When Alexis Thomas graduated from Duke Divinity School in 2010 with her Master of Divinity degree, she embarked on a journey of faith-filled service that has brought her to Furman University, where she currently serves as an associate chaplain.
In this role, Thomas is making a profound impact on the lives of emerging adults, empowering their spiritual formation and discovery, which resonates deeply with her passion and purpose.
“I am passionate about cultivating spaces and practices that empower emerging adults to be intentional and energized about spiritual formation,” Thomas shares. “The work is one of sojourning, awakening, and co-learning, and it is incredibly life-giving.” This dedication to walking alongside young people as they navigate their spiritual journeys is at the heart of her ministry.
Invaluable Gift of Theological Education
Reflecting on her years at Duke Divinity, Thomas emphasizes the profound preparation she received for her work in ministry. “My time at Duke Divinity prepared me to think deeply about identity, formation, and service to the church and world,” she explains. “It also taught me to ask hard questions of myself and others. I learned to value the ministry of presence at Duke.”
These lessons have proven indispensable as she engages with students, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue and reflection.
She fondly recalls courses that challenged her understanding and deepened her faith. In particular, she highlights the impact of Dr. Richard B. Hays’s New Testament course. “Pericopes that I had read for years were illuminated and problematized in new ways for me,” she says.
Her marked-up copy of Hays’s The Moral Vision of the New Testament remains a treasured resource, embodying both the academic rigor and spiritual discernment she encountered at Duke.
Thomas says there’s a unique blend of academic excellence, spiritual formation, and communal support that defines the institution of Duke. “It is an invaluable gift to pursue theological education in a place with many treasures,” she says.
“The caring staff, proficient faculty, and dynamic opportunities prepare leaders ‘to engage in spiritually disciplined and academically rigorous education in service and witness to the Triune God in the midst of the church, the academy, and the world.’ Furthermore, within the hallowed walls ring with sweet communion and the sacred wisdom of saints past and present,” she says.
Pulpits in Many Places
While the academic foundation Thomas received at Duke was vital, she acknowledges that some lessons could only be learned in the field. “It is challenging to truly learn the significance of knowing and standing firm in our core values and convictions and their correlation to our spiritual well-being and professional thriving,” she says.
“It is in the midst of leading, decision-making, and feeling that the ‘personal is political’ that we learn to hold onto our core values and the danger of not doing so.” These insights have been instrumental as she navigates the complexities of chaplaincy, offering wisdom and support to students and colleagues alike.
Thomas’s work exemplifies the theme of this year’s Duke Divinity Convocation and Pastors’ School, “Pulpits in Many Places.” As she reflects on this idea, she sees its resonance in her own ministry. “Yes to ‘Pulpits in Many Places,’” she affirms. “I have found myself in various pulpits beyond the walls of churches where God’s people were eagerly waiting for prophetic words or those of comfort.
“In this coming year, I anticipate that the pulpits of public squares will be more necessary than yesteryear,” she says. Her vision of ministry extends beyond traditional settings, embracing the call to meet people where they are with authenticity and grace.