Grace abounds. In today’s world, the comforting message that something needed to preserve life and well-being is available to us in excess is a countercultural narrative of faith. The premise by which many of us relate to each other in this society is that we live in a world defined by scarcity, where we ought to compete for the same “goods,” whether they are material ones like space, time, and resources, or existential ones like affection and belonging. This premise makes us question whether God’s favor is equally distributed or, in many instances, if it is even merited by some.
When a scarcity mindset spills into our theological reasoning, we experience a Christian community where unity is threatened by competing desires to experience and obtain divine favor. After all, who does not want to know, as the disciples did, who was the greatest beneficiary of Grace among them? Who does not wish to rush to the table to sit on the right or left hand of the Lord’s glory? In these cases, we are reminded by the witness of Jesus Christ that Grace abounds, and even asking these questions may be superfluous.
God’s grace abounds because it is rooted in love, which, according to Presbyterian minister and television host Mr. Rodgers, is like infinity, and you can’t have, he said, more or less “infinity.” This concept of infinite love should inspire and uplift us, reminding us that for love to be limitless, it cannot be merely a sentiment that fluctuates with our emotional state, but rather an open disposition to share what we have received by grace with others. In this volume of Windows, Austin Seminary celebrates the blessings it has received this year and its willingness to share its resources for learning, formation, and community life with the church, our neighbors, and those eager to participate in the delight of this abundance.
Enjoy this illustration of our love in action,
José R. Irizarry President
“If we are to heed Paul’s counsel to the Ephesians and reach the stature of Christ as a sign of our maturity, we must be willing to preserve our sense of call, empower the miraculous, and bear the cross. Let us give according to the grace given to each of us, and whatever we offer, let’s do so with the same measure of grace.”
- President José R. Irizarry’s charge to the class of 2025
Love in Action
by
I’m not sure any of us can fully define what love is. Most people know what it looks like—we can describe it the way we describe food: how it tastes, smells, feels, and how it affects us emotionally. But love, in all its forms, remains elusive. It’s something so vast, so profound, that it resists being pinned down.
What we understand about love often comes from our personal experiences—how we’ve received it or given it. Scripture also offers insight into the nature of love, describing it as kind, honoring of others, and selfless.
James Baldwin once said, “Love has never been a popular movement.” He spoke these words in 1970, in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement, and shortly after the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
When I think of love in action, I’m especially struck by its selfless character. In churches, we often hear this phrase and think of charitable acts—giving generously and serving others. And while these acts often feel good and are well-intentioned, they do not always reflect the full nature of
love. Too often, our charity lacks two essential ingredients: meaningful relationship and true selflessness. Love in action calls for something deeper—it calls for costly solidarity.
We often equate love with charity. Charity can be loving, but it often functions more like a transaction than a transformation. A friend and former missionary once said that the Church is good at charity but struggles with solidarity— the kind of self-giving love theologian Munther Isaac calls costly solidarity. In his book, Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza, Isaac writes, “The crucified Jesus…calls us to costly solidarity—the costly solidarity of love.”
I believe this is the heart of love in action: costly solidarity. For Christians who wish to embody love,
The Reverend Dr. Crystal Silva-McCormick is assistant professor of evangelism and mission and the director of Latinx programs at Austin Seminary. Silva-McCormick is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has served on the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and as part of the immigration collaborative of the United Church of Christ. Her academic research is informed by her commitment to interfaith relationships, the rights of immigrants, and the Latine community. Her mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncles immigrated to the United States from Mexico, and it is their stories, along with being raised on the border, that have shaped her spiritual and personal identity as a scholar and minister.
Reverend Dr. Crystal Silva-McCormick
there should be no other path. As Isaac reminds us, “Christianity without sacrifice is not Christianity,” and therefore, “Charity is not solidarity.”
To live out love in action, we must reject comfort and conformity. We must embrace the controversial and sacrificial way of Jesus. Love in action means refusing to rest until our neighbors—whether down the street or across the globe—have the same rights and opportunities as those with privilege. It demands that we speak hard truths about the systems that exploit and destroy. It requires us to disrupt, to step out of line, and to make people uncomfortable.
This kind of love goes beyond symbolic gestures—beyond yard signs and statements. It takes creativity, moral imagination, and the courage to challenge systems that depend on the suffering of others. We cannot truly practice love in action until we demand from others what we wish for ourselves and those we love. And that will cost us—our comfort, resources, perhaps even our relationships. It may look like redirecting our money, pressuring lawmakers, or engaging in civil disobedience.
These times—and all times—have called for this kind of love. Costly solidarity has always been the true calling of the Church and its people.
For Christians in the U.S., our current context demands it. There has not been a time when our Christian faith has not demanded it. This is part of the problem. We have seemingly forgotten our mandate to love in ways that are controversial and to live in ways that cost us. Sometimes, people hear this mandate and assume that it implies the pursuit of controversy, but solidarity with the vulnerable will always be in tension with powerful systems and people, so it is a natural byproduct of love in action. We do not invite it, but we should expect our love in action to be deemed controversial.
Our current context is more than clear, however, in demonstrating that vulnerable people and communities have been rendered more vulnerable with so much sweeping change to laws and immigration enforcement. Our tax dollars have, for almost one year and a half, continued to fund genocide in Gaza.
Baldwin also said, “There may not be as much humanity in the world as we would like to see, but there is some. There’s more than one would think. The world is held together by the love and passion of a very few people.”
Let us be among those few. Let us go into the world embodying costly solidarity—Love in Action.
Remembering Jorge Lara-Braud
by Jeff Sanchez
On November 13, 2024, Austin Seminary was proud to host a book signing by Gretchen Lara-Shartle honoring her late husband, Dr. Jorge Lara-Braud. LaraShartle’s new book, Dare to Adventure: The Life of Jorge Lara-Braud, is an autobiography and tribute to her husband’s life and devotion to theological education, the defense of human rights, and the promotion of Christian unity north and south of the Rio Grande.
For Austin Seminary, the occasion was also an opportunity to highlight an accomplished alumni and former faculty member. Lara-Braud earned his MDiv from Austin Seminary in 1959 and returned years later, 1964-68, to join the faculty as a visiting and assistant professor of missions. While serving on the faculty at Austin Seminary, Lara-Braud taught courses at Austin Seminary, including “The Ecumenical Movement,” “The World Mission of the Church,” and “Protestant Missions in Latin America,” infusing his knowledge and experience of the struggle for peace and justice in Latin America.
In 1966, while maintaining his duties as assistant professor of
missions, Lara-Braud was appointed director of the Hispanic-American Institute, and Austin Seminary became the home for the institute’s work. In an interview after his appointment, Lara-Braud said, “We must do everything in our power to allay any fear by the people of Latin America that we presume to know their history, their reality, and their destiny better than they do themselves.”
Lara-Braud left an indelible mark on the Seminary, faculty, staff, and students. Jim Collier (MDiv’69, DMin’84) had the opportunity to study under Lara-Braud while attending Austin Seminary. “I remember Jorge as a very charismatic teacher who was always stimulating and inspiring. He was one of the true theologians on the faculty— someone who inherently thought theologically. Theology was in his blood. He was the only one at that time who knew liberation theology and lived it.”
Through the efforts of Sean Watkins, associate dean of Lifelong Learning, and Rodrigo Leal, learning technologies librarian and archives and records manager, Austin Seminary is now the home of the Jorge Lara-Braud collection, thanks to a generous donation from Lara-Braud’s family. Watkins emphasizes the importance of this acquisition, saying, “The life, ministry, and legacy of Jorge-Lara Braud as dictated and demonstrated in the collection given to Austin Seminary are the embodiment of lifelong learning. Jorge was a student, a pastor, a professor, and a missionary—always learning and teaching others. In receiving this large body of his work, we get the opportunity to see faith, leadership, and contextualization through the lens of an incredible leader. It is a tremendous gift to be shared with everyone who engages our campus.” The collection includes Jorge Lara-Braud’s sermons, letters, papers, and other materials available for research and viewing upon request.
HESED 2025
by Laura Stoner
HESED Co-chair
For me, the HESED lecture series is about putting our faith into practice and channeling our collective powers for good. It is a unique opportunity for students to work together and organize an event that moves the needle on justice. Collaborating with the African and African Diaspora Student Group on the program was very rewarding. It enabled me to experience firsthand how aligned our respective communities are on justice issues and how much bigger our visions and solutions can be when we work together.
The program has a long history of inviting justice-centered community organizations as co-presenters, essential to its success. These collaborations have the potential to bring new audiences to the seminary, and faith leaders must learn to partner effectively with these organizations to do God’s work in the world.
It was exciting to work with exceptionally talented peers, distinguished lecturers, faith leaders, and community organizers on a single goal: inspiring faith communities to get involved and take action against injustice. See you at HESED 2026!
HESED is a yearly event organized and hosted by the LatinX and the African and African Diaspora Student groups at Austin Seminary. The HESED lectureship at Austin Seminary aims to promote awareness and involvement in social justice, particularly with faith communities, thus enabling hesed, which is Hebrew for love in action. This year’s theme was “An Invitation to Dream for a Liberated Tomorrow.”
MDiv Student, Chair of Latinx Community Alliance and
ALUMNI STORY
Greg Allen-Pickett: A Calling Shaped by Love in Action
by Jeff Sanchez
The road to ministry was not a straight path for Reverend Greg Allen-Pickett. It was a journey of discovery, shaped by years spent in business and nonprofit work, as well as a deepening connection between faith and service. Now the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Nebraska, Greg’s journey— from a bilingual student with a passion for sustainable development to a leader shepherding a thriving church—speaks to the transformative power of following one’s calling.
Greg’s early career did not initially point toward the pulpit. With an undergraduate degree in Spanish and political science, he ventured into sustainable development in Ecuador, where he earned a master’s degree in Sustainable Development Studies. However, beyond academics, his time in Ecuador showed him the true meaning of love in action.
“We took on a micro-business development project in a small community known for its cheese,” Greg recalls, “and with the support of the Rotary Foundation, I helped them set up logistics to export their cheese. This expanded their market, and suddenly, the community experienced significant economic growth.”
After returning from Ecuador, Greg worked in a faithbased non-profit and began to see how his faith and professional life could merge.
A conversation with his pastor confirmed what had been stirring in his heart. “He said, ‘Greg, it sounds to me like ordained ministry would be a path for what you’re feeling called to do.’”
Finding a seminary to accommodate his growing family’s transition was essential. Greg and Jessica were becoming parents, and Jessica was stepping back from work. They wanted a supportive community, financial assistance to supplement their reduced income, and one additional criterion that eliminated most seminaries from the list.
“It was important to us that our whole family be able to share the seminary experience, including our dog. Other seminaries told us we could not bring our dog and live on campus.” Austin Seminary offered all of this.
Austin Seminary proved
Greg and his daughter at the 2011 Polity Bowl.
to be a formative experience, both inside and outside the classroom. Greg found mentors who would shape his theological foundation. Among them was Dr. Gregory Cuéllar, whose Old Testament exegesis class left a lasting impression. “I wrote a paper on the Joseph novella, looking at how ethnic slurs in the text compare to language used on the U.S.-Mexico border today. That paper still informs the work I do every day,” he says.
Living on campus, Greg and his family found a beloved community among classmates who would become lifelong friends. “That experience—families with kids who played together, my wife finding support as a new mom, hanging out with fellow students at the Crown and Anchor engaged in deep conversation—was just as important as the academics.”
health seminar because of the fear of ICE raids within Hispanic and Latine communities. Greg understood that his church was called to put love into action. “We are a recognized and trusted entity in this community. In January, our session voted unanimously to host a Know Your Rights presentation. Our copier has been running non-stop, making packets to distribute throughout the community.” When the PC(USA) requested testimony against the anti-immigrant legislation, the session again agreed. “I’m very proud of this church for wanting to continue to share this ministry of hospitality with our neighbors,” said Greg.
Greg’s call eventually took him to Hastings, Nebraska. His leadership at First Presbyterian Church emphasizes love in action, especially for the growing Latine community. Hastings’ census data shows 14% of the population is Latine, increasing to over 35% among school-aged children. Greg saw an opportunity to bridge cultural divides and welcome new neighbors.
“We started Spanish classes for our members so they could reach out to their neighbors,” he shares. “Then, a local folkloric dance troupe needed a space to rehearse, so we opened our doors. A taco truck owner asked if he could park in our lot, so we welcomed him. The health department needed a space for Spanish-language health seminars, so we hosted them. It was all about saying ‘yes’ to ways we could love our neighbors.”
Then, anti-immigrant rhetoric became a concrete reality. The dance troupe canceled rehearsal because they feared gathering in one place. The Health Department canceled a
Greg Allen-Pickett’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of answering a call. From his early days in sustainable development to his role as a pastor advocating for justice and hospitality, Greg’s story is one of faith, courage, and an unwavering commitment to embodying love in action in his community. For those considering Austin Seminary, he offers a simple but powerful encouragement: “Seminary isn’t just about learning theology—it’s about forming a foundation for a lifetime of ministry. Austin Seminary prepared me for ministry and helped me grow in my faith. I wouldn’t trade my education at Austin Seminary for anything.”
2011 merit scholars
Working the phones at the phone-a-thon at Austin Seminary.
Greg and his wife, Jessica, at graduation.
Graduation Day 2015
Congratulations to the class of 2025!
“Send us into the world with courage, holding on to what is good, so that we might minister to every person as we would to you. Lord Jesus, as we serve your people, increase our love.”
– The Reverend Dr. Margaret Aymer in the commencement closing prayer
Rooted in Love:
Building Bridges Between Medicine, Faith, and Art
by Judy Matetzschk-Campbell
It began with a simple phone call.
As Dr. Elgin Ware prepared for a major Texas Medical Association gathering in Austin, he searched for someone to offer an invocation. A dedicated physician from Dallas and a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Ware didn’t know any local clergy in Austin. So, he turned to the next best thing—he called Austin Seminary.
The voice that answered that day belonged to Rev. Dr. John R. Evans. Without hesitation, John agreed to offer the prayer. That moment sparked a friendship that would grow into a profound legacy.
Elgin and his wife, Karen, were soon regular visitors to the Austin Seminary campus. They got to know the leadership, the students, and the spirit of the place. When they learned that Shelton Chapel had no bell in its tower, Dr. Ware made it his mission to change that. Traveling the world searching for the perfect tone, he found and donated a bell that now rings every hour—calling the seminary community to worship, reflection, and renewal.
But the Wares’ generosity didn’t stop there.
Deeply passionate about the intersection of faith, ethics, and medicine, they established a planned gift to create a lecture
series dedicated to that topic. This visionary gift will equip generations of faith leaders to engage with the complex moral dimensions of modern medicine thoughtfully.
Their passion also extended into the world of art. Before passing in 2012, Dr. Ware donated the couple’s extensive medical art collection to The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. Today, that collection helps train future doctors in ethics and empathy through the lens of visual storytelling.
Before passing in 2023, Karen Ware shared her dream of a collaborative event between Austin Seminary and the Blanton. Though she didn’t live to see it, her vision came to life last fall in a powerful evening of dialogue on medicine, theology, and the human body—guided by the art the Wares so dearly loved.
The impact of Dr. Elgin and Karen Ware echoes far beyond the toll of Shelton Chapel’s bell. Their planned gifts ensure that the questions they cared about—questions of healing, humanity, and faith—will continue to be asked and answered for years.
They gave not for recognition but out of a deep belief rooted in love—that they were blessed to be a blessing. Through their legacy, they continue to bless us all.
Answer the Call
Austin Seminary is devoted to developing the next generation of Christian leaders who transcend borders, build bridges, and make an impact where God calls them. Because of generous donors like the Wares, Austin Seminary students can answer their own call and lead with faith and purpose.
Make a gift today and help guide the next generation of leaders.
Karen & Elgin Ware with the Shelton Chapel bell.
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection courtesy of the Blanton Museum of Art
Michael Wolgemut
Imago Mortis [The Dance of Death] from the Weltchronik, or Liber Chronicarum [The Nuremberg Chronicle], 1493
Woodcut with watercolor (hand coloring)
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 2003.12
Albrecht Dürer
Christ on the Cross, from The Engraved Passion, 1511
Engraving
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1996.146
Jean Morin
Memento Mori, after Philippe de Champaigne, 1640s
Etching and engraving
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1996.110
Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
The Circumcision in the Stable, 1654
Etching
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1996.137
Kiki Smith
Untitled (Foundation Print)
Woodcut printed in color, collage, hand coloring
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 2000.322
Arnault-Eloi Gautier-Dagoty
Standing Male, Anterior - Outermost Muscles, plate III from the cours complet d’anatomie peint et gravé en couleurs naturelles [Complete Course of Anatomy, Printed and Engraved in Natural Colors], 1773, Color mezzotint, printed in four colors
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1997.132
Jules Cloquet
Plate from L’Anatomie de l’homme, 1825-1827
Lithograph
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 2004.164
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes
De que mal morira? [Of What Ill Will He Die?], plate 40 from Los Caprichos, 1797-1799
Etching and aquatint
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1998.70
Unknown French
Le Jour de médecine [Medicine Day], after James Gillray, Les Effets de la médecine [The Results of Medicine], and Le Lendemain de médecine [The Day after Medicine], circa 1816
Lithograph with hand coloring
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1999.6-8
Käthe Kollwitz
Helft Russland [Help Russia], 1921
Lithograph
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1999.2
Robert Riggs
Accident Ward, circa 1940
Lithograph, printed with tint stone
The Karen G. and Dr. Elgin W. Ware, Jr. Collection, 1997.15
SPOTLIGHT
Lifelong Learning Celebrates Black History Month at Austin Seminary
by Sean Watkins PROGRAM
In celebration of Black History Month, the Seminary traditionally holds a service to commemorate the life and legacy of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and nothing more. This year, the Center for Lifelong Learning expanded our offerings to recognize and honor the Black community. As the associate dean of lifelong learning, I was elated to lead, participate in, and experience four empowering events spanning the entire month of February, which I believe genuinely spoke to the heart of the Black experience.
Our HESED Conference, Hopson Church Music Symposium lecture, Celebration of Black History Concert, and MLK Service offered various elements of the broad Black diaspora of Black culture. Within the stories, the music, and the history of Black culture conveyed at these events, we found hope for this divisive time. In singing songs of the past and telling stories of previous generations, we were reminded of the grace that has brought us safe thus far, and the grace that truly leads us
home. These events demonstrated our institution’s commitment to honoring every voice at the multi-ethnic table. They reaffirmed our unwavering dedication to Black students during a time when our society appears to be doing the opposite. Our country stands at a crossroads, facing opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion that appears to be a top priority for many within the political sphere. As entities in our country take steps to minimize the importance of cultural celebration months, I am immensely grateful that we at Austin Seminary continue to uphold diversity as a biblical principle. Our commitment to learning from diverse and cross-cultural perspectives, transcending borders, and building bridges continues to help us make a lasting impact in Austin.
A special thank you to Dr. W. James Abbington, our Hopson lecturer; and the Huston-Tillotson University choir, directed by Dr. Marcus Rhodes; and The Levites, our Black History Concert musical guest.
FACULTY BOOKS
In the Light of Agape: Moral Realism and Its Consequences
William Greenway (Wipf and Stock)
William Greenway, professor of philosophical theology, defends Moral Realism Theory, contending reality has an inherent moral dimension, the force signified by “agape,” requiring the utilization of three discrete families of vocabularies, those of 1) modern science, 2) free will, and 3) agape. Engaging intellectuals from Augustine and Dostoevsky to Emmanuel Levinas and Peter Singer, tackling issues from animal rights and the essence of spirituality to the passion of Torah and interfaith relations, Greenway demonstrates the spiritual fecundity and real-world ethical potentials that flow from philosophical exploration of agape.
Love in the Hebrew Bible
Song-Mi Suzie Park (Westminster John Knox)
In Love in the Hebrew Bible, Song-Mi Suzie Park explores the complex and multifaceted portrayals of love in the Hebrew Scriptures, challenging simplistic understandings and revealing love’s intricate connections with preference, power dynamics, and even suffering. Pushing beyond traditional characterizations of divine wrath versus divine compassion, Park shows that love is integral to how relationships, both among people and also between humanity and God, are imagined in the Hebrew text. This groundbreaking study invites readers to refresh their understanding and recognize love’s central role in the theology and ideology of the Hebrew Bible.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
The Reverend Dr. Gregory L. Cuéllar
Professor, Mentor, Advocate
by Jeff Sanchez
Dr.
Gregory L. Cuéllar never set out to be a professor. In fact, his early aspirations were deeply rooted in pastoral ministry. Growing up in South Texas, he found inspiration in his local church and its leader, Reverend Servando Torres. It was Torres’ unwavering dedication to his congregation, his simple yet profound acts of care, and his ability to shepherd people through life’s joys and struggles that first stirred Cuéllar’s calling.
Following that calling, Cuéllar enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, earning a Master of Divinity in biblical languages. It was a traditional path toward parish ministry, yet something unexpected happened along the way. A philosophy of religion course introduced him to Peter L. Berger’s The Sacred Canopy, triggering what Cuéllar describes as a “critical analysis of systems.” Cuéllar began to see that beyond serving in faith, there were human-made forces that contributed to certain realities that required action. Around the same time, he attended a talk by Reverend Dr. Daisy Machado, who emphasized the need for more Latino scholars in theological education.
That moment changed everything.
Inspired to pursue theological education, Cuéllar enrolled in Brite Divinity School, where he earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation with an emphasis on the Hebrew Bible. His love for teaching grew, as did his desire to help students critically engage with scripture in ways that could address real-world injustices. But his drive for teaching did not eradicate the desire to pastor. “I felt that pastoring is an important part of teaching and research. Understanding what the church, particularly the Spanish-speaking church, needs, and what the unique approaches to spirituality and faith in that context are, was essential, so I always try to maintain a connection between my roles as pastor, teacher, and researcher.”
Cuéllar continued serving in churches while working as an archivist at Texas A&M’s Cushing Memorial Library & Archives.
Faculty Spotlight continued
After several years in archival work, Cuéllar longed to return to theological education, so he accepted a temporary teaching position at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. This teaching assignment reignited his passion for theological education, and when it ended, he was invited to apply to Austin Seminary.
Cuéllar joined Austin Seminary in 2011 and quickly made an impact. His approach to teaching is profoundly shaped by his faith, which he describes as both a spiritual conviction and a commitment to justice. “Faith is essential to how I present the biblical material,” he said. “Scripture has layers of spirituality that guide us toward justice, peace, and wholeness.”
This belief extends beyond the classroom. For Cuéllar, being a professor is more than intellectual engagement—it’s about love in action.
Arte de Lágrimas: A Sanctuary for Immigrant Stories
While teaching about exile and migration in the Hebrew Bible, Cuéllar was struck by parallels between ancient displacement and modern immigration crises. When images of children in cages at the U.S.-Mexico border surfaced in 2014, he knew he had to act. “So my wife and I were very moved. We have children of our own. Something had to be done. How can I teach about ancient exile and people being displaced and being treated unjustly by an empire, and walk away from those same realities that are happening right here, around us?”
Cuéllar and his wife, Sandra, founded Arte de Lágrimas: Refugee Artwork Project. This creative initiative provides asylum-seeking children with art supplies, allowing them to express their trauma and resilience through drawings and paintings. Here, he saw the biblical concept of hesed, which he translates as “love in action,” come to life. “Hesed is not just an abstract concept,” he explained. “It leaves traces in places. It’s a way of being, of doing for others in ways that lead to justice and healing.”
Through Arte de Lágrimas, Cuéllar has provided a platform for immigrant voices to be heard. Their artwork has been exhibited in churches, schools, and galleries, challenging audiences to see beyond statistics and policies, to recognize the humanity of migrants. “I also try to take a few students with me down to the border to participate,” he said. “So that they could do more than read about it, but learn and experience the power of art and the importance of hearing from people who experience trauma and displacement.”
Teaching as Advocacy
In his courses at Austin Seminary, Cuéllar encourages students to see scripture as more than a historical or theological text—it’s a call to action. “Scripture is art,” he tells his students. “It uses storytelling and poetry to convey a message, and that message involves loving your neighbor, loving God, and loving yourself.”
Cuéllar believes that theological education must equip students to engage in real-world issues, particularly concerning marginalized communities. That’s why he co-teaches courses on social justice and the Bible and incorporates activism into his pedagogy. His research continues to push boundaries, particularly his work on the intersection of biblical texts and museum politics.
Even as he climbs the ranks of academia, Cuéllar remains focused on those who come after him. In March 2025, he became the first Mexican American to be installed as a full professor at Austin Seminary. “It grieves me that the worth and value that my community is able to bring to theological education has been overlooked so long,” he said. “Hopefully, what my community and my faith have helped me to achieve will open the way for others.”
A Place for Future Leaders
For students considering Austin Seminary, Cuéllar offers a compelling vision of what theological education can be. “Aus-
tin is situated in a unique part of the world,” he said. “We’re on the front lines of where white supremacy meets the most liberal notions of democracy. We’re near an international border that connects us to the Spanish-speaking world. This isn’t just another seminary—it’s a portal to a dynamic social and political reality.”
His advice to students? Engage. Question. Act. “Don’t let seminary detach you from the real world,” he said. “Find a community that will challenge and support you. And above all, sign up for our HESED conference every year!”
FACULTY BOOK REVIEW
Swimming with the Sharks: Leading the Full-Spectrum Church in a Red-and-Blue World.
By Jack Haberer (207 p.; 2024)
InSwimming with the Sharks, long-time Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor and church leader Jack Haberer writes for seminary students and church leaders of all ages and positions of leadership as he explores Biblical grounding for grace-based ministry with one another in the first half of the 21st century. He is convinced that, with intentionality, identifying ministry perspectives is essential, when a natural reaction can be – unhelpfully – to embrace theological, political, and sociological viewpoints with “correctness” as a standard for accepting and serving with others.
Haberer tells a family story about when his children were young and encountered a shark while wading and playing in coastline waters. He develops that story into a deliberative and encouraging conversation for 21st-century disciples of Jesus Christ. This is crucial, of course, so that “life does not scare us away” from faith-community involvement and engagement. From the family shark-encounter story in Part I, Haberer describes the United States’ 21st-century culture’s “red-andblue” (“right” and “left,” conservative and progressive) color-spectrum imagery. These sorts of binary characterizations too often influence faith-community life in this time period among small and large congregations and fellowships alike.
In order to be the church God intends across the years, Haberer marshals “Carmel and Caesarea” as his Biblical points of reference: (1) Mt. Carmel where – in I Kings 18 & 19 – God’s truth was revealed in the fire-from-the-clouds incineration of the altar set up for the face-off between King Ahab’s prophets and Elijah, the faithful prophet of God; and (2) Caesarea – where, in Acts 10 and 11 – the storied encounter of Cornelius and Peter occurs, then leads to the testimony at the Council of Jerusalem,
where God’s Spirit teaches and transforms, turning the tables on the habit of religious exclusivity in order for God’s inclusivity to become a prevailing faith-community value. Haberer tells readers that if faithfulness to God in Jesus Christ is our calling, choosing one or the other of “truth” or “inclusivity” is not an option. Being a church of both is essential.
Strengths of the book’s Part II and Part III examine Jesus’ life ministries, which Haberer calls “Jesus’ passions,” and the Holy Spirit’s unrelenting transformative capability, which is never “just in the past,” but which clearly relates and connects to contemporary challenges.
Readers almost certainly will complete this book convinced how, (1) yes, there are sharks in the cultural and ecclesial waters, and (2) Jesus’ passions and God’s Spirit beckon disciples still for in-water engagement which is legitimized by God’s truth prompting the practice of God’s inclusivity –neither of which can be exemplified through allegiance to “colors” or other distinctions!
Leadership and discussion groups of many faith traditions will likely be challenged by, enjoy, and benefit from this volume.
The Reverend Ted V. Foote, Jr. is Professor in the Louis H. and Katherine S. Zbinden Distinguished Chair of Pastoral Ministry and Leadership. Before joining the faculty at Austin Seminary, Rev. Foote served as a pastor in the PC(USA) for over forty years.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Austin Story Project at Austin Seminary
The gift of story is enchantment. The best stories draw us into a different world. We know it’s a good story when we want to hear it again, pick it back up, watch just one more episode— when we want to dwell in the reality cast by the story.
The power of story is the power of relationship. In telling and hearing true stories of being human, we recognize that we are in fact not all alone after all. Our souls want to linger in the space created by shared stories.
Christian story is transformational. When Christians share stories about God in their lives, they invite listeners to encounter God and one another in a way that touches the very heart of the listener.
This is why Austin Seminary created the Austin Story Project. Because enchantment, relationship and transformation are what the world needs.
The Austin Story Project trains people from congregations, Christian organizations, independent practitioners, and young adults to become lifelong leaders of transformational storytelling that illumines God’s life among us. They will learn how to tell their stories, to lead groups of people in sharing stories of regular human life enchanted by holy mysteries, and to convene larger audiences for storytelling and reflection. We expect that they will go beyond what we can imagine and set in motion a far-reaching flow of transformative storytelling that continues long into the future.
Join the project! We seek interested congregations, Christian organizations, independent practitioners, and young adults drawn to explore storytelling as a formative, healing, and enlivening practice. We offer training, coaching, tools, resources, and a collaborative community of learning. To learn more and apply, visit www.austinstoryproject.org/join or scan the QR code.
Show, Don’t (Just) Tell! Fiction Writing Strategies for Sermons
When: Saturday, August 30, 2025 @ 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Where: Austin Seminary campus or Online via Zoom Cost: Free
The Faithful Preaching Project by Austin Seminary invites you to its next preaching workshop, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie, director of the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at Southern Methodist University (SMU). This four-hour workshop will equip participants to use metaphor, scene, and story to gain and maintain listener attention so they retain the memory of Sunday’s sermon on Monday and beyond!
The workshop will be based on insights from Making a Scene in the Pulpit: Vivid Preaching for Visual Listeners and Novel Preaching: Tips from Top Writers on Crafting Creative Sermons.
For more details and to register, visit sharingfaith.austinseminary.edu/events or scan the QR code.
Congregations Building Greater Possibility
Over the past three years, we’ve walked alongside rural churches – helping them take their next, most hopeful step. We have seen individuals, congregations, and communities discover ways to become Houses of Hope – rooted in Christ and reaching out in love.
When a congregation signs up for our process they will:
Receive a coach to accompany them
Establish a core team
• Tell stories of their life together
Practice spiritual disciplines
Deepen relationships within the congregation and community
• Prepare to take your next, most hopeful step.
If you are a member of a rural congregation seeking new possibilities, email us at: info@ourhousesofhope.org or scan the QR code.
