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Drew Theological School MDiv Students Travel to Turkey and Tucson

Through summer theoTREC programs 

August 2024 – This summer, Drew Theological School Master of Divinity (MDiv) students had to option of participating in theoTREC journeys to either Turkey or Tucson, Arizona.

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Turkey theoTREC

The Theological School requires theoTREC, an intensive and intentional cross-cultural travel immersion experiences, as a part of the MDiv program. Students in other master’s programs are welcome to attend.

The educational trips complement student’s studies and provide hands-on, experiential learning with a focus on a specific societal, economic, or political issue within the context, and explore culture through a variety of lenses.

Students gain global insight into their own understanding of ministry by learning about the struggles and theological vision and perspectives of people in diverse cultural contexts.

The trips range from one to two weeks in duration and are guided by Theological School faculty. Prior to travel, students will prepare for their excursions by taking TREC 550: Engaging Cultural Contexts. Upon return, students reflect theologically on their travel in THEO 610: God’s Mission in a Multicultural World.

Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, Henry Anson Buttz Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, led a group of students through Turkey to explore Turkish culture throughout its rich and varied history.

“I enjoyed meeting with and learning from many different activists and religious leaders,” said Maeve Perrin T’25. “They each shared about the work they do, which offered glimpses into current events and daily life in Türkiye. It was beautiful to hear their stories of forming community and meeting the needs of those around them.”

“We were also able to see many early church sites,” continued Perrin. “The most impactful for me was standing in what would have been the main agora in Ephesus—one of few places that historians can say with certainty that early church leaders including Paul—and possibly the Apostle John and Mary Mother of Jesus—would have lived and worked. It was a beautiful and serene location and I was able to imagine what the city of Ephesus would have been like at its height.”

“I acquired so much knowledge regarding Turkish history, theology, social status, governance, and religious diversity, which is going to help me in my future profession as a historian, educator, writer, and theologian in many ways,” said Fortunate Danje T’26. 

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Tucson, Arizona theoTREC

Four students traveled to Tucson, Arizona, with Assistant Teaching Professor in Latinx Studies and Ministries Francisco Pelaez-Diaz to explore immigration and border issues under the guidance of the Border Links organization. 

“Our time there was profoundly impactful as we heard stories from immigrants, learned from scholars, activists, and non-profit staff and gained first-hand insight into the challenges vulnerable immigrants face when attempting to cross the border,” said Pelaez-Diaz. “One of the most powerful experiences was our walk through a small portion of the desert, where we carried water jugs to a known migrant trail rest point. Walking under the scorching heat, through thorny, narrow, and sometimes slippery gravel paths, gave us a glimpse of the difficult journeys many migrants undertake.”

“We walked in the migrants’ shoes for a couple of hours or so, and that changed how we see many controversial issues surrounding immigration in the U.S.,” continued Palaez-Diaz. “Motivated by this newfound understanding, all the students felt compelled to continue reflecting on this knowledge and to take tangible steps to address some of the challenges at the local level, support immigrants in their struggles, and/or raise awareness within their respective church communities.”

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