The Rev. Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal is an ordained American Baptist minister with broad ecumenical experience, most recently serving as Dean of Studies at Davuilevu Theological College, the oldest theological seminary in the Fiji Islands. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Duke Divinity School.

Neal studied at the University of Chicago (B.S.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). Her scholarly work examines theologies of the Spirit on the performative borders of body and culture. A former actress and playwright, she has also authored a collection of dramatic monologues, Blessed: Monologues for Mary (2012).

Jerusha has spent her ministry preaching in cross-cultural spaces and bridging denominational communities. God’s work in these in-between locations has convinced her that preaching matters now more than ever.

She has served as keynote preacher for such events as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, the Young Preacher’s Festival and the Homegrown North Carolina Women’s Preaching Festival. Neal is committed to encouraging the voices of young preachers - and particularly the voices of women - in the risky proclamation of gospel hope.

Jerusha lives in North Carolina with her husband the Rev. Wes Neal and they have two children, Mercy and Josiah, who she says keeps her heart full of gratitude and wonder.