Episcopal rector Russell J. Levenson Jr. has been named 2011 Doctor of Ministry Alumnus of the Year by Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School. Levenson, who earned a doctor of ministry degree from Beeson in 1997, received the award during a divinity school worship service March 8.
Rector of the 8,400-member St. Martin’s Church in Houston, Levenson is the author of many articles and two books, “Provoking Thoughts,” a collection of Lenten meditations, and “Preparing Room,” a collection of Advent meditations.
Prior to being called to St. Martin’s, the largest Episcopal congregation in the United States, in 2007, he was rector of Christ Church Parish in Pensacola, Fla., and the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, La. At each post, Levenson has been known for fostering membership growth and increased budget, outreach and building programs and holding diocesan leadership roles. While enrolled at Beeson, Levenson was associate rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham. He also was head spiritual director for the Cursillo ministry in Alabama.
A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, he holds a master of divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
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