Panel Discussion On Children At Risk

Dr. George M. Hillman Jr. serves as the Vice President for Education and Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary. He oversees all seminary activities related to academic affairs and student life. Before stepping into this role, Dr. Hillman served as Vice President for Student Life and Chair of the Educational Ministries and Leadership department at DTS. As department chair, he oversaw the MA in Christian Education degree and the creation of the MA in Christian Leadership degree. He is also the former Director of Internships at DTS, where he developed the seminary’s ministry residency program.

Dr. Hillman came to DTS in 2002 with years of pastoral experience in churches and parachurch organizations in Texas and Georgia. He is the author or co-author of six books and several journal articles on theological field education, church educational ministry, and pastoral leadership.

Dr. Hillman has a BS in Sociology from Texas A&M University, an MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a passion for education, spiritual formation, and leadership development.

He is a rabid college football fan and loves good barbeque. He and his wife have one grown daughter pursuing a career in the arts.

Dr. Jerry Lawrence has a deep love for children of all ages and a strong commitment to faith development in families. As an adjunct professor in the Christian Education department, Dr. Lawrence, who teaches courses in children’s ministry and creativity, has over twenty years of experience developing and overseeing children’s ministry in small, medium, and large churches; training and equipping staff and volunteers; and organizing special events and outreach opportunities. Working at Dallas Seminary as an Alumni and Placement counselor, Dr. Lawrence continues to be involved in children’s ministry in her local church, and takes great delight in talking and spending time with children—especially her twelve nieces and nephews. She recently moved into Swindoll Tower, meeting and communing with students and their families.

Rebecca Jowers received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she graduated summa cum laude and played collegiate basketball. She taught math and science in both public and private schools as well as the collegiate level. Rebecca continued her education, earning a Master’s degree from Dallas Seminary and received the Howard Hendricks’ Award for the Department of Christian Education’s most outstanding work. While at DTS, she worked in the Spiritual Formation Department as a Fellow.

After graduating from DTS, Rebecca founded The Poiema Foundation, a non-profit that fights human trafficking through education and community outreach. Poiema provides long-term, trauma-informed care and the unconditional love of Christ to women on their journey from victim to survivor. In addition to her work with Poiema, Rebecca recently accepted the role of Assistant Dean of Students and Advisor to Women at Dallas Seminary and is pursuing a Doctorate of Educational Ministries. She has been married to her husband, Raymond, for 30 years and they have four grown daughters.