Issue #123 | June 13, 2012 |
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. | |
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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.
| SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CLASSES AT RTS Here are a few key courses that may interest you this summer. See a full listing of courses here. |
| RTS/Atlanta: July 9-13: Systematic Theology: Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology with Dr. Derek Thomas. July 23-26: Poets: A Study of the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament with Dr. Mark Futato. |
| RTS/Orlando: June 18-22: Radical Grace with Dr. Steve Brown August 6-10: History of Philosophy and Christian Thought with Dr. James Anderson. |
| RTS/Charlotte: June 4-8: The Life and Thought of Martin Luther with Carl Trueman. June 25 - 29: Pauline Epistles with Dr. William B. Barcley. June 11-15: Past Ministry: Local Church/College Camp with Rod Mays. June 18-22: Planting and Growing a Campus Ministry with Les Newsom. |
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. | |
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RTS/ORLANDO SAYS GOODBYE TO ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
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
Paul Jeon, guest faculty for RTS/DC has recently written a commentary on Titus titled To Exhort and Reprove: Audience Response to the Chiastic Structures of Paul's Letter to Titus (May 2012). He has also written True Faith: Reflections on Paul’s Letter to Titus (April 2012) . In addition, he will have an expository-devotional on Philippians coming out soon.
RTS CHANCELLOR AND ORLANDO PRESIDENT SPEAK AT LAUSANNE CONFERENCE IN BOSTON
Dr. Michael Milton, chancellor of RTS, and Dr. Don Sweeting, president of the Orlando campus of RTS, spoke at the Lausanne Conference on Global Theological Education May 29-June 1 in Boston. The conference was held at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Read more about the conference and see a picture of the attendees here. Read Dr. Sweeting's message given at the event here. Dr. Milton blogged about the event here.
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.