Led by our Board of Trustees that represent our ten member schools, the BTI Consortium provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to foster interreligious cooperation. Since its founding in 1968, the BTI Consortium has become the largest theological consortium in the world, bringing together the resources of theological schools and seminaries throughout the greater Boston area together with some of the world's most prestigious educational institutions.
Throughout its history and all its ongoing work, the BTI Consortium prioritizes the cultivation of a spirit of deep collaboration. By fostering authentic relationships we can bring into being what Rabbi Jonathan Sacks calls "the dignity of difference" in our diverse world. We hope to offer all our members opportunities to realize their role as responsible actors in local and global contexts, to form the next generation of visionary leaders, and create community for positive change exploring the role of religion in our pluralistic world.
To download the BTI Consortium Promotional Flyer, click here.
Our current member schools are:
BTI Board and Executive Director at their Annual Retreat (October 2022)
Stephanie C. Edwards, MSW, PhD
Executive Director
Stephanie originally hails from near Portland, Oregon and now makes her home near Portland, Maine. After her undergraduate studies at Santa Clara University (2007), Stephanie spent a formative year as a Jesuit Volunteer in post-Katrina New Orleans. She holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from Boston College (2019), where her interdisciplinary research focused on the ties between Christian theology and trauma, particularly in the case of pharmaceutical memory modification for PTSD. Her research can be found in the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics and Political Theology. Stephanie's interest in such work has its roots in her "other" career as a social worker (MTS/MSW, Boston University 2011), wherein she has practiced diverse service delivery, grant writing, and non-profit management for over a decade. Stephanie is excited to bring both her non-profit and theological expertise to the BTI. She lives in Biddeford, Maine with her husband and rescue dog, EmmyLou. When not working or volunteering, you can find her in nature; canoe camping in summer, leaf-peeping in fall, and bombing down the slopes in winter.
email | edwards@bostontheological.org
Jonathan Rocha
Graduate Assistant - Outgoing 2023
Jonathan is from the El Paso, Texas area, which is just north of the U.S.-Mexico border. After graduating with a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in 2016, he moved to Boston to complete a Master’s degree in Anthropology at Brandeis University. While his initial goal was to pursue a career in anthropology, during his graduate studies he developed a strong passion for Christian education and ministry. Having changed career paths, he is now currently enrolled in the MTS program at Boston University’s School of Theology. Upon graduating, he plans to pursue a doctorate in theology or religion. His primary research interests include the Apostle Paul, and the reception, interpretation and appropriation of Paul in the Christian mystical tradition. He is also broadly interested in biblical and mystical theology. Outside of theological studies, Jonathan enjoys watching new films, keeping up with the NBA, and working as the BTI’s Graduate Assistant.
email | btinews@bostontheological.org
Amy Jeong
Graduate Assistant - Incoming 2023
Amy was born and raised in Korea until she and her family moved to the U.S. when she was 10. She grew up in Massachusetts the majority of her life and graduated with a BS in Psychology from Northeastern University. Throughout her college education, she dedicated her time to serve Korean American youth in the New England area and continues to serve the youth at her church today. Amy is a graduate student pursuing an MDiv at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She is passionate about creating space for building community and connections among people from all different backgrounds. Outside of her studies, she enjoys pouring well-crafted cups of coffee as a local barista, breaking bread with friends, painting acrylic and gouache, and walking around the city and discovering different spots to capture on camera.
email | btinews@bostontheological.org
Joe Penny
Contextual Ministry Student - Incoming 2023
Joe Penny is a second-generation Black-Costa Rican from San Dimas, California, a small suburb just east of Los Angeles. After graduating from St. John’s University (MN) with a BA in Theology, he moved to Boston to pursue a Master's degree at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (STM). During his graduate studies, Joe found a way to blend his musical and theological passions and now serves as an artist-theologian, uplifting music from the Black and Latin American tradition. He is currently a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry student and a professional musician in Boston and Los Angeles. Additionally, he was recently hired as the BCSTM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Graduate Assistant, becoming the first in school history to hold this position. Outside of his studies, Joe enjoys praising behind the drum set at church, dancing with his friends, and watching the sunset at the beach.
email | btistudentconference617@gmail.com
Interim Chair, Professor of Religion, Boston University Graduate Program in Religion
Associate Dean for Ministry Studies and Lecturer on Ministry, Harvard Divinity School