Winebrenner: In Depth with Faculty

Rev. Dr. James Ellis III

Rev. Dr. James Ellis III is a new faculty member at Winebrenner Theological Seminary, serving as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. He has an eclectic background and interests. He is most passionate about helping students to traverse the realities of life winsomely, relevantly, and biblically; to understand the times and know what to do (1 Chronicles 12:32).

He is a practical and public theologian with a gift for writing. His latest books include “An Inward-Outward Witness: Suffering’s Role in Forming Faithful Preachers” and “Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil: Stories about the Challenges of Young Pastors,” with his fourth, “Dysfunction in the Name of Jesus: Confronting the Idolatry of Pastoral Workaholism,” set to be released this year.

He holds graduate degrees from Western Theological Seminary (DMin), Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (STM), and George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University (MTS). Growing up with military fathers and then relocating for many pastoral assignments once married, he and his wife have resided in 10 states and three countries.

In the diverse spirit that has marked his career, James, though comfortably ordained in the Baptist tradition, leads a small, aging Dutch Calvinist church in Holland, Michigan (known for its tulips and heated downtown sidewalks), where he and his wife live.

Dr. James Sweeney

Rev. Dr. Jim Sweeney is the J. Russell Bucher Professor of New Testament Studies at Winebrenner Theological Seminary, where he has taught since fall of 2010. He also serves as advisor of the seminary’s Master of Divinity program. Over Prof. Sweeney’s years at Winebrenner, he has taught on a wide range of courses in the areas of Old Testament, New Testament, biblical languages and exegesis, biblical theology, as well as worldview, world religions, and theology.

Prof. Sweeney is an ordained Christian minister and a graduate of four academic institutions: Elim Bible Institute (Lima, NY), Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester, NY), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (South Hamilton, MA), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL). He is a presently a member of two professional societies: The Society of Biblical Literature and the Evangelical Theological Society. He was a past member of the Institute of Biblical Research.

Prof. Sweeney has authored numerous articles, book reviews, and book review articles in prominent theological journals, including Expository Times, Journal of Biblical Literature, Bibliotheca Sacra, Review of Biblical Literature, Trinity Journal, Journal for the Evangelical Theological Society, Africanus Journal, and the Bulletin of Biblical Research.

At the personal level, Prof. Sweeney is happily married to his wife, Verne, an Ohio native and enjoys walking, hiking, travel, and (to Dr. Sleasman’s chagrin) following New England area sports!

Dr. Imac Reynaga

Dr. Imac Reynaga Holmes is excited to become a Winebrenner counseling faculty member. Prior to coming to Winebrenner, Imac lived in the high desert of rural Arizona and is excited to start a new chapter in life as she continues to follow God’s direction every step of the way.

Imac has a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Masters in Christian Counseling from Philadelphia Biblical University/Cairn University, and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy Washington DC campus. She is a licensed LPC /LHMC in 7 states and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor and Nationally Board Certified Counselor.

Imac has a varied teaching and clinical background, having taught at Duquesne University, Waynesburg University and Geneva College before moving to Arizona. In her clinical practice, Imac has enjoyed focusing on children and youth and has worked in urban clinics, rural hospitals, schools, and Native American reservations.

Imac has been married for 37 years and has 3 wonderful adult children. She enjoys taking walks, reading nonfiction, and wants to spend more in creative endeavors. Imac is also adamant about having a cat in her life always!

Dr. Mary Iiames

Mary first came to Winebrenner as an adjunct professor in the Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program. In May 2017, she joined the seminary as a full-time faculty member. She stated, “When the opportunity arose to join Winebrenner in the MACC program, I thought to myself, ‘This is my dream job!’ The opportunity to teach counseling courses and include faith and Biblical truths was a dream come true.”

Mary was raised in Bluffton, Ohio. She went to Bluffton High School and Bluffton College, majoring in mathematics and education. She began her career life as a high school math teacher at Perry High School in Lima. She then went to Bowling Green State University and graduated with an M.Ed. in guidance and counseling. She was the freshman class counselor at Perrysburg High School for one year before returning to Perry Schools to be an elementary school counselor. She completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Toledo in 2000. She continued to work as a school counselor but also taught as an adjunct professor for the University of Toledo and the University of Dayton.

Mary and her husband Jeff have been married for 30 years and live in Lima, Ohio. Their daughter Brooklyn is a nurse in the Ohio State Health Network and recently married Christian Sauer. They reside in Columbus with their fur babies. Their daughter Riley is an intervention specialist at Cridersville Elementary School. Riley is currently working on her master’s degree in special education with the hopes of becoming a Certified Academic Language Therapist. “And last, but certainly not least, the baby of the family, Lulu, is a 7-year-old miniature poodle. Her only aspirations are to eat and sleep.”