Joy Leadership Lectures Featuring Dr. Matt Bloom

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the Stead Center for Ethics and Values are sponsoring a series of lectures throughout the upcoming academic year on the theme of "joy." By “joy” we do not have in mind either a superficial cheerfulness or ecstatic bliss. Rather, it is more akin to a sense of peace and satisfaction that comes when one has done something that promotes the good of others; the good of neighbors; the good of the community. Our "Joy of Leadership" speakers are leaders in their respective fields who embody, and in some cases conduct research, this deeper understanding of joy.

On October 16, 2013, we welcome Dr. Matt Bloom, Associate Professor in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, who will be giving a lecture entitled, "Happiness and Leadership." This is a part of our ongoing Joy of Leadership lecture series. He will speak in room 205 at 4:00 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.

I am pleased to have Dr. Bloom on campus with us and believe you will appreciate hearing of his ongoing work. Dr. Bloom conducts research in the area of the improvement of the human condition at work, with a focus on intrinsic motivation, happiness and meaning, and innovation. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Baker University, an M.A. in Organizational and Personnel Psychology from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. He teaches undergraduate, graduate, and executive courses in innovation and workforce related topics. Matt researches well-being at work and is interested in what makes work a meaningful, positive life-enriching experience that fosters the highest levels of human excellence.

Recent teaching awards include the 2010 Joyce Award for Undergraduate Teaching Award, the 2011 Master of Nonprofit Administration Outstanding Teaching Award, and the 2011 MBA Outstanding Teaching Award. Bloom serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Review and the Journal of Organizational Behavior. He also is an ad hoc reviewer for numerous research journals.

To learn more about this dynamic lectures series, go to www.garrett.edu/joylectures.

Dr. Philip Amerson, President
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Meet Ornella Umubyeyi

Name 
Ornella Umubyeyi

Hometown
Kigali, Rwanda

Age
23

Home Church & Denomination
Zion Temple Celebration Center- Nondenominational

Degrees
Religion & Leadership Studies, Ripon College, Wisconsin

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year
Masters in Pastoral Care & Counseling, 1st Year

Background Information
I was born in Burundi, later on my parents moved in Rwanda. I am the second oldest of a family of four girls and one boy. I went to high school in Massachusetts and then attended college in Ripon, Wisconsin. I graduated in May and immediately enrolled at Garrett-Evangelical. My parents still live and work in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.

I speak French, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, and English fluently and have a decent understanding of Swahili. I enjoy movies and music. I like to travel and meet new people. I look quiet and shy to most people but I can be silly and extrovert most of the time!

I recently started a Christian non-profit organization in Burundi, which aims to help young children who are homeless and those with HIV/AIDS. The organization helps to pay their school fees. My hope is that they will become disciples of Christ who will impact their nation and the world despite their background. I only have 10 children I am supporting now due to finance but they are my greatest pride and joy.

Calling
I grew up in a Christian family in Rwanda and Burundi but never understood salvation. When I was 15, God called me but I was not ready to respond because I wanted to “fit in” like every teenager and mostly because I feared the responsibility and the cost of serving God. When I was 18, I finally decided to answer the call and leave everything behind and at 19 years old I became a preacher going to high schools and youth meetings to share my testimonies and the Gospel. The Lord anointed me and appointed me at 22 years old. I am the youngest ordained minister in my country and I find it an honor as it humbles me to see that the Lord has chosen me and trusted me to serve Him. I have authored two books, and am interested in the intersection between ministry and photography, spoken word & poetry, and social media platforms.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
First, I wanted to go to Moody Bible Institute, however I felt God leading me to Garrett-Evangelical. Second, what attracted me to Garrett-Evangelical was the masters in pastoral care and counseling. Many schools I was looking at were not as strong in pastoral care even if they had counseling programs. I wanted to attend a seminary that will help me grow academically but also give me space to grow individually as I see more of God through fellowship. When I arrived the first day I knew that I made the right decision.

Career Plans
Rwanda is a country that went through horrors in the genocide of 1994 and the memories are still haunting to some even now. I plan to do counseling in Rwanda and to bring counseling ministries in churches in East Africa more broadly. I believe that I have seen many wounded Christians who have not seen a platform to seek healing but also church leaders who haven’t learned of the importance or pastoral care and counseling. Rwandans would benefit greatly from the counseling of trained and equipped church leaders who could help them overcome as survivors.

Meet Stanley Giles

Name: Stanley D. Giles

Hometown: Little Rock, AR

Age: 25

Home Church & Denomination: Damascus Spiritual Church, Non-Denominational

Degree: B.S. in Business Administration from Alabama State University

Garrett-Evangelical Degree Program/Year: MDiv, 2nd year

Background Information
I’m a lover of good food and traveling. In my spare time I enjoy reading autobiographies, watching documentaries and writing poetry. I’d like to say that I’m your “average Joe” for the most part.

Calling
Since childhood, I have been heavily involved in the life of the church. I’ve done everything from singing in the youth choir to preaching on youth Sundays. At an early age, I was told by my church family that I would one day become a preacher. Unsure of my calling and apprehensive about the responsibilities associated with the role of a minister, I sought to pursue other vocations where I felt I would be more comfortable – counselor, school teacher, entrepreneur. But God seems to have a sense of humor!

Being theologically curious is quite a dangerous thing. When you find yourself wanting to know more about God and God’s relation to the human condition, you may make interesting decisions like applying to seminary. It is my curiosity that helps to inform my calling. I believe that God made me naturally inquisitive about the things of the Divine, and thus, knew that I would come seeking answers. As I am able to learn and uncover the things of God and the human condition, I want to educate clergy and laypersons on how to minister effectively to a hurting world. I hope to do so through the church and the academy.

Attraction to Garrett-Evangelical
My attraction to Garrett began with the consistency and the concern of the admissions staff. They always seemed to be available to answer questions that I had about the application process and the school as a whole. Garrett Evangelical’s ability to foster a communal atmosphere is another reason that I decided to pursue my theological education here. In addition to perceiving Garrett-Evangelical as a place where I could be spiritually nurtured in a community of faith, I recognized that the institution’s faculty was both distinguished and diverse. And I guess having Lake Michigan in the backyard didn’t hurt, either.

Career Plans
I have witnessed my career plans alter slightly over the course of the past year. I came in with the absolute intention of going into the academy and occasionally preaching and teaching in the church. After taking my Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling course, I developed a deeper interest in the human condition and the various stages that we all encounter in life. I plan to do some extensive research in this area and hopefully provide clergy and laypersons with some insight into how they can make their faith applicable in such a way that it helps people navigate through the grief, despair and moments of uncertainty they experience in life.