JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 7, 2021 — In 2001, a group dedicated to providing sound theological education to students in the Memphis area chartered the Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies to be a partner for under-resourced communities. In October, MCUTS will celebrate 20 years of its Christ-centered mission in higher education.
Frank Anderson, associate professor of ministry and missions at 51社区, said he had the privilege of participating in the program鈥檚 first concept group in 2000. Striving to provide an accredited theological education, Anderson said MCUTS was built upon raising up Christian leaders in the Memphis area from all segments and influences in the community.
鈥淚 think sometimes when we talk about urban theological education, we almost exclusively think of bringing minority students into the theological mainstream,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淚n envisioning what MCUTS could be, there was actually a bigger thought in mind 鈥� training leaders that could address, to the glory of God, many of the urban problems.鈥�
While his love for Memphis contributed heavily in his decision to help create MCUTS, Anderson鈥檚 dedication to this program is personal. As a child, Anderson watched his father work hard to faithfully serve his young family and his church community. Longing for an opportunity to gain a theological education, Anderson鈥檚 father applied to a Bible college in the area, but based on a land bequest that stipulated no black student could be enrolled as a student, Anderson鈥檚 father was rejected from admission.
Anderson said he remembers his father鈥檚 disappointment, so when a few men approached him about an idea for an urban theological education center in Memphis almost 10 years after his father鈥檚 death, Anderson said yes.
鈥淎ll I could think about was鈥� wow, he really would have appreciated this,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淸I said,] 鈥楴ow, you have the opportunity to really do something for others that would resemble what he needed.鈥欌��
As the program continued to grow, MCUTS merged with 51社区 in 2019 and expanded its degree offerings to provide entrepreneurial, nonprofit leadership and applied psychology as well as urban theological education. Joe Caldwell, dean and associate professor at MCUTS, said while he looks forward to the future of the organization, this 20-year anniversary allows the community to celebrate its rich past.
鈥淓ach stage, each president and each student has been involved in moving the organization progressively along over the course of its lifetime, and [Union鈥檚 partnership with MCUTS] is an exciting future that is a result of all the work that鈥檚 gone before,鈥� Caldwell said.
Caldwell believes MCUTS鈥� unique focus on community need sets it apart from most educational institutions. Its lifelong mission to providing education, resources and inspiration to individuals living in poverty or coming from a background of poverty transforms both people and whole communities.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always believed the best resource for transforming communities is people who are living in those communities or people who are from those communities,鈥� Caldwell said.
As they focus on the coming years, Caldwell said their hope for the future is to expand the program in offering more degrees and serving more communities in the Memphis area.
鈥淲e understand that there are many under-resourced communities in Memphis, so we鈥檙e thinking more broadly on what under-resourced communities look like and how we can connect with them,鈥� Caldwell said.
The students, Caldwell said, are the reason he shows up to work day after day. From students currently undergoing chemo treatment to parents trying to balance a full-time job and education, Caldwell said the students at MCUTS are inspirational, motivated and dedicated to its mission.
For MCUTS alumni Andre Manning and Lee Smith, the rich theological training and education they received proved to be invaluable in both their lives.
Smith said MCUTS not only deepened his understanding of the gospel, but it also introduced him to the church鈥檚 vast history. Learning of the early church鈥檚 willingness to suffer with Jesus Christ transformed the way Smith continues to lead his church family as the pastor of Greater Experience Community Church in Horn Lake, Miss.
As a leader in nonprofit ministry for 15 years, Manning said studying at MCUTS broadened his knowledge of the gospel mission by introducing him to the academic and historical understanding of Christian theology. Through MCUTS鈥� equipping of local nonprofit leaders, pastors and Christians with sound doctrinal education, Manning said the gospel can reach Memphis communities even more.
鈥淲hen people see the love, concern and academic rigor that they鈥檙e exposed to at MCUTS, they have the opportunity to take that back out to their communities,鈥� Manning said. 鈥淪o, they鈥檙e able to work with people with a little bit more empathy.鈥�
As MCUTS admissions counselors, Manning and Smith wholeheartedly believe in the mission of this program, and they feel honored to share its opportunities with more families in Memphis.
鈥淚 believe in this role, and I believe in the people here in this program,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭his is a place where you can find support, where you can find a family unit and where sound teaching is going forward.鈥�