Fuller Prepares Jamaican-Born Denzil Barnett to Fulfill His Calling to Teach

Denzil Barnett was born in Jamaica, where he lived for 13 years before moving with his mother to New York City, where he acquired a taste for cross-cultural experiences. So, several years later in 1988, when he was invited to teach English in Japan, he jumped at the opportunity. Initially he planned to spend only a year there, but he ended up living in Japan for over 12 years. He completed his graduate studies, then worked at two universities, and he was also involved in a variety of ministries.

Finally, in September 2000, Barnett returned to the United States to study for his M.A. in theology, specializing in biblical studies.

“While working in Japan, I became involved with teaching ministries in a local church, at work, and elsewhere,” Barnett says. “The more I taught from the Bible, the more I realized I needed to learn. These factors were instrumental in opting for seminary. I chose Fuller because I wanted to study at a seminary that was not too conservative, yet not too liberal, a seminary that had a wide range of courses to choose from, and had a diverse student body.”

Barnett says God has called him to teach, and he is currently exercising that calling as a professor at Azusa Pacific University, in Azusa, Calif., where he teaches English to international graduate students. In addition, he says Fuller has better prepared him to pursue his calling in the future.

“Fuller gave me a foundational framework to better articulate my faith from a theological perspective, incorporate my faith in my teaching, and gave me a more comprehensive perspective in regards to the various denominations in the Christian faith,” Barnett says.

To read about more of Fuller's 2003 commencement participants, see:

School of Theology
2003 Graduate Yolanda Sampson Uses Puppetry to Teach About Christ

Fuller Seminary Awards Chad Billington With Coveted Parish Pulpit Award

Former TV Editor Lissa Eichenberger Jumps to New Career Path After Fuller

Former English Teacher Julie Best Finds New Passion in a Pastoral Role

Sara Williams Graduates From Fuller to Serve Young Adults

Alyson Zadurowicz, a Messianic Jewish Believer, Ministers to Fellow Jews Worldwide

Puerto Rican Sol Nuñez Explores Ministry in Uganda

María Hamilton Makes Big Plans for Hispanic Outreach

After 30 years, James Nelson Fulfills Dream of Entering the Ministry

Cancer Survivor Janet Orlin Graduates With a Sense of Calling and a New Career

School of World Mission
Graduate Mary Ann Hawkins Called to Minister to Ethnic Minorities and Women

Mossai Sanguma To Train Leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Former Fuller Student President Tess Chai Plans Return to Malaysia

Graduate Katherine Miles Plans Return To Work With At-Risk Kids

Ayamba Nkiri Prepares for Bible Ministry in Cameroon

Grace Wabuke Remembers Ugandan Terror, Starts New Ministry in U.S.

Korean Kim Chul Yong Plans to Return to His Ministry in Indonesia

Pam Wilson Completes Her M.A. While Managing Nine Countries for Operation Mobilization

Graduate Augusto Rodriguez Serves Hispanic Congregation in North Hollywood

School of Psychology
Lambers Fisher Jr. Hopes to Revitalize African-American Families

Graduate Audrey Summers Serves Native Americans in Los Angeles

A Passion to Minister to Pastors Drives Heath Green

Fuller Combined Sara Cherry’s Two Great Passions: God and People

Psychology Grad Bradley Bonnett Seeks To Aid People Struggling Through Life

Graduate Anna Sin Plans to Work With Abused Women and Children

Brickell Quarles Plans to Offer Mental-Health Aid to African-American Community

Graduate Pam Trice Feels Called to be a “Bridge” Between Church and Psychology