Our 10th Annual Sermon Slam featured the best student preachers in the Consortium! It took place Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the Dunbarton Chapel of the Howard University School of Divinity, 2900 Van Ness St. NW, Washington, DC 20008, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Students from Consortium schools gave robust homilies on a given topic. They displayed the distinct traditions of their schools or churches. Then, in a quick lightening-round the preachers gave 2-minute energy-burst homilies on passages they drew from a hat! That is when their true personal styles shone forth!

Below is additional information about the Sermon Slam preachers who shared their gifts. We are grateful to each of them for their inspiration. We also thank the WTC Student Board for organizing a great event, and the Divinity School at Howard for such gracious hosting. 

To view past Sermon Slam events, visit our Student Events page.

Sermon Slam Preachers 2025 and their Chief Gift recognized by the audience

I am Stefi Baiju, a Diploma in Anglican Studies Student at Virginia Theological Seminary and an ordination aspirant from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. A Dalit Christian woman from South India, I am passionate about Christian ministry and constantly growing in Christ. My journey has led me to unexpected places, but I strive to represent my roots wherever I go. As a minister, I am committed to embodying radical hospitality, social justice, and peace, and to supporting communities on their journey toward justice, love, and healing.  MOST TIMELY

Rev. Br. Pius Henry, O.P. was born and raised in Massachusetts. He is an alumnus of The Catholic University of America, where he studied theology. He joined the Order of Preachers in 2019 and made his Solemn Vows in the Order February 1st, 2025. Currently, Br. Pius is a student at the Dominican House of Studies. On March 1, 2024, Br. Pius was ordained a deacon of the Catholic Church with the hope of being ordained to the priesthood next year. STRONGEST EXEGESIS

Reverend Rashaad A. Khaalid, born in Takoma Park, MD, accepted Christ at six years old and was baptized at Glendale Baptist Church, now The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square. A product of Prince George’s County Public Schools, he studied Political Science at Norfolk State University and completed a hospitality management program with the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL. Currently Rev. Khaalid is completing his theological studies at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He plans to graduate in May. Licensed to preach in 2011, and ordained by Bishop Anthony G. Maclin in 2024, Rev. Khaalid serves as the Minister of Congregational Care at The Sanctuary and is the Associate Youth Pastor of Spiritual Development & Outreach at the Le Detroit Baptist Church in Oxon Hill, MD. Married to his partner in life and ministry, Felicia M. Khaalid, he is blessed with two children, Riyah Abigail and Josiah Rashaad. MOST SPIRITUALLY POWERFUL

Thiara Herrera Leiva is an international student from Chile, in my first year at Wesley Theological Seminary in the MDiv. track. Thiara loves meeting new people cooking and eating together but is always grateful for friends who offer to wash the dishes. Thiara is currently one of the leaders for the youth group at Cherrydale UMC and is excited for the fall when I will begin an internship placement at American University alongside their chaplain at the Kay Spiritual Life Center.  MOST ELOQUENT And WINNER OF THE LIGHTNING ROUND

Paulist Seminarian Zach Turner grew up in Southern California and received a Bachelor’s in History from UCLA. There, he met the Paulist Fathers, a community of Catholic priests whose mission is to preach the Gospel to the Peoples of North America, with a particular emphasis on reaching out to people on the margins of both the Church and Society. He studies at the Catholic University of America. In his spare time, Zach enjoys playing video games, drawing, watching fantasy TV shows, and Japanese animation. MOST THEOLOGICAL

Rev. Reginald “Reggie” Whren pastors the Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Community Action Group Fellowship, which supports men and women recovering from substance use disorders. He is also a third-year Master of Divinity candidate at Howard University School of Divinity. He holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from Washington Baptist Theological Seminary. Licensed in 1999 and ordained in 2002, he currently serves as Chaplin on the Washington Baptist Theological Seminary’s Alumni Association Board for 2024-2025. Rev. Whren supervises MedMark Treatment Centers-DC’s Methadone-Medicine Assistance program and has managed daily operations for over 21 years. He is licensed by the DC Department of Health’s Board of Professional Counseling. Rev. Whren is dedicated to helping people recover from substance use disorders and encourages them to change “one day at a time.”  MOST PROPHETIC  

THANKS FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED to Support these gifted preachers with your presence and amens!