Doctor Philosophae (PhD), Public Theology, University of Manchester, UK
Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Family and Counseling, Asbury Seminary, KY, US
Maîtrise ès-Lettres, Linguistique et Communication, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Master of Arts, Intercultural Mission, Fresno Pacific University Seminary, CA, US
Licence ès-Lettres, Linguistique et Communication, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Dr. Sègbégnon Mathieu Gnonhossou, PhD, serves as Professor of African Theology and Public Theology Specialist at Missional University, where his scholarship and teaching illuminate the missio Dei—the redemptive mission of God—through the vibrant lens of African Christianity. A native of Benin with fluency in French, English, and indigenous languages like Goun, Fon, and Tori, Dr. Gnonhossou bridges continental and diasporic contexts, drawing from his PhD in Public Theology from the University of Manchester and Doctor of Ministry in Family and Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary.
His doctoral thesis, Imperial Kenosis as a Political Medicine: An Afro-Wesleyan Public Theology of the Cross, exemplifies how Christ's self-emptying love confronts imperialism and neoliberalism, fostering holistic liberation in Africa's post-colonial landscape. This cruciform vision permeates his courses, aligning seamlessly with Missional University's Graduate Certificate in African Theology in Context, which critiques theological themes like Christology and the Kingdom of God through a biblical and missional hermeneutic.
In THC2210 Intro to African Theology and THC3111/THC5111 Themes in African Theology, Dr. Gnonhossou guides students to explore paradigms in African theologies, evaluating their response to 21st-century political and cultural upheavals—such as anti-social behaviors and diaspora migration—while mobilizing laity for God's redemptive work. His THC4113/THC6113 African Christology delves into Christ as liberator from imperial powers, echoing his research on atonement beyond forensics and narrative healing amid post-colonial agony. Similarly, THC4114/THC6114 Kingdom of God in African Context examines God's reign as holistic peacemaking, integrating Dr. Gnonhossou's expertise in conflict mediation and family reconstruction to address social injustices like racism and economic disparity.
Through BIB3115/BIB5115 Mark the Evangelist in African Memory, he uncovers Africa's ancient Christian roots—from Pentecost's multicultural outpouring to Mark's missionary journeys in Libya and Alexandria—challenging Eurocentric narratives and affirming Africans' integral role in primitive Christianity. These courses prepare students for missional service among Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, equipping them to join the missio Dei in proclaiming liberation, justice, and discipleship.
Beyond academia, Dr. Gnonhossou's licensed pastorate in the United Methodist Church, board-certified coaching, and workshops on marital healing and restorative justice embody theology in practice. A recipient of the AFA Excellence in Teaching Award and John Wesley Fellowship, he co-founded missional movements in Benin and Kentucky, embodying the Afro-Wesleyan call to transform societies through God's kingdom. At Missional University, Dr. Gnonhossou inspires a global church to embrace Africa's theological vitality for God's unfolding mission.
DISSERTATIONS & THESES
Doctoral Dissertation at University of Manchester
Imperial Kenosis as a Political Medicine: An Afro-Wesleyan Public Theology of
the Cross
Doctoral Dissertation at Asbury Seminary
Reconstructing Justice in the Land: How Urban Evangelicals in Cotonou and
Porto-Novo Can Respond to the Escalating Phenomenon of Anti-social Behaviors
Maîtrise ès-Lettres Thesis at Université d’Abomey-Calavi
Problématique de l’Éducation Morale à Travers les Media Audiovisuels: Cas des
Émissions Acakpodji de la Télévision Nationale et Rendez-Vous Culturel en Fon de la
Radio Nationale [The Issue of Ethical Education through Audiovisual Media : Case Studies
of Acakpodji of National TV and Rendez-Vous Cultural en Fon of National Radio]
Master of Arts, Research at Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary
The Challenge of Evil Powers: Toward a Liberating Paradigm of Pastoral Care
PUBLICATIONS
“Narrative Healing with Scripture through the Agony of Post-colonialism,” in Glimmers of
Hope: Toward the Healing of Painful Life Experiences through Narrative Counseling, edited by
Tapiwa Mucherera, Wipf and Stock, 2013.
PRESENTATIONS
Panelist, Africa Today: the Problems, the Progress and the Promises, Black History Month,
African Students Association, Eastern Kentucky University, April 26th, 2019.
Paper Presenter, Public Cruciformity as a Political Medicine: An African Reading of Wesley
and European Slave Trade, Postgraduate Seminar, Nazarene Theological College, Didsbury,
Manchester, United Kingdom, February 02, 2018.
Workshop Presenter, Building a Marriage of Freedom and Victory, Evangel of Christ
Missional Movement, Parakou & Porto-Novo, Republic of Bénin, July 28-29, 2017 & August
11-12, 2017.
Paper Presenter, Toward a Wesleyan Theology as Cruciform Theopolitics for Africa,
Postgraduate Seminar, Nazarene Theological College/University of Manchester, June 28, 2013.
Paper Presenter, Atonement and Moral Transformation in Benin, John Wesley Fellows
Christmas Conference, Duke Divinity School, North Carolina, USA, January 03, 2013.
