Becoming a Pastor Theologian
Heather joy Zimmerman
In this episode of the Becoming a Pastor Theologian series, Heather Joy Zimmerman shares how profound personal suffering shaped both her faith and her calling. Reflecting on the loss of a close friend, her father's battle with cancer, and her journey through lament, Heather explains how God used Scripture—especially Romans 8 and the Psalms—to deepen her understanding of God's goodness and inspire a lifelong passion for helping others faithfully navigate suffering.
Heather also traces her path from Moody Bible Institute to Dallas Theological Seminary and Wheaton College, where her academic work on the Psalms of lament and preaching emerged from her own spiritual journey. She discusses her passion for theological education, forming faithful preachers, and bridging the gap between the academy and the local church. The conversation offers a compelling vision of the pastor theologian—one whose scholarship is rooted in personal faith, pastoral ministry, and a deep love for Christ and his people.
Heather Joy Zimmerman is an Assistant Professor of Advanced Pastoral and Ministerial Leadership Studies and is the Program Coordinator for Moody Theological Seminary's new DMin Program. Her work focuses on the intersections of theology of suffering, Old Testament, and Homiletics. She is a fellow in the CPT’s St Irenaeus fellowship.
