Co-Director
Drew G.I. Hart
Co-Director
ahart@messiah.edu 717-796-1800 ext. 2461
Dr. Hart is Assistant Professor of Theology. As Program Director for Thriving Together, Professor Hart oversees the development of the curriculum; identifies and hires workshop and seminar leaders; and coordinates all learning experiences in the program. Professor Hart has broad and deep experience in working with congregations seeking to address concerns with racism, social justice, and Christian faith. He is well-known nationally through his books and speaking engagements focused on this topic.
Co-Director
Brian Smith
Co-Director
bsmith@messiah.edu 717-796-1800 ext. 7088
Dr. Smith is Chair of Biblical and Religious Studies and Professor of Hebrew Bible. In his role as Co-Director of Thriving Together, Professor Smith is responsible for assisting Professor Hart in the development and implementation of the Program. Professor Smith has experience in running a large and complex department as Chair, and in that capacity oversees programs in theology and Christian ministry.
Dean of the School of the Humanities
Peter K. Powers
Dean of the School of the Humanities
ppowers@messiah.edu
Dr. Powers is Dean of the School of the Humanities. Dean Powers will provide institutional oversight to the program as the Administrative Director. Dean Powers has overseen numerous grant-funded programs during his 12 years as Dean. His scholarship focuses on questions of race, religion and culture.
Student Fellow Coordinator聽
Shelly Skinner
Student Fellow Coordinator聽
sskinner@messiah.edu 717-796-1800 ext. 7384
Dr. Skinner is Associate Professor of Christian Ministry. Professor Skinner’s expertise in, and passion for, young adult and congregational ministries provides insight and direction for ways that we can best engage congregations through the program. She is responsible for overseeing student involvement with congregations. Her attention to spiritual and leadership development assists in equipping our own student fellows for future leadership in the church.
Community Liaison聽
Jean Corey
Community Liaison聽
jcorey@messiah.edu 717-796-1800, ext. 2097
Dr. Corey is Director of the Center for Public Humanities and Professor of English. The Thriving Congregations program builds on the efforts of the Center for Public Humanities, particularly the historical work surrounding race, racism and segregation in our local context. The work of our Public Humanities Fellows and our newly formed Thriving Congregations Student Fellows is a primary driver of developing our local knowledge. Additionally, Professor Corey serves as a community liaison to build community support for the project.
Advisor
Emerson B. Powery
Advisor
epowery@messiah.edu 717-796-1800 ext. 3420
Dr. Powery is Professor of Biblical Studies. Professor Powery has been director of the Clergy Leadership Program that serves in some respects as a foundation for the work of Thriving Together. He is nationally recognized for his work on race and biblical interpretation, both in his written work and through invited lectures at leading seminaries and other institutions of higher education. Professor Powery serves in an advisory capacity to the leadership team and will be available for leading seminars and workshops for participants.
Community Leader
Rev. D. Marie Tribble
Community Leader
Rev. D. Marie Tribble is Senior Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and President/CEO of Face-to-Face Ministries, a community organization committed to helping people achieve emotional justice. Rev. D. Marie also serves as the Founding Pastor of Restoration Community Christian Church in York, PA established in 2021, and Co-Director of the Race & Unity Action Coalition (RUAC) in partnership with Christian Church United. As co-director D. Marie developed and facilitates bimonthly dialogues with the community designed to create safe space for hard conversation regarding race.
Community Leader
Bishop Nathan Baxter
Community Leader
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan Baxter served the Episcopal Church as Bishop of the Central Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese from 2006 to 2014 and was Dean of the Washington National Cathedral from 1991 to 2003. An in-demand preacher, theologian, and professor, he has taught at, among others, Harvard Divinity School, Virginia Theological Seminary, Princeton University and the Episcopal Divinity School, and has served as Acting President and Dean of Lancaster Theological Seminary. The recipient of numerous honors and awards, including chaplain of the Queen’s Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Bishop Baxter has received eight honorary doctorates in recognition of his theological and religious leadership.