Meet Praveen Raj

February 27, 2025

My name is Praveen Raj, currently pursuing a PhD in Theology and Ethics. I was born and bred in Kerala, India. Raised in a Christian family affiliated with the Church of South India (CSI), my dedication to Christian ministry began at the young age of 15, an expedition that took root at the United Theological College (UTC) in Bangalore, India. It was there that I completed my primary theological training and became an ordained clergy in the CSI. During my time at UTC, I developed a profound sense of social justice, which influenced my understanding of ministry in profound ways with a deep connection to the world’s pressing issues. This passion led me to pursue a Master of Arts in Public Ministry (MAPM) at Garrett, a decision immensely shaped by a personal and transformative experience.

As a child in Kerala, a lush state in South India, ecological disasters seemed like distant, abstract worries. Even in my pastoral ministry, environmental issues were not important issues. Climate change felt remote, far removed from my everyday life. However, this blinkered view changed dramatically between 2017 and 2019 when catastrophic floods caused by monsoon changes struck Kerala. A landslide severely damaged my parents’ home, located in a rural area on a sloped hillside. What had once felt like a theoretical crisis became painfully real. The landslide, worsened by unauthorized real estate development on nearby land, made me realize that ecological disasters weren’t just distant events but a reality before my eyes, affecting my family, community, and homeland. This moment was a turning point, compelling me to address the ecological crisis through faith and action, reshaping my ministry to focus on environmental issues.

This incident was a wake-up call. As an ordained clergy, I realized that theological engagement with ecological crises is active and transformative. Seeking to explore eco-theology, I joined Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary’s MAPM program in fall 2022, completing it in spring 2024. Under Dr. Timothy Eberhart’s mentorship, my passion for land-based spirituality grew, leading me to pursue a PhD in theology and ethics in fall 2024. This journey has clarified my calling, integrating faith, justice, and ecological stewardship into my ministry and scholarship.

My ancestors, once enslaved laborers on feudal estates, had a spirituality deeply rooted in the land. As a Christian, I initially dismissed their earth-centered practices as conflicting with my faith. However, the transformational learning experience at Garrett enabled me to value my ancestors’ spirituality and its ability to address today’s ecological crisis. I now seek to honor their struggles and integrate their earth-based spirituality with Christian practices.

At Garrett, I acquired analytical tools to unravel the systemic forces behind my family’s suffering from a landslide. This education illuminated the intricate web of structural inequality and environmental racism, highlighting their profound impact and urgency. This education showed me how climate change impacts vulnerable communities. For my MAPM program, I created a project to build a climate-resilient community in Kerala, India, using bioengineering, vegetable gardening, and permaculture. This initiative reflects my commitment to practical, faith-driven solutions for ecological and social justice. Garrett has clarified my calling and equipped me with renewed purpose and hope. One of the biggest challenges in my seminary journey has been balancing academic, ministerial, and personal responsibilities. As an ordained minister in the Church of South India, pursuing theological education in the U.S. meant leaving behind my ministerial duties and adapting to significant cultural shifts. I also had to leave my family in India, but my wife and daughter supported me, understanding the value of this journey. Their struggles in my absence were difficult, but they recognized its importance. When I began my PhD studies, I brought them to the U.S., reuniting us after two years apart. Throughout these challenges, my faith has been my anchor, reminding me that theological education is about personal growth and equipping myself to serve the church and society more effectively. This perspective keeps me grounded, knowing my struggles are part of a larger mission rooted in hope, resilience, and faith in God’s transformative power.

The financial aid and scholarships I received have been transformative, enabling me to pursue my theological education and follow God’s calling. Overjoyed at my admission to Garrett, I faced the challenge of securing sufficient funds. Thankfully, I was awarded a 100% tuition scholarship, a lifeline throughout my academic journey. During my MAPM program and now in my PhD studies, full tuition coverage through the Luella Oliver Endowed Scholarship and the Adriel and Avis Thrash Endowed Scholarship has been a blessing. This support has eased my financial burden, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my studies and ministry. It has reaffirmed my belief in the power of community and the importance of equipping future leaders for transformative ministry. I am deeply grateful and committed to giving back by using my theological training to serve the church and society, particularly in environmental justice and public theology. These scholarships are not just financial gifts; they are an investment in my calling.

I see my future ministry as a process of re-evaluating and reformulating spirituality, including liturgy and worship, to address ecological challenges and uplift subaltern communities. My theological education at Garrett ignited a passion for exploring my ancestors’ land-based spiritualities and connecting them with Christian traditions. After completing my Ph.D., I envision focusing on theological education, environmental advocacy, and social justice. I aim to integrate ecological consciousness into theological discourse and church practices, training future pastors and theologians in intersectional eco-theology. As an environmental activist, I aspire to build climate-resilient communities, especially among marginalized groups, and help the church understand ecological justice as a theological imperative. Through preaching, teaching, and activism, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive, justice-focused church actively engaged with the world. This journey has clarified my calling and equipped me to pursue it with purpose and hope.