“I have already benefited from the program in my vocation and will continue to see the fruit of this experience as I meet my vocational goals”
April 2026 – When Drew Theological School student Terry Cashion T’27 was researching Doctor of Ministry programs, he was seeking a flexible program where academic rigor and inclusive community intersect.
At Drew, he found a learning community that aligned with those values, along with a hybrid format that allows him to remain in Central Texas while pursuing his degree. The Courageous Leadership in a Changing Culture cohort spoke to the realities of ministry today and the kind of leadership it requires. “I stepped out in faith to apply, and I am so thankful I did!” he said.
Cashion serves two churches as a United Methodist pastor in the Horizon Texas Annual Conference. Located in a military community adjacent to Fort Hood Army Base, he is also the director of a startup charity health clinic in Central Texas.
We sat down with Cashion to learn more about how Drew’s DMin program is impacting his vocational journey. Read on to learn more.
Tell us about your experience at Drew.
All that I can say is GO DREW!! My experience has been amazing. I have enjoyed the courses, every instructor, and the fellow DMin students I have met across all cohorts from all over the world. This is exactly the experience that I was looking for! The course instructors have opened my mind to new material and the students have offered their unique perspectives. I love the discussion based learning and have found that even as an introverted pastor, I have found my own voice and have felt so welcome in the program.
How will the program help you meet your vocational goals?
I will always cherish my experience in the DMin program at Drew Theological School. I have learned to identify problems within my ministry context and feel very confident in my new ability to formulate ingenuitive questions, conduct research to find solutions, and courageously apply these solutions as a leader. I have already benefited from the program in my vocation and will continue to see the fruit of this experience as I meet my vocational goals.
Tell us about your DMin project
My professional project focuses on providing holistic care for family caregivers. The need for families to care for their loved ones at home is growing and this group of caregivers is often forgotten in our communities. I have identified this topic to be an area of concern in my context and I am in the process of designing a curriculum that will offer emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual resources for family caregivers. The study will offer facilitators and participants a model and encouragement for forming support groups. Whether the caregiver is caring for an aging parent, a sibling with an illness, or a child with special needs, there is a need to learn about topics such as burnout, self care, hope, and spirituality in the midst of these challenging roles.
Drew Theological School is currently accepting applications through June 1 for the Courageous Leadership cohort, which commences summer 2026.
