STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
MEET CARLOS SMITH It was the third Ph.D. seminar in my doctoral journey, and I walked into the room greeted by boisterous laughter. The source of audible joy was a fellow student whom I had yet to meet. I found out, as we traversed the seminar in Christology and Anthropology, the student was fellow doctoral student, Carlos Smith. It took me, and the rest of the class, about 10 seconds to fall in love with Carlos’s joyful and loving personality. However, we all quickly became impressed with more than just his contagious joy when he began to describe and read his research. Working on the theological and ecclesial implications of mental disabilities, Carlos presented his plans for what is undeniably needed scholarship. We had the privilege to sit down with him for an interview for our Student Highlight.—Ronni Kurtz, Chief Editor
RONNI KURTZ Carlos, first of all, thanks for taking the time to participate in this Student Highlight. Let’s start with a bit of background: where are you in your studies at Midwestern, and where do you currently serve in ministry?
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CARLOS SMITH Ronni, thank you so much for the opportunity to share. It’s a great honor. I am approaching the writing phase of my doctoral studies at MBTS. I only have Dissertation Seminar remaining and am currently working on theological German. I can see the light at the
end of the tunnel! I am excited to be so close to writing. As far as ministry, I currently serve as the lead pastor of The Journey Hanley Road in University City, Mo. The Journey is a multisite congregation comprised of five
