Brevard College Reinstates Campus Minister Position

campus minister in church

sharad-1This summer, Brevard College will welcome Sharad Creasmen, pastor at Columbia Drive United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and Brevard alumnus, as the new full-time Campus Minister.

“I am very excited about the restoration of the position. The campus minister position was cut about five years ago during a period of cutbacks to get the College’s budget balanced,” said Brevard College President David Joyce. “We have spent the last two years in a ‘campaign’ with churches and others to raise enough funds to hire a full-time campus minister for at least three years.”

Christine Maddox, the College’s most recent part-time volunteer chaplain, says she is excited that Brevard raised the funds to hire a full-time campus minister.

Joyce noted that he began his career as the campus minister at Pfeiffer College, and although Brevard hasn’t had a campus minister in five years, the position is one he is happy to see return.

“I can certainly attest to the value and necessity for this position. All of us have many sides to our persona,” said Joyce. “We have our intellectual side, our emotional side, our physical side, and our spiritual side. In my opinion, colleges like Brevard need to provide an education that encompasses all of these aspects.”

Creasman, a native of Brevard, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Brevard College as well as a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Ethics from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. At Morehouse, he was inducted into the International Society of Theta Phi, an honors society in theological education. Creasman also holds a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Creasman has been involved with ministry since the age of 18, when he was licensed to preach and became an Associate Minister at Bethel “A” Baptist Church in Brevard. He was later ordained by the Mud Creek Baptist Association in Flat Rock. In August 2012, Creasman joined the ministerial team of Columbia Drive United Methodist Church. By June 2014, he was appointed to be the next Pastor of Columbia Drive.

Creasman is a member of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2015, has been a Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding Pre-Doctoral Fellow at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College and is a contributing author to the African American Lectionary and the African American Pulpit Journal.

“I look forward to learning how to best serve the Brevard College community, discovering how to strategically, thoughtfully, and effectively address the spiritual and religious needs of the campus, developing lasting relationships, and partnering with an outstanding team of individuals already doing great things at the College,” Creasman said.

In the long run, Creasman said he is excited to be returning to give back to the community that gave so much to him – and to be a part of an intellectual community that successfully works to produce effective and conscientious leaders in all sectors of society.

“I get to sit with people in the biggest mess of their lives, and I get to help them find the tools to get their jewels,” he said. “It’s not so much about me, or accolades, but the tools I have to help. I’m not here for myself. I do the work I can for others so we can say we did it. We – not me.”

In his free time, Creasman enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family, namely his wife and daughter. He also likes to attend festivals, watch animated movies and eat movie popcorn, go deep sea fishing, explore new places, learn new things, meet new people, take long walks and rides, and exercise.

“I am humbled,” Creasman said. “What an awesome responsibility, opportunity, and privilege to be the College Minister of my alma mater. I am excited and welcome the wonder and mystery that lies ahead.”