Sara Heacox Sosa
Email: sara-sosa@bethel.edu
Job titles
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Assistant Professor of Children's and Family Ministry
Children's & Family Ministry (M.A.) Bethel Seminary
Highlight
I have served in the areas of children, youth, and family ministry and church leadership for over 30 years! My ministry contexts have included churches, camps, regional conferences, and teaching for three different seminaries: Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN), Evangelical Theological College (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), and North Park Seminary (Chicago, IL). I am an ideator, strategist, and researcher at heart. I love to follow trends and discover new pathways for ministry. Coming alongside individuals and churches as a consultant, coach, and teacher is something I enjoy immensely. I have two adult children who are living their best lives and a very laid back yellow lab who behaves more like a cat than a dog! I love a good latte, walking through the woods in any season, and living with a sense of wonder in everything I do.
Started at Bethel
2024
Education
- University of Wisconsin - B.A. in English, History, and Medieval Studies, 1992
- North Park Theological Seminary - M.A. in Christian Education, 1995
- Bethel Seminary - D.Min. in Church Leadership, 2019
Biography
Sara Heacox Sosa is joining Bethel Seminary as the Assistant Professor and Program Manager for the MA in Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry. She earned her BA in English, History, and Medieval Studies from UW-Madison, her MA in Christian Education from North Park Seminary, and her DMin in Church Leadership from Bethel Seminary. Over the past 30 years, Sara has served in a variety of ministry roles including pastor, consultant, speaker, and adjunct professor. She is an ideator, strategist, and researcher who loves to follow trends, discover new pathways for ministry, and equip leaders. She created an online community called LunchBox that was built to network, resource, and train children and family ministry leaders. It currently serves over 480 people. Sara has two adult children and a yellow lab who are all successfully living their best lives! She appreciates a good latte, walking through the woods in any season, and living with a sense of wonder in everything she does.
Courses taught
Bethel Seminary
- Global and Missional Children's Ministry
- Pastoral Care for Children and Families
- Spiritual and Personal Formation
Evangelical Theological College
- Childhood in Cultural Context and Biblical Parenting
- Pastoral Care for Children and Families
North Park Seminary
- Leading and Teaching in the Church
- Intergenerational Communities: Children and Families in the Church
- Christian Education and Formation in the Church
Awards
Lilly Grant for Support for Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative II program (ECC, 2024)
LunchBox Development Grant (2023-24)
Recipient of the William A. Fretwell Memorial Thesis Award (Bethel, 2019)
Recipient of the Dissertation with Distinction Award (Bethel, 2019)
Publications
Disciple, Interrupted: Stories from Between the Lines (2023)
Presentations
"Celebrating Life Milestones for Every Child and Family." Recharge Conference, MN (2014)
"How to Celebrate Life Transitions with Families." Recharge Conference, MN (2015)
"A Vision for Partnering with Parents." Projetto Archippo Ministry Conference, Parma, Italy (2017)
"Practical Ways to Participate in God's Story." Projetto Archippo Ministry Conference, Parma, Italy (2017)
"Celebrating Milestones." Projetto Archippo Ministry Conference, Parma, Italy (2017)
"Practical Insights for Ministry to Children and Families." Projetto Archippo Ministry Conference, Parma, Italy (2017)
"Building a Faith that Lasts." Recharge Conference, MN (2020)
"Mind the Gap: Building a Discipleship Strategy." Recharge Conference, MN (2023)
"Nurturing Life-Long Faith in the Rising Generations." Flourish Conference, Plymouth Covenant Church, MN (2024)
Certificates and licenses
Certificate in Medieval Studies, Univeristy of Wisconsin - Madison (1992)
Ordained to Word and Service, Evangelical Covenant Church (2003)
Professional organizations, committees, and boards
LunchBox, Inc.: online community for children and family ministry leaders (https://lunchbox.group)
Covenant Pines Ministries Board (2019-2024)
Research interests
Dissertation Topic: "Awana Together: Empowering Parents as Spiritual Mentors for their Children"
Teaching specialty
Children & Family Ministry, Church Leadership, Spiritual Formation
Quote
"As long as you have your sense of humor, everything will be okay." -my mom (Nancy Heacox)