Steve Prost: A Military Chaplain Undertakes a PhD at TEDS
Jan 31, 2025
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.
PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
MDiv. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
B.A. Moody Bible Institute
Meeter Center Research Fellowship H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies, 2016
Pastoral Award Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2006-2007
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/
The Certificate in Preaching is designed for those who desire further understanding of and proficiency in the preaching of the Scriptures to God’s people for God’s glory. It may also be used by those who may not possess a baccalaureate degree but wish to demonstrate the ability to complete a master’s program in a ministerial discipline. Admission to the certificate does not ensure admissions to a Trinity degree program; however, it is designed so that courses completed may apply toward a future TEDS degree.
REQUIRED
TOTAL: 12hrs.
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.
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.
Curriculum Breakdown:
Track Options (Chose one)
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.
FEATURED COURSES
TRACKS
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.
Featured Courses