John Szott: A Veteran’s Path to Becoming a Pastor-Theologian
Oct 2, 2024
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.
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/
76 CREDITS | 2.5 YEARS
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.
90 CREDITS | 3 YEARS
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)
48 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS
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.
42 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS
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
12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR
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