Eric Rivera

Chair of the Pastoral Theology Department & Assistant Professor of the Theology Department

Eric Rivera is passionate for raising pastoral leaders and mobilizing the church to be on mission especially in an urban context. He is the Lead Pastor at The Brook (EFCA), a multiethnic church in Chicago. After having served as an Associate Pastor for five years, he and a devoted team planted The Brook in 2013. Eric, his wife Erikah, and their three children live in Chicago’s northwest side Montclare neighborhood.

Education

Affiliations & Achievements

Publications

Rivera, Eric. Christ is Yours: The Assurance of Salvation in the Puritan Theology of William Gouge. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019.

Unexpected Jesus: How the Resurrected Christ Finds us, Meets us, and Heals us. Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, forthcoming 2022.

Rivera, Eric. “Planting a New Church,” in One Volume Seminary: A Complete Ministry Education From the Faculty of Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, forthcoming 2022.

Rivera, Eric and Rivera, Erikah, “Building up Your Spouse” in The Story of Us: A Couples Devotional. Little Rock, AR: FamilyLife, 2019.

Rivera, Eric. “The First Mexican Protestant Loved the Bible,” Christianity Today. February, 2019. https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2019/february/first-mexican-protestant-bible.html

“The Legacy of Scripture in the Latino(a) Protestant Church in America,” Church Leaders. September, 2021 (originally published on Ed Stetzer’s “The Exchange” blog with Christianity Today in 2017). https://churchleaders.com/voices/405790-latino-protestant-church.html

“Stay in Chicago,” Legacy Disciple. September, 2018. https://legacydisciple.org/index.php/2018/09/26/stay-in-chicago/

Rivera, Eric. Review of John Coffey and Paul C.H. Lim eds., The Cambridge Companion to Puritanism in Fides Et Historia 42, no. 1 (December 1, 2010): 75-77.

Books by Dr. Rivera

Study with Dr. Rivera


Advanced Placement

AP:Master of Divinity

76 CREDITS | 2.5 YEARS

ABOUT

If you’re graduating with a ministry degree from an accredited Bible college or Christian liberal arts school, you may qualify for our Advanced Placement MDiv (AP MDiv). This program reduces the overall number of hours you’ll need to graduate with an MDiv while also allowing you to take additional advanced electives in areas that you’re passionate about.

COURSEWORK

MDiv

Master of Divinity

90 CREDITS | 3 YEARS

ABOUT

Gain pastoral leadership skills through the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Our MDiv degree program has the rigorous academic courses and spiritual support you need for your calling in Christian ministry or academia. Join a diverse student body and learn within the context of a broadly evangelical ethos.

COURSEWORK

Curriculum Breakdown:

  • Introduction to Theological Education: 2 hours
  • God’s Word: 36 hours
  • God’s People: 22 hours
  • God’s World: 12 hours
  • Electives: 4 hours

Track Options (Chose one)

  • Church & Parachurch Ministry: 14 hours
  • Academic Ministry: 14 hours
  • Mission and Cultural Engagement: 14 hours
Master's

Chaplaincy and Ministry Care

48 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS

ABOUT

With an MA in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care, you’ll be ready to provide spiritual care for people within and outside a Christian ministry setting. Many of our graduates serve in local churches or public settings as pastors or chaplains.

COURSEWORK

Master's

Theological Studies

42 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS

ABOUT

Pursue an in-depth understanding of theology and its relevance to today’s world with a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Apply your knowledge to your vocation, ministry, volunteer work, family life, and more through our distinguished and flexible program. The Master of Arts (MA) in Theological Studies degree is TEDS’ most flexible program both in focus and delivery method. Choose your area of study based on your interests and experience. In addition, you can earn your degree through multiple delivery modalities, including completely online. See how a theology degree can transform your life by enrolling at TEDS.

COURSEWORK

FEATURED COURSES

  • Introduction to the New Testament 1
  • Introduction to the Old Testament 1
  • Introduction to Biblical Theology
  • Theology 1: The God of the Gospel: From the Father
  • Church History 1: The Patristic and Middle Ages
  • Theology of Mission & Evangelism

TRACKS

  • Cross-Cultural Ministry Track
  • Executive Leadership Track
  • Preaching Ministry Track
  • Ministry Care Track
Certificate

Ministry Care

12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR

ABOUT

Learn how to faithfully counsel, teach, support, and guide your brothers and sisters in Christ as they seek to be transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through this certificate you’ll explore ministry practices, counseling techniques, socio-cultural impacts on ministry, church leadership development, and building biblical curriculum.

COURSEWORK

Featured Courses

  • Intro to Counseling Ministries
  • Educational Ministry
  • Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry
  • Spiritual Formation for Ministry
  • Christian Worship