| CONVOCATION MESSAGES | The convocation messages from RTS/Jackson, RTS/Charlotte and RTS/Orlando have been posted on RTS on iTunes U.
Click here to listen to Dr. Guy Waters' message "With a Whimper or a Bang?" at RTS/Jackson, referencing Acts
28:17-30. Also read Dr. Duncan's reflections of convocation here with a complete biography of Dr. Waters, along with
pictures of the presentation of a plaque to him.
Click here to listen to Dr. Ligon Duncan's message "Begin Ministry with a Look at the End" at RTS/Orlando
referencing 2 Timothy 4:6-22 where Paul writes to Timothy. The message is preceded by an introduction of Dr. Duncan by Dr. Don Sweeting, president of RTS/Orlando.
Click here to listen to Dr. Mike Kruger's message "Origen's List of New Testament Books," at RTS/Charlotte. In this discussion of early
canonical lists, Dr. Kruger answers the question he is most often asked both academically and in the church: "When is the first time we get all 27 books in one spot?" | | | | WATCH VIDEO PRESENTATIONS MADE AT THE LAUSANNE CONSULTATION IN BRAZIL | | Dr. Don Sweeting represented RTS at World Reformed Fellowship/Lausanne Global Theological Education Consultation in Brazil, held June 2-6. Watch Dr. Sweeting's presentations along with all of the others here (scroll down on webpage). | | | | NEW RTS ALUMNI WEB PAGE | | Click here to visit our new alumni page. If you have comments or suggestions, please let us know here. | | | | AALI KICKOFF | ![]()
The annual kickoff of the African American Leadership Initiative (AALI) was held at RTS/Jackson on Sept. 5. Three sessions were held: "Biblical Theology of Race and Nations," (Brian Gault, RTSJ director of admissions); "The Power of the Cross,"
(John McCarty, RTSJ librarian); and "The Power of We," (Justin Jones-Fosu, RTSJ M.Div. student and president of AALI). The sessions were followed by dinner and games. | | | | CHARLESTON CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE ON REFORMED THEOLOGY | | The second annual Charleston Christmas Conference on Reformed Theology will be held Dec. 5-7 in Charleston, SC. Dr. Harry Reeder and Dr. Carl Trueman will speak on the theme, "The Nativity to the Cross." For more information and to register, clickhere. Rev. Jon D. Payne (MATS '98, D.Min. '04) serves there now as senior minister. | | | | RTS/ATLANTA MEET & GREET CONVOCATIONS | ![]()
Several Meet & Greet Convocations were held at RTS/Atlanta this fall to welcome new students. | | | | PRESIDENT'S FORUM WITH DR. CHUCK HILL | ![]() RTSO president, Dr. Don Sweeting, will host Dr. Chuck Hill, the John R. Richardson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, at RTS/Orlando on Sept. 24 at noon in the fellowship hall. They will discuss the book How God Became Jesus to which Dr. Hill was a contributing author. RSVP now to ksutter@rts.edu if you would also like to reserve lunch for a small charge. | | | | READ LIGON DUNCAN'S ARTICLES ON GATHERED WORSHIP | | In early September, Chancellor Duncan posted two articles on ligonduncan.com on what gathered worship should look like. The first article was
about the historicity of worship and the second article addressed comments made by Victoria Osteen about worship, when
she said, "You're not doing it for God, you are doing it for yourself, really." | | | | DR. SWAIN RESPONDS TO VAN DEN BRINK'S ARTICLE | | Read "Pushback on the Pushback" on Dr. Scott Swain's blog on the Reformation21 website where he comments on Gijsbert van
den Brink's article in the July issue of the International Journal of Systematic Theology. Dr. Swain is the associate professor of systematic theology and academic dean at RTS/Orlando. | | | | REFORMATION WORSHIP CONFERENCE | | The Reformation Worship Conference will be held Oct. 23-26 at Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Ga. The conference will feature speakers such as Steve Lawson (D.Min. '90), Doug Kelly, the Richard Jordan professor of theology at RTS/Charlotte,
and Dr. Jon D. Payne (MATS '98, D.Min. '04) and visiting lecturer in practical theology at RTS/Atlanta. | | | | FREE SEMINAR WITH KEITH GETTY AT RTSO | ![]() Originally from Northern Ireland and now residing in Nashville, Keith Getty is the co-writer of "In Christ Alone," "The Power of the Cross," and many other well-known modern hymns. Getty will deliver a free seminar Sept. 26 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm (this
is a time change from the mailed event calendar) in the Pamplin Chapel, entitled "Hymns, Worship, and the Christian Life." Advance registration is required. Click here to RSVP. Click here to visit the Getty website. | | | | RTS/CHARLOTTE CONVOCATION | ![]() During the RTS/Charlotte convocation, Dr. Mike Kruger (pictured left) was awarded a plaque for his new chair appointment as the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity by Chancellor Ligon Duncan. Several other faculty who have previously been appointed to established chairs were also awarded. | | | | RTS/JACKSON LUAU | ![]() The annual luau was held at RTS/Jackson for students, staff and faculty in August. Dr. Mike McKelvey, assistant professor of Old Testament, worked all day cooking the meat. | | | | PICTURE FROM PRESIDENT'S FORUM WITH KELLY KAPIC | ![]() Speaking to RTSO students during orientation, Dr. Kelly Kapic shared his views on starting seminary. He spoke again at the President's Forum along with Dr. Don Sweeting, giving helpful tips on how to wed academic study with devotion
to Christ. | | | | CHANCELLOR DUNCAN PRESENTED CHAIR AWARDS | ![]()
Dr. Ligon Duncan (pictured right) has presented award plaques to four of the five faculty members, so far, who were recently appointed to vacant chairs, at the convocations of RTS/Orlando, RTS/Charlotte and RTS/Jackson. He also presented
awards to those already in established chairs as well. Dr. Chuck Hill (center) received a plaque recognizing his chair, the John R. Richardson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. | | | | MINISTRY & LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE NOW AVAILABLE | ![]() Did you receive your digital copy of the M&L magazine? If not, you can sign up here for the digital or even the mailed copy. In this issue we commemorate
Matthew Henry on the 300th anniversary of his death. Also read about RTS alumnus, Rod Mays; RTS student, James Midwinter; and Dr. Howard Griffith, professor at RTS/Washignton DC. | | | | STAFF PROFILE: NATHANIEL HERNDON | | Nathaniel Herndon is the new development associate at RTS/Washington DC, as Abigail Griffith has moved to Boston to pursue a graduate degree. Nathaniel, the youngest of three with two older sisters, graduated from Appalachian State University in
beautiful Boone, NC. He is in charge of the newsletters sent out by the Washington campus, planning development events, and fundraising. He is looking forward to being a first time uncle in November and living in the same city as his two nephews.
Welcome, Nathaniel! |
| | David J. Baxter (M.Div. '13) | | David was ordained and installed as assistant pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, on June 29. | | | | Jake Belder (MATS '10) | | Jake has been selected for ordination in the Church of England and is training to be a vicar at Cranmer Hall, part of Durham University. He is doing their doctoral programme, a DThM. | | | | Tim Burkholder (MAC '14) | | Tim is working as a registered mental health counselor intern at Open Doors Counseling Center in Winter Park, Fla. | | | | Carol Chen (MABS '11) | | Carol is beginning a Ph.D. in systematics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. | | | | Thomas D. Frakes (MABS '10) | | Tom is serving with Pioneers in India. His team partners with a local fellowship of English speaking business professionals that they hope will develop into a mature church that will expand and multiply. He also leads several of the men through BILD's
Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development every Saturday morning. There are 60 potential doctoral candidates preparing to train in this method. | | | | Matt Howell (M.Div. '09) | ![]() While at RTS, Matt set the Westminster Shorter Catechism to music to help him and his peers get through the Catechism exams. He has now made the songs for sale to the public. "The Mattechisms" are all 107 questions of the Westminster Shorter Catechism,
set to music by Matt. He says, "These songs are particularly helpful for getting these questions and answers into your memory. Click here to listen
and purchase the album. | | | | Bee Kirk (M.Div. '11) | | Bee is working as a chaplain in the Baycare Health System, in the Tampa, Fla., area. | | | | Michael Knight (MABS '13) | ![]()
Mike taught a course titled "Ministry to Children & Youth" this summer to a group of students at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS). They discussed "youth culture and the context in which today's students are growing up." You can read
more about his intensive week here. He also led worship for a spiritual life conference for the SIM
team in Namibia and is currently leading a mission trip of NETS students to the Queen Sophia resettlement project. They will help develop a sanitation plan, lead a children's program and minister in the public school. He will then organize youth ministry
seminars in several towns. | | | | Michael Lee (M.Div. '05) | ![]()
After successfully serving in Monterrey, Mexico, with Mission to the World, Michael and his wife Tricia sought out a new field where they could minister more robustly. They settled on Panama, a field where MTW has never had a mission until
recently. They are pictured (above) standing at the Miraflores overlook of the Panama Canal. Michael will coordinate the theological training, coaching, and mentoring of the key leaders in the small mission church in Panama City. Their goal is to
be in Panama at the beginning of 2015.
Michael and Tricia are also the MTW coordinators of member care for the Latin American region. They assist MTW missionaries serving across Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean and South America, with spiritual, physical or mental care. | | | | Steven Lawson (D.Min. '90) | ![]() Steven has a new book coming out in January titled John Knox: Fearless Faith (Christian Focus Publications). The description says, "The life and ministry of John Knox reverberates around the church both in Scotland and across the world.
'The Father of the Scottish Reformation' with resolute convictions and unmatched vigour for the word of God continues to influence and inspire people today. Stephen J. Lawson seeks in this book to ignite our faith for Jesus through Knox's story and to
'stand firm' in our day and generation." | | | | Alexander D. Mark (M.Div. '13) | ![]()
Alex (pictured right) was ordained on Aug. 24. He planted a church in his hometown of Beaufort, SC, in conjunction with Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah. Beaufort is a retirement/military town. The church has become a PCA mission church where
he is the pastor. He believes "a long-term sustained ministry of Word, sacrament, and prayer will produce wonderful results for time and eternity." He also would like to pursue a Ph.D. degree. | | | | Matthew R. Moynihan (M.Div. '12) | | Matthew was ordained and installed as a military chaplain of the US Army National Guard on June 6. The commission convened at Johnston Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. The service followed at the church. | | | | Micah Ngussa (MATS '09) | | Micah praises God for recently baptizing 16 kids at the Tanzania Children's Rescue Center where he and his wife Happiness are serving. A new graduate of Nassa Theological College has now joined in working with them for outreach and secretarial matters.
They have begun the construction of the secondary school and have started to use part of the new building. They ask for prayer for the kids to grow spiritually, for the workers to show love to the kids (some are in special need of counseling), for salaries,
food, desks and the construction of toilets (as they have to walk to the other property to use the toilets.) | | | | Elizabeth Starkey (MAC '14) | | Elizabeth, who also has an RN and BSN degree, is working as a registered mental health intern at Open Doors Counseling Center in Winter Park, Fla. Her husband Matt is enrolled in the M.Div. program at RTS/Orlando. | | | | Sandy Trzcinski (MAC '10) | ![]() Sandy is serving as a licensed mental health counselor at Open Doors Counseling Center in Winter Park, Fla. She also has a certificate in play therapy and enjoys helping missionary kids and their families thrive. Her husband John Trzcinski (MAC '10 is
a crisis manager at Cru. | | | | Phillip Rodney Wood (MABS '89, D.Min. '95) | | Rod contributed an essay to a book released in September titled Rulers: Gospel and Government by Chuck Garriott. Rod and his wife Becky have been involved in ministry for over 35 years. In 1993, he established the Mission Foundation and began ministry to men at the Louisiana State Capitol. Read more about him here in an article in The Advocate. |
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RTSO president, Dr. Don Sweeting, will host Dr. Chuck Hill, the John R. Richardson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, at RTS/Orlando on Sept. 24 at noon in the fellowship hall. They will discuss the book How God Became Jesus to which Dr. Hill was a contributing author. RSVP now to 
Originally from Northern Ireland and now residing in Nashville, Keith Getty is the co-writer of "In Christ Alone," "The Power of the Cross," and many other well-known modern hymns. Getty will deliver a free seminar Sept. 26 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm (this
is a time change from the mailed event calendar) in the Pamplin Chapel, entitled "Hymns, Worship, and the Christian Life." Advance registration is required. Click 
During the RTS/Charlotte convocation, Dr. Mike Kruger (pictured left) was awarded a plaque for his new chair appointment as the Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity by Chancellor Ligon Duncan. Several other faculty who have previously been appointed to established chairs were also awarded.
The annual luau was held at RTS/Jackson for students, staff and faculty in August. Dr. Mike McKelvey, assistant professor of Old Testament, worked all day cooking the meat..png)
Speaking to RTSO students during orientation, Dr. Kelly Kapic shared his views on starting seminary. He spoke again at the President's Forum along with Dr. Don Sweeting, giving helpful tips on how to wed academic study with devotion
to Christ.
Did you receive your digital copy of the M&L magazine? If not, you can sign up 
While at RTS, Matt set the Westminster Shorter Catechism to music to help him and his peers get through the Catechism exams. He has now made the songs for sale to the public. "The Mattechisms" are all 107 questions of the Westminster Shorter Catechism,
set to music by Matt. He says, "These songs are particularly helpful for getting these questions and answers into your memory. Click 
Steven has a new book coming out in January titled John Knox: Fearless Faith (Christian Focus Publications). The description says, "The life and ministry of John Knox reverberates around the church both in Scotland and across the world.
'The Father of the Scottish Reformation' with resolute convictions and unmatched vigour for the word of God continues to influence and inspire people today. Stephen J. Lawson seeks in this book to ignite our faith for Jesus through Knox's story and to
'stand firm' in our day and generation."
Sandy is serving as a licensed mental health counselor at Open Doors Counseling Center in Winter Park, Fla. She also has a certificate in play therapy and enjoys helping missionary kids and their families thrive. Her husband John Trzcinski (MAC '10 is
a crisis manager at Cru.