Merrifield, Bill
My name is Dr. Bill Merrifield. I serve as the Vice President of Engagement for IDEAS where I provide leadership for culturally-situated, transformative programs and projects around the world. I love to preach. I have an undergraduate degree in Theology from Wheaton College, a MA in Religion from Trinity International University, an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the American University of Beirut, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from George Fox University.
Home church: Wellspring Alliance Church
Pastor: Mitch Kim
Denomination: The Christian and Missionary Alliance
Education/Experience: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (George Fox University), MA in Middle Eastern Studies (American University of Beirut), MA in Religion (Trinity International University), BA in Theology (Wheaton College).
Preaching Topics: (Click on the title to watch the sermon)
Work as a Holy Calling
Ephesians 2:10
What are the implications for understanding all work as a holy calling? This sermon unpacks how when we embrace that we are God’s handiwork and that all our work is a holy calling we are freed to live lives of intentionality and faithful risk for God’s glory and for our good.
He Cares for You
1 Peter 5:6-11
How do we face suffering in our lives and in the world? Building from a kidnapping threat that Bill experienced in Beirut, this sermon explores the biblical concept of God’s care in a hurting world.
Trust in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6
What is the difference between trust as belief and trust as faith? This sermon explores a biblical approach to trusting God with an eternal perspective in a complicated world.
Faith & Disability (not presented as a sermon in the link)
Philippians 2:6-11
Having experienced cultural and linguistic disability during his time in Beirut as well as raising a child with disabilities, Bill unpacks Philippians 2:6-11 to demonstrate the power, purpose, and challenges of disability in God’s kingdom.
Where is your citizenship?
Philippians 3:20
How does our heavenly citizenship impact our daily lives? This sermon explores what it means to live as a citizen of the world and a citizen of heaven.
It is for Freedom
Galatians 5:1-6
How should we understand Paul’s claim that Christ has set us free? This sermon unpacks Paul’s statements in Galatians and explores the foundations for the practice of the biblical concept of freedom.
Are you a Fool?
1 Corinthians 3:18-19
What does Paul mean when he exhorts the church to become fools as followers of Jesus?
This sermon explores the implications of following Christ in a world with different standards for wise living.
Who is THIS Jesus? (no link)
Luke 8:22-25
The passage in Luke 8 where Jesus calms the storm is often used to encourage us by the power of Jesus to calm the storms in our lives. This sermon focuses on Jesus’s response “Where is your faith?” and encourages us to expand our vision of how to handle situations where it seems like Jesus is asleep.
Additional Notes:
Honorarium, travel fees, meals, expected (appreciated)
Brief Biography:
Dr. Bill Merrifield is the Vice President of Engagement for IDEAS. He speaks and preaches on a variety of topics and provides leadership for culturally-situated, transformative programs in Argentina, Guatemala, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia in the fields of education, agriculture, health & wellness. He is also responsible for developing university and institutional partnerships that align with IDEAS’ mission and vision.
Bill served cross-culturally in Beirut, Lebanon for 17 years. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (George Fox University), an MA in Middle Eastern Studies (American University of Beirut), an MA in Religion (Trinity International University), and a BA in Theology (Wheaton College). He is an adjunct professor at Wheaton College and the College of DuPage.
He and his family currently live in Wheaton, IL.
