North Park Theological Seminary Graduates Cohort at Illinois River Correctional Center

On May 27, 2026, at Illinois River Correctional Center, North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) graduated a cohort of thirteen students and honored four others who had completed their program requirements at an earlier date. This was the fourth Commencement ceremony that NPTS has hosted inside a correctional facility through the Seminary’s School of Restorative Arts (SRA), a program founded in 2018 in partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) that brings together both incarcerated and free students for robust theological education, restorative justice, and transformative spiritual formation.

Family members, faculty, staff, institutional partners, and fellow students gathered to honor the graduates’ achievements and the perseverance, discipline, and faith that carried them through their studies. The Commencement ceremony celebrated not only the conferring of degrees, but also the graduates’ preparation for lives of ministry, leadership, and service within their communities. IRCC’s leadership acknowledged the cohort’s impact on the broader institution, noting how the students’ personal growth and various ministry initiatives—from leading peace circles to teaching workshops—had inspired both other individuals in custody and IDOC employees.

Warden Brad Johnson affirmed this in his opening remarks to guests and graduates: “Today marks an important milestone, not just in your education, but in your personal journey. Earning a master’s degree is no small accomplishment, requiring discipline, persistence, commitment to growth, all of which you have demonstrated.”

Dr. Dennis R. Edwards, Dean of NPTS and Vice President for Church Relations named the Seminary’s pride and joy in witnessing the cohort’s accomplishments. “We are grateful for your steadfastness, your grace under pressure, your faith and fortitude, and your brilliance,” he said. “Personally, I want to thank you for encouraging me in my own faith as I’ve interacted with you over these last few years. God bless you.”

Two graduates had prepared remarks to share at Commencement: Joseph Montague, whose spoken word piece was delivered by cohort mate Marcial Guerrero, and Michael King, who reflected on the group’s journey and encouraged them to prepare for the road ahead. Both addresses received standing ovations from graduates and guests alike.

Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, the Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary, and formerly Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at NPTS, delivered the Commencement address. Known for his influential scholarship and teaching, Dr. Rah encouraged graduates to remain rooted in the blessedness Jesus imparted to them in Matthew 5 and reminded them to faithfully serve as agents of reconciliation and restoration in a broken world bent on forgetting and rejecting the marginalized.

Drawing on themes of perseverance, faithfulness, and Christian witness, Rah challenged graduates to embrace the ministry to which God has called them, reminding those gathered that theological education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but the formation of leaders whose lives bear testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel in ways that directly challenge oppressive systems.

After special music by NPTS SRA alum Lydia Vander Stelt and prayers of consecration offered by program volunteers and coordinators, the graduates crossed the platform to receive their degrees. The moment stood as a testament to years of study, personal growth, and shared community, and to their academic and formational accomplishments.Following the ceremony, students enjoyed a celebratory meal, visits, and photographs with their guests, NPTS faculty and staff, and other program volunteers.

North Park Theological Seminary congratulates School of Restorative Arts Class of 2026 and celebrates the lasting impact their leadership will have in the years to come, both inside the walls of correctional facilities and far beyond.