07/10/2026
One of the highlights of my trip to Baltimore was spending time with Dr. Micah Hughes and learning more about the incredible work of the Baltimore Urban Semester (BUS).
As we explored creating a partnership for Northwestern College social work students, I was struck by how naturally BUS’s core values align with the ethos of social work.
Their commitment to cultural humility reflects our profession’s call to honor the dignity and worth of every person while approaching others with curiosity rather than assumptions.
Their emphasis on Holy Spirit dependence reminds us that faithful practice requires wisdom, discernment, and humility beyond ourselves.
Their practice of contemplative rhythms echoes the importance of self-awareness, reflection, and sustainable care—essential for healthy practitioners.
Their vision of a wholistic Gospel resonates deeply with social work’s person-in-environment perspective, recognizing that individuals, families, communities, and systems are all interconnected.
Their focus on transformational learning mirrors our commitment to integrating knowledge, values, skills, and critical reflection into competent practice.
Their commitment to Kingdom partnerships reflects the collaborative spirit at the heart of social work, where lasting change happens through relationships and shared purpose.
Their pursuit of authentic reconciliation speaks to our profession’s dedication to justice, healing, restoration, and courageous conversations.
And their practice of intentional celebration reminds us that hope, resilience, and joy are not distractions from the work—they sustain it.
I’m excited about what this partnership could mean for our students: an opportunity to learn, serve, grow spiritually, and develop into social workers who practice with compassion, humility, courage, and justice.
Thank you, Dr. Micah Hughes, for your hospitality and for sharing the vision of Baltimore Urban Semester. I look forward to seeing where God leads this partnership.
