Micah Institute Launched at New York Theological Seminary

(NEW YORK, February 24, 2010) New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) announces the launch of the Micah Institute, an initiative to educate churches and religious leaders throughout the New York metropolitan region regarding global poverty and injustice.  The Micah Institute at NYTS will partner with the Micah Challenge USA Campaign which, as of January 1, 2010, is also housed within NYTS.  Both endeavors are part of the larger global Micah Challenge, a movement of churches, universities, organizations and individuals in forty countries, committed to empowering churches to do their part in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which aim to cut extreme global poverty in half by the year 2015.

The various efforts of the Micah Institute at NYTS will be designed to educate religious leaders and congregations from Mainline, Evangelical, and Pentecostal traditions in the greater New York metropolitan region about poverty and justice.  Emphasizing biblical teachings regarding compassion of heart and quickness of hands and feet, and guided by the prophet Micah’s imperative to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, the Institute will seek to sensitize and engage Christians in practical ways to end poverty.  Religious leaders and congregations will be especially encouraged to hold elected leaders accountable for the needs of the poor in an effort to realize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The Director of the Micah Institute at NYTS is Peter G. Heltzel, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, while the Executive Director is Jason Fileta, coordinator of the Micah Challenge USA Campaign.  Gail Davis is Administrator and Holly Hillgardner is the first Micah Fellow.

A public launch of the Micah Institute will be held on Monday, April 12th at 7 pm at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, located at 521 West 126th Street between Amsterdam and Broadway in Manhattan.  Future programs will be announced at that event.

About New York Theological Seminary

NYTS is a non-denominational center for theological education with more than 600 students, offering both graduate degrees and certificates.  The Seminary works in close partnership with churches throughout the metropolitan area and around the world.  Its student body is one of the most diverse in the nation today, and its programs are offered at a variety of academic levels in order to provide rich resources for ministry.  NYTS prepares men and women for effective service in church and society in parish ministry and other vital ministries such as chaplaincy, social policy advocacy, community organizing, and leadership in the corporate sector.  NYTS offers programs in several languages and at multiple locations throughout the New York area as well as online. For more information about NYTS, visit the Seminary’s website at www.nyts.edu/.

Contacts:

The Rev. Dr. Peter G. Heltzel
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
New York Theological Seminary
212-870-1252
pheltzel@nyts.edu

Courtney Wiley-Harris
Director of Publications and Marketing
New York Theological Seminary
212-870-1253
cwiley@nyts.edu