At Duke Divinity School, the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program extends well beyond the classroom. Field education—contextual learning opportunities in churches, nonprofits, and other organizations—is central to the program, giving students the opportunity to engage in real-world learning under the guidance of trained supervisors.
During their placements, students can practice ministry skills in real time, learn from seasoned theological mentors, and discern God’s calling for their ministry vocation. Field education offers students a chance to practice what they are learning in the classroom and to see the inner workings of church or nonprofit life from hiring personnel to running staff meetings.
See a few snapshots of what our students have been doing in their field education placements this summer.
Keagan Bouman, M.Div. '26
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
I am with Arise Collective, which is a nonprofit organization that works to help women reenter the community after incarceration.
What are you learning from field education that you couldn't learn in the classroom setting?
I am always learning how to be in communication with real people and how to appropriately do ministry. It is one thing to learn tools of ministry, but to actually be in contact with people you are actively serving brings everything into focus in an environment where you can take risks and find your gifts and struggles in ministry. I have also been able to explore several potential opportunities that I might want to pursue in the future, bringing my calling into further clarity.
Share a bit about your goals after Divinity School. What do you want to do and how is field education helping to prepare you for that work?
I am currently pursuing ordination in the Free Methodist Church and am seeking to plant a church back in my home state, Illinois. I have a heart for those who have been hurt by the church and would like this church plant to help reestablish what the church should look like at its best and what the love of Jesus means for a community.
What have been your favorite parts of your field education experience so far?
I have loved meeting with the women in the program and stretching myself to create Bible studies for women who are still incarcerated. It has been wonderful to be trusted by this organization, to learn to trust myself, and to grow the knowledge that I have for being capable in ministry!
Samira Foster, M.Div. '27
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
My field placement is at Mount Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Pittsboro, N.C. This place of worship has a rich history with communities of African descent dating back to its establishment in 1871. Mount Sinai is united under the vision, “Together We Grow,” spearheaded by Pastor Shontea L. Smith.
What are you learning from field education that you couldn't learn in the classroom setting?
The hands-on experience I am gaining this summer is invaluable. As a pre-enrolled student, I have not extensively engaged in the classroom, but interning in a church context before the start of classes has helped me build a sturdy foundation for what is to come. The most powerful part of this summer was having the chance to sit with my gifts and navigate their expression. For the very first time, I was blessed with the opportunity to preach and doing so surpassed my expectations. It is incomparable to experience God’s Spirit in such a manner that allows a message for His people to be birthed.
Share a bit about your personal calling and choice to attend Duke Divinity School. What led you here and how did you decide on Duke?
In my previous season, I received a personal invitation from my university chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Kirstin Boswell. She invited me to reflect at a commemorative event and, upon hearing me speak, shared her detection of a pastoral calling over my life. My initial response was nervous laughter, but she again relayed the sentiments before I left the program causing them to remain with me. I later reached out to talk with her further and during our heart-to-heart, she encouraged me to apply to divinity school. After much prayer, meditation, and undeniable confirmation, I took the leap.
Duke Divinity School was the only institution God led me to apply to, so I was all in when I submitted my materials. My conversation with Rev. Dr. Boswell was last November, and here I am walking in the dream I didn’t know I was dreaming. By faith, this is the path that has always been in existence but was not yet discernible until entering God’s perfect timing. All the glory belongs to my Heavenly Father. The God who opens doors. The God who provides. The God who sent me. I would not be here without Him.
Tell us about your field education supervisor. How is that mentorship aiding your growth spiritually, intellectually, or professionally?
Pastor Smith is a true visionary with a mission in mind. Observing her active involvement throughout Chatham County, and with organizations that work toward racial equity and justice, has nourished critical enlightenment. Over the summer, we attended meetings and events with groups such as Community Organizing for Racial Equity and Partners in Racial Justice, both with whom she collaborates. Doing so has strongly illuminated the pertinence of my social work background.
Mackenzie Smith, M.Div. '25
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
I'm at First Baptist Church of Asheville (FBCA), N.C. interning under the music minister, Emily Floyd. In this placement, I've worked in music ministry leadership, choosing and executing musical selections for Sunday mornings—congregational hymns, choir selections, solos, and small ensembles. I've been involved in numerous smaller expressions of worship and ministry happening in the church throughout the week, including "Lunch at the Crossroads" communion services sharing meals with unhoused individuals in the community, Via Karis (Way of Grace) vacation Bible study kids camp within the children's ministry (leading music and recreation), a "Guns to Gardens" event, and a weeklong off-campus conference with the Presbyterian Association of Musicians at Montreat.
I've also been able to engage in various intentional conversations about leadership and future calling with a number of the ministers present, including the chaplain on staff, the youth ministers, the children's minister, and the head pastor, Mack Dennis. I've been able to work on sermon writing for unique congregations, and philosophies that drive the way one crafts sermons for different groups to receive the Spirit's workings most effectively. I preached on June 30, and for the rest of July will be involved in various other expressions within the church, including First Shine camp for youth and young adults with exceptionalities, and AFTA camp, which is a program running out of FBCA offering music lessons to youth and children.
In all of these places, I've had numerous opportunities to develop my own theologies of excellence, inclusion, and leadership. This placement helped me develop my sense of call into the minister I want to be-- a music minister of the WHOLE church, present in all expressions of worship past Sunday mornings, who can acknowledge and learn from God's Spirit speaking through all vessels.
What are you learning from field education that you couldn't learn in the classroom setting?
I've certainly learned beyond the classroom what interacting with real communities is like. Every church has its own very unique culture, values, priorities, and goals that drive all decision-making. It's been so eye-opening seeing how this looks in a brand-new context, as a window into the greater diversities between numerous other Cooperative Baptist churches.
Working and finding the best postures with which to lead in unique settings is something you can't really learn how to do without experience outside of a classroom, interacting with all groups of people represented in a congregation. You have to walk a church's walk with them, and understand why they do what they do, in order to lead among them and be a learner alongside them. Classes can talk around it and about it all they want, but there's nothing like interacting with real individual people and finding how people in a big group can think differently from one another, past vast generalizations. A minister and pastor has to be able to lead and connect with all, as the Spirit of God resides in all.
Share a bit about your goals after Divinity School. What do you want to do and how is field education helping to prepare you for that work?
My goals for after Divinity School include finding a church to work in as a music minister of the whole church, engaged in the whole of church life, learning from all unique groups under its wings. I will be staying in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for my church selections, and working within a learning "denomination," which strives to affirm and love all people the way that God has taught us to. I wish for worship leadership where I end up to reflect such a humble love, prioritizing honoring and loving and inclusion of all over excellence, gatekeeping of the pulpit, and cultures of perfectionism. I'd like to keep learning from all people, past Sunday mornings' hymn leading and preaching to cultivating community values, disability ministry, children and youth ministry, community mission work and service, etc. My hope is that my involvement in numerous areas will allow me to continue interacting with more of God that might be often limited in if not kept out of Sunday morning settings. This field education placement prepares me for all of this by allowing me to be a part of so many different programs, to give me a clearer sense of who the church is and where they want to be.
What have been your favorite parts of your field education experience so far?
Some of my favorite parts of this field education placement experience have been getting to share and serve communion to folks who are unhoused in the community as a weekly experience, learning from children who are learning to live the Way of Grace theology written into the church's mission (Via Karis), preaching to a unique congregation, and working within a loving staff dynamic of passionate ministers intentional about the programs they execute. It's been so encouraging to watch everyone being so intentional about the work they do, mindful of its impact, and eager to keep growing as they learn from God, like me.
Trinity Long, M.Div. '25
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) began in 1920 as a ministry of charity and service, providing food, clothing and day care to farm workers. When United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez began organizing in the 1960’s, he called on the religious community to change its emphasis from charity to justice. The NFWM became the vehicle for people of faith to respond to that call.
We continue that mission by educating and mobilizing our member and supporting organizations, other faith communities, groups, and individuals to support farm worker led campaigns that aim to improve farm workers’ working and living conditions.
Read a full reflection from Trinity on her field education at the NFWM.
Share a bit about your personal calling and choice to attend Duke Divinity School. What led you here and how did you decide on Duke?
If I was honest with myself, even though it felt like my decision to go to Duke was last minute, I could name pivotal moments that led to my deep desire to explore theological questions I had (and continue to have). Duke was the place that has helped me form a critical and ethical framework for how I see the world, myself, and others. I do not think I knew all the reasons why I needed to go to Duke when I chose to attend, but I am so glad that I listened to God’s gentle push for this next step in my life.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I plan on getting ordained after graduation at my local Baptist Church. I will most likely go into higher education administration and work with college students as part of my vocational call.
What have been your favorite parts of your field education experience so far?
My favorite part of field education is the people you meet and how they widen your imagination. Ministry is done in so many contexts, and there are things that I have learned that I was able to bring over to other situations. There are also things that I learned might be effective in one place and will not work with a different subset of people.
I have been introduced to situations that I would have never thought about my need to process through and be prepared for. I know that after my three very different field placements, I am a more well-rounded student with lots of experience. Also, I enjoy visiting other students’ placements and seeing all the cool and unique work my classmates are doing.
Katrena Kilpatrick, M.Div. '25
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
I serve at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Durham, N.C., where I am learning that ministry is a hands-on experience. We can learn theology and practice theories in the classroom, but actually serving in various roles and ministries in the church cannot be duplicated anywhere except in the field. My favorite parts of field education this summer have been preaching, teaching the youth in vacation Bible school, and partnering with the associate ministers and elders of the church to pray for and serve communion to the sick and shut in in the community.
Share a bit about your personal calling and choice to attend Duke Divinity School. What led you here and how did you decide on Duke?
My personal calling was confirmed and answered over years of serving in the church and in the community. Once I accepted the call into ministry, I knew I needed to learn all that I could about ministry and the Word of God. I was researching graduate programs, and none seemed to be a good fit. I then attended an online information session for Duke Divinity and was invited to come out and tour the campus. I will never forget it. It was 90-plus degrees that day. It was scorching hot, but as I walked on campus the wind started to blow a cool breeze and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit so strongly on me. I felt a peace about this school that I did not have at the other schools I had toured. When I continued to pray about the decision for days after, Duke Divinity was confirmed as my new place to learn more about the call I had answered.
How has your time at Duke Divinity School shaped your understanding of ministry and the work you are doing at your current placement? Do any experiences or courses stand out as particularly helpful for this work?
My time at Duke Divinity has confirmed for me several things. The first being that when various denominations come together in worship of God, beautiful things happen. I am still convinced that there will not be denominations in heaven. We will all worship God together on one accord. I have also enhanced my thoughts surrounding discipline and grace. I must have discipline to get all that is required done, but I must also give myself grace when it is not possible. Many of the courses that I have taken have sharpened my skills in ministry.
Tell us about your field education supervisor. How is that mentorship aiding your growth spiritually, intellectually, or professionally?
My field education supervisor, Dr. Julian Pridgen, has been a tremendous help in navigating a new faith tradition. Not only does he give me wisdom and insight, but he also paired me with ministers and members with similar interests to help me serve where I fit in. My activities held true to what I placed on my initial service-learning covenant. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow amongst other believers.
Hannah Doty, M.Div. '26
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
I am at Millbrook UMC in Raleigh. Millbrook is a medium-sized congregation with several vibrant ministries including a food pantry, respite center, preschool, and Hispanic-speaking sister congregation that is also housed here. The almost 155-year-old congregation is exceedingly friendly and has had a great tradition of welcoming interns every year in recent memory. Millbrook is currently led by an all-female pastoral team, so it has been great to be mentored by such strong, fantastic women leaders!
What are you learning from field education that you couldn't learn in the classroom setting?
I am learning so much about the administrative side of parish ministry! So far, I have not had the opportunity to encounter any formal training in that area in the classroom, so getting to participate in weekly staff meetings, watch the hiring process, and other administrative tasks have been fascinating to shadow. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to observe these tasks before having to be in charge of them when I become an ordained pastor. I have also had the pleasure of interacting with the tech team in working on videos and gaining insight into what it takes for a church to have an active online presence.
How has your time at Duke Divinity School shaped your understanding of ministry and the work you are doing at your current placement? Do any experiences or courses stand out as particularly helpful for this work?
I have noticed that I am using my Christian education and core Bible classes a lot this summer. Millbrook is currently doing a "Bible Year," where the congregation is reading through the whole Bible together, in one year. I have been invited to help facilitate their weekly Bible study a few times where I have had to create the lesson plan for the evening and lead the group in reflecting on the passages for reading. They are currently in the Prophets, so having Dr. Chapman’s notes from Old Testament has been vital! Dr. Edie’s Christian education classes have also empowered me to organize my thoughts and facilitate Bible studies that are not just an exchange of fun facts, but rather an impactful discussion of scripture and exploration of practical application of the scripture to their daily lives.
What have been your favorite parts of your field education experience so far?
I just adore being able to be with people this summer. Whether that is by the bed of a hospice patient, or folks swinging by my office to shoot the breeze and talk about Bible study, I love having the privilege to do life together. Through these encounters of being, we have been able to contemplate what it looks like to be a thoughtful person, and more importantly a Christian, in the twenty-first century. It is in these moments that the content I learn in the classroom comes alive. Theology is transformed from arguments about which preposition is a more accurate description of Jesus as both human and God, into people trying to figure out how to best love God and make a difference in this world.
Seth Craver, M.Div. '26
Tell us a bit about your field education placement.
This summer, I am doing my Duke Divinity field education at Cullowhee UMC in Jackson County in western N.C. At Cullowhee, I assist with church administration and am learning about its critical role and how it integrates with ministerial leadership. My duties involve worship planning, organizing, and managing church resources and activities, which ensures the operation of the church. I also focus on spiritual leadership, preaching, pastoral care, and community outreach. In participating in these ministerial arts, I am learning how they intersect and support the church's mission of evangelism and disciple-making as well as providing a stable welcoming environment for spiritual growth. I also work with elementary-age children for the church's summer reading program funded by The Duke Endowment.
What are you learning from field education that you couldn't learn in the classroom setting?
Here at Cullowhee UMC, I am learning to navigate the ins and outs of rural church administration, from attending and participating in various church councils and committees to helping secure and manage church funds and grants. Most importantly, there is the ministry of pastoral care. It is such a privilege to be invited into people's personal lives and homes and be welcomed as a trusted member of the church community. I am learning about pastoral care in ways that a classroom cannot provide. Being involved in people's lives, offering support, and being a trusted presence teaches me about compassion, empathy, and the true essence of ministry. These real-life interactions and the connections I form with the congregation are invaluable and irreplaceable experiences that enhance my understanding of pastoral care and what it means to be a pastor in a rural church setting.
Share a bit about your personal calling and choice to attend Duke Divinity School. What led you here and how did you decide on Duke?
Growing up in a rural area, my sense of vocation to Christian ministry was deeply influenced by my nurturing church family and grandparents. Raised and baptized in a rural United Methodist Church (UMC), I was surrounded by two loving families—my biological family and my church family. My grandparents played significant roles in the church; my grandmother played the piano, and my grandfather taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. Their dedication taught me the importance of serving God's kingdom.
After graduating with a degree in English literature, I turned to teaching, which built my self-confidence but didn't completely fulfill the need God had placed on my heart to do more (yet, looking back, it feels like a way God prepared me for ministry). Realizing my true calling was to share the love of Christ with the world along with building up and sustaining the church, I embraced my call to ordained ministry. I took on leadership roles in my home church, combining teaching with spiritual fulfillment. In a challenging time for my church, I stepped up into a leadership role, and this helped clarify my call to ordained ministry in the rural church. Now that I have finally answered God's call and am pursuing ordination as an ordained elder in the UMC, I feel that I am finally on the right path in life.
Being connected to Duke through multiple UMC ministers, two of whom were in the Thriving Rural Communities (TRC) initiative here at Duke, I was approached by the TRC and invited to interview, sharing with them my call story and my own rural UMC community that shaped my Christian identity and call. Now I am a rural fellow in the Thriving Rural Communities initiative. This initiative has allowed me to attend Duke Divinity and pursue an outstanding theological and ministerial education, articulated to my call to serve rural Methodist Church communities just like the one I was raised in.
What have been your favorite parts of your field education experience so far?
Being able to be a part of a thriving rural church community, helping them with their outreach programs, building relationships inside and outside the church, getting to know people, and providing pastoral care in many different ways. Also having a great field education pastor mentor!