Religion professor publishes memoir

Northwestern College religion professor Jackie Smallbones has recently published a memoir, “Knit Together: Many Colors, One Life.” The 167-page paperback is a collection of stories about Smallbones’ journey toward walking in the way of Jesus.

“Life is a mosaic of many colors woven together by the Master Weaver,” says Smallbones. “If we’re fortunate, we’ll see the whole one day. I was fortunate.” Smallbones’ book is a collection of personal stories from infancy to adulthood. “The stories, whether humorous or serious, playful or honest, document my journey toward healing and wholeness.”

The book, published Aug. 20, is available for purchase on Lulu.com.

Smallbones is a native of South Africa and an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. A member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1995, Smallbones was awarded the college’s Teaching Excellence Award in 1998. Her first book, “Keeping Company With Jesus,” was published by Augsburg Books in 2005, and she has written many articles on Christian education, the spiritual life and narrative for spiritual formation.                 

After earning a bachelor’s degree at Washington Bible College in Lanham, Md., Smallbones went on to earn a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., and a Doctor of Theology degree at the Durban-Westville University in South Africa.