We sat around the dining table, in my very old Airbnb house. The windows saturating light onto the wooden floors, birds whispering quietly outside. On this picturesque Monday evening, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Lilly Park.

Dr. Park has experience working at institutions such as Cedarville University and Boyce college. She was an on-staff counselor for a nonprofit, providing a home for young mothers and allowing them to gain life skills, in addition. Currently, Dr. Park is the Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southern Seminary. Along with her intensive list of affiliations, Dr. Park is a brilliant mentor, and kind person, who enjoys Jane Austin and a good cup of coffee.

Dr. Park and I spoke on ideas and issues ranging from gender, theology, feminism, and the church. Her field of study is in Gender and theology, family ministry, cross-cultural counseling, and theological anthropology. We started with me asking about what lead her to pursue a career in academics. She told me about how her teachers encouraged her to pursue doctoral studies, thinking she would excel in that area. Since then, Dr. Park has been a mentor, just like her teachers, too many others.

 I asked her more about her studies, and what they look like in the world today:

Q: “Your field of research is in Gender and theology, family ministry, cross-cultural counseling, and theological anthropology, why did you choose these fields of study?”

Dr. Park: “Those are probably a sample of what I enjoy. Anthropology or human nature is a broader interest, I enjoy what God’s word says about our body and soul. Gender and theology are interesting because as a woman, there are a lot of challenges. Currently, in our culture, we have the #Metoo movement, it’s an interesting time to be a woman.”

Q: Feminism is a huge influence in modern media, how do you see it affecting the church?

Dr. Park: “This past year, I got more involved with women’s leadership events. I’m learning there a lot of women out there who want to serve more in the church. The Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn women in that, but feminism plays a role saying you have a brain, you’re gifted, you can lead however you want. I think women get frustrated when feminism plays with their desires. I believe God has designed men and women to serve in different roles. However, there are a lot of positions that could be for men and women in that, the church can sometimes rely too much on tradition.”

I asked about the effect of gender in her work as well:

Q: How does gender affect your work?

Dr. Park: “I think being a female opens opportunities to minister to women, that my male counterparts probably wouldn’t, I have more freedom in that. I have more of that freedom with women students while my male students can work more with male mentors.”

Dr. Park and I also talked about common issues she hears in the counseling room. Things like body image and abuse were brought up. In a more personal question of my own, I asked her about the influence of social media in young women. She agreed that the impact can be negative with body image, something that I knew firsthand.  She stated, “Body image is huge, especially when we see things that aren’t real, like in magazines.” I also asked about other issues, to which she answered, “I would say sexual sins, like abuse as well, I’m seeing that in women with different ages. I’ve seen it with many women who struggle with shame and past issues. A lot of confusion about sex, and women who are being hurt.” Dr. Park expressed this with care in her voice. As a counselor, she sees these issues come into play, and it was clear of her concern for the wellbeing of who she councils.

We talked about Dr. Park’s career, and what she has learned from it. She is inspired by wise, courageous people. She stated, “People, who are faithful for their cause, even when they are the only voice. I am inspired by people who are alive currently too, more and more I’m inspired by men and women, who are faithful behind the scenes, they don’t receive recognition in the public eye, but are still faithful to God.” Dr. Park shared some of her own story and something she learned in her own career. I asked her what that thing was, and she answered with a smile. She told me patience, something she’s had to learn since the beginning.

 Finally, I asked what impact she wanted to make:

Dr. Park: “I want to help women think biblically, and to think critically. I want to be an encouragement, to women especially, in developing the gifts that God has given them. I would say I am motivated by the next generation. To see younger women and the potential for their future.”

Dr. Park moved me, just in the time we spent around that table. She described people who inspired her, who were wise, and courageous. Even in the period, I got to talk to her, I felt like she resembled who inspired her. Her ability with words and her patience moved me. Her ideas and understanding of the modern era we live in gave me a new insight on current issues. As someone who struggles with body image, especially in the world of Instagram, it was a fresh take on something I knew well. I hope you find the same encouragement, and insight in her words, just as I did. It was a great honor to be able to interview and learn from Dr. Park.

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