This past spring, a unique program invited women scholars from the Majority World to undertake the Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree at Duke Divinity School, part of preparation for doctoral work in theological studies.

Women in many parts of the world face barriers that keep them from developing the full potential of their gifts for theological leadership. If they had more opportunities early in their careers, their gifts and leadership could expand even further to help their churches and communities flourish.

The Global Women Th.M. Program, a collaboration between Duke Divinity School and Scholar Leaders, is designed to address some of the educational inequalities experienced by women in the global church. It aims to equip and empower women scholars from Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East to develop and exercise their gifts for theological leadership.

In this inaugural year, the program welcomed four students, who have now successfully finished their first semester of the two-semester program.

Sandy Samy Abd El Massih (Egypt) earned her M.A.T. and M.A. in Counseling Psychology degrees while working as a pharmacist and doing youth ministry. While serving as a teaching assistant for New Testament and Greek courses, she felt God’s call to pursue further academic preparation in biblical studies.

Enoni (Pfokreni) Enoni (India) holds an M.Div. and Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling. Currently she serves as executive associate at Oriental Theological Seminary in Nagaland, India. Her theological interests are exploring the theology of relationship for reconciliation. 

Chishamiso Evermary Nyabonda (Zimbabwe) is a Methodist minister for the church in Zimbabwe. She has served as the Bishop of Gweru District and is currently Hatfield Superintendent. Her passion is to know God and how people’s beliefs influence their lives.  

Gifta Veronica (India) earned her M.Div. degree, and she serves as a youth and children’s ministry coordinator and conducts Bible study classes at her church in Tamil Nadu, India. Her focus is Johannine literature, especially themes of suffering and glorification in the life of Jesus, and she is passionate about contributing to theology by writing and translating books that can aid Bible college students and pastors.

"These international female scholars are an integral part of the global and ecumenical formation of the Divinity School community," said Dr. Jung Choi, associate dean for global and intercultural formation. "They are here to study and, at the same time, to teach us how God’s Spirit leads God’s people around the world.”

Upon completion of the Th.M., students will participate in a focused one-semester internship and will be prepared to apply for Ph.D. and Th.D. programs that enable them to serve as faculty members, school executives, and in other leadership roles upon their return home. The program is also designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge across diverse cultural and theological contexts.

Said Duke Divinity School Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric: "The Global Women Th.M. Program embodies the Divinity School’s commitment to serving en conjunto with God’s Pentecost around the world. The Spirit is doing a new thing among us.”