Joni S. Sancken

Joni Sancken (PhD, Toronto School of Theology, Emmanuel College) is Professor of Homiletics at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH and was previously Assistant Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, VA.

After her own encounter with trauma in the sudden and untimely death of a family member, she now helps equip pastors to minister to those who have experienced the effects of trauma in their communities.

She is interested in theological and interdisciplinary approaches to preaching and is passionate about supporting and encouraging pastors. Joni is an ordained pastor in Mennonite Church USA and served congregations in Indiana and Pennsylvania. She is energized by religious and ecumenical diversity having studied, served, and worshipped in Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Canada, and United Methodist settings and having completed training in the interfaith practice of scriptural reasoning. She is committed to non-violence and conflict resolution. She volunteered with restorative justice programs in Ontario and completed two levels of STAR training (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) through the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.