Ministry in Context: Intersectionality in Action
MARCH 6, 2025
In January, a dynamic group of seven McCormick students set off on an eye-opening educational adventure to Puerto Rico, under the thoughtful guidance of Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz. This trip was more than just travel; it was a meaningful exploration of the rich intersectionality inherent in Puerto Rican culture and society. As McCormick continues its proud tradition of international engagement, this journey represented a significant milestone as the first to a colonized American territory, promising not only valuable lessons but also deeply resonant insights.
Spanning nine days, the group of six doctoral candidates, one master's student, and two dedicated professors immersed themselves in diverse ministry experiences. Dr. Valle-Ruiz explains the ambitious schedule, meeting with partners from Professors of the Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Roundtable, the Open Table Community, and the Bethel Lutheran Church in Maguayo, Dorado, PR. The group participated in heartfelt reflections, connecting their own experiences to the vibrant intersectionality in Puerto Rico. The varied experiences over the trip culminated academically upon their return in an intersectional service that collaborated “toward innovation in designing and enacting intersectional worship and preaching” (This service functioned as the first weekly worship service of the semester and can be watched here).
For both students and professors, the most impactful moment of the trip came at an unlikely moment. Some in the group stayed back from kayaking through bioluminescent evening waters and found themselves being shown the reality of the effects of gentrification by the tour bus driver, a resident of the island of Vieques. She shared that, as has been common on the island, a wealthy non-resident purchased the land adjacent to hers. Dissatisfied with the view and size of the property, the owner has since threatened legal action to force her to move a long-standing fence on the perimeter of her property. Her experience is not a unique one, the entire island is staring down the effects of gentrification in the form of a new hospital, built solely for the new rich class moving in and unaffordable for long-time residents. It is likely that the underpaid working class will continue to operate as they have for generations, when there was no hospital on Vieques, using the costly tourist ferry to the main island as an ambulance to seek medical attention when needed. Dr. Valle-Ruiz recalled the encounter well, stating, “Nothing we read, nothing the professors said, was as powerful as this conversation. This conversation makes gentrification real. For us, it was God-given because it was not scheduled, it was not planned. Had we all gone kayaking, we would never have encountered the story of this woman.”
This interaction highlights the core purpose and practice of this trip. Effective and impactful ministry and leadership outside of academia require a practical understanding of the knowledge gained in the classroom. McCormick is committed to graduating lifelong learners who are prepared to engage with a complex and challenging world. Experiences like this one provide students with tangible insights into their coursework. As one student noted, "You can't just read about it; you have to be there." Dr. Valle-Ruiz encapsulates the experience of these seven students: “Exploring the interconnections of colonialism, capitalism, militarization, classism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, and Christian supremacy alongside McCormick partners in Puerto Rico lays the foundation for deeper understanding and broader application.”
