The Commissional Corner from a Master's to a Doctorate

Meet Dr. Sastry Meesala, a DBU graduate from the Masters in Global Leadership program who now holds a Ph.D. in Missions and Islamic Studies.

Is there any advice that you would like to give, pertaining to graduating students who are considering a doctorate degree?

"I would encourage Christian men and women to pursue doctoral studies to contribute more toward Christian theology, missions, and ministry. A Ph.D. student will be exposed to a wide range of literature and deep knowledge of a field of specific research and scholarship. Having a doctorate degree opens massive opportunities to influence intellectual thinkers along with people from various backgrounds to draw their attention to Jesus Christ and to His Gospel. Doctoral studies thoroughly prepare those who want to be involved in the Gospel ministry and theological training locally and globally."

How was your M.A. in Global Leadership degree able to assist you prior to graduation?

"The MAGL is a great program and it would equip men and women to grow more in the Lord, develop servant leadership, and prepare you for the ministry."

Tell us a little more about yourself:

"I am originally from India. Before I came to DBU, I was working as a church planter in India. The Lord opened a door for me to come to DBU to earn my MAGL degree, and I really enjoyed my time at DBU. The faculty, staff, and students were great and friendly.

While I was studying at DBU, I enjoyed working in the DBU library, was involved with SASA (South Asian Students Association) on campus, and active in First Baptist Church, Duncanville. After I graduated with my MAGL from DBU in May 2010, the Lord led me to pursue a Ph.D. at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

As I was pursuing my Ph.D., the Lord gave me a passion to reach Asian Indians who are living in the DFW metroplex. The Lord helped me to plant a church among Asian Indians in Irving. Apart from the church plant in Irving, Texas, I work alongside my parents who are native missionaries in India.

Together, we train Indian nationals for church planting and discipleship ministry, care for orphaned and poor children at our ministry's orphanage, and train poor and destitute women with sewing skills. In addition to this, I lead teams from local churches and universities in the U.S. on short-term mission trips to India. To know more about my vision and ministry, you can visit the ministry website at www.informi.org.

I personally recommend DBU and it as a great Christian school; if you are seriously thinking to pursue a ministry graduate program, the MAGL is a wonderful program to study at DBU."