by Sarah Trask
Class of 2025

Background

Professor Ryan Heinsch grew up in a ministry family. His father was a pastor in a Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) church. While growing up, he said he felt that some sort of pastoral or urban ministry was in his future. He earned a bachelor’s degree in urban ministry at Moody Bible Institute. After serving as a worship pastor and later as a youth pastor, Heinsch attended Moody Theological Seminary for his master’s of divinity in pastoral studies to further pursue ministry. During his time in master’s studies, he felt God calling him towards academics, specifically in the New Testament. To earn his doctorate in the New Testament, he attended the University of Aberdeen overseas in Scotland. Before coming to Crown College, Professor Heinsch taught at Moody, then at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska as a Bible teacher.

Bringing the Bible to Life

Looking to aid his students in understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible to best understand it, Heinsch says this contextual understanding helps students to interpret the Bible with better relevance. “How does the Bible come to life? It comes to life in an ancient world where people have real questions and are dealing with real issues,” he says. “Paul does not just wake up one morning and decide to write Romans. There is a reason he is writing Romans. I want to expose students to that world of the New Testament that often we don’t think about.”

Ready for the Future

Professor Heinsch advocates intellectual growth through the creation of scholarly work from Crown’s faculty. While many people are familiar with the term scholarship meaning grant or payment, another definition of scholarship that Heinsch embraces is intellectual attainment. “I want to promote and encourage scholarship among our faculty. One thing that I love to do as an educator is being involved in the field of scholarship,” he said “So, that is writing articles, publishing books, being a voice within scholarship, and bringing those ideas to the classroom.” Heinsch says he also wants to help his students view the Bible in a transformative way. “Hopefully students walk away from my classes challenged and then look back on their time at Crown and say that I inspired them to think about the Bible in a whole different way.”

Q&A

Question: What class/classes are you most passionate about teaching and why? 
Answer: “New Testament History! I am a New Testament scholar, so I love the New Testament. I also love history. That is my first entry point with students. Helping them uncover the world under the text where the Roman Empire reigns. Where there’s Greek influence and the early followers of Jesus were trying to navigate life in a world that’s very different from our own. ”

Question: What is your teaching style and how does it inspire academic excellence in your students?
Answer: “I am very passionate about my content! Because of that, as I lecture, I am loud and energetic. Also, I like to ask guided questions that shape and direct our conversation, both to help students prepare for the discussion to be had, and to reflect on the discussion to be had. ”

Question: What advice would have been helpful when you were a student?
Answer: “This is the season of life that God wants you to be a student and take your studies seriously. Learn how to use the library and use it! Make your education a priority while you are here! You don’t want to look back and wish that you had given more to your academics.  ”

Question: What is your favorite thing about being a professor at Crown College?
Answer: : “I love how interested the students are in the material that’s being discussed. I’ve been so surprised by how ready students are to engage and listen.“