Spirituality
Spirituality is a central part of who we are—a daily rhythm that grounds our community in purpose, reflection, and compassion. As an Episcopal school, we honor a faith tradition that values inquiry, inclusivity, and service to others. We also welcome and respect students of all faiths and backgrounds, encouraging each person to explore what they believe and why it matters.
Our spiritual life program is rooted in the idea that every individual is created in the image of God and has unique gifts to share with the world. Through daily chapel services, intentional moments of prayer and reflection, and opportunities for service and leadership, students are invited to grow not just in knowledge, but in wisdom and character.
In honoring our Episcopal Identity, we remember that all are welcome...
- To Be Seen
- To Be Known
- To Contemplate
- To Connect
- To Be Community
Spiritual life at TMI includes:
- Daily chapel in All Saints Chapel, with student speakers, scripture, and song
- Service learning opportunities that connect faith to action
- Retreats and formation programs for spiritual growth and reflection
- Pastoral care and support from our Chaplain and faculty mentors
In a world that moves fast, TMI offers space to pause, reflect, and ask life’s big questions. We don’t tell students what to believe—we give them the tools to explore their faith, build compassion, and lead with integrity.
Here, spirituality is not just practiced—it’s lived.
SPIRITUALITY
The purpose of daily chapel is fourfold:
Spiritual transformation: To help people develop an overall vision and purpose in life, as we take time to
focus on the "big picture" of who we are and why we exist.
Ethical formation: To help people develop ethical values and norms for decision making, so they can make
wise decisions that help them become their best selves and build healthy communities.
Personal connection: To provide prayers, meditations, rituals, and techniques to help people connect with
their deepest self and ultimate reality.
Community celebration: To provide an opportunity for all of us to see, and be seen, by one
another, so we may share in our triumphs and challenges together.
SPIRITUALITY
Meet Our Chaplain
The Rev. Dr. Benjamin H. Nelson III has served as Chaplain to the TMI Episcopal community since 2021. A lifelong Episcopalian, Fr. Ben has been ordained for nearly two decades and previously served as the 39th rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Marcos. His ministry has taken him across the Episcopal Dioceses of West Texas, East Tennessee, and Hawai‘i, where he has faithfully led congregations with warmth and vision.
Fr. Ben is passionate about walking alongside others in their spiritual journeys—especially children and youth. His ministry focuses on leadership development, healing and recovery from addiction, and cultivating a deeper spirituality of generosity. He has served on advisory boards for several local outreach organizations and as a consultant to congregations seeking to grow in generosity, stewardship, and leadership.
A native of Mississippi, Fr. Ben’s faith and love of storytelling and music were shaped in the culturally rich flatlands of his home state. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Millsaps College, followed by a Master of Divinity (2002) and a Doctor of Ministry (2013) from The School of Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South. His doctoral thesis, “Spirit of Water, Spirit of Aloha,” explores creation, the joy of baptismal waters, and the spiritual resonance of Hawaiian cultural values.