![\"Kenny](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/doetd2kiw\/images\/w_1081,h_720,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1702073037\/trinity_newsroom\/Kenny-Silva-family\/Kenny-Silva-family.jpeg?_i=AA\" "\\"\\"")
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Ministry, master\u2019s degree, and mentorship. Kenny Silva pursued all three before coming to TEDS. God\u2019s hand was upon Silva\u2019s life as he sought after performing as a guitarist, earned a Master of Divinity, and most recently accepted the position of Senior Pastor at Hickory Grove Church in Mt. Juliet. Silva followed God\u2019s calling to doctoral studies at TEDS in an effort to cultivate his understanding of theology in ministry. He is currently in his final semester pursuing his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology.<\/span><\/p>\n When asked about his education at Trinity, he referenced practical skills that he has grown in. “What TEDS did was instill in me the habits of heart and mind that enable me to fulfill my calling as a pastor-theologian,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n During his time at TEDS Silva faced a challenge that prompted him to act on these habits, saying, \u201c<\/span>One can never truly be prepared for ministry \u2014 a fact I learned all too well while pastoring Village Church of Lincolnshire during the pandemic!\u201d <\/span>Nothing could have prepared him for leading the church through the pandemic, but Silva continued to grow in his theological reasoning, which helped him to guide God\u2019s people through the difficult time.<\/span><\/p>\n Silva is not only in a season of transition in his new position at Hickory Grove. He and his wife, Suzanne, are also preparing to welcome their fourth child, who is expected in May. During their time at TEDS, Silva and his family have embraced opportunities to develop lasting relationships with fellow students. Suzanne has been involved with on-campus programs such as the Trinity Wives Fellowship, which focuses on building Christ-centered relationships and supporting women through their unique experience of seminary life. She said the following of her experience:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe developed rich, enduring relationships with fellow students in the classroom and spouses through on-campus activities like Trinity Wives Fellowship, but I can\u2019t stress enough the importance of fellowship in the local church for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Silvas turned to their church as a source of community. The local church provided them with a space to actively serve in ministry while supporting them both materially and spiritually. Kenny Silva spoke fondly of the community at Village Church. \u201cServing as an elder and then as their interim pastor provided a context of spiritual and ministerial formation that supercharged everything I learned in the classroom and library at TEDS,\u201d he said. The opportunity to put his knowledge <\/span>into practice allowed him to view his education with a fresh perspective.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat TEDS did was instill in me the habits of heart and mind that enable me to fulfill my calling as a pastor-theologian.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
\n![\"Kenny](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/doetd2kiw\/images\/w_316,h_316,c_fill,g_auto\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1702073031\/trinity_newsroom\/A89E263C-FC48-4B7A-A899-CCFEBA6AD009_1_105_c\/A89E263C-FC48-4B7A-A899-CCFEBA6AD009_1_105_c.jpeg?_i=AA\" "\\"\\"")
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\n\u201cIn the classroom, his office, and especially in his writing, Dr. Vanhoozer has cultivated my theological imagination like no other.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
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