Who We Are

Charles Marsh, CoDirector

Charles is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. In addition to directing Theological Horizons and teaching at the University of Virginia, Charles directs the Project on Lived Theology, a Lilly Endowment Initiative, and has written four books:The Beloved Community, The Last Days, Reclaiming Dietrich Bonhoeffer and God's Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights. Charles is currently working on a trade biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to be published by Random House.

Karen Wright Marsh, CoDirector

Karen holds degrees in Philosophy and Linguistics. Her work with Theological Horizons ranges widely from program administration, writing and strategic development to teaching and hospitality. She leads Vintage, the weekly Friday Reading and Reflection Group at the Bonhoeffer House, and coordinates many other Theological Horizons events.

Charles and Karen Wright Marsh live at the Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville, Virginia, with their three children, Henry, Will and Nan.

Saranell Hartman, Assistant Director

Saranell graduated from Wheaton College with majors in Psychology and Christian education and was educated for pastoral ministry at Fuller Seminary.  She is an ordained Presbyterian minister who, along with her husband, Tim Hartman, started and co-pastored a new faith community in Baltimore before moving to Charlottesville in 2009.  Saranell has two children, Simeon and Eliana, and is expecting a third in fall 2010.  She leads the Breakfast Bible Studies and ministers to students at UVa.

Theological Horizons is guided by a committed and energetic

Board of Directors:

Peter Andres

Margaux Helvey

Jackson Hill

Penney Hill

Kathy Lee

Richard Lee

Bruce Noel

Amy Smith

Mary Elizabeth Stone

Bev Wispelwey

Advisory and Emeritus Board Members

provide wisdom and support:

Amy Anderson

Mark Anderson

Lee Burge

Catherine Capps

Jim Ewing

Ross George

Wolfgang Huber

Anna Li

Carey Louthan

Bob Marsh

David McDaniel

Samy Naguib

Sylvia Naguib

Elizabeth Nielsen

John M. Perkins

Joy Roberts

Bill Robertson

Andy Robinson

Dianne Shalibo

Kent Shalibo

Kristina Garcia Wade, Director of Communications, 2008-

Kristina studied English at Dartmouth College.  With her background in marketing, editing and publishing, Kristina brings great gifts to Theological Horizons.  She designs the newsletters, communicates closely with Horizons partners and participants, teaches the Friday Vintage group from time to time and maintains our website and database.               

Ashley Diaz Mejias, Horizons Assistant Director, 2006-2007

Ashley holds a B.A.. from Rhodes College in Religious Studies and Philosophy. She worked from 2001 to 2004 as the educational director of Streets Ministries, a community development organization and youth ministry located in the Cleaborne-Foote housing projects. In 2004, Ashley moved to Charlottesville, where, under Charles' direction, she completed her Master's in Religious Studies at UVa in the Spring of 2006.  She also works as a research assistant for the Project on Lived Theology.   

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the work of Theological Horizons.  I am convinced that Theological Horizons is extraordinarily significant in creating space for Christian scholars to imagine within the academy and, more importantly, to bring forth distinctively excellent scholarship, underscored by the commanding hope extended by the cross.  Theological Horizons provides much-needed encouragement and resources for students who intuit that Christian theology matters, but for whom concrete forms of support open doors for them to transform ideas into projects as they serve the church and bear witness in the academy." 

Mary Tanner Noel, Theological Horizons Intern, 2005-2006

"I was first introduced to Theological Horizons at the start of my first year, through my older brother Winston.  During my first two years here at UVa, I have spent many afternoons fellowshipping with other students at the Friday Study and Reflection Group and enjoying the peaceful study atmosphere at the Bonhoeffer House.  Now, as a third-year student studying Spanish and Religious Studies, I am able to become more involved in the work and mission of Theological Horizons as a student intern.

To me, Theological Horizons offers a unique opportunity for Christians to take their faith to the academy and beyond.  By seeking to empower Christians engaging in Gospel centered scholarship and research, Theological Horizons strengthens believers’ position in the academic world and gives students a voice.  Theological Horizons further encourages Christians to use intellectual work as a foundation for thoughtful, Christ-inspired action within their university, church, and society.

Through my work this year, I hope to gain an understanding of how Theological Horizons works.  It has already been an eye-opening experience to see the variety of opportunities Theological Horizons provides and the possibilities of Christian influence in the academy, the church, and the community.  I look forward to exploring and developing this potential, and I hope that as a student, I can add a fresh, new perspective to Theological Horizons.     

I am truly excited and feel blessed to be involved in what I believe to be significant work through Theological Horizons."

Home