Preparing for Ministry in the Global South

Thirty flags line the walls of Mackay Dining Hall, only a fraction of the countries represented in the Princeton Seminary community. We sat down with some of our international students to hear their stories.

A second-year MDiv student, Stephen DiTrolio relishes the opportunity at the Seminary to engage with both the church and the world.

Q: Where is home?

A: Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love its energy, food, and people. The greater Buenos Aires area has about 16 million people, so it is a city that is buzzing with things to do and experience. It is dynamic and always changing with new, interesting places and activities. I would love for all to experience this incredible city.

Q: What drew you to Princeton Seminary? What has your experience here been like?

A: I had heard a lot about PTS during undergrad and even had some friends come to PTS. What drew me was a rich tradition of scholarship and church service; rigorous education is met with a great group of people preparing for ministry.

I have really enjoyed classes with professors Raimundo Barreto, Keri Day, and Mark Taylor. They integrate deep biblical and theological insight with social theory, emphasizing the relationship of the church with and in the world. For example, in Professor Taylor’s class on Empire and Capital, combining decolonial philosophy with a close reading of the New Testament provided a rich meaning of the epistles of Saint Paul.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Once graduated from PTS, I would like to do a PhD looking at various Latin American Pentecostal groups and their political and theological engagements. I hope to one day teach at a seminary in Latin America or the global south.