Barnett College of Ministry & Theology

Mayo Sowell has been nominated for the AG Higher Education Alliance student award by Chad Causey (chair, Hoskins School of Mission) and Mike Cuckler (chair, School of Divinity). He will finish his Master of Arts in Global Ministry Design through the Hoskins School of Mission and has maintained a 3.82 GPA. Sowell will start his Doctor of Missiology through the Hoskins School of Mission in Spring 2023. In addition to his work as a student, he is planting a church in Atlanta, Georgia. The church has also launched a SEU extension site to train ministry leaders.

As a pastor, Sowell models a high value on education by being a lifelong learner; this is most evident in his pursuit of graduate and doctoral degree to further refine his ministry skill set. He has been and continues to apply his education in real time in the local church. Sowell is an outspoken supporter of the SEU Ministry Network and encourages other ministry leaders to pursue their education at SEU.

Prior to becoming a pastor, Sowell played professional football in the NFL. He had some struggles along the way and spent time in prison for selling narcotics. During his incarceration, Sowell came to faith and this changed his life forever! Sowell is now married with children and served as a pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama prior to launching out into church planting. Sowell’s story is one of triumphant redemption and he embodies what the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology aspires to see in its students.