A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) John Wesley Fellowships awarded to three doctoral students in the Wesleyan tradition.

The John Wesley Fellows program is designed to promote the renewal of theological education by supporting promising United Methodist scholars, and on occasion other Wesleyan scholars, who are committed to a Wesleyan vision of classical Christianity and academic excellence. Scholarships are awarded to doctoral students for up to four years. Recipients also participate in the Fellowship, which includes an an-nual Christmas Conference where fellows engage in scholarly conversation in service to the Church.

“The John Wesley Fellows program has contributed significantly over the past four decades to scholarly leadership in theological education and in the church, especially the United Methodist Church,” said L. Gregory Jones, executive director of AFTE. “We are excited that these outstanding people will be supported during their doctoral studies both through scholarship funding and relationships among the Fellows.”

This year, the Fellows program includes a Harry S. Denman Fellow, supported by funding from The Foundation for Evangelism. The Denman Fellows are a part of the larger John Wesley Fellows program and are particularly focused on scholarship and teaching in evangelism and mission. Alma Ruiz is this year’s recipient of a Harry S. Denman Fellowship.

2016 John Wesley Fellows

Jerry Breen

Jerry is a 1997 graduate of Northpoint Bible College with a B.A. degree in Bible and a 2001 graduate of Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with an M.Div. degree in Bible languages. He will graduate in May 2016 from Asbury Theological Seminary with an M.A.B.S degree and plans to continue his studies in New Testament with an interest in Rhetorical Analysis of Matthew through the Ph.D. program at Asbury Theological Seminary. Jerry resides in Wilmore, Kentucky with his wife, Melissa and three children, Aiden, Logan and Colin. He is a certified candidate for the New England Annual Conference with the United Methodist Church.

Gregory Coates

Greg is a 2003 graduate of Greenville College with a B.A. degree in History/Political Science, a 2008 graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary with an M.Div. degree and a 2012 graduate of Duke Divinity School with a Th.M. degree in Wesleyan Studies. He is pursuing his studies in Historical Theology with an interest in Wesley and Methodist Studies through the Ph.D. program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Greg resides in Evanston, Illinois with his wife, Courtney and two children, Lydah and Eve. He is a member of the Wabash Conference of the Free Methodist Church.

2016 Harry Denman Fellow

Alma Ruiz

Alma is a 2002 graduate of Cesues Mexico University with a degree in Engineering, a 2008 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in High School Mathematics Education and a 2013 graduate of Duke Divinity School with an M.Div. degree. Alma plans to continue her studies in Preaching with an interest in Preaching of Oscar Romero and Evangelism through the Th.D. program at Duke Divinity School.Alma resides in Apex, North Carolina with her husband, Ismael Ruiz-Millan and their son, Alec. She is a member of the North Carolina Annual Conference with the United Methodist Church.