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My Belief


Cross 0102 from the Mary Bray Spence Collection, C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections & Archives, Columbia Theological Seminary.
Description: Wool cross featuring a pink-red bird, symbolizing the Phoenix as my practical theology metaphor, at the center, surrounded by four yellow four-petaled flowers on a green, blue, and purple background.
Source: C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections & Archives Portal

Cross 0102 from the Mary Bray Spence Collection, C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections & Archives, Columbia Theological Seminary.
Description: Wool cross featuring a pink-red bird, symbolizing the Phoenix as my practical theology metaphor, at the center, surrounded by four yellow four-petaled flowers on a green, blue, and purple background.
Source: C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections & Archives Portal

Belief Statement

Faith Rising: My Statement of Hope and Renewal

“Even from the ashes, faith learns to fly again.”
— Inspired by Isaiah 61:3

I believe in One God,
holy and eternal —
the Breath behind all beginnings,
the Artist who paints light into dust
and calls beauty out of ashes.

(Psalm 90:2 – “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”)

I believe in Jesus Christ, God wrapped in flesh,
Spirit-born of the Virgin’s womb.
He walked among us with healing light,
bore our sorrow upon the cross,
and rose at dawn to show that death is never final.

(John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”)

I believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s refining breath,
the fire that stirs embers into flame.
The Spirit whispers truth and awakens courage,
kindling love in restless hearts,
our ever-present guide and strength.

(John 16:13 – “He will guide you into all truth.”)

I believe in the Holy Bible,
the Word that burns but does not consume,
a lamp for our steps,
a light for our path,
a living voice guiding us home to Christ.

(Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is living and active…”)

I believe in the Church, the living body of Christ,
rising and falling, yet never forsaken.
Called from weariness into worship,
from division into unity,
and from complacency into God’s mission.

(Matthew 16:18 – “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.”)

I believe in humanity, shaped in God’s own image,
called to love, to serve, to tend the earth.
Though sin has dimmed the mirror,
Christ restores its shining reflection,
making all things new again.

(Genesis 1:27 – “God created mankind in His own image.”)

I hold to the optimistic promise that God shapes all things for good,
turning even ashes into beauty by His hand.
For endings are beginnings in disguise,
every fall a hidden seed of rising,
and like the phoenix, faith burns, refines, and soars anew.

(Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good…”)

I believe that joy is not a destination but a voyage through fire and grace.
On this sacred journey, I choose gratitude.
I choose hope.
I choose the strength to rise again,
trusting the One who completes every good work.

(Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”)

“Even from the ashes, faith learns to fly again.” — Inspired by Isaiah 61:3

I understand Practical Theology as a phoenix-like journey — a living cycle of death, transformation, and rebirth. Like the mythical bird that bursts into flames only to rise renewed from its ashes, Practical Theology captures the rhythm of faith that is continually refined through reflection, practice, and renewal.

To me, Practical Theology is about exploring how faith is lived, experienced, and expressed in real life. It connects belief with action, Scripture with culture, and theory with practice. Instead of viewing theology as merely abstract knowledge, it encourages us to seek God’s presence and truth in the everyday moments of ministry, service, and community life.

The phoenix metaphor shows me that faith is not something fixed; it changes, grows, and becomes stronger. In this way, Practical Theology is a process of renewal, where the church and its people reflect on what has lost its energy, let go of what no longer brings life, and find new ways to live out their faith. Reflecting on my experiences with ECWA Chapel in Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as within RCCG in the Netherlands and The Gideons International, I observe this phoenix pattern clearly. Faith communities frequently encounter challenges, particularly in engaging and retaining younger generations. However, through prayer, mentoring, and renewed dedication to service, these communities can experience revitalization.

I do not claim that the phoenix metaphor fully captures the depth of Practical Theology; rather, it gives me a vivid starting point. It helps me see theology as faith in motion — dynamic, resilient, and responsive to God’s ongoing work in the world. As I continue my studies, I hope to refine and expand this understanding and these insights that reveal how God’s Spirit continually brings life from the ashes.

“Even from the ashes, faith learns to fly again.” — Inspired by Isaiah 61:3

“Even from the ashes, faith learns to fly again.” — Inspired by Isaiah 61:3

“Even from the ashes, faith learns to fly again.” — Inspired by Isaiah 61:3

I believe in One God,
holy and eternal —
the Breath behind all beginnings,
the Artist who paints light into dust
and calls beauty out of ashes.

Psalm 90:2 – “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

I believe in Jesus Christ, God wrapped in flesh,
Spirit-born of the Virgin’s womb.
He walked among us with healing light,
bore our sorrow upon the cross,
and rose at dawn to show that death is never final.

John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

I believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s refining breath,
the fire that stirs embers into flame.
The Spirit whispers truth and awakens courage,
kindling love in restless hearts,
our ever-present guide and strength.

John 16:13 – “He will guide you into all truth.”

I believe in the Holy Bible,
the Word that burns but does not consume,
a lamp for our steps,
a light for our path,
a living voice guiding us home to Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 – “The word of God is living and active…”

I believe in the Church, the living body of Christ,
rising and falling, yet never forsaken.
Called from weariness into worship,
from division into unity,
and from complacency into God’s mission.

Matthew 16:18 – “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.”

I believe in humanity, shaped in God’s own image,
called to love, to serve, to tend the earth.
Though sin has dimmed the mirror,
Christ restores its shining reflection,
making all things new again.

Genesis 1:27 – “God created mankind in His own image.”

I hold to the optimistic promise that God shapes all things for good,
turning even ashes into beauty by His hand.
For endings are beginnings in disguise,
every fall a hidden seed of rising,
and like the phoenix, faith burns, refines, and soars anew.

Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good…”

I believe that joy is not a destination but a voyage through fire and grace.
On this sacred journey, I choose gratitude.
I choose hope.
I choose the strength to rise again,
trusting the One who completes every good work.

Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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