Dr. Shonda Jones has worked in theological education for twenty years and an established track record of providing strategic leadership at academic institutions, establishing best practices in recruitment and admissions, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engaging learners through courses and co-curricular programming. She has worked in the HIV/AIDS arena as an employee and board member in several organizations and has also served on the HIV and Faith Advisory Board for the COMPASS Initiative®. Dr. Jones’ scholarly interests include the intersection of theological school choice and race, faith and health, and her focus broadly examines intercultural practices that promote communal thriving with and among faith leaders and faith communities. She teaches in the area of intercultural competency for ministry and leadership. Dr. Jones is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and a trainer for intercultural competency and relationship-building. She earned her BA in English and Religious Studies from Texas Christian University, and MDiv from Brite Divinity School, and EdD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama.
Advancing the Capacity of Faith Communities to Shift Narratives Away from Stigma toward Life-Enhancing Possibilities
Wake Forest University School of Divinity is a dynamic ecumenical theological institution that prepares individuals to be faith leaders in a changing world. Since our founding, we have sought to transform a range of cultural narratives related to one of the four primary focus areas of COMPASS. This transformative work arises from and returns to our mission to equip learners to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion in Christian churches and other ministries. At Wake Forest, we have a large and diverse network of community partners across the 12-state southern region and look forward to strengthening and expanding this network to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the South among diverse faith traditions. Wake Forest University School of Divinity works with these partners to build awareness, strengthen education and training, and develop spiritually integrated tools to support all people impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and in particular to provide resources for those disproportionately affected by the disease. To accomplish these aims, we leverage long-standing commitments to and experience with social justice concerns, inclusive and intentional interfaith engagement, and positive relationships with LGBTQ communities.
We Offer
Pastors/Clergy Leader Training
We prepare faith leaders to better understand and address HIV and the impact of stigma-related harm that can occur in faith spaces and build capacity for faith communities to expand opportunities for social and structural change that promotes equity for all.
Spiritually-Integrated Health Ministries
Through social justice focused activities, advocacy, increased education, coalition building, replication of best practices, and addressing social determinants of health, we work with congregations, nonprofits, and other organizations to start and enhance health ministries in their context.
Strategies in Transformative Storytelling
We provide opportunities to enhance faith communities by helping to create brave and inclusive practices and rituals for healing, including tools for preaching, teaching, and the use of art and artists for individual and communal thriving.
Wake Forest University School of Divinity
2596 Reynolda Rd, Suite 215C
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
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