Faculty/Staff Directory

Eva Bleeker smiling

Eva Bleeker, EdD

Rev. Dr. Jan R. McCormack Endowed Chair of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care

Doctor Eva Bleeker, “Chaplain Eva,” is the Rev. Dr. Jan R. McCormack Endowed Chair of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, and assistant professor of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care. She moved to Colorado in 2019 with a clear goal: to teach at Denver Seminary. Chaplain Eva joined Denver Seminary as a teaching Fellow in the Counseling Division, teaching pastoral care and counseling courses.

Dr. Bleeker graduated with a Doctor of Education from Baylor University and holds two Master of Arts degrees through Dallas Theological Seminary, one in education and one in media and communications. During seminary, she worked as assistant to the Chaplain, supporting the spiritual needs of the students, staff, and faculty. After graduating from seminary, Dr. Bleeker completed a four-unit residency in Clinical Pastoral Education through Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas (BUMC). She then remained on the chaplaincy staff at BUMC for five years while also serving as the first female member of the pastoral staff at her church. This independent faith community, Skillman Bible Church, commissioned her to chaplaincy and became and APC endorsing body on her behalf.

Dr. Bleeker moved to Northern Virginia in 2014 where she had three professional focuses: she provided spiritual care at a community hospital, she worked on the ministry staff of a United Methodist church, and she traveled weekly to New York City where she completed Columbia University’s Master of Science in narrative medicine.

Chaplain Eva is board-certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains and she is a member of the American Educational Research Association. Her greatest passion is seeing transformation in students when they come to believe that God loves them unconditionally.

  • Seminary Now Content Professor and Facilitator
    Design and Recording of Foundations for Pastoral Care in Spring 2024
    Chicago, IL
  • Narrative Medicine Workshop Facilitator
    Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
    New York, NY
  • Advisory Council Member
    The Center for Healthcare and Christian Thought
    Dallas, TX
  • Publication Workshop Leader and Internship Seminar Instructor
    Baylor University Medical Center
    Dallas, TX
  • Guest Lecturer for Death and Dying Course
    Dallas Theological Seminary
    Dallas, TX
  • Doctor of Education 2022
    Baylor University
    Dissertation: “Chaplains and Narrative Identity:
    A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study of Clinical Pastoral Education Interns”
  • Board Certified Chaplain 2018
    Association of Professional Chaplains
  • Master of Science in Narrative Medicine 2017
    Columbia University
  • Residency in Clinical Pastoral Education 2010
    Baylor University Medical Center
  • Master of Arts in Christian Education 2008
    Dallas Theological Seminary
  • Master of Arts in Media and Communication 2008
    Dallas Theological Seminary
  • Bachelor of Arts in English 2000
    Kansas State University
  • Kerygma Summit Nashville, TN 2024
    “The Role of Story in Wellness” – workshop based on original research
    Scholar’s Panel Participant
    Opening Bible Teaching for Plenary Session
  • Baylor Symposium on Faith & Culture Baylor University 2023
    “A Narrative-Based, Communal Framework for Individual Pastoral Development”
    Paper Presenter
  • Kerygma Summit Nashville, TN 2023
    “The Science of Story Support” – workshop based on original research
    Scholar’s Panel Participant
  • Emerging Research Conference Baylor University 2022
    Paper Title: “Chaplains and Narrative Identity”
    Panel Moderator
  • The Conference on Medicine and Religion Duke University 2019
    Paper Title: “The Rhythm of Attending:
    A Theological Consideration of Suffering and Narrative Theory”
  • WAVA Pastors’ Conference Landover, Maryland 2016
    Panel: “Ministry Leaders and PTSD”
  • A Narrative Future for Healthcare Kings College, London 2013
    Paper Title: “Creating Spiritual Care Interventions
    Based on Personal Narratives”
  • Schwartz Rounds Dallas, Texas 2012
    Panel Title: “When the Focus of Care
    Goes Beyond the Patient”
  • All About Influence Dallas, Texas 2011
    Presentation Title: “Spiritual Care During Crisis”
  • Assistant Professor & Department Chair for Chapliancy and Pastoral Care 2023 – Present
    Denver Seminary
    Courses: CO500 Pastoral Care and Counseling Relationships, CO501 Theological Foundations for Counseling,
    CO550 The Many Faces of Chaplaincy, CO647 Grief and Loss Counseling, CHP650/775 Community-Based
    Clinical Pastoral Education, CHP651 Clinical Pastoral Education Experience
  • Teaching Fellow/Assistant Professor 2020 – 2023
    Denver Seminary
    Courses: CO500 Pastoral Care and Counseling Relationships, CO501 Theological Foundations for Counseling,
    CO647 Grief and Loss Counseling, CHP650/775 Community-Based Clinical Pastoral Education, CHP651
    Clinical Pastoral Education Experience.
  • Associated Faculty and CPE Consultant 2019 – 2020
    Denver Seminary
    Courses: CO500 Pastoral Care and Counseling Relationships, CO560 Brief Counseling in Ministry Settings,
    PME604 Worship Theory and Practice.
    CPE Administration: Consultant and support staff for ACPE accreditation process.
  • Hospital Chaplain 2015 to 2019
    Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
    Woodbridge, VA
  • Director of Senior Adult Ministry 2015 to 2016
    Grace United Methodist Church
    Manassas, VA
  • Hospital Chaplain 2009 to 2014
    Baylor University Medical Center
    Dallas, TX
  • Pastoral Staff 2011 to 2014
    Skillman Bible Church
    Dallas, TX
  • Assistant to the Chaplain 2004 to 2008
    Dallas Theological Seminary
    Dallas, TX
  • Media Specialist/Cuba Mission Team 2001 to 2004
    East-West Ministries International
    Addison, TX
  • Columbia University Narrative Medicine Alumna
    Since 2017.
  • Association of Professional Chaplains
    Full member since 2018.
  • American Educational Research Association
    Full member since 2023.
  • Chapter Author
    Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible, (2017) Kregel
    Academic Press.
  • Coauthor
    “Tailoring Pastoral Care to Fit the Patient: Joining Medicine and Narrative,” (2012) Oates Journal of
    Pastoral Care.
  • Contributing Author
    Mixed Ministry: Working Together as Brothers and Sisters, (2008) Kregel, Inc.