Building relationships and leading students to spiritual vitality
Dr. Joy Vaughan, professor of New Testament, said she values and is deeply engaged in teaching students who are passionate in serving the Lord and maintaining high standards of their education.
“I am deeply passionate about Asbury’s mission of academic excellence and spiritual vitality. I hope to challenge students to worship God in ways that include mind, body, and spirit,” said Vaughan.
Vaughan has been teaching at Asbury since 2013 as an adjunct professor, followed by becoming an assistant professor of New Testament soon after. She also engages in courses such as Understanding the Old Testament and Foundations of Christian Thought.
“Two of my most recent courses were a seminar on demons and spirits (from a biblical theological perspective) and a course on the End Times (NT and the End Times),” said Vaughan.
Along with teaching, Vaughan values her time with students when it comes to building relationships. She wants her students to know that she cares deeply about their feelings and emotions and is willing to talk with them.
“My favorite thing about being a professor is the relationships that are built in the community. I am thankful to have opportunities to mentor and especially love to pray with students,” said Vaughan.
Vaughan believes so deeply in spiritual vitality that she assures all students that nothing can separate us from God’s love even at our lowest points in life.
“He loves us and is pursuing us. In the words of Corrie ten Boom, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still,” said Vaughan.
Vaughan refers to two biblical passages when she shares her story of God showing up in her life that has stuck out to her over the years and has affected her teaching career here at Asbury.
“The path of the righteous and the wicked were so clearly depicted, and I longed for the righteous path,” (Psalm 1).
“Now, when I read the passage I find a bit of God’s humor considering the righteous path involves “one whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night,” said Vaughan.
Also, Romans 5:1-5 speaks to the depths of God’s love and how he pours his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
“Knowing God’s love from a young age has been a constant source of peace and comfort in my own Christian journey,” said Vaughan.
Asbury leads students to not only excel in academics but also maintain spiritual vitality. There are so many ways to acknowledge God’s presence if we just listen and wait.
“During the Asbury Journey I would want students to experience God’s love in deeper ways than ever before. I would like to encourage them to consider their spiritual vitality as a key part of the AU journey.”
