A Calling to Teach: April Westbrook, PhD
In this article:
- Practical Biblical Tools: Dr. April Westbrook equips students with the interpretive skills needed to study Scripture effectively and apply biblical wisdom to their daily lives.
- Spirit-Led Mentorship: Through prayer and intentional guidance, Dr. Westbrook mentors students toward their callings and cultivates a lasting legacy of Christ-centered leadership.
April Westbrook, PhD, professor of Old Testament at Vanguard University, begins each semester with the same deliberate consideration she brings to prayer: attentive and patient, with a desire to do God’s will. In her classroom, education is never a transaction of information but an opportunity to grow in character and study Scripture more deeply. Throughout the course of her 25-year tenure at Vanguard, Westbrook has become known not only for her biblical knowledge and prayerful heart, but also for her pedagogy that intentionally cultivates a Spirit-empowered life, both in and out of the classroom.
Equipping Students Through Holistic Education
Westbrook’s teaching rests on a clear conviction: that we are to love God with our heart, soul, and mind (Mark 12:30). Her courses are founded on this command, encouraging students to read texts contextually, wrestle with difficult questions, and translate classroom insight into faithful practice. “It really comes down to trying to help people learn how to read the Word more effectively in their own lives,” Westbrook explained. Rather than simple Scripture memory, she prioritizes equipping students with strategies that will stick with them, so they can interpret Scripture responsibly and apply it appropriately, even in polarized contexts. “I’m perpetually trying to give students tools so they can dig in for themselves, so that the Lord can work in their lives through the Word more effectively and more efficiently,” she said.
Empowering Students Toward Christ-Centered Leadership
Beyond equipping students in the classroom, Westbrook has found opportunities throughout her time at Vanguard to mentor students toward deeper study. She looks for signs from students, such as evidence of gifting or fruit in their life, and sparks discussion during lessons to ignite their curiosity. Often, this leads students to seek her guidance for further study. From there, she relies on God to help her guide them. “I try to be led by the Spirit in how to best help these students develop into their calling,” she explained. This starts, first and foremost, with prayer. “I think mentoring flows out of intercession,” she said, “when you’re given the opportunity to mentor someone, that’s also the invitation to intercede for them.”
Visible Impact and Lasting Fruit
The truest measure of Westbrook’s work appears in the lives of former students. In some cases, such as with Alicia Jackson, PhD, they return as colleagues. Jackson is an associate professor of Old Testament at Vanguard who credits Westbrook for building her confidence to pursue ministry as a woman. “She taught me how to grade, minister to students, and teach; I learned by watching her and doing life with her,” she said. More than that, Westbrook was a source of comfort and guidance for Jackson during some of life’s most challenging seasons. While their relationship started as a teacher-student relationship centered on the study of God’sword—“For years we met at Corner Bakery weekly to read our Hebrew Bibles together, just for fun,” Jackson said—it has become one of trusted friendship.
Seeing the Ripples of God’s Work
While Westbrook has had a significant impact on countless students around her, and her teaching continues to leave footprints at Vanguard, she is quick to give the glory to God. More so, she revels in seeing His hand at work in the lives of those around her. Many students return as pastors, parents, and teachers, all of whom are taking what they’ve learned from Westbrook and sharing it with others, multiplying the fruit of her labor. “I know that whatever else may be going on, God is doing good work, and we get to be part of it for the season of time that we’re walking on this earth,” she said. “What a blessing it is when we choose to participate.”
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