Rev. Adam Hamilton to Deliver 166th Commencement Address at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

April 3, 2023

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area, earned a BA degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts and a Master of Divinity Degree from Southern Methodist University, where he was awarded the B’nai B’rith Award in Social Ethics.

Hamilton was named one of the “Ten people to watch in America’s spiritual landscape” by Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. For his efforts in Kansas City, he has been recognized with the first Founder’s Civility Award by American Public Square at Jewell in 2020. He has also received numerous other awards for community service.

Hamilton launched Resurrection with his wife and two children in 1990. Under his leadership, it has since grown to over 23,000 adults and children, with six locations in the Kansas City area, including an online and TV presence. It is the largest United Methodist Church in the United States.

Hamilton has written more than 35 books, including publications with Abingdon, Random House, Harper Collins, and others. Titles include Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws; The Lord’s Prayer; Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White; Making Sense of the Bible; and Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times. He and his wife LaVon have been married for more than 40 years and have two adult daughters and one granddaughter.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 450 students from various denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy, and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve church and society around the world.