Hood Theological Seminary held its annual Service of Candidacy for the doctor of ministry program on March 19 in the Aymer Center on the Seminary campus.

Fifteen students were named candidates for the doctor of ministry degree: Charles G. Allen, Joshua Adam Arena-Gilliam, Clay Lamont Barrow, Debbie Ann Bowens-Davis, Eva Smith Davis, Michael Fongemy, Linda G. Higgins, Kay M. Hines, Ronald Lee Ivey, Toni M. Lowe, Steven L. Lyons, Darek Lamar McCullers, Martin Quick, Maxine R. Sumpter and Floyd Winfred Wicker.

The diversity of the student body is reflected in this group which represents six different denominations: African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Anglican, Baptist, United Church of Christ and United Methodist.

This important step in the doctor of ministry program comes when the student has completed the required class work and is ready to begin work on their professional project.

“The doctoral candidates will now move from classroom learning to practical implementation of that learning,” said Dr. Jim Wadford, director of the doctor of ministry program at Hood. Satisfactory completion of the entire program typically takes three years. There will be nine doctro of ministry degrees awarded at the 2016 commencement in May.

Persons interested in the doctor of ministry program or other graduate level programs at Hood may contact the dean’s office at 704-636-6962 or Admissions Director Angela Davis-Baxter at 704-636-6023 for additional information or visit the website www.hoodseminary.edu.

Hood Theological Seminary, located at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, is a graduate and professional school sponsored by the A.M.E. Zion Church and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Its student body currently comprises persons from many different denominations. As a theological seminary, it provides for the church an educational community in which Christian maturity and ministerial preparation take place together.