Shay Beard has a message she’s passionate to share.
“I want everyone to know that God not only loves them — He likes them,” she exclaimed.
“Being a Christian is not about following rules,” she continued. “It’s about spending time with the One who created us. Everything we are asked to do is because He loves us and wants us to reach our full potential. So many people have an incorrect view of Jesus. As a result they don’t believe in themselves. I want them to know they are loved and valued. I would love to bring people to Jesus one hug at a time.”
But Shay knows that just loving people isn’t enough.
“Theological questions arise when talking to hurting people about God’s love,” she said. “I need to stand on a solid biblical foundation while loving others. Compassion and truth go hand in hand.”
Shay appreciates the way the M.Div program at The King’s University has helped to build this foundation.
“TKU doesn’t pass over the difficult questions,” she explained. “It points us to the Word, encouraging us to bring our questions to our Father. . . TKU is a scholarly biblical education that leaves room for the Holy Spirit. It’s Spirit and Truth!”
“The Spirit is moving in our school,” she continued. “There is a wave of ministry coming from TKU that is unlike what we have seen in previous generations. It’s prophetic, worshipful, com-passionate and restorative.”
The graduate school experience has been transformational for the Hurst, TX native.
“I am not the same person I was before coming to TKU,” she said. “By fine tuning me, God is equipping me to be a brighter light to His hurting people.”