Welcome to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary! For over 171 years we have prepared spiritually adventurous, intellectually daring, and deeply faithful leaders for service to the Church, the academy, and diverse cultures and settings. Over the course of that long history, much has remained constant—our Christian identity and purpose, our Methodist tradition and ethos, our ecumenical spirit and commitment, and our determination to form and equip servant leaders who are ready, willing, and able to lead courageously in challenging times.
Our campus is located at the geographical center and heart of Northwestern University, a top-tier research university with global reach and impact. This campus setting enriches our intellectually vibrant culture of inquiry that seeks to advance a deep understanding of religion and religious practice in an increasingly complex world. Central to how we prepare leaders for the Church, academy, and world is the work of discernment of the will and calling of God, the renewal and expansion of our minds, the nourishment and strengthening of our spirits so that all who are part of this community are also a part of the transformation of the world.
We are exceedingly proud of our world class faculty. At Garrett you will study and work alongside some of the brightest and most cutting-edge teachers and researchers in theological education. Committed to the renewal of the Church and the advancement of knowledge, our faculty are dedicated to their students’ intellectual and spiritual development, both in the classroom and beyond. The Garrett faculty is also among the most diverse in global theological education, which allows for expansive exploration of experiences, perspectives, and methodologies that inform the teaching and learning which takes place in our classrooms and other learning spaces. Hailing from every region of the United States, our faculty also hail from Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Trinidad and Viet Nam. When you study at Garrett, your experience of the Church, of theology and history, of worship, prayer, and song is literally shaped by the global Christian family in the fullness of its complexity and beauty.
If you’re discerning your life’s call and purpose, and are searching for a community that will challenge, inspire, and encourage you along that most important journey, welcome to Garrett! Here you will engage the life of the mind and the life of the spirit in ways that will stretch you and change you, but that will also give you the skills and aptitudes you need to fulfill your calling with faithfulness, courage, and integrity. At Garrett, we’re ready to walk alongside you, to learn with you, and to share the responsibility and privilege of God’s transforming work in the world.
Again, welcome to Garrett!
Javier A. Viera, President
Professor of Education and Leadership
