Amanda Drury: CATALYST OF JOY
What if reading the Bible felt fun? Amanda Drury, professor of theology and ministry at IWU, wrestled with that very question. Over time, that question didn’t just linger in her mind — it became her calling.
The seed for what would eventually become the Imaginarium at IWU, a program that does just that, was planted after a conference brainstorming session stirred up questions about how people, including Drury herself, engaged with Scripture. What began as a personal search to rekindle joy in Bible reading soon blossomed into a much larger vision: a vibrant hub for spiritual formation, creativity, and community transformation.
Her first Imaginarium tool, created with her designer friend Wendy Puffer, was called Scripture Squared. This design-thinking-based curriculum, created to engage with Scripture, helped secure the Imaginarium’s first grant support from the Lilly Endowment.
Through inventiveness, mentorship, and joyful leadership, Drury has become the catalyst for a movement — one that invites people to reimagine the ways we love God and each other.
Before launching the Imaginarium and beginning her career as a professor, Drury attended IWU as an art major, later switching to biblical studies and graduating in 2002. It was during that time she began developing a heart for mentoring and collaborating on creative projects.
One of her most influential mentors was Keith Drury, former professor of practical ministry at IWU and Wesley Seminary — and the father of her husband, John. His impact on her perspective of learning was profound. Keith often paired creative assignments with her New Testament coursework, pushing her to grow beyond traditional academic boundaries and discover joy in unexpected places.
“He had a way of delighting in his students,” Drury recalled. “His delight was contagious.”
Later, during her doctoral studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, Drury worked alongside Kenda Dean, professor of youth, church, and culture. Dean’s approach to scholarship left a lasting impression on her. With access to numerous grants, Dean consistently looked for ways to include students in her projects, offering them space to explore and contribute.
“I was struck by her ability to bring together her love of God, her gifts for creativity, and her brilliant mind,” said Drury.
Now, Drury carries forward the legacy of her mentors. She models the same spirit of openness by saying “yes” and inviting others into spaces they never imagined they could enter — through teaching, grant writing, and her work at the Imaginarium.
“WHAT HAS SURPRISED ME IS JUST HOW MUCH JOY THERE WOULD BE INTERNALLY WORKING ON THIS TOGETHER.”
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AMANDA DRURY
Professor of Theology & Ministry
Together with her team, Drury leads national programs designed to connect churches with their communities in practical, creative ways. Supported by grants, the Imaginarium has provided more than $600,000 in funding to help churches launch local initiatives. To date, the Imaginarium has supported nearly 100 churches and 288 organizations.
Funded programs — including Hatchathons (idea hubs for church fellows), Christmas giving grants, mini food trucks, and pop-up community events — emphasize putting faith into action, particularly through the involvement of teens, young adults, and parents.
“We’re not only looking to add a Bible study,” Drury explained. “We’re wanting something where people can see the relevance in their daily lives.”
Beyond its programs, the Imaginarium has cultivated a strong internal culture. Drury works closely with a dedicated team: Reverend Ronnie Farmer, Brandon Charlton, Shami Grieve, Marielena Gonzalez, and Lauren Shepherd.
“What has surprised me is just how much joy there would be internally working on this together,” Drury said.
The team bonds over regular family dinners and stays grounded through thoughtful reflection. After each event, they gather to assess what went well, and what they can do better.
“We do a quick but thorough debrief — what worked, what didn’t work, where did we experience joy, where did we notice the Holy Spirit, where did we feel stuck?” Drury said. “We are continually encouraging our grantees to ‘fail quickly’ — to try things, learn from them, and then try again. We try to follow this same advice.”
Though Drury never anticipated where her journey would lead, or how she would use her prior experience with her mentors to model the work she does in the present, she knows she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.
“I had no idea the Lord would weave together art and Scripture and spiritual formation into the Imaginarium,” Drury said.
Her story is a testament to how God can use our gifts — creative or otherwise — to spark change and bring joy to His people.
