Sacred Roots

About Us

Team

Rev. Dr. Hank Voss

Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Hank Voss is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries at Taylor University. He and his wife Johanna have four kids and live in Muncie, IN.

Rev. Dr. Don Davis

Publisher

Rev. Dr. Don Davis is the Founding Director of the Urban Ministry Institute, a church-based seminary program from World Impact. Dr. Davis has authored many resources for bivocational pastors and developed TUMI's Capstone Curriculum.

Rev. Eric Himelick

Dean

Rev. Eric Himelick is the Founding Director of Victory Inner-city Ministries, and currently serves as the Director of Evangelistic Faith Mission's Urban Ministry Division. He is the author of the book "Living Redemptively". He is a father of six and currently lives with his family at Victory Acres Farm in Upland, IN.

Rev. Dr. Greg Peters

Senior Editor

Rev. Dr. Greg Peters is Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology at Biola University. He is also the Servants of Christ Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House Theological Seminary and Rector at Anglican Church of the Epiphany, La Mirada, California.

Dr. May Young

Senior Editor

Dr. May Young is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Taylor University. She is an expert on biblical lament and teaches Hebrew.

Dr. Uche Anizor

Senior Editor

Dr. Uche Anizor is Associate Professor of Theology at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.

Rev. Ryan Carter

Managing Editor

Rev. Ryan Carter is Resource Developer for the Urban Ministry Institute residing in Wichita, KS. He is also the Coordinator of Christ the Victor Leadership School, a TUMI satellite campus.

Isaiah Swain

Assistant Director

Isaiah Swain is Assistant Director of Sacred Roots and Managing Editor of the Sacred Roots Spiritual Classics.

Timeline

Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Evangel Gathering: Apprenticed by the Early Church

Evangel Gathering: Moving Forward to Multiply

Evangel Gathering: Friendship and Flourishing for Missions

October 2018

May 13-15, 2021

August 16–18, 2022

July 13–16, 2023

Why

A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) grew up poor without the opportunity to complete high school. While working in a tire factory he heard the good news about Jesus, repented, and believed. At nineteen, he began to preach, becoming one of the most influential pastors in his generation. His books, The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy have helped millions know and love the Triune God revealed in Scripture.

When asked how he learned to read Scripture with such clarity and theological depth, Pastor Tozer would often point to his “friends” and “teachers.” These teachers were a list of some thirty-five Christian spiritual classics Tozer read and reread throughout his life. Sacred Roots Spiritual Classics are for those with a desire to be used like Pastor Tozer.

Sacred Roots envisions ten thousand Christian leaders serving in challenging ministry contexts across North America, engaging with spiritual classics in community by the year 2030. Will you join this growing community as we pursue God together by reading and discussing spiritual classics with gospel friends and kingdom coworkers (Matt 9:35)?

For more information about Sacred Roots' purpose, we invite you to read "A Letter to God's Friends" written by Sacred Roots' Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Hank Voss.

Partners

The Urban Ministry Institute is a church-based seminary program from World Impact. TUMI is a partner of the Sacred Roots Project and is a publisher of the Sacred Roots Spiritual Classics.

The Sacred Roots Project is based in Upland, Indiana at Taylor University. Taylor University is a Christian liberal arts university dedicated to developing servant leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ's redemptive love and truth to a world in need.

Beliefs

Calling of God

Centrality of the Church

God's Election of the Humble

Kingdom of God

Power Of Community

Standard of Excellence

Explosiveness of Multiplication

Contributing Editors

Dr. Uche Anizor

Biola University

Uche Anizor is Associate Professor of Theology at Biola University. He is the author of Christianity Today's 2023 Book of the Year, Overcoming Apathy: Gospel Hope for Those Who Struggle to Care (Crossway).

Nancy Reyes Frazier

Dallas Theological Seminary

Nancy Reyes Frazier is a PhD candidate in Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Her research interests include the intersection of theology, culture, and identity, the nature of revelation, and the role of theology in communal ethics.

Dr. Daniel Hill

Baylor University

Dr. Daniel Lee Hill is Assistant Professor of Christian Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. He is the author of Gathered on the Road to Zion and the forthcoming Gospel Freedom, which retrieves the insights of 19th century abolitionists.

Dr. Gregory MaGee

Taylor University

Dr. Gregory S. MaGee is Professor of Biblical Studies at Taylor University. He also teaches at his church and volunteers with an after-school reading program in his community. Greg is the author of Studying Paul’s Letters with the Mind and Heart and coauthor of the Kerux commentary on Ephesians.

Dr. Evan Howard

Spirituality Shoppe

Dr. Evan B. Howard is the Founder and Director of Spirituality Shoppe, a Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is also adjunct faculty with Fuller Theological Seminary and the author of A Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation and The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality.

Dr. Kyle Strobel

Biola University

Dr. Kyle Strobel is a theologian at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and is the author of Formed for the Glory of God and co-author of Where Prayer Becomes Real and The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb. Kyle is a Jonathan Edwards scholar and systematic theologian.

Dr. Kenneth Minkema

Yale University

Dr. Kenneth P. Minkema is the Editor of The Works of Jonathan Edwards and Director of The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University, with an appointment as Research Scholar at Yale Divinity School.

Dr. Glen G. Scorgie

Bethel Seminary

Dr. Glen G. Scorgie is Professor of Theology Emeritus at Bethel Seminary. He is the General Editor of the Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (Zondervan, 2011). He had a personal childhood connection to A. W. Tozer.

Rev. Marcos Canales

La Fuente Ministries

Marcos Canales is the pastor of La Fuente Ministries, a bilingual, intercultural, and intergenerational congregation in Pasadena California. Originally from Costa Rica, he has experience in church planting, pastoring, adjunct teaching, and non-profit community organizations.

Dr. Robert Chao Romero

UCLA

Dr. Robert Chao Romero is Associate Professor of Chicana/o Studies and Asian American Studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. He is the author of Brown Church, Jesus for Revolutionaries, and Mixed Race Student Politics.

Dr. Michael Cooper

East West

Dr. Michael Cooper currently serves as a missiologist for East West, where he focuses on missiological research and equipping missionaries for effective cultural engagement, and Professor of Missiological Theology at Mission India Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. Jeremy Treat

Reality Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Dr. Jeremy Treat is Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Reality LA in Los Angeles and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Biola University. He has authored Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything and The Crucified King: Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Systematic Theology.

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes

Biola University

Dr. Carmen Imes is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is best known for her books Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters (IVP 2019) and Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters (IVP 2023).

Rev. Dr. Hank Voss

Taylor University

Rev. Dr. Hank Voss is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries at Taylor University. He is the coauthor of Representing Christ and Evangelical Theology (T&T Clark). He and his wife, Johanna, have four children and live in Muncie, Indiana.

Rev. Dr. Greg Peters

Biola University

Rev. Dr. Greg Peters is Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology at Biola University and Servants of Christ Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. He is an Anglican priest.

Rev. Dr. Andrew T. Draper

Urban Light Community Church

Rev. Dr. Andrew T. Draper is the founding senior pastor of Urban Light Community Church. He is committed to a ministry of reconciliation, justice, and community development. Dr. Draper is actively involved in preaching, teaching, discipleship, education, and community advocacy.

Dr. Robert F. Lay

City Vision University

Robert "Dr. Bob" Lay is currently Professor of Christian Ministry & Leadership at City Vision University. Formerly, he has served as Dean of The Urban Ministry Institute of Los Angeles (2010–2021) and Professor of Christian Educational Ministries at Taylor University (1995–2010).