Rodrick Sweet

Rodrick Sweet is an Instructor of Bible and Theology in the Christian Studies Department at Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU). He concurrently serves as Site Director of the Freedom on the Inside prison program at Jefferson City Correctional Center since July 2020. Previously, he held adjunct faculty positions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2013-2019) and College of Biblical Studies-Houston (2016-2022).

His educational background includes:

• ABD in Homiletics and Biblical Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Master of Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary (2016)
• Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership, College of Biblical Studies-Houston (2008)

Sweet's research centers on Homiletics, with a focus on African American preaching traditions, biblical theology, and the application of rhetorical analysis to sermons. He investigates the theological foundations of Black preaching in the 21st century and explores eschatological themes within the Black Church. His work bridges historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and W.E.B. Du Bois with contemporary homiletical practice.

His recent publications and conference presentations demonstrate a consistent focus on preaching methodology, sermon illustration, and cultural contextualization. Sweet examines how narrative techniques and Christ-centered approaches can enhance sermon effectiveness, particularly within diverse cultural settings including the African American church tradition.

His academic achievements include:

• President Scholarship at the College of Biblical Studies (2006-2007)
• Acton Institute Action University Oikonomia Fellowship Scholarship (2017)
• S.M. Lockridge Scholarship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2017-2020)

Sweet has not been documented as advising graduate students. His leadership in the Freedom on the Inside program involves mentoring incarcerated individuals in theological education. While no external research grants are mentioned, his academic work has been supported by scholarships during his doctoral studies.

As Site Director of the Freedom on the Inside program, Sweet leads an initiative that provides college-level theological education within a prison setting. He is an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Evangelical Homiletic Society, and the Society of Gospel Haymanot, contributing to scholarly discourse in homiletics and theology.