This blog is maintained by Dr. Kirk VanGilder.  I’m currently living in Washington, D.C. and teaching Religion and General Studies courses in the Department of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Sociology at Gallaudet University.  I also teach a course in Deaf Theology and Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary.

I recently completed my Ph.D in practical theology and missiology at the Boston University School of Theology.  My dissertation examined practical theological methodology with reference to a need to employ missiological categories and techniques when working with subaltern communities.  My research was inspired and guided by short term mission experiences with a group of Deaf Zimbabwean women.

I’m also and ordained Elder in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and a graduate of the Iliff School of Theology and Ball State University.

I was born hard of hearing and lost more hearing in adolescence.  During my college years, I found my way into the Deaf world and have enjoyed being a crosser of boundaries between Deaf and hearing worlds ever since.