversation below! 👇

This is "Ep. 3 Practicing Collaboration: The Importance of Internal Collaboration" by In Trust Center on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.