BREAKFAST WITH RTS AT GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
Join us on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at the PCA General Assembly for the RTS Alumni & Friends Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. at the Louisville Marriott in Louisville, Ky. Take the skywalk from the convention center to the Marriott and meet us in Ballroom Salons 7-10 (2nd floor). RSVP not required. Dr. Michael Milton will be speaking at this event.

Join us on Friday, June 22, 2012 at the EPC General Assembly for the RTS Alumni & Friends Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. The breakfast will be held just down the road at the Crown Plaza Hotel (4728 Constitution Avenue) in Baton Rouge, La., in Cypress 2 Room. RSVP not required.

ROOTED CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AUGUST 9-11 IN ALABAMA
Rooted exists to transform student ministry by fostering grace-driven and gospel-centered leaders through rich theological and contextual engagement. Rooted: A Theology Conference for Student Ministry presents "Adopted: The Beauty of God’s Grace," at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Ala., August 9-11, 2012. Keynotes Timothy George and Ray Ortlund, along with a host of workshop leaders, will lead this conference focused on deepening the substance of student ministry in the gospel. Rooted offers a 75% discount for full-time students.

CONGRATULATIONS 2012 GRADUATES Tom Campbell, vice president of development at RTS/Atlanta shared some pictures from the RTS/Atlanta graduation in May. John Sowell, president of RTS/Atlanta is pictured left, center front.

DR. MICHAEL MILTON TAKES THE HELM AT RTS
June 1, 2012. At first glance, it is just another day in history. A number of interesting events took place on June 1st, from the 1st earthquake recorded in the U.S. at Plymouth, Mass., in 1638, to last of Britain's troops withdrawing from U.S. soil in 1796. But, until the clock strikes midnight tonight, we are not certain if anything memorable to the world will occur on June 1, 2012 or not. I suspect that June 1, 2012 will go much unnoticed by the majority of the world’s population. Just another day, the beginning of the summer months in our northern hemisphere.
 
However, for Reformed Theological Seminary, it is an important and a memorable day. June 1, 2012 represents the successful completion of a succession plan that began 22 months before. Continue reading the article here.

DR. ROBERT C. (RIC) CANNADA, JR. BUILDING DEDICATION
The board of Reformed Theological Seminary has named a building at the Charlotte campus in honor of Dr. Robert C. "Ric" Cannada, Jr., chancellor emeritus of RTS. The building houses the administration offices, the library and some of the classrooms. A dedication ceremony was held on May 9, 2012. Dr. Michael Milton spoke, along with Dr. Robert Cara, chief academic officer, Dr. Rod Culbertson, executive director of the Charlotte campus and Mrs. Aynn Gehron, former assistant to Dr. Ric Cannada when he was president of the campus, spoke on behalf of the Charlotte staff. This bronze cast (pictured left) has been attached to the building. Read the report to the exec committee of RTS as Dr. Michael Milton, new chancellor of RTS, honors Dr. Cannada.

THE CHANGING OF THE DEANS, RTS 2012-13
Several academic dean changes were made this year at RTS. Dr. Scott R. Swain (pictured left of Dr. Mark Futato during an appreciation service) was approved as academic dean for RTS/Orlando by the executive committee on April 5, 2012. He will be replacing Mark Futato who is going back to teaching Old Testament full-time at RTS/Orlando. Dr. Michael J. Kruger will assume the role as academic dean of RTS/Atlanta, in addition to his position as academic dean and professor of New Testament at RTS/Charlotte. Also, Dr. James N. Anderson was approved as academic dean for RTS/Virtual by the executive committee on June 7, 2012 and he will also retain his full-time duties as a professor at RTS/Charlotte.  

AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITMENT WEEKEND TO BE HELD IN AUGUST
Interested in learning more about the PCA’s ministry in African American, urban, or multiethnic contexts?  Come to Jackson, Miss., for the African American Leadership Development and Recruitment Weekend at RTS over Labor Day weekend (August 31-Sept. 2). The target audience for the weekend is African American seminary students who are considering ministry opportunities in the PCA, but we want to invite all African Americans who are considering ministry in the future to join us to explore opportunities within the PCA. For more information, click here

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO THRIVE IN MINISTRY FOR THE LONG HAUL?
During the week of July 23-27, 2012 RTS/Orlando is offering a Doctor of Ministry class “Ministry Leadership for the Long Haul” taught by Dr. Bob Burns. During this week he will be addressing the crucial question, “What does it take for someone to thrive in ministry for a lifetime?” The Lilly Endowment asked that question when their research showed an alarming rate of pastors dropping out of the ministry. They invested more than 124 million dollars during 10 years seeking answers in their Sustaining Pastoral Excellence initiative. RTS/Orlando participated in this initiative. This class will explore the themes of sustainability identified in this study. Topics will include self-care, spiritual formation, emotional and cultural intelligence, marriage and family, leadership and management. To register as an auditor please email Lanny Conley or if you have any questions email Bob Orner. Click here to read more about the course and Dr. Burns in the syllabus.

DR. MARK FUTATO SHARES OLD TESTAMENT STUDY TIPS AT CONFERENCE
Dr. Futato attended the Pastorum Live Conference in Chicago in June and shared tips on the structure of Scripture and how taking Hebrew can help you get closer to the Word. Click here to read the article.

SUMMER INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL LANGUAGES AT RTS JACKSON
The Summer Institute of Biblical Languages, which got off to a great start in Summer 2011, will expand its offerings in Summer 2012. In the Summer 2012 term, SIBL will run for eight weeks from June 25 to August 17. Special students, visiting students, and auditors are welcome. As always, RTS Alumni may audit our classes at no charge. If you are interested in taking these courses for credit, please contact the Admissions office about the application process. Read more here.

DR. SCOTT REDD BECOMES PRESIDENT AT RTS/WASHINGTON DC
On June 1, Dr. Scott Redd (pictured right, centered with his family) took the helm at RTS/Washington DC. A luncheon was held at RTS/Orlando to celebrate his achievement. Dr. Don Sweeting (also pictured right), president of RTS/Orlando, presented Dr. Redd with a signed picture from the staff and a gift. Redd is a graduate of The College of William and Mary (B.A.) and earned his Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) at Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando, and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in the Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures program at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He and his wife Jenn have four daughters.  

RTS/ATLANTA HIRES LIBRARIAN 
Mr. Rick Gillert (pictured right) comes to Atlanta from Shorter College in Rome, Ga., where he has been an assistant librarian in the area of religion among others. He looks forward to pursuing his passion for assisting students with their information needs through the development of an outstanding library on the Atlanta campus of RTS. In addition, he is a working artist and enjoys that pursuit along with spending time with his rescue dog.

FAITH FOR LIVING CHANNEL NOW ON YOUTUBE
Check out the new Faith For Living with Dr. Michael Milton channel on YouTube. Click here. Also check out Dr. Milton's latest blog here.

DR. MILTON VISITS STUDENTS AT RTS/WASHINGTON AND RTS/ATLANTA Dr. Michael Milton (pictured left in center) visited RTS/Washington DC in May for a breakfast with students and staff on the Saturday before Memorial Day. He also recently visited RTS/Atlanta pictured right) in May after speaking at the National Preaching Conference. He spoke with several students and listened to their testimonies and spoke to one of the classes there.

Thomas Nelson (pictured right with his wife Nancy), former admissions director for RTS/Orlando, just graduated with an M.Div. in May 2012. RTS was blessed to have him as admissions director and also as assistant to the director prior to that position. Nelson did extensive travel recruiting students for the campus for several years. He was recently honored at a luncheon. He will now pursue his calling as a pastor. Kevin Collins will take over in this role at RTS/Orlando. Read more about Kevin here.

NEW BOOK BY GUEST FACULTY AT RTS/WASHINGTON DC

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Rob Callison (current D.Min. student) has been asked by the seminar committee to present a seminar at the PCA General Assembly on Wednesday, June 20. He will speak on "Discipleship for the Warrior's Heart: Living out Revelation 12:11." Trauma can potentially undo character. This seminar will discuss effective pastoral ministry to the enforcers of government sanctioned violence. Look at how grace-based discipleship fosters an environment of transformation in the warrior’s heart that moves the warrior from a construct of merit and judgment to a vital construct of divine grace. The seminar will be led by a PCA teaching elder who is a Navy Chaplain with over 30 years of military experience and a member of the PCA who is a retired Marine Corps Major with 27 years of military service to include recent combat duty in Afghanistan.

Doug Domin (M.Div. '85), pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Concord in NH, recently learned they had to be out in 30 days of the place they have been renting for 2 years.  It was a great move as it was a 24/7 availability and they have had a lot of very good growth.  Two of their churches raised enough money to buy a building but the deal fell through, so they continued to search for a place. Within a week, after their weekly prayer meeting, Domin reports a new building seemed to be dropped in their laps, and their offer on the new building in the concord general area was accepted.

Esaie & Natacha Etienne (M.Div. '04) are MTW missionaries to Haiti. Since 2006, they have been involved in a water and school construction project. Two churches (Village Seven PCA, Colorado Springs and Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska) helped buy backpacks for the students as well as uniforms with the name of the school engraved on them for students and teachers. There are 71 children sponsored and 154 more that need to be sponsored. Please pray for a new project with MTW and Eagle Ranch children homes that will make a difference in the lives of children and orphanages in Haiti. Pray for a small neighborhood clinic in Docine awaiting MTW approval. Pray for wisdom and for new supporters to the ministry.

Chad Grindstaff (M.Div. '05) serves as church planter of Living Hope, a new church in the area around Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Township, a suburb in northwest Cincinnati.  Please keep his wife Erin in your prayers as she seeks a job in the area as a nurse. Also they ask for prayer for financial support and meeting space. Follow their blog here.

Alan Hawkins (MATS '03), currently rector of Church of the Redeemer, a PEARUSA congregation in Greensboro, N.C., will now serve as vicar for the Anglican 1000 movement, according to Anglicanchurch.net. Anglican 1000 is one of the core ministry areas of the Anglican Church in North America. The headquarters will relocate to the provincial office just outside Pittsburgh, Pa.

Larry Lee Jeffries (former student), 70, passed into glory on May 15. Jeffries graduated from Anderson College and received his seminary training from Anderson School of Theology, Liberty University, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He held degrees in Bible, sociology, church planting, and counseling.  Jeffries was preceded in death by a sister, Jerri Jeffries. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Joy Lynn Gillaspy Jeffries; mother-in-law, three daughters, two sons-in-law, five grandchildren; four brothers, four sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Read more here.

Tim Issacson (MA '09), after a number of years of ministry as a senior pastor is now the director of Immigrant Hope Atlanta. This ministry is designed for equipping churches to reach out to immigrants and refugees by meeting one of their most desperate needs: navigating the complexities of the US immigration system. They accomplish this by training church members as immigration law paralegals who then can offer low-cost ways to assist in re-uniting families, becoming a citizen, or other issues related to immigration. Learn more here or on Tim's blog here.

Ralph Kelley (MA '04) ) has been called to serve as the executive minister at the Historic First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss. He previously served as the director of church relations for Great Commission Publications followed by a number of years as the executive pastor of the Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. He will be making the transition to Jackson in July, to be followed by his wife Wendy and two sons Scott and Jonathan in the month of August. 

Dennis Morgan (MATS '07) and his wife Cynde, after a decade of annual short-term missions trips to Vienna, Austria, are now preparing to relocate there. They will be joining a World Harvest Mission team at New City Wien, a Reformed church plant in Vienna. In addition to training Austrian church leaders, Dennis will be doing outreach through Pro-Family Counseling and consulting with an organization ministering to women in forced prostitution and trafficking. Cynde will be doing outreach at International Christian School of Vienna.

Trent McEntyre (M.Div. '09) served as a missionary to college students for 19 years–helping to plant gospel movements first in Croatia, later at the University of Georgia, even Sarajevo, Bosnia, and more recently as the director of Campus Crusade for Christ (cru) at Georgia Tech. Now he and his wife, Emily, and their 3 daughters have a new mission – to plant a Christ-centered, mission minded, community church in a largely unreached neighborhood of Atlanta. They are partnering with one of Perimeter Church’s plants called CityChurch Eastside. This project will initially be called the “Parkside plant.”
 
Micah Ngussa (MATS '09) and his wife Happiness are currently serving in Tanzania at the Tanzania Children's Rescue Centre (TCRC), a ministry he started in 1999. He says that God has provided some money for them to start construction on a girls' dorm, and to purchase a school bus and to start a secondary school. He reports the kids are doing well. They also recently conducted a crusade in Kenya and he says many people came to know Christ. He asks for prayer for food as there is a great famine in the area and food is very expensive.  They are also asking for prayer for their car to be fixed or for God to provide another one.
 
Chris Probst (MABS '02) has written Demonizing the Jews, available here.  The Kindle version is also available here.

Greg Salazar (M.Div '12) and his wife Christie will be moving to England to work with Frontiers. Frontiers places pioneer missionary church planters in residence among all Muslim peoples who have no churches, nor local Christians to plant fellowships among Muslims. The founder Dr. Greg Livingstone is working on a groundbreaking book, A History of Mission to Muslims Since the Birth of Islam. Dr. Livingstone has invited Greg Salazar to assist him completing the book as a co-author. Also, Greg will assist through research and editing other projects to publish or post on the website.

NEW BOOK BY MILES VAN PELT
Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide, by Dr. Miles V. Van Pelt, offers a one-stop guide for the intermediate language students and Bible teachrs whose work is not solely focused on Hebrew and Old Testament study. Dr. Van Pelt is the Alan Belcher professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at RTS/Jackson, where he also serves as the director of the Summer Institute for Biblical Languages and the academic dean.

The description says, "Those who have taken first-year Hebrew often need to refresh their memory on language forms, grammar, and word meanings, and this guide offers the ideal format for just that. Also, students in second-year Hebrew courses and beyond can use this reference resource to assist them in the identification of words in the biblical text and the way they are used in sentences. Pastors and seminary students will find this guide to be invaluable for quickly accessing information to aid in translation and interpretation." The book will be released on August 20, 2012.

HUGH WHELCHEL PUBLISHES NEW BOOK 
Former executive director of RTS/Washington, D.C., and businessman Hugh Whelchel provides a thorough, deeply-satisfying biblical answer to the the age-old question, "Does my work matter to God?" Whelchel (MAR '10) is now the executive director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, a biblical advocacy think tank in the Washington, D.C. area. He has just published How Then Should We Work? Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work, available here. "A biblically-based and compelling argument supporting the integration of faith and work into a noble calling to serve God in the marketplace," said Steve Reinemund, dean of business, Wake Forest University Schools of Business and retired chairman and CEO, PepsiCo.

NEW FACES IN JACKSON
Welcome Carrye Allen as admissions assistant to Brian Gault at RTS/Jackson. Carrye has ministered in several churches across several states including Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Churh.  She has worked as an educational therapist and library assistant at Westminster Christian School, teacher at Jackson Prep, and admissions secretary at the University of Mississippi. Priscilla Sullivan, currently in this position, is retiring. Her last day is Friday. We will miss her! 

TIM KELLER SERMON ARCHIVE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERS
Logos Bible Software and Redeemer have teamed up in transcribing Timothy Keller's complete sermon archive from 1989-2011 and have made them available on their platform, and through iOS and Android mobile devices. They are offering the product for preorder at a discounted price of $199.95. Click here to the landing page to learn more. Click here to read the news release.

DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED ATS STANDARDS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary Presidents (FESP) met as part of the ATS meetings in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 20.  Andy Peterson, president of Reformed Theological Seminary/Virtua,l and John Martin, president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, were co-presenters on the proposed new standards for ATS accreditation of degree programs.

Martin talked about his recent work on the ATS Board of Commissioners in light of the need for new standards that include distance learning.  Likewise, Peterson reviewed the hopes, processes and results of a four-year ATS task force on the revision of the program criteria for accreditation.  Topics for discussion among the 50 or so FESP participants included the flexibility of the standards, impact on current distance learning degree programs, admission and residency requirements for the D. Min, and policies for the Ph.D degree programs. 

Relevant resources were cited for the discussion and more study including Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference, Making a Difference, June 11, 2012. Click here to watch the video of new technology in applications titled "Making a Difference. One App at a Time."

DR. MICHAEL MILTON ATTENDS MY HOPE MEETING WITH BILLY GRAHAM 
Dr. Michael Milton attended a preliminary planning meeting with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for their nationwide Outreach “MY HOPE” on November 2013.

“My Hope with Billy Graham is a massive effort to reach people across the United States and Canada with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model, My Hope with Billy Graham combines the reach and excitement of a nationwide media event with the power of personal relationships. Under the guidance of their local pastors, Christians across these two countries will open their homes to share the gospel message with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors using different media programs featuring Billy Graham, dynamic music, and testimonies.”

My Hope was launched in 2002, and is an television outreach, involving the local church. For more information about the My Hope program click here.

GEOFF SACKETT NAMED DEAN OF STUDENTS AT RTS/WASHINGTON, D.C.
Geoff Sackett has been appointed dean of students for RTS/Washington, D.C.  Sackett’s appointment is part of a larger initiative to prioritize and develop the RTS learning community following the seminary’s recent move to a campus location near Tysons Corner, Va. Read more here.

NEW BOOK BY R.C. SPROUL
Most Christians recognize the importance of Christ's death and resurrection. But how many understand the theological significance of Jesus' actions before and after the crucifixion—from even before creation? In Dr. R.C. Sproul's latest book, The Work of Christ, he gives readers a deeper understanding of God's purpose in every event of Christ's life. Click here for more info.

REDEEMER CITY TO CITY ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
Redeemer City to City (CTC), in New York, NY, recently announced that RTS alumnus Dr. John R. Hutchinson (M.Div. '79, MCE '79, D.Min. '05), former senior pastor of McLean Presbyterian Church in McLean, Va., has accepted the position of president effective September 1, 2012. “We are delighted that God has called John to join us in a powerful and unique calling: to help leaders build gospel movements in global cities,” said Timothy Keller, CTC’s chairman of the board. Read more here.

CAMPUS EVENTS
Orientation Seminars
Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an orientation seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. To register, contact Alice Hathaway, virtual registrar. Upcoming dates for Orientation Seminars are: Monday-Wednesday, August 27-29 (Charlotte), Monday-Wednesday, October 29-31 (Charlotte).

RTS Charlotte and Brookstone Camp
For the 2nd year, RTS/Charlotte staff, students, spouses and graduates led a group of 80 children at Brookstone Camp the week of June 11th.  Those serving included Kim Macurda, Wendy Simmons, Holley Gregory (pictured left) ,  Paul Major, Ann Tarwater,  Tom Williamson, Brittany Murray and Brandi Belk. RTS graduates Jim Luke (M.Div. '12), Joe Lanman (M.Div. '12) and RTS student Mark Miller presented "The Gospel in Living Color" in the opening assembly.  Also assisting were friends at Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church and First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia.  The kids were exuberant and appreciative. The team was exhausted yet blessed beyond their wildest imaginations.  RTS/Jackson loves its partnership with this urban school that seeks to educate some of the most impoverished kids in all of Charlotte. 

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Mike Beates (D.Min. '03), professor at The Geneva School in Winter Park, Fla., has just published a new book titled Disability and the Gospel. Click here to read more and to purchase the book.

Barbara Bellefeuille (MEd '83) has been hired as vice president for academic services at Bethel College, effective July 1. Read more here.

David Kirkendall (M.Div. '08) has recently become the headmaster for Trinity Christian Academy in Lexington, Ky. It is a classical Christian school encompassing preschool through the 12th grade.  The school is a ministry of Tates Creek Presbyterian Church, though it serves over 70 churches and many denominations in the greater Lexington area. 

Josh Kitchen (M.Div. '12) and his wife Sarah are in a ministry to help the people of Papua New Guinea translate God’s Word into their own language. They are beginning the process of moving and getting visas for Papua New Guinea. They are registered to be in the three-month Pacific Orientation Course (POC) beginning in January. Josh continues to speak at churches and spread the word about the work they will be doing with The Seed Company. They ask for prayer that God will give him the words to say and the sensitivity and grace to say them well.
 
Michael Lee (M.Div. '05) and his wife Tricia are serving with Mission to the World in Monterrey, Mexico, and have been there for 11 months and "on the field" for over two years.  They continue to work diligently at language acquisition. He noted concerns about the July election in Mexico and asks for prayer that there be a peaceful transfer of power regardless of who wins. Their daughter will be married in October in South Carolina. Their son Jacob has graduated from high school and their daughter Amber is working as a camp counselor. Read more about them here.

Donald Malin (M.Div. '88), lieutenant colonel and Mississippi Valley Presbytery teaching elder, has been selected as the Mississippi National Guard state chaplain. Read more here.

Cynthia Ruble (MATS '00) wrote a two-part article that appeared in the Japan Daily Press on forgotten children. Read the first part here  and part two here.

Greg Schneeberger (RTS Virtual, MAR, 2007) shares his wife Caitelen's first album. He says her concert was a huge success. If you'd like to support Greg by purchasing a copy of DARK IS LIGHT, go here and listen. All proceeds go to their monthly needs as they head out to North Coast Presbyterian Church. If you'd like to know more about their support needs, go here. If you'd like to hear more of the story of the CD, visit their website.

Russell Smith (M.Div '00), senior pastor of Covenant-First Presbyterian Church  in Cincinatti, Ohio, has completed his first novel, Prophet of the Sun. He says "It's a spiritual action adventure in the vein of the DaVinci Code or National Treasure--only this time the Christians are the good guys and the secret gnostic society are the villains.  Read more and purchase the book here. 

Demetrius Summerville (MAC '10) and his wife Amy are starting a new ministry called Blueprint Orlando in the Holden Heights area. The ministry will target 5th-8th graders in their neighborhood. They hope to acquire a vacant home and renovate it to become a ministry house. They plan to become an ACT partner with Unconditional, an upcoming movie by Harbinger Media, starring Michael Ealy and Lynn Collins. Learn about ACT partners here. The movie will be released in theatres September 21. 

RTS/WASHINGTON D.C.'S PRESIDENT IS A NEW CONTRIBUTOR TO THE WASHINGTON POST
The Washington Post has asked Dr. Scott Redd, new president of RTS/Washington D.C., to be a contributor to the local "On Faith" site. Here is his first piece on the current problems faced by Vincent Gray, the DC mayor. Click here to read his article. 

RTS/JACKSON TO HOST MFTC CONFERENCE ON CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
The 2012 MFT Conference on Christian Counseling will be held at the RTS\Jackson campus on Thursday, September 6 and Friday, September 7. Dr. Jim Hurley and Dr. Bill Richardson, RTS/Jackson resident faculty, will be presenting, along with guest presenter Dr. Mark Laaser. For more information click here.

NEW BOOK BY CHANCELLOR MILTON
Dr. Milton has written Sacred Assembly: 15 Biblical Steps to Renew Your Church, (P&R Publishing). It is scheduled to be released on October 29, 2012.

UPCOMING CLASS BY REV. ANDREWS
"Foundations of Faith" will be taught by Assistant Professor of Practical Theology Rev. Reddit Andrews on Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Church in Jackson, Miss., August 28 - December 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For credit, normal tuition fees apply. To audit, contact Kim Lee at klee@rts.edu or call 1-800-543-2703.

If you have ever wanted a chance to grow in your knowledge and understanding of who God is and what He's up to in your life and in His world, Foundations of Faith is a class designed to do just that. Foundations of Faith will provide an overview of basic biblical doctrines and show how they promote spiritual growth and maturity.

NEW COUNSELING EMPHASIS OPTION FOR THE M.DIV. OFFERED IN ORLANDO
RTS/Orlando now offers a counseling emphasis with their traditional Master of Divinity degree. “This is a program that will help prepare future pastors for the ministry of soul care,” said Dr. Scott Coupland, director of the Master of Arts in Counseling (M.A.C.) program and a faculty member (pictured right), who believes this added emphasis will give pastors practical ways to apply their biblical and theological understanding to life’s struggles.

For those students pursuing the new counseling emphasis, five counseling classes have been added to the Master of Divinity curriculum, in addition to Introduction to Counseling, that is already required for all M.Div. students. The five additional classes replace some elective hours as well as two previously required courses. The requisite counseling classes for the new emphasis are: Addictions, Sexuality and Sex Therapy, Couples Counseling, Psychology in Relation to Theology and Theory, and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Read more here.

MILTON INTERVIEWED ABOUT HIS BOOK HIT BY FRIENDLY FIRE
Janet Mefferd from The Janet Mefferd show discusses with Dr. Milton the reason for writing the book, who in the Bible we should reflect on, and how Jesus himself was also hit by this friendly fire. They also discuss how we should deal with the pain and the role of forgiveness. Listen to the interview here.

WORLD MISSIONS CONFERENCE AT RTS/JACKSON
The RTS/Jackson Annual World Missions Conference will be held Sept.11-12. The keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Jack Chinchen, founder and chairman of the board of African Bible Colleges. Dr. Chinchen will give a message during lunch at Sam Patterson's Porch at RTS/Jackson on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. His message on Wednesday will be given in the chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with lunch to follow.

Dr. Chinchen was a missionary to Africa for over 40 years. He established the first evangelical Christian colleges in Liberia in 1976, in Malawi in 1989, and in Uganda in 2005. He has a doctorate from Biola University and is an ordained minister in the PCA. He and his wife Nell have seven children, three of whom are serving as missionaries in Africa.

NEW ADJUNCT FACULTY AT RTS/ORLANDO
Sharon Hersh is now adjunct faculty at RTS/Orlando. An author and licensed counselor in Colorado, Hersh has taught two main classes for the Master of Arts in Counseling program at RTS/Orlando for seven years as a guest faculty member. Seeing the value that she brings to the RTS counseling program, Hersh was approved as adjunct professor of counseling by the RTS/Orlando campus and on July 12 by the executive committee of the RTS Board of Trustees. To learn more, click here.

ORIENTATION SEMINARS FOR RTS/VIRTUAL
Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an orientation seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. However, the seminar is much more than just a requirement. Orientation is an invaluable opportunity for students to visit an RTS campus, hear lectures from RTS professors, visit a top-notch theological library, meet with personal advisors from the RTS/Virtual staff, and network with other students. The upcoming dates for seminars are Monday-Wednesday, August 27-29 (Charlotte) and Monday-Wednesday, October, 29-31 (Charlotte). To register, contact Alice Hathaway, the RTS/Virtual registrar.

VP OF ADMINISTRATION PROMOTED IN ORLANDO
Robert Emeott has been promoted to executive vice president of RTS/Orlando. Emeott, who has served RTS/Orlando and President Don Sweeting as vice president of administration since December 1, 2010, became the executive vice president starting July 16, 2012. In addition to oversight of operations and administration on the campus, he will take on the development (fundraising) efforts for the campus.

“It is already a joy working with Bob as the Orlando vice president of administration,” said President Don Sweeting. “I have great confidence in him as he steps into this newly created position of executive vice president. I know that I speak for Bob when I say that our trust is not in our own abilities or the gifts that the Lord has given to us, but it is in the strength of the Lord. I look forward to working with Bob in this new capacity to serve RTS, to bless our students and faculty, to build up the church and in all things to magnify the Lord together.” To read more, click here.

PROMOTION AT RTS/WASHINGTON, DC
Peter Lee was recently promoted to associate professor of Old Testament at RTS/Washington, D.C.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONS
The fall semester is quickly approaching. Here are some of the orientations going on this month. RTS/Jackson will hold their orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. RTS/Orlando's orientation will also be on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 8:30 a.m. Keynote speaker, Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church will come to speak about Jesus + Nothing = Everything, in Orlando. RTS/Washington DC will hold an orientation on August 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the RTS campus. At 7:30 p.m. the RTS community will gather for worship and hear from President Scott Redd in the fellowship hall of McLean Presbyterian Church. RTS/Charlotte will hold their orientation on Monday, August 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

NEW DEAN OF STUDENTS IN ORLANDO
Leigh Swanson has been named associate dean of students at RTS Orlando. Leigh earned her B.B.A. degree from University of Texas and her Master of Arts in Theological Studies from RTS. Leigh is well-prepared to assist students in this newly created position, which includes oversight of the Women in Ministry program for women students and wives of students. To learn more, click here.

MILTON'S ARTICLE FEATURED ON WRF
Dr. Milton's article on the "Inseparable Love of Christ" was featured on the World Reformed Fellowship website. To read the article, click here.

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR AALDR WEEKEND
Interested in learning more about the PCA's ministry in African American, urban, or multi-ethnic contexts? Come to Jackson for the African American Leadership Development and Recruitment (AALDR) Weekend. The African American Leadership Initiative at RTS/Jackson is partnering with Mission to North America and Wy Plummer, the African American Ministry coordinator of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), to host the AALDR weekend in Jackson over Labor Day weekend 2012 (August 31 - September 2). The target audience for the weekend is African American seminary students who are considering ministry opportunities in the PCA, but we want to invite all African Americans who are considering ministry in the future to join us to explore opportunties within the PCA. The deadline to register is Aug. 24, 2012. For more info, click here. 

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Roddey Caughman (M.Div. '09) and his wife Becky are short-term missionary candidates with Grace Ministries International. They have a heart for the deaf community and desire to work at Safe Haven in Kabwe, Zambia. They want to facilitate the spread of the gospel to the world through believers in the deaf community. Both Roddey and Becky are proficient in signing. Pray for them as they raise funds for this work. George and Laura Bush recently visited Grace Centre Church in Kabwe, Zambia, click here to see a video of the work they did and of there brief visit to the church.

Robert Leslie Holmes (M.Div. '78), guest faculty at RTS/Atlanta, is heading to Russia for a Evangelical Reformed Church pastor's conference in St. Petersburg the last week of August. He will be delivering lectures on preaching and leadership. George "Dewey" Roberts (M.Div. '76) will be there as well. The Evangelical Reformed Church of Russia is one of the fastest growing congregations in that country and great things are happening. Educational opportunities for pastors are greatly needed.

Ron Lively (M.Div. '83 and MAMFT. '87) is the international director of SEED (Society for Education and Economic Development in Liberia), the executive director of H.I.M. (Healthy Initiative Ministries)/Medical Mobilizers, and works in marketing and development for the BUV (Basic Utility Vehicle) Ministry. Recently HIM & SEED have purchased a BUV to be shipped to Liberia and are awaiting the necessary funds to properly ship it. Also, Ron has sought to help organizations fundraise through an out-of-the-box partnership with the growing energy company, Stream Energy, available only in select states. 

Scott Moffatt (MABS '09) and his family have relocated to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., continuing their work with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). Their ministry focuses on evangelism and discipleship among the 5,000 fraternity and sorority students at UF.

Ryan McVicar (M.Div. '07) and his family are planting New City Presbyterian Church in Royal Oak, Mich.,  located in the Detroit area. The core team has come together and have launched small groups in different communities in order to invite new contacts to engage in conversation about the gospel. To learn more about this church plant, click here.

Brian Waters (M.Div. '08) and his family are planting Providence Presbyterian Church in Christiansburg, VA. He spent the last four years as the associate pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, Va. Brian sensed a call to plant in his hometown of Christiansburg. The first service is planned for August 12, 2012 at Pathway Christan Academy. The education hour will start at 9:15 a.m. and the service will begin at 10:30 a.m.Pray for Brian, Danielle, and his four children as they embark on spreading the gospel to the New River Valley. 

J. Phillip Luther (M.Div. '07) and his wife Kay are serving in Athens, Greece. They have reached out to many this summer with the help of their interns and short term volunteers, however due to their inability to fully communicate in Greek, they've asked for prayer as they persevere in the task of language acquisition.

CHANCELLOR'S CHRISTMAS CD NOW AVAILABLE
You may remember the song, "When Heaven Came Down," that Dr. Michael Milton composed and we sent out as our "gift" to you during Christmas last year. Now, Milton's first Christmas CD featuring that same song is available for sale here. Milton said, "'When Heaven Came Down' came as an encouragement from a colleague at RTS to write a song about the Incarnation. That one song led to a wonderful time of reflecting and composing 14 other new songs for Advent and Christmas." This is Milton's third CD.

RTS ALUMNUS BOOK FEATURED ON STEVEBROWNETC.COM
Chris Probst (MABS '02), who recently wrote Demonizing The Jews: Luther and the Protestant Church in Nazi Germany (published in June 2012, Indiana University Press), was interviewed on SteveBrownEtc. Luther wrote, "If we wish to wash our hands of the Jews' blasphemy and not share in their guilt, we have to part company with them. They must be driven from our country."- Martin Luther (Jews and Their Lies). This aided the Nazis in justifying the Holocaust.

Probst poses a question and answer, "Are you aware of the anti-semitism in this world? We should be gracious and loving by opening up dialogue with Jewish friends." You can listen to the full interview here, Click on the start button in the paragraph below where his book is listed on the Web site.  Dr. Probst is a professor at Saint Louis University where he teaches courses in modern European history, including Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. In 2008 he was a Charles H. Revson Foundation Fellow at the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

FALL LECTURES WITH DR. MARK NOLL - RSVP BY SEPTEMBER 18
The Fall Lectures with Dr. Mark Noll will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, located at 2101 Carmel Rd. in Charlotte. Dr. Noll will speak on "The Enduring Contribution of Charles Hodge, BB. Warfield, and their 'Old Princeton' Colleagues."

Two lectures will be given. Lecture 1 is titled "The Historical Importance and Theological Weaknesses of 'Old Princeton.'" Lecture 2 is titled "The Enduring and Edifying Example of 'Old Princeton.'"

Noll is the Francis A. McAnaney professor of history at the University of Notre Dame. He has written a number of books and articles on the history of Christianity in the United States and, more recently, around the world. His works on the theologians of “Old Princeton” include the edited collection, The Princeton Theology 1812-1921: Scripture, Science and Theological Method from Archibald Alexander to Benjamin Warfield (Baker, 2nd ed. 2001); an edition of Charles Hodge’s The Way of Life and Other Writings (Paulist Press, 1987); two books edited with David N. Livingtstone, Charles Hodge’s What is Darwinism?And Other Writings on Religion and Science (Baker, 1994), and B. B. Warfield: Evolution, Science, and Scripture—Selected Writings (Baker, 2000); and several articles, including the entries on Joseph Addison Alexander, Charles Hodge, and B. B. Warfield in American National Biography.

The cost of the lecture is $20 and includes lunch. To reserve your spot, please contact Tari Williamson by email or call 704-366-5066. Please RSVP by September 18.

RTS/JACKSON CAMPUS CLOSED TODAY
There are no main issues at the Jackson campus, but our maintenance crew is keeping an eye on our buildings there due to the storm. RTS/Jackson will be closed today as the other schools in the area are also closed. Please keep them in your prayers as well as our friends in Louisiana and those along the Gulf Coast as the storm (Isaac) moves through.

CHANCELLOR'S BLOG
Dr. Milton posted his convocation message "Opportunities and Adversaries" today. Click here to read his message.

FAITH FOR LIVING STUDIO AUDIENCE CALL
You have the opportunity to participate as a live audience member for Dr. Mike Milton’s TV program Faith for Living. If you are interested, please arrive at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1300 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC) at 9:15 am on each of the dates below. The filming will start promptly at 9:30 am. There will be a light breakfast and coffee provided. You should be finished with the filming by noon. Dates: Aug 31, Sept 10, Oct 22, Oct 26, Nov 12, Nov 30.

JONI AND FRIENDS CONFERENCE
The 2012 Southeast Disability Ministry Summit will be held at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, on October 5-6, 2012. Joni will be one of the keynote speakers!  Register online here or call 704-841-1177.  You will learn practical training designed to equip churches for disability ministry.  They plan to have over 25 workshops. 

NEW BOOK BY CHANCELLOR MILTON
Dr. Milton has written Silent No More (Tanglewood Publishing, US, Evangelical Press, UK) due September 2012. The publisher writer, "Pastors have an obligation to speak prophetically to the culture by identifying national sins and sounding forth the warning of national judgment. If a pastor does not warn the people, and if any die without repenting, God says: "I will hold the Watchman responsible for the bloodshed of the unwarned sinner." (Ez. 33:6, The Message). Dr. Mike Milton is saying to all pastors that they cannot remain silent. Their solemn duty is to be that Watchman whatever the cost."

COMING UP SOON - 2012 RTS JACKSON ANNUAL WORLD MISSIONS CONFERENCE
The RTS/Jackson Annual World Missions Conference will be held Sept.11-12. The keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Jack Chinchen, founder and chairman of the board of African Bible Colleges. Dr. Chinchen will give a message during lunch at Sam Patterson's Porch at RTS/Jackson on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. His message on Wednesday will be given in the chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with lunch to follow.

Dr. Chinchen was a missionary to Africa for over 40 years. He established the first evangelical Christian colleges in Liberia in 1976, in Malawi in 1989, and in Uganda in 2005. He has a doctorate from Biola University and is an ordained minister in the PCA. He and his wife Nell have seven children, three of whom are serving as missionaries in Africa.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS ORIENTATION SEMINARS
Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an Orientation Seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. However, the orientation seminar is much more than just a requirement. Orientation is an invaluable opportunity for students to visit an RTS campus, hear lectures from RTS professors, visit a top-notch theological library, meet with personal advisors from the RTS/Virtual staff, and network with other students. To register, contact Alice Hathaway, RTS/Virtual registrar at ext. 235. Upcoming dates for orientation seminars are: Monday-Wednesday, October 29-31 (Charlotte).

NEW PRESIDENT AT JAARS
President Butch Barkman will be stepping down on September 1, 2012, from JAARS, a nonprofit that provides technical support services—such as aviation, information technology, and media —to advance Bible translation and literacy programs worldwide. Their work impacts teams with SIL International, the Wycliffe Global Alliance, and many related organizations. The new president will be Woody McLendon.

ALUMNI SNIPPETS 
Esaie Etienne (M.Div ’04) and his wife Natacha, MTW missionaries to Gonaives, Haiti, hosted a week long summer camp at the school in Docine in July. They built a two room house for a girl in the church with nine siblings. (Her old house is the first picture and her new house is the second picture.) They also hosted the second annual family retreat for two churches in the Docine School. They had 110 people attend. He says it was a refreshing time of worship and teaching for children, youth, women and men. Please continue to pray for their efforts in Haiti.

James T. Griffin (MAR '11), on July 20, was ordained to the transitional deaconate in the Episcopal Missionary Church (a continuing Anglican denomination that separated from the Episcopal Church a couple of decades ago) by its presiding bishop, the Most Reverend Council Nedd, II, at Hillsdale, Mich. It is "transitional" in that he will be a deacon for about a year before being ordained a priest.   

John Hartung (M.Div.CE '94) has written Truth in the Flesh: Introducing Apologetics to the Local Church.

L. Reid Hensarling (D.Min. '10) has written a new book titled The Biblical Gospel that comes from his dissertation.  You can purchase the book here.

Simon Konecny (MAMis '97) shared that his wife Alena Konecna wrote a new book titled Don't Shine Into My Speaker!, summarizing their current ministry caring for abandoned children and encouraging other parents to become foster parents.

Kellie Lorish (MATS '07) shared new information about Northside Church where her husband Matt Lorish (M.Div. '08,  MAC '08 ) is the church planting pastor. She tells us that Northside Church of Richmond , Va., began it's first membership class this summer.  They also host a gathering of middle school boys with a couple of men from the church each Thursday evening.  Additionally, they are encouraged that there continues to be individuals and families that show interest in joining various aspects of the Northside Church community.  She asks for prayer that they would have the eyes of the Lord to see and hear each other even when they struggle to find words, the power of the Spirit to communicate His presence when they are tempted to move toward isolation, and the hope of rescue through Christ's death and resurrection.  

Curtis McGown (MAC '00) and his wife Lisa left on August 19 for Chiang Mai, one of the largest cities in Thailand. Curtis, a licensed mental health counselor and qualified supervisor, will be counseling at The Well Member Care Center, speaking at retreats and conferences, consulting and team building. He previously worked in these capacities in Florida. The Well is "a Christian member-care center that promotes the well-being and effectiveness of Christian workers and organizations serving in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Asia by caring for people’s spiritual, emotional and relational needs." Lisa will be assisting the missionaries and helping out in the children's school. They ask for prayer about househunting and finding transportation while they are there. They have two children. Learn more about The Well here. Click here to see a slide show about The Well Member Care Center in Chiang Mai.

Anthony Pizzuti (M.Div. '12) and his wife Susan are preparing for a one-year missionary assignment in the Middle East starting early next year. They have been approved by the sending missionary organization and have received an external call from a team in the Middle East. They ask for prayer for: the preparation process; for them to be able to rent their house;to find housing for their dog; to sell some property they own, that Anthony can complete the ordination process before they leave, for them to withstand the “fiery darts” of the enemy, to not waiver from God’s calling, that their support raising would be blessed by the Lord, and that they would reflect the love of Christ and that God would be glorified through their ministry.

Greg Salazar (M.Div '12) is assisting Dr. Livingstone at a Frontiers conference in Nairobi, Kenya, where Dr. L is the plenary speaker to missionary leaders working in the Middle East. Greg is increasingly seeing how God has strategically placed him in this role of assisting Dr. L and how this plan bears such incredible fruit in not only his heart, but the Kingdom. Specifically, as Greg takes logistics and the plans for research off of him, this frees Dr. L to do incredible things for the kingdom, that only he can do! They have now moved into an apartment. Keep Greg and Christie in your prayers.

G. Michael Saunders (M.Div. '83), founder and director of A New Beginning Ministries, in Eliot, Maine, has published a book on marriage enrichment,  titled The Marriage Makeover: Making Your Marriage The Best It Can Be Based on God's Promise for Marriage. Click here to order the book.

NEW PRESIDENT AT RTS/CHARLOTTE
RTS announced on October 4, 2012, the appointment of Dr. Michael J. Kruger as president of RTS/Charlotte effective January 1, 2013. RTS also expressed its sincere thanks to Dr. Rod Culbertson for stepping in as the campus executive director to oversee operations when Dr. Milton began his transition into the chancellorship of RTS. We are grateful for Rod's selfless service. He will now return to the classroom to teach.

Dr. Kruger is currently professor of New Testament and academic dean at RTS/Charlotte. He will continue his teaching responsibilities, but a new academic dean will be appointed.  Dr. Kruger received a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in California, and a Ph.D. from University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Read more here.

GOSPEL COALITION 2013 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
This conference will be a five-day event running April 6 to 10, including a weekend world missions conference and three-day main conference focused on the mission of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Both events will be held at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. You are encouraged to attend both conferences but may also register for them separately. Overall the event features 80 speakers from around the world aiming to stir your affections for Jesus Christ, equip you to live faithfully in this world, and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. Eight plenary addresses and one panel will re-introduce you to Jesus as recounted by Luke and explore together the dramatic progression from Jesus' birth to ascension. Register here.

PROFESSOR CHUCK HILL'S BOOK NOW IN PAPERBACK
Who Chose the Gospels? Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy by Dr. Chuck Hill, professor of New Testament at RTS/Orlando, is now available in paperback. The description states, "The Bible contains four Gospels which tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. And yet, many more Gospels once existed. Who, then, determined which Gospels would, for the next two thousand years, serve as the main gateways to Jesus and his teaching? Who Chose the Gospels? examines the great (and ongoing) controversy about how to look at ancient books about Jesus. How the four Biblical Gospels emerged into prominence among their competitors is a crucial question for students interested in understanding the historical Jesus and the development of the Christian church." click here to order the book. 

RTS FACULTY, STUDENT AND FORMER STAFF PUBLISHED IN THE WASHINGTON POST 
Articles by several of our RTS/Washington D.C. folks have recently been published in the Washington Post. President Scott Redd's article on the D.C. governor debacle titled "Vincent Gray Drama Has Become About Ethics" is posted here and his article on the value of ancient texts titled "The Bible Museum and the Importance of Appreciating Religious Textual History" is posted here. RTS/Washington student John Bourgeois' article on debt and morality titled "Presidential Debate: Morality, the Deficit and Jim Lehrer" is posted here. Hugh Whelchel, former executive director of Washington/DC wrote an article on jobs and the Christian theology of seeking welfare of community, titled "Presidential Debate: Obama, Romney Job Rhetoric Misses True Value of Work" is posted here.

NEW STATION TO BROADCAST FAITH FOR LIVING
WZKR-FM (103.3), a station on the Mississippi News Network will be airing Faith For Living on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Faith For Living is an outreach ministry of Reformed Theological Seminary with host Dr. Michael Milton.

OPEN HOUSE AT RTS/WASHINGTON D.C.
An open house for prospective students will be held Nov. 9 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at RTS/Washington DC.  Learn about campus life and meet with President Scott Redd, the faculty and staff.  Visitors are welcome to stay for our "Missions" course with Dr. Sam Larsen starting at 7:00 p.m. Contact Geoff Sackett via email or call 703-448-2293 to reserve a spot. We look forward to meeting you!

BREATHEcast REVIEWS MILTON CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Neshell Hogan, of BREATHEcast, recently reviewed Dr. Milton's new Christmas album When Heaven Came Down, and said, "It's refreshing to see a Christmas album that is completely original lyrically and musically." Read the complete review here. Purchase a copy for yourself or a friend here and support scholarships for RTS students at the same time.

RUNNING 26.2 FOR STUDENTS
Jim McAlhaney, (M.A.R; M.S.), director of admissions/student services for the RTS/Virtual campus will run the Kiawah Island Marathon in South Carolina on December 8. This is a 26.2 mile race to raise additional scholarship funds for RTS/Virtual students. He calls it the 26.2 Virtual Campus Scholarship Fundraiser.  Jim is an RTS/Virtual alumnus and staff member. He says, “When I was a student with RTS/Virtual, I was also the recipient of a scholarship to help lower my tuition cost. Without this, I could not have finished seminary.” If you are interested in supporting Jim in this effort, he is hoping to have many pledge $1 per mile for a total contribution of $26.20 per supporter, but a larger pledge is welcome, of course.

Also, Jim is seeking to qualify for the 2014 Boston Marathon by running better than a 3:25 at Kiawah. If Jim does qualify for the Boston Marathon, would you consider an additional $10 or more donation to the RTS Virtual Scholarship fund?

If you can commit to the 26.2 Scholarship Fundraiser, email Jim at jmcalhaney@rts.edu. If you would like to mail your contribution, make the check payable to: Reformed Theological Seminary and mail to Reformed Theological Seminary Virtual Campus, Attn: Jim McAlhaney, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Note: Please put: 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the memo line of your check. 

If you choose to make a contribution for this cause online, you can do so here, and be sure to put 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the notes area of the online form. Your donation is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt.

INAUGURATION PICTURES NOW AVAILABLE ON RTS FACEBOOK
Click here to view pictures from the inauguration of Dr. Michael Milton on September 14, 2012.

RTS/JACKSON INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK
The annual international dinner at RTS/Jackson, sponsored by the Student Cabinet and coordinated by Christina Jeong, was held at Patterson’s Porch on Sept. 21. Students from around the globe brought home-cooked dishes from the countries they represent—Brazil, Canada, China, Guyana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, and Taiwan. There was singing of songs in a multitude of languages, led by Matheus Santos. A panel of international students fielded questions, both serious and humorous: What do you miss most about your country? What foods are eaten in your country that seem weird to Americans? How would you like the RTS family to pray for your country? Laughter, music, delicious and adventurous food, rich fellowship in Christ… a special evening for new friends and old. 

VIRTUAL CAMPUS ORIENTATION SEMINARS
RTS/Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an orientation seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. However, the orientation seminar is much more than just a requirement. Orientation is an invaluable opportunity for students to visit an RTS campus, hear lectures from RTS professors, visit a top-notch theological library, meet with personal advisors from the RTS/Virtual staff, and network with other students. To register, contact Alice Hathaway, RTS/Virtual's registrar. Upcoming dates for orientation seminars are October, 29-31 (RTS/Charlotte).

WOMEN IN MINISTRY VISIT WYCLIFFE
The Women in Ministry (WIM) of RTS/Orlando visited the Wycliffe Bible Translators headquarters on Friday for a Scripture celebration, where they celebrate many new translations of the Scriptures. Special guest speaker Jon Arensen, who has served Wycliffe mostly in Sudan and Kenya, spoke during the celebration. Wycliffe calls the celebration a beginning. "As the Word enters the hearts of people who begin to grasp its depths for the first time in their own tongue, the Holy Spirit used it to deepen the transformation process, first in individuals and then in whole communities." Several of the RTS Staff were also in attendance.

FORMER RTS FACULTY PASSES AWAY
Rev. Elmer Dortzbach, 90, of Penney Farms, Fla., passed away on September 16, 2012. He pastored at five churches over the course of 25 years (Franklin Square, NY, Park Hill in Denver, Redeemer in Atlanta, Immanuel in Thornton, Colo., and Grace in Fall River, Mass.) He was a former professor of pastoral care at RTS/Jackson from 1977 until 1984. His memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Penney Memorial Chapel.

PRESIDENT'S FORUM AT RTS/ORLANDO
RTS/Orlando will host Bob Creson, president of Wycliffe, who will speak on "Bible Translation for Muslim Cultures" on Oct. 24 at noon in the fellowship hall. Lunch will be served for a nominal fee, or you can bring your own. To RSVP for lunch email Kim Sutter at ksutter@rts.edu. The public is invited.

CHANCELLOR INTERVIEWED ON CORNERSTONE TV
Tom Hollis, director of broadcast service at Cornerstone TV, in Wall, Penn., interviewed Dr. Michael Milton on his testimony, the role of the church in the world today, his calling to ministry and how one knows when they are called to the ministry, his book Silent No More and the role of pastors and the cultural issues we face today. The interview will air in a few weeks across more than 120 affiliates throughout the U.S.

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
William Benjamin Gresham, Jr., (M.Div. '76, D.Min '93) 61, died on September 14, 2012. He started Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Auburn University, which now serves over 500 students, and was campus minister for nine years. He was a missionary in Belize for several years, and taught history at Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Ala. He served as pastor of McDonald Presbyterian Church, in Collins, Miss. A memorial service was held  at Lake Crest Presbyterian Church on September 17 in Hoover, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to RUF, 1700 N. Brown Road, Suite 104, Lawrenceville, GA, 30043. Read the entire obituary here. Read an extensive reflection on the life of Bill Gresham from Teaching Elder Billy Joseph, in The Aquila Report, here.

Greg Joines (M.Div. '12) passed his exams and has been officially ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. Also, he will be a church planter in Corvallis, Oregon. Follow their blog here.

Rob Maeder (MDiv, ‘12) received a job as youth director of Crossroads Community Church in Hillsborough, New Jersey. He will be working as their youth director and pursuing ordination in the Metro New York Presbytery. Crossroads is a church plant of the Presbyterian Church in America, located in an important area for gospel ministry due to predominantly Catholic surroundings.

James McManus (M.Div. '06), currently the associate pastor of White Oak Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Moreland, Ga., has accepted the call to be the pastor of Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, SC. His last day at White Oak will be November 11th and first Sunday at Bethel will be November 18th. They ask for prayers as they prepare for this move and begin to settle into a new ministry and town. He and his wife Beth have two daughters, Maggie and Hannah.

Steffen Mueller (M.Div.'05) sent in an update on their church launch in Munchen, Germany. He reports that nearly 120 people attended.

Harold B. Probes, Jr. (M.Div. '74), 74, of Wesley Chapel, died Oct. 2, 2012. Probes served as the minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tampa for 25 years. His funeral was held on Oct. 6. Read more here.

Jason Tippetts (M.Div. '11), his wife Kara and four kids moved back to Colorado in January as Jason took a call to plant a church called Westside Church, a church plant for Village Seven Presbyterian Church, in Colorado Springs. In June they moved into their new house then were evacuated 10 days later because of the Waldo Canyon fire. Please keep his wife Kara in your prayers as she is dealing with a medical condition. Follow her blog here. Jason passed his ordination exams in Rocky Mountain Presbytery and will have his ordination service October 28th at Village Seven. Jason and Kara haver four children, Eleanor (11), Harper Joy (8), Lake (5) and Story (3).   

Willie Van Der Merwe (D.Min. '10) and his wife Caren are serving with GodSpeed Services in Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa, where they offer membercare services for those serving in that area of the world . He attended the 30th International Congress of Psychology in Cape Town during July. He reports there were over 5500 delegates from all over the world in attendance. He has also had meetings with groups of pastors from different denominations in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. In November he will attend the Global Leadership Summit. His wife Caren passed her physiotherapy/physical therapy board exam in July and has started to work part time helping people in need.

Brian Waters (M.Div. '08) is pastoring a new church plant, Providence Presbyterian Church, in Christiansburg, Va., which opened their doors on August 12. He and his wife Danielle have four children. Read an article on them here.

NEW ZONDERVAN BOOK SERIES EDITED BY SWAIN AND ALLEN TO BE A RESOURCE FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS, PASTORS AND OTHER CHRISTIAN LEADERS
New Studies in Dogmatics, a major new 15-volume series, commissioned by Zondervan Academic and edited by Dr. Scott Swain of RTS and Michael Allen of KTS, promises to provide essential resources for seminary systematic theology courses or advanced college-level systematic theology electives. Pastors and other ministry leaders who seek to deepen their theological understanding will also be drawn to the series. Read more here.

NEW ACADEMIC DEAN AT RTS/CHARLOTTE
Reformed Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Belcher, Jr., (Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary) as academic dean for RTS/Charlotte. Dr. Belcher is the professor of Old Testament at RTS/Charlotte and takes on these new responsibilities as former Academic Dean Michael Kruger transitions to president of RTS/Charlotte. Read more here.

RTS/ATLANTA KOREAN LECTURE
On Friday, Nov. 2, RTS/Atlanta was pleased to host Dr. Hyung Yong Park for a breakfast lecture on “Paul's Theology of Resurrection and His Method of Preaching.” Dr. Park’s lecture was well attended and given in the Korean language for our Korean brothers and sisters as an expression of RTS’ global vision.

One participant thanked RTS/Atlanta for “serving the community” by hosting this lecture, while another said, “through this lecture on ‘Resurrection Theology’ and an examination of the Bible again I have confirmed my ‘resurrection faith’ and regained strength to proclaim the gospel confidently.”

Dr. Park’s lecture will be broadcasted by the Christian Broadcasting System, a Korean television news channel. Dr. Park received his Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Emory University and his Master of Divinity from Chongshin Theological Seminary in South Korea. He is the former chancellor of Seoul Bible Graduate School of Theology, and former chancellor and professor at Hapdong Theological Seminary.

CCM MAGAZINE LIKES MILTON'S "IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME" SONG
In the latest Christ Community Music (CCM) magazine, RTS Chancellor Michael Milton's Christmas album is reviewed in the New Reviews and Releases section as "perfect for the upcoming Christmas season." Click here to see the magazine. (Click on the magazine to bypass the ad). A free download will be included in the December issue.

RTS NICOLE INSTITUTE OF BAPTIST STUDIES APPOINTS NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR
RTS/Orlando is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Barry Peterson as the interim director of the Nicole Institute of Baptist Studies (NIBS) effective November 4, 2012. This institute, established in 2011, exists to impart the riches of reformed theology and piety to students while also conveying a robust Baptist vision of the church in its ministry.

Academic Dean Dr. Scott Swain said, “Barry’s strong relationships with various Reformed Baptist networks in Florida puts him in an excellent position to serve the Nicole Institute’s vision of cooperating with confessional Baptist churches in training future ministers of the gospel. We are grateful to have him on board.” 

Peterson was ordained through the Christian Ministry Alliance and has 12 years of ministry experience. Peterson is currently the pastor at Maranatha Fellowship Church in Winter Park, Fla., and has a Master of Divinity degree from RTSO. Read the full release here.

BELCHER REVIEWS ECCLESIASTES
The September 2012 issue of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS), Vol. 55, No. 3, contains a review by Dr. Richard Belcher on Ecclesiastes by James Bollhagen. Belcher calls it a "conservative, confessional approach, from a Lutheran perspective."

NEW BOOK EDITED BY DR. CHUCK HILL AND DR. MIKE KRUGER 
Dr. Chuck Hill co-edited with Dr. Michael J. Kruger The Early Text of the New Testament (Oxford University Press, September 2012). Dr. Hill contributed the chapter "In These Very Words: Methods and Standards of Literary Borrowing in the Second Century." Dr. Kruger contributed the chapter "Early Christian Attitudes Toward the Reproduction of Texts." Click here to order the book.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE WINTER TERM AT RTS
Click here to see the winter courses being offered at RTS/Washington D.C. Select your desired campus for classes on other campuses and select winter term. Some of the courses being taught include "The Christian Life", taught by Dr. Steve Brown Jan. 15-17 and Dr. Elias dos Santos Medeiros will teach "Christian Encounter with Islam" Jan. 3-5 at RTS/Washington D.C.

Dr. Bruce Baugus will teach "The Reformed Faith in China" at RTS/Jackson Jan. 2-4.

Dr. Thomas Nettles will teach "Baptist Confessions" as part of the Nicole Institute of Baptist Studies at RTS/Orlando Jan. 14-18 and Dr. Willem VanGemeren will teach "Biblical Theology of the Old Testament." 

CORNERSTONE TV TO AIR INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL MILTON NOV. 23
RTS Chancellor Milton was interviewed on Cornerstone TV. The program is scheduled to air on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM and will be live streamed here. 

RUN JIM RUN!
Jim McAlhaney, (M.A.R; M.S.), director of admissions/student services for the RTS/Virtual campus will run the Kiawah Island Marathon in South Carolina on December 8. This is a 26.2 mile race to raise additional scholarship funds for RTS/Virtual students. He calls it the 26.2 Virtual Campus Scholarship Fundraiser.  Jim is an RTS/Virtual alumnus and staff member. He says, “When I was a student with RTS/Virtual, I was also the recipient of a scholarship to help lower my tuition cost. Without this, I could not have finished seminary.” If you are interested in supporting Jim in this effort, he is hoping to have many pledge $1 per mile for a total contribution of $26.20 per supporter, but a larger pledge is welcome, of course.

Also, Jim is seeking to qualify for the 2014 Boston Marathon by running better than a 3:25 at Kiawah. If Jim does qualify for the Boston Marathon, would you consider an additional $10 or more donation to the RTS Virtual Scholarship fund?

If you can commit to the 26.2 Scholarship Fundraiser, email Jim at jmcalhaney@rts.edu. If you would like to mail your contribution, make the check payable to: Reformed Theological Seminary and mail to Reformed Theological Seminary Virtual Campus, Attn: Jim McAlhaney, 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Note: Please put: 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the memo line of your check. 

If you choose to make a contribution for this cause online, you can do so here, and be sure to put 26.2 Virtual Scholarship in the notes area of the online form. Your donation is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt.

DR. MICHAEL MILTON AND DR. ANDY PETERSON TO PRESENT AT THE 2012 SACS COC ANNUAL MEETING
Dr. Michael Milton and Dr. Andy Peterson will present a paper entitled: "iLearn: Online Training for Professional, Graduate-level Degrees" at the 2012 SACS COC Annual Meeting on December 11, 2012 in Dallas, TX. The conference theme is Higher Education in 2020: Emerging Trends in Pedagogy, Technology, and Student Learning.

NEW EMPLOYEES AT RTS/ORLANDO
Rebekah Kubik began in a new position created on the RTS/Orlando campus called creative director. In December 2011, Rebekah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Magazine Journalism from the University of Central Florida. While there, she participated in the creation and launch of UCF’s first university magazine, Centric, where she wrote and photographed the lead story. Rebekah has also interned for two magazines located in the Orlando area, Orlando Home & Leisure and Babytalk. Rebekah enjoys working as a freelance photographer and can occasionally be found creating large chalk paintings in local festivals.

Sarah Vacca has been hired as development coordinator, assisting Executive VP Robert Emeott. She is married to RTS/O student Andrew Vacca (Certificate) and is originally from Montreal, Canada. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Clearwater Christian College and later became involved in academic research on neurological disorders and published a paper with the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, Macon, Ga., on epilepsy clinical trials. She also worked as a clinical research coordinator for neurological clinical trials in Tampa. Sarah and Andrew moved to Oviedo for Andrew to attend RTS, and she first started working at RTS in January 2011 as a receptionist. Sarah and Andrew are involved with many disability ministries and just ran the 2012 Chicago Marathon.

RTS/ATLANTA LIBRARY UPDATE
The library at RTS/ATLANTA continues to grow by leaps and bounds. They have received several great donations that they are working hard to get into the collection. They appreciate everyone who has donated resources and time to helping the library in their building project. They are currently working to expand the space of the library, as they have nearly reached maximum capacity in their current space. This new addition will allow for current growth needs. They are also planning to have a book sale in November to benefit the library.

RTS/ORLANDO LIBRARY ASSOCIATE REVIEWS BOOK
Michael Farrell, associate librarian at RTS/O, reviewed the seminary's One School One Book choice titled The Crescent Through the Eyes of the Cross. The author spoke at the seminary this week and held a Q&A session during a lunch. Read the review here.

RTS/C STUDENTS HEAR FROM CHAPLAIN AT CMI
Chaplain (LTC) Alan Pomaville, head of the Reserve chaplain support faculty at the Chaplain School teaches a Chaplain Ministries Institute (CMI) briefing at RTS/Charlotte.

RTS VIRTUAL WILL BE AT THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
RTS Virtual will be represented at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 19-20, 2012, with an exhibit for promotion of the MAR for Christian educators.

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Kent Muhling (M.Div. '01) and his wife Yoko are currently serving in Sendai, Japan, with Asian Access through SIM. They recently moved into an apartment and are grateful to the Lord for his provision.

Micah Ngussa (MATS '09) and his wife Happiness are serving at the Tanzania Children's Rescue Centre (TCRC). He shares some news of a boy whose parents divorced when he was young and his father tortured him. His sister ran away and died of illness. He finally ran away with his brothers and they became street kids. He was saved in 1999 at a TCRC meeting and was invited to live there. He went back to the streets on three different occasions, but eventually came back and settled there. Recently he graduated from Bible College and came to work at TCRC. He was married this year. He is pictured here with Micah who performed the wedding ceremony.

Micah also tells us the construction of the girls' dorm is going well along with the construction of the classrooms for Secondary School. He also talks about the continued famine in the area due to the drought driving up the cost of food. Micah is also a graduate of Nassa Theological College. Please keep them in your prayers.

Celia G. Klots, 60, of Oviedo, Fla., passed away on October 24, 2012. She was a registered nurse and was actively involved as an ambassador at the RTS/Orlando campus when she attended there.

Paul May (M.Div '07, MAC '07) is planting a church in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Grace Presbyterian recently held its first Sunday morning public preview worship service on October 28. They are planning additional preview services about once a month through the beginning of 2013, while the church continues to meet for Bible study and grows steadily.  Paul and Meaghan are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of their third child any day now! You can sign up to receive periodic updates about the church plant here. 

James McManus (M.Div. '06) has been called to be the pastor of Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, SC. The installation service will be held Sunday, Dec. 2, at 6 pm, with a reception following the service. The address is 101 North Zion St., Winnsboro, SC 29180. He and his wife Beth have two daughters, Maggie and Hannah. 

Joseph Minich (MAR '12) reviewed Kingdom Through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of Covenants by Gentry and Wellum. The review was posted here on The Calvinist International, a forum of Reformed Irenicism.

Ruth Moran (former RTS student) after a difficult battle with cancer, passed away on Nov. 12, 2012.  She is survived by her husband Tim. The funeral will be held at Carolina Presbyterian Church in Locust, NC, on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4:00 p.m. with viewing at 3:00 p.m. Her journey was captured here on CaringBridge.

Andres Garza (M.Div. '06, D.Min student) who works with the Center for Church Planting, was featured in an LA Times article titled "Americans Ready to Risk Lives to Save Souls in Monterrey, Mexico." Richard Fausset wrote, "American Christians--called to the mission fields of norther Mexico-believe the need for their services has never been greater. But they have to be realistic about the risks." Click here to read the article. RTS Chancellor Michael Milton said, "This is a story of how partnerships are key to our expansion of ministry to get the gospel out to the ends of the earth."

Bob Bjerkaas (Th.M. '05), pastor of Church in the Canyon in Calabasas, Calif., was featured in an article in the local paper, Thousand Oaks Acorn. At 17, he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease while trying to enlist in the Marine Corps, but it inspired him to place God at the center of his life. He went on to earn two master’s degrees. Church in the Canyon sponsored a group of teenagers who went to City Heights, an underprivileged San Diego neighborhood to build a play area and host a sports camp for elementary school children. Also, they hosted a cancer awareness event featuring guest speaker Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni says, “Although the church may be small by California’s standards, it is warm, homey and inviting to people who are looking for a church home where they can use their gifts.” Bjerkaas and his wife, Kerrie, have four children between the ages of 7 and 13.   Read the article here.

Daniel Kang (M.Div. '03) is pictured (right) with Chancellor Michael Milton at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School. He served in Afghanistan.

Nathan Parker (M.Div. '09) reports he has completed the work for his Ph.D. The title of his thesis is "Proselytisation and Apocalypticism in the British Atlantic World: The Theology of John Flavel." He completed it in just under two years at Durham University, England.

Cynthia Ruble (MATS '00) was recently featured in The Japan Times, a major Japanese publication here. We have reported on her as she has made these transitions opening a homestay for pregnant women in Japan who needed a place to stay which ultimately led to being a crisis pregnancy center. She is pictured with her adopted son Micah in the article. At the end of the article she is quoted,"Overall, we'd love for the government to make healthy families a major initiative and focus for the country, as that is the only way for Japan to have a bright future."

Jan P. Werson (M.Div. '88) will be installed as the new associate pastor of Marco Presbyterian Church on Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Werson is a former naval flight officer and flight instructor, who has 27 years in the ministry including 12 as a navy chaplain.

Ren Zepp (MAR '09) was recently ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America as pastor of congregational care/mercy ministry/sherpherding for Pinewood Presbyterian Church in Middleburg, Fla. He formerly worked with the Navigators organization.

June 1, 2012. At first glance, it is just another day in history. A number of interesting events took place on June 1st, from the 1st earthquake recorded in the U.S. at Plymouth, Mass., in 1638, to last of Britain's troops withdrawing from U.S. soil in 1796. But, until the clock strikes midnight tonight, we are not certain if anything memorable to the world will occur on June 1, 2012 or not. I suspect that June 1, 2012 will go much unnoticed by the majority of the world’s population. Just another day, the beginning of the summer months in our northern hemisphere.

However, for Reformed Theological Seminary, it is an important and a memorable day. June 1, 2012 represents the successful completion of a succession plan that began 22 months before. With the announced retirement of Dr. Robert C. (Ric) Cannada (pictured left of Dr. Michael Milton), the board of RTS put in place a plan to assure a smooth succession of leadership. The hope was that it would not only honor God by smooth and deliberate planning, but that it would also be a model for others to help them avoid some of the pitfalls many organizations face with leadership transitions.

So, today we give thanks to the Lord. The succession plan is complete. RTS now begins a new chapter in its service to Christ and His church. Our prayer is that this new chapter of RTS history will read much like the former chapters in that the Lord will find us faithful. We pray that the missionary fervor from which RTS was born will continue to define and guide our mission. We pray that faithfulness to the inerrancy of Scripture and to the teaching of the Reformed faith will continue to be defining traits to RTS in the future as they were under the leadership of the former presidents and chancellors of RTS – Sam Patterson, Luder Whitlock and Ric Cannada.

Please join together with RTS faculty, staff, students and our board of trustees as we all give thanks this day for the appointment of our new chancellor and CEO Dr. Michael Milton, praying for the ever presence of Christ in his life as he leads RTS. We look forward to the continued expansion of our ministry under Dr. Milton’s leadership, to new regions in the U.S. and abroad, preparing a new generation of leaders who are prepared with both a scholarly mind for truth but also a pastoral heart for serving God.

June 1, 2012 will go mostly unnoticed to the world. But for RTS and our community, we rejoice in this day. It is a day of honoring our past yet looking hopefully and expectantly to our future, preparing men and women for positions of leadership in His church and for taking the gospel to the very ends of the earth. Amen.

MOSAIC OF MINISTRY VIDEO
RTS/Charlotte M.Div. student and videographer Matt McQuade traveled to all of the RTS campuses to develop an RTS video. It is posted here and we call it the "Mosaic of Ministry." If you attended the inauguration, you saw this prior to the ceremony. Learn about all of our campuses and extensions and hear from our students, professors, executive directors, presidents and our chancellor.

WOMEN OF RTS AT RTS/ATLANTA
The first gathering of the Women of RTS at RTS/Atlanta took place this fall. It was an encouraging time where they learned of each other's calls to ministries of all kinds, from adoption work in the U.S., to anti-trafficking work abroad, to teaching Bible studies. They are looking forward to future events.

MICHAEL MILTON BLOGS ABOUT CONNECTICUT SHOOTING
We at RTS are also so sad to see the loss experienced in Newtown, Conn. This is why we exist--not only to tell others about Christ but also to comfort others in their time of need. As we send out pastors, missionaries, counselors and teachers all over the world, we pray they can help to bring healing to hurting communities such as these. We at RTS are also praying. Chancellor Milton blogs, "Father, you were not absent from the chaotic scene in Connecticut nor are you removed from the void that is in the hearts of dear parents, brothers, sisters, children, husbands, wives, grandparents, teachers, and the community of grief — that Patmos in Connecticut." Read the full blog here.

RTS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN APRIL
The Women of RTS/Charlotte will hold a conference on "Part of the Plan" April 26-27 on the Charlotte campus. The speaker is Nancy Guthrie. Contact Tari Williamson to sign up. The cost is $50.

NEW RELIEF RECEPTIONIST IN JACKSON
RTS/Jackson is pleased to welcome Sarah Barnes, serving as relief receptionist. With the responsibility of handling not only Jackson calls but also calls for RTS/Washington D.C. and for RTS/Orlando, the relief receptionist must know the ins and outs of these campuses. Sarah comes to us from Monroe, La., and is a gifted pianist and teaches piano.  She graduated from the University of Louisiana.  She is married to first-year student Nicholas and they are expecting their first child in July of 2013. Welcome! 

NEW EMPLOYEE IN ORLANDO
Well, she has been here since July - sorry Kim! High time we announced her as she has been hard at work. Kim Sutter is the student life coordinator & accounts payable coordinator at RTS/Orlando. She assists Executive Vice President Bob Emeott processing accounts payable as well as miscellaneous projects. She also assists Dean of Students Bob Orner facilitating student life events on campus such as the Fall Kick-Off, the annual Christmas party, graduation banquet, community lunches and president’s forums. Kim has a background in interior design from Seminole State in Oviedo, Fla. She is married to her high school sweetheart Kendall and they have two adult children. She attends Metro Life Church in Casselberry and has served in various capacities there, including worship team, home school organization, conferences, retreats, children's ministry, hospitality team and hosting small groups. 

NEW BOOK PUBLISHED BY MICHAEL MILTON
Finding a Vision for Your Church: Assembly Required was expected in October but released in November 2012. Dr. Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief of World magazine says, "The church is not just a building; it is an assembly of people who need a vision. Here is inspiration for a radically biblical vision that will both minister to and involve your church’s assembly." Order the book here. 

A NEW RTS E-NEWSLETTER COMING IN JANUARY
The RTS E-Newsletter will have a new look next year. We hear a lot of comments on how you especially enjoy reading the alumni snippets and keeping up with our graduates, so the snippets will now be on the side instead of at the bottom. Also we'll have a new look altogether. We hope you like the changes.

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Joseph "Josh" Carmichael (M.Div.M '01), pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, Ala., graduated Dec. 7 from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky., with a Ph.D. in church history. His dissertation is titled "The Hymnody of Anne Steele in John Rippon's Selection of Hymns: A Theological Analysis in the Context of the English Particular Baptist Revival." Click here to read it. He and his wife Betsy have six sons: Fulton (13), Morris (10), Milledge (8), Henry (6), Thomas (2), and Joseph (3 months).

Bassam Chedid (M.Div.M. '98, D.Miss. '97) is working on the Arabic Study Bible and after five years he is coming to the final phase and working toward the printing for worldwide distribution. Please keep him in your prayers as his wife Norma who also worked on this book, passed away in October.

Doug Domin (M.Div. '85), pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Concord, NH, you may remember, had 30 days this past summer to be out of the place his church had been renting for 2 years. Their former meeting place has now become Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar. On June 24, the congregation voted to purchase a 4,000 sq. ft. building on two acres of land. Doug says, "God pushed us out and enabled us to trust Him to provide a new temporary location to worship in, though only on Sunday morning, and the funds to purchase this facility which had been dropped in price $50,000. Since that congregational meeting God has provided the $299,000 and we closed on the property this past Monday."  They now will begin the next phase of renovations and transformation of the building.   

Andre Gazal (M.Div. '95) serves as professor of historical theology at Northland Graduate School, at Northland International University in Dunbar, Wis. He and his wife Agata have one son. Andre has also published his dissertation (Ph.D. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School: supervisor Scott Manetch). It will be released this January by Edwin Mellen Press. The title of the book is Scripture and Royal Supremacy in Tudor England: The Use of Old Testament Historical Narrative.

Abraham George (MAC '09) and his wife Romila are with India Campus Crusade for Christ. He recently helped lead a training designed to build powerful ministry teams and help strengthen the system of coaching. They also held a Christmas outreach among students, a program with skits called "Hope - Jesus Is", on December 15. The team is also hoping to take the program to "closed" college campuses that would allow a quality Christmas program.

Mark Green (M.Div. '11), retired from Exxon Mobil and in August was named the new president and COO of the White Horse Inn, a multimedia catalyst for reformation. White Horse Inn is home to the White Horse Inn radio broadcast and Modern Reformation magazine. The name White Horse Inn is based on a a tavern of the same name in Cambridge, England on the campus of King's College, where in 1520, a small band of English scholars began to meet regularly to discuss the German Reformer's writings, along with Erasmus' recently completed Greek New Testament. See the announcement and picture of Mark here.

Greg Joines (M.Div. '12) tells us that Solomon Kim (M.Div. '09) has decided to partner with them in establishing a church and RUF in Corvallis, Oregon, home to Oregon State University. Learn more on their Web site here. Greg has participated in several events on campus and continues a dialogue with students. He has been preaching at several churches in the area. They are expecting a child this month which will make them a family of five.

Michael Lee (M.Div. '05) and his wife Tricia are serving with Mission to the World in Mexico. They recently moved the location of their office near the Metrorrey (Monterrey's mass-transit light rail system) to be closer to downtown. A reporter for the L.A. Times wrote an article about the work they are doing in Monterrey here.

Also Michael and others have discussed theological training for the Northern Mexico Church Planting and Multiplication Movement and have made significant changes in order to prepare new church planters. At first they offered classes on nights and Saturdays due to the financial hardship of working and attending seminary, and now they offer week-long, all-day intensive classes that they call the "incubator". The first one was held in August, and it was the first of four scheduled over the course of the next two years.

They are also proud to announce that their daughter Hannah married Buddy Snelling on Oct. 6 and are excited to have been able to attend the wedding in Clover, SC.

Ryan McVicar (M.Div. '07 ) is planting a church, New City Presbyterian, in the Royal Oak area of Detroit. “People at New City don’t just see each other on Sunday," says Ryan. Read an article on his church in the local paper here.

Jennifer Miller (MABS '07) and Louisa McCullough Tremann (MABS '95) work in the home office of Mission to the World. They have teamed up to train new missionaries about support raising.  Louisa and Jennifer served as missionaries with MTW (to Ukraine and East Asia, respectively) and now are bringing their own experience and research on this topic to others. In early 2013, they will be part of Raising Support Successfully – A Team Approach to Ministry. This two-day intensive event will be open to all those raising support in the greater ministry community.  Click here to learn more.

Chris Peck (MABS '08) taught Greek, Hebrew and Old Testament in Papua New Guinea, and is now back and living in Orlando with his family awaiting some final words on a new calling. Essentially, Chris’ vision is the teaching of Scripture to groups of businessmen at their office, where Christians and non-Christians come and listen and learn. More of the vision includes going on mission trips and teaching people about missions and praying with groups.

Joel Pelsue (M.Div. '98), founder and president of Arts and Entertainment Ministries, recently wrote "The Power of Beauty" on his Web site. "It ought not to surprise us that God starts and ends the Bible with beauty. He begins with a beautiful garden, ends with a beautiful city,..." says Pelsue. Read the full article here.

Greg Salazar (M.Div. '12) and his wife Christie are currently serving in England, and assisting the founder of Frontiers, Dr. Greg Livingstone with a new book. They welcomed new daughter Catherine-Claire Annabelle Salazar into the world on Nov. 28. They call her "Catie-Claire." Everyone is doing well. However, on a sad note, Greg's dad passed away the next morning unexpectedly. His dad was a talented painter. They plan to have a memorial service in June in Asheville, NC. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Greg has also been accepted to the University of Cambridge to the M.Phil. Early Modern History Program and will be working on a thesis in the field of English Puritanism in October 2013.

Louis Surprenant (RTS/Charlotte M.Div. student), is stepping down as the director of college ministry at Friendly Hills Church, which meets at Guilford College in Jamestown, NC. Also serving with Mission to North America, in January, he will pursue the call to plant a church. He has accepted a church-planting apprenticeship at Christ Church Greensboro. Keep up with Louis and his wife Jamie here.

Jemar Tisby (RTS/Orlando M.Div. student) recently wrote an article that was posted on Gospel Coalition titled "The Joyful Pursuit of Multi-ethnic Churches." Read the article here.

Anthony Turner  (MAR '09) recently published an ebook devotional celebrating an examining the season of Advent. The devotional is called The Advent of the Messiah: Finding Peace, Love, Joy and Hope in a Modern World. Turner and his wife live in Springfield, Mo., where he is the lead pastor of Northbridge Church.  Read more about the book or purchase it here.