About Reverend Dr. Mycal X. Brickhouse
Rev. Dr. Mycal Xavier Brickhouse is a servant-leader whose journey in ministry is rooted in a deep commitment to faith, education, and community. Ordained as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, his ministry has included pastoring in North Carolina, deepening alumni engagement as Director of Alumni Relations at Duke Divinity School, and now, shaping institutional impact as the Managing Director of Programs and Grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
In addition to his work at Duke, he serves as the Director of Outreach and Church Expansion at Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh, NC, where he leads strategic efforts to extend the church’s reach and witness into the broader community. Whether in the academy or the local church, Rev. Brickhouse brings a consistent call to form leaders, cultivate connection, and embody the gospel through justice and joy.
Academic Background
A proud Tar Heel, Rev. Brickhouse earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and African American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, where he was awarded the Julian Abele Student of the Year Award. He most recently completed his Doctor of Ministry, also at Duke Divinity, with a focus on leadership and congregational development.
Professional Development
Rev. Brickhouse’s growth as a public theologian and institutional leader is shaped by significant leadership formation programs. He is a graduate of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Millennial Leaders Project at Union Theological Seminary, and has been trained in frontline fundraising through Plus Delta Partners.
In every role he holds—from pulpit to program table—he brings strategic vision, theological depth, and a practical commitment to equipping leaders for meaningful ministry.
Teaching & Formation
Rev. Brickhouse is passionate about equipping emerging leaders for faithful and transformative ministry. He serves as an instructor at Duke Divinity School and Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in global leadership, ministerial formation, and missional innovation. His teaching is grounded in real-world ministry experience, theological depth, and a commitment to justice, community, and the flourishing of the Church.
Community Involvement
Rev. Brickhouse is actively involved in organizations that align with his commitment to reconciliation, justice, and community uplift. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Colossian Forum, which helps Christians navigate conflict through faithful dialogue, and on the Board of Directors for Dorcas Ministries, a nonprofit offering crisis assistance and empowerment programs to neighbors in need throughout Cary and Western Wake County.
Publications
A public voice on faith, justice, and leadership, Rev. Brickhouse has contributed to Sojourners, Faith & Leadership, and The Christian Recorder—the oldest continuously published periodical by African Americans in the U.S. His insights have been featured on BBC, NBC, and other local and national media platforms.
He is currently working on his first book, which draws from his pastoral, academic, and lived experiences to explore how communities of faith can practice hope, healing, and unusual kindness in a fractured world.
Personal Life
Rev. Brickhouse is joyfully married to Kristin McCullough Brickhouse. Together, they are raising their three beautiful children—Micah, Manaia, and Makoa—with love, faith, and laughter. Their home is a place of joy, curiosity, and the kind of sacred chaos that comes with young children and deep purpose.
Whether he’s preaching, writing, mentoring, or building partnerships for change, Rev. Dr. Mycal X. Brickhouse leads with humility, courage, and a steady faith in what’s possible when we follow the Spirit together.
