Campus Pastor
Donald Opitz, Ph.D.
Campus Pastor
dopitz@messiah.edu
717-766-2511 x6520
A graduate of Westminster College, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Boston University (Ph.D.), Don is also an ordained minister in the PCUSA. Early in his career, Don worked in campus ministry and leadership studies before becoming professor of sociology and higher education at Geneva College. Don and lovely Christine have two grown daughters, Lauren and Katie, and one scruffy mutt, Izzy. Don loves trees and trout, and he loves students and learning, so he feels like he has found a corner of paradise here at Messiah University.
Student Ministries Pastor
Mina Choi, M.Div.
Student Ministries Pastor
mchoi@messiah.edu
717-766-2511 x7224
Mina oversees the Student Ministries Council and its respective prayer, chapel planning, discipleship, and events teams. In addition, she serves as advisor to Acclamation. Along with the other MCM staff, Mina assists in chapel planning and programming and preaches in chapel each semester. Mina's life passion is to teach young people about God and God's Word, as evidenced by her rigorous academic training in music and theology as well as over 20 years of ministry experience. Mina travels internationally as founder and director of her own intensive and strategic youth discipleship and leadership program called S.E.T. (Seek, Encounter, Transform) Youth Summit International.
Worship Pastor
Douglas Curry, D.Min.
Worship Pastor
dcurry1@messiah.edu
717-766-2511 x6721
Dr. Curry serves as Worship Pastor and faculty member in the Department of Music, where he serves as professor and academic advisor to the Music and Worship degree program. Students mentored under Doug's tutelage bring leadership to chapel and other worship events on and off campus. He provides guidance, support, and oversight to the Worship Community, a co-curricular group of students committed to developing "skillful hands and integrity of heart," and connecting the arts and theology in contexts of private and corporate worship. Additionally, Dr. Curry is a faculty member at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, where he directs the internship course for all Master's level grad students.
Administrative Assistant
Joanna Hadley-Evans
Administrative Assistant
jhadley@messiah.edu
717-766-2511 x3080
As a 1996 alumna of Messiah University, Joanna has provided administrative support to the campus community in a variety of academic settings. In her Campus Ministries role, she supports the Campus Pastor, as well as chapel attendance planning and protocols. Joanna and her husband, Brian, met while students at the University, and they continue to be avid men’s and women’s soccer fans. They have two grown children and share hearts for marginalized people. Joanna is a Certified International Tour Manager and is passionate about travel, culture, music, food, puzzles, and the game show Jeopardy.
Teaching Pastor, Professor of Hebrew Bible
Brian Smith, Ph.D.
Teaching Pastor, Professor of Hebrew Bible
bsmith@messiah.edu
(717) 796-1800, ext. 7088
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As teaching pastor in Messiah University Ministries, Brian can regularly be found preaching in chapel services and/or leading small groups of students in Bible study. Brian Smith also chairs the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. His research interests include ancient Israel, Hebrew narrative, ancient Near Eastern religion.