Welcoming Sam Gutierrez

Sep 9, 2022

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About Western Theological Seminary

Located in Holland, Michigan, WTS offers 16 graduate programs online, in residence, in English, and Spanish for women and men preparing for faithful Christian ministry. WTS was founded in 1866 when seven of the eight members of Hope College’s inaugural graduating class wished to become ministers and petitioned their denomination to allow them to complete their education in Holland. Since that time, WTS has been preparing women and men for a lifetime of ministry all around the world in many ministry and denominational contexts.

By Western Theological Seminary

Introducing Sam Gutierrez

Western Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that Sam Gutierrez has joined the Western community as the Associate Director for the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. 

“Sam Gutierrez has gifted beauty to Western Theological Seminary, and many portions of Jesus’ Church, in so many ways,” said Dr. Winn Collier, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian imagination and Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. “Sam is a pastor who brings his artistic heart to his work, helping to create spaces and conversations that are honest, welcoming, and attuned to the Spirit.”

Gutierrez graduated with his Masters in Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in 2013. Since then, he’s led faith formation work with the Christian Reformed Church, served as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Granite Springs Church in Lincoln, CA, and most recently served as Pastor of Community and Discipleship at Alger Park Church in Grand Rapids.

Sam has written three books of poetry (Godbirth, Read These Poems About David, and The Reason Love Reaches) and a faith formation curriculum (The Jesus Questions, Haiku Bible Study, and The Jesse Tree). Much of Sam’s work can be found online at Print and Poem.

Gutierrez described his encounter with Eugene’s voice early in youth ministry, before his time at WTS:

“Eugene Peterson’s words struck like lightning – bringing an instant charge of freedom and a spark that opened up an expansive space within me that I’ve been exploring ever since – prayer, listening, scripture, discernment, presence,” said Gutierrez. 

Learn more about the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination here.

Published in September, 2022

Revised in January, 2024

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