Reverend Dow Kirkpatrick, a graduate of Asbury College, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and Drew University, was a co-founder of the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies in 1958. He served as a Methodist minister in a series of Georgia congregations as well as in Evanston, IL. He also often served as an anti-war activist and a proponent of civil rights and abortion rights which led to much controversy during his time as a minister. In this sermon, delivered March 22, 1962, Rev. Kirkpatrick reminds the ITC Theta Phi inductees that their role in ministry is to make love on Gods behalf and act as an earthly light that is reflective of the heavenly light of Christ. He refers to the Biblical book of Revelation as well as other modern writings to explain that acts of the church all have a corresponding heavenly aspect. He explains how man would not exist without Christ because it is he who makes man what he is.
