Four years ago I found myself in the middle of the country with people who brought rich perspectives from around the world, in various contexts and experiences so different from mine.
A college president. An executive director of a non-profit restoring victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. A bishop from England. Large church pastors. Church planters. Missionaries. Campus pastors. Educators. The imposter syndrome was real, but they made me feel like I belonged at the table.
Over the years, each of their voices brought a unique perspective to our classes that enriched and challenged my thinking. It wasn’t easy.
Half way through, I almost quit. I really thought about it.
After what I considered to be the most difficult class, we made a pact. May 2026. It felt light years away. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get there with a full-time job, a family, and a huge topic to research.
But a pact with pack and a plan is powerful. From that moment, it was going to be one book at a time. One assignment at a time. One article at a time. One page at a time. One defense at a time. One review at a time. And then, May 2026. Graduation.
I dedicated part of my dissertation to my cohort for how their questions, input, feedback, prayers and encouragement carried me.
A pact. A pack. A plan. And it got me to the finish line.
Hearing my dissertation title read out loud as I walked across the stage receive my hood, I found myself grateful for the experience. Formed in the journey. And humbled by how much more there is to learn.
Whatever your journey, you got this.
Steve Dang 