Faculty & Staff
Devon Abts, PhD
Devon Abts is the Interim Director of the Luce Center. She holds a PhD in Theology from King’s College London, and an MA from Yale Divinity School. Dr. Abts’ research and teaching is situated at the intersections of contemporary theology, Christian ethics, and the arts, with particular expertise in literature. She is currently preparing a manuscript on theology and modern poetry for publication. She has taught on both sides of the Atlantic, and previously served as an editor for The Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Dr. Abts is co-chair of the theology and arts seminar at the Society for the Study of Theology (UK).
Madeline Drewes
Madeline Drewes is the Operations Manager and Collections Specialist for the Luce Center. She has a background in art history and collections management. She earned her MA in Art History from Syracuse University, and her BA in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Brigham Young University. Her research interests include depictions of female saints and exploring women’s spiritual identity in art.
Josiah Young, PhD
Josiah Young is a Professor of Systematic Theology and a graduate of Morehouse College and Union Theological Seminary. A former member of the Atlanta Ballet and the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, he is a lover of classical ballet and modern dance, notably the Martha Graham and Lester Horton techniques. Young is also a jazz aficionado, especially John Coltrane’s, Betty Carter’s, and Nduduzo Makhathini’s music. His favorite writers are James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, and Chinua Achebe. The author of numerous articles and several books, including James Baldwin’s Understanding of God: Overwhelming Desire and Joy, Young’s next project will focus on theological Aesthetics from an African American perspective.
Jessie Houff
Jessie Houff holds a Masters of Fine Art in Community Art from Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD. Jessie teaches Chapel Visuals and Creative Process as Spiritual Practice at Wesley. She is also the Communications Manager for Wesley and Co-Curator of the Dadian Gallery. In her home studio, Jessie makes handmade paper from recycled materials, carves blocks for printmaking, perfects her handlettering, creates art from old books, and works on commissions. At the end of the day you can find her relaxing with her wife in their Baltimore home, going to (or vending at) art markets, and enjoying life together.
Debra Jean Ambush, MFA, PhD
Dr. Debra Ambush is an artist, researcher, and activist. As an educator for over 35 years, Debra has taught in K-graduate art education programs. As a 2021 Wesley Theological Seminary Master of Arts graduate, she earned certification in Arts and Theology and African American Church Studies.
This continuing research is an outgrowth of her work as a Deans Fellow in the Ohio State University Art Education Program, where her research focused on African Centered Aesthetic Theory. Her current research and art work focuses on the notion of memory, family faith heritage, and growing up during the civil rights movement. In working with historical personal primary objects, she seeks to gain theological understanding of family faith heritage.
Through the mediums of printmaking, acrylic, and oil painting, her figurative work expresses narratives yielding personal insight into growing up and the vital importance of emergent Black churches. Debra has participated in various group and solo art exhibitions.
Research Affiliates
Debra Ambush, PhD
Tahnia Ahmed, PhD
Catherine E. Hundley, PhD
Samantha Khan
Directors Emeriti
Deborah Sokolove, PhD