DTS Magazine Summer 2021

DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Summer 2021 | Vol. 7 , No. 2

We Need Community The Image of God

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Dallas Theological Seminary:

Cultivating

Community through

Common Faith

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Welcome to Summer 2021 MARK YARBROUGH | PRESIDENT | DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

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purgeon aid: “Nothing but grace makes a man so humble and, at the same time, so glad.” It is only by grace will any of us see, serve, and speak of our Lord and His love. Through the years, God has answered my cries for help in miraculous ways—most abundantly, through His opening my eyes to the work of the Cross.

Picture a rearview mirror in your car. It helps you see where you’ve been. I’ve been looking in the DTS rearview mirror for the last several months. We have a lot to see—97 years of history! One thing is clear: Our rearview mirror demonstrates that God’s sovereign hand of grace has been on DTS the entire time. From its inception, our missional drive has been to equip sinners-saved-by-grace to better understand God’s Word and to share it with the world. In short, take God’s Word to God’s world.

In a contemporary expression, our mission is to glorify God by equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of His Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide. That statement speaks the words of present and past boards, presidents, faculty, staff, and alumni who have poured life into this seminary. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

The DTS rearview mirror helps us see the faithful hand of God’s blessing on DTS. As I look back, we must confess that God has done immeasurably more than what we have asked and imagined. Who would have imagined the growth of DTS? • • • • • • • • • •

Our first entering class of 13 students in 1924 would grow to 487 new students in the fall of 2020.

The first graduating class of 9 would now be 427 in the spring of 2021.

A 1924 student body representing 4 denominations has now grown to 75 denominations represented today.

The homogenous beginning would now exist as a multicultural representation of the body of Christ.

We now have over 17,000 alumni serving in 120 countries around the world—literally proclaiming the Word of God in every time zone on the planet.

Our student body is now made up of 60% men and 40% women.

DTS graduates have established ministries such as Young Life, the Urban Alternative, Living on the Edge, IF:Gathering, and OurCalling. They have ministered to the homeless, and countless Bible Colleges/Universities and planted thousands of churches.

The faculty, through the generations, have produced thousands of books and tens of thousands of articles to assist in teaching the church and academic communities.

God has led us to reach record enrollment of 2,551 graduate students during a pandemic.

And as of April 1, 2021—we crossed over 400,000 students in our free online courses.

No wonder we must proclaim: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”—to God be the glory! Great things He has done!

Dallas Theological Seminary is a small extension of God’s universal community of believers. We are His image-bearers, positioned with an opportunity to be strong in our faith, based on what He did yesterday.

Friends, now is not the time to hunker in the bunker and wait for things to get back to normal. I encourage us all to seek God more fervently concerning our mission here at DTS and our great commission to spread the gospel and disciple one another in community. Let’s look to the Cross. We have work to do because of the work He did. This dark and decaying world is searching for Hope. And eternal Hope is found in God’s Son. And His Son, Jesus Christ, must be seen through us —God’s community of image-bearers.

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Featured Contributors The Forgotten Ministry: The Influence of Our Grandparents Dr. Deison, ( ThM, 1978) served as an assistant DR. PETE DEISON | pg. 21 |

professor in the Hendricks Leadership Center (1988-1994). Currently he serves as associate pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian Church and is president of the church’s Foundation.

KELLY WILLIAMS | pg. 16 | Bringing Peace & Encouragement to Others Mr. Williams (ThM, 1996) is co-founder and senior pastor of Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is the author of several books and maintains a blog focusing on loving others into a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

SCOTT TALBOT | pg. 32 | My Paradigm Shift: Viewing Money Through God's Eyes Mr. Talbot currently serves as Executive Director of the Dallas Seminary Foundation. His passion is to invest his life in such a way as to make a positive eternal impact in the lives of others.

ALI ZIMMERMAN | pg. 8 | Bearing His Image Together Ali Zimmerman, (MACE, 2016) is a native Oklahoman but currently resides in Memphis, TN, with her husband, Steve, and her son, Luke. She is nearing the conclusion of the DEdMin program, through which she participated in the Spiritual Formation cohort. Her passions include discipleship, writing, studying God’s Word, and helping women apply it to their lives.

MEG DUNLAP | pg. 35 | Gezellig & God Mrs. Dunlap (MBTS, 2021) serves as the Social Media Manager in the DTS Marketing and Communications Department overseeing creative design, copywriting, and marketing strategy of organic social media posts. Meg lives in Dallas, TX, with her beloved husband where they are both active members of Eastside Community Church.

DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Our mission is to glorify God by equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of His Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide.

DTS Magazine® Summer 2021 Vol. 7, No. 2 ISSN 1092–7492 ©2021 Dallas Theological Seminary. All rights reserved.

Published three times a year by Dallas Theological Seminary 3909 Swiss Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204

Mark M. Yarbrough, President Rebecca Walton, Editor & Content Manager Matt Snyder, Ad Designer Debbie J. Stevenson, Production Manager Ryan Holmes, Caroline Khameneh, Natacha Ramos, Rebecca Riddle, Jared Huang, Staff Photographers Melanie Munnell, Alex Meyer, Lisa White, Margaret Tolliver, Copy Editing SUBSCRIBE Subscriptions are free of charge to addresses in the United States. Go to voice.dts.edu/magazine or call 800-DTS-WORD and ask for the DTS Magazine subscription office.

EMAIL Contact admissions@dts.edu for information about DTS’s graduate degree programs.

Contact magazine@dts.edu to submit articles, request reprints, or make comments.

DONATIONS For information on how you can support the ministry of DTS, call 214-887-5060.

It’s the Fellowship for me!

REBECCA WALTON, EDITOR

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t’s summertime, saints! I pray this will be a time of thanksgiving and reflection as we live on through this pandemic. Traditionally this is the season for bright colors, travelings, and gatherings. Summertime means fellowship and community; however, the implications of this pandemic will soon reveal how we will come together for the new season. I hope this magazine issue will give you biblical and practical tools and inspirations to help you ponder and understand the purpose of community as an image-bearer of God. How do we connect during a time of great limitations? In what ways are we improving our responsibility toward one another? These questions and other ideas will be addressed for this issue. Again, thank you for your patronage to Dallas Theological Seminary and your continued support of DTS Magazine. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind during this season.

ONLINE/SUBMISSIONS Visit voice.dts.edu/magazine to view the editorial policies or DTS Magazine online.

Send email address changes to jglorvigen@dts.edu or mail to DTS Magazine 3909 Swiss Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204 Unless noted otherwise, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Academic designations that are listed indicate degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

SowingSeeds

DTS ADVANCEMENT

THE IMPACT OF YOUR INVESTMENT

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allas Theological Seminary would like to invite you to join us in a special commemoration of our one hundred years of ministry. The construction team has almost finished the Student Life Center and Chafer Chapel. The Chapel will be a central place for the DTS community of faith to worship and love one another for many generations.

In honor of DTS’s centennial celebration approaching in 2024, DTS is offering the opportunity to purchase a brick that will pave the walkway in front of the new Chapel. This walkway, the Centennial Arch, will be a symbol of how DTS supporters are shepherding the next generation of ministry leaders toward humility and worship before our Lord.

You can engrave the brick with your name and graduation year, as a memorial for someone, or with a favorite Scripture reference or promise. If you wish to remain anonymous, a brick with the words “The Lord is faithful to all generations” will be placed in honor of the gift.

Each brick is $250, and all proceeds from the purchase of these bricks will go toward the DTS Alumni Scholarship Fund. This fund is designed to award scholarships to those who are in need, allowing past generations to encourage DTS students with their support.

Watch the special message from DTS President, Dr. Mark Yarbrough, below.

DTS hopes you will join in equipping the next generation of theologians, pastors, counselors, and teachers. We thank God for His faithful to us over the decades.

- ABBY WILLS Alumni Scholarship Fund Manager

To purchase a brick, go to https://secured.dts.edu/brick

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ROY ALDRICH

FRIEND OF DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

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orn in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in the last year of the nineteenth century, Aldrich saw a tour of duty with the Navy during the First World War. But that experience affected him far less than the change an introduction to Jesus Christ brought about in his life. His new path led to Texas for seminary, which gave him opportunities to serve as a pastor. Yet his passion for Christian education guided most of his career decisions.

The path of following his Lord soon led to Detroit, Michigan. Co-laboring with believers from the Christian Businessmen’s Committee of Detroit, he helped create Detroit Bible College. The school opened its doors to students the year before World War II ended, and Dr. Aldrich steered the institution as president from its infancy for twenty-two years, after which he served as President Emeritus.

“After soldiers returned from ‘the war to end all wars,’ prohibition brought turmoil, but the economy boomed. A seemingly indestructible country complacently stood at the threshold of the Great Depression.

And it came about in those days that Dallas Theological Seminary—first known as the Evangelical Theological College— had its birth. And at the end of the first academic cycle, the first student to graduate—a young man named Roy L. Aldrich— crossed the stage to receive his degree.”

Many of our supporters, like Roy Aldrich, have named DTS in their wills. Is this something you would consider?

Scott Talbot | Executive Director DTS Foundation

His belief in the importance of Christian education compelled him to stand many hours in Detroit pulpits calling people to support God’s work in scholarship. He also lived what he taught, giving whenever possible to various Christian schools, including DTS. His motivation flowed from a great love of Scripture. Dr. Aldrich preached, wrote, and spoke, lecturing at DTS and at Moody’s Founders’ Week conferences. His book, Holding Fast to Grace, is still in print.

Described as easy to talk to, and a gracious and knowledgeable preacher and teacher, Dr. Aldrich had a dry sense of humor and loved to fish. He was known for wearing a clip-on bow tie, even after doing so fell out of fashion. His passion for teaching the Scriptures extended to every age group, so he often brought the children to the front of the church during services for a short object lesson.

His work in the ministry continued even after his retirement and relocation to Florida. There he found a way for local people to receive training in biblical studies in conjunction with Moody’s External studies program. Dr. Aldrich ended his days there, going to be with the Lord at age 99. And his grave inscription expresses his faith: “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11).

The Aldrich family’s past, present, and future relationship with DTS goes on. Our first graduate’s brother, Willard (ThM, 1934; ThB, 1934; ThD, 1936) helped found Multnomah Bible College, serving as its president for thirty-five years (1943–1978). Upon his retirement, his son Joseph (ThM, 1968; ThD, 1971) filled his immense shoes. Other family members who passed through the halls of DTS have included Roy’s nephews, Jon (ThM, 1968) and Tim Aldrich (ThM, 1971; ThD, 1975), and son-inlaw Ken Schafer (ThM, 1971).

Before Roy Aldrich entered the Lord’s presence sixteen years ago, he and his wife, Constance Crawley Aldrich, agreed to create a plan for their support of DTS to outlive them. When she passed away in 2011, their estate gift was distributed to the DTS general fund. The Aldrich family’s legacy of faith continues through their investment in the training of future Christian leaders.

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Bearing His Image Together by: ALI ZIMMERMAN

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God created every person as a unique individual

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hen I was a little girl, every time it snowed, my mom would remind me that no two snowflakes were precisely alike. I’m not sure to what degree this statement is true, but it instilled in me a unique sense of wonder.

I can still picture myself peering through the window of my childhood living room, observing the snowflakes piled up on the windowsill, and admiring their differences. This whole idea—that of the incalculable amount of snowflakes that have ever fallen upon the earth, no two were identical—became my favorite thing about snow.

Similarly, individuality has become my favorite thing about humanity.

Over 100 billion people have lived upon this earth, and every one of them has been unique. They have differed in much more immense and significant ways than snowflakes. In God’s magnificent creativity, He crafted each person who has and will ever live with unique physical features, strengths, and personalities. We all have unique stories, unique accomplishments and trials, unique upbringings and backgrounds, unique desires and aspirations, and unique ways of processing, coping, and learning. There is no one else exactly like you. There is no one else exactly like your spouse.

There is no one else exactly like your mom, your dad, your child, your best friend, your hairdresser, or your pastor. Our Creator individually and attentively designed each one of us. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14).

God created every person in His image While no two human beings are exactly alike, there are also characteristics that all people share. One of these commonalities, which sets us acutely apart from the rest of creation, is that all humans are made in the image of God. The first mention of this phrase is in Genesis 1:26, to ascribe worth to humanity. We often use this phrase to ascribe worth to humanity, but to what degree do we understand its implications? They are profound.

They influence every moment of every day. Descriptively, to bear God’s image means to bear God’s likeness. Functionally, it means to represent Him and to rule on His behalf. There is something about the nature of human beings that is like God, that reflects something to the world about God, that enables us to reign for God. What a trait, what a gift, and what a responsibility!

Of course, what God created perfectly in Genesis 1, Satan corrupted in Genesis 3. Like the rest of God’s good creation, we, as image-bearers of God, were marred. All people still bear God’s image simply because we are human, but we do so quite imperfectly. All of us, that is, except for Jesus.

Although Jesus is God, He is also the perfect picture of what it means to bear God’s image. Jesus, while on earth, was “the image of the invisible God” and the “exact representation of his VOICE.DT S .E DU /M AG A Z IN E DA L LA S TH E O LO G ICAL SE MI N ARY

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being” (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3). In Jesus, we see an unmarred version of the image of God in humanity. He represented not only God’s nature—but also His character, His heart, and His mission—clearly and precisely. He walked in complete fellowship with the Father, and He perfectly exercised authority in the world on the Father’s behalf. Jesus was a flawless image-bearer.

Not only does Jesus model image-bearing for us, He also opens the door for God to heal and restore that which has been corrupted in us. Those of us who are in Christ “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor 3:18).

As we become more like Jesus, we become better image-bearers. We reflect God to the world with increasing accuracy, and we exercise God’s authority with an increasing degree of submission to His purposes. The Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work allows us to fulfill humanity’s original calling effectively!

God created every person for community If God has created every individual in His image, and if He is conforming every believer to the image of Christ, how and why are we distinct from one another? How are these concepts compatible? If we were all made to represent the same God, then why do we have such different personalities and passions, and why does the Spirit apportion to us varying gifts? (1 Cor 12:4-11). The answer is clear yet astounding. God made every person to bear His image, but He never intended for anyone to bear His image alone. Even before sin marred the image, God created His first two image-bearers, “male and female” (Gen 1:27). Our triune God made His first image-bearers with apparent differences because together they accurately reflected His communal nature!

Similarly, today’s church bears God’s image far more effectively when we bear His image in community. We reflect Him most powerfully when we function interdependently, like the parts of a human body (1 Cor 12:4-20). Alone, I might be a strong representation of His eye, and my husband a strong representation of His hand. Your elders might powerfully reflect His wisdom and your deacons, His servanthood. Your small group leader might exercise God’s authority through an evangelism movement and your best friend through a fight for justice. When Christians work together, all of these traits, gifts, and passions work together in unity. When the church functions as one body made up of many parts, we represent Him holistically (1 Cor 12:20). When we depend on and serve one another, we rule on God’s behalf with both a broader scope and greater precision.

When we love one another, the world will know we are His ( Jn 13:34-35)!

We must not limit the Spirit’s vital work by working out our callings in isolation. Let’s bear His image more effectively by bearing it together!

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SUMMER 2021 SOCIAL MEDIA POLL

How has God worked all things together for good in your ministry during this pandemic? rekinafranklin

2mikewilliams

God has still been faithful. nkbriley

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He restored so much brokenness and continues to open up doors for ministry!!

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rubenjjackson

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texasranger94

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jamesdeanfoster

beca.inke

He has guided me to go to seminary, and this school looks like my type.

Online meetings have allowed for more people (from other places) to study the Bible with us every week!

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belleannah

It gave us all a chance to spend more time with our families and have dinner again

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buhbake My husband and I got to spend more time together and he was able to be home w/ our son.

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iamchriswomack

Able 2 Remotely take classes I needed to graduate-ThM! &stay FT in ministry in Austin, TX!

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pastormarc54160 Live streaming

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jesus_savessouls21

I think God made me better in writing sermons.

pattylparker I started a virtual writers group! We meet twice monthly via zoom!!!

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As a health worker I meet people with covid almost everyday but since 2019 till now, am same.

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Released a book to help ppl get free in Christ from addiction. Acknowledgments to DTS profs

darkwaebenezermintah

I was out of work with covid but found I had an aneurysm early enough to avoid surgery

orangecowcat It was during early shut down last year that I decided to apply to DTS!

john_a_elmore

Our Lord has provided stability through all this and still is!

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sinyardel More time with family.

Decluttered my life.

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jamesdeanfoster Extra time to be intentional with loved ones at home during this odd season!

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I have been able to continue working for a non-profit from home.

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In March 2021, we polled our social media followers to see how they were doing during this pandemic. Often, a period of isolation can take a toll on our attitude toward ministry. Remaining connected and encouraged by the testimony of our Christian brothers and sisters is food for our souls.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 Follow us for updates, poll questions, and stories |

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/dallasseminary

DTS News WEC Week 2021 by Michael G. Banks

Current DTS Student

March 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—Once again, WEC week has flown by at Dallas Theological Seminary, leaving us with a beautiful wealth of knowledge to ponder. This know-how, sought through faith, is as beautiful a reminder as a sunset in the rearview. A string of seminars ranging from at-home apologetics to the nuances of theological education abroad have rearranged the furniture of our “missions-mind” and reincorporated some old truths too quickly forgotten. Keynote speaker Dr. Chris McGuffey, Pastor of Outreach at Grace Bible Church and former Campus Crusade (Cru) staff in Russia, China, and Greece, recounted many stories of God’s faithfulness in the field while highlighting the costs accrued when doing “whatever it takes” to make God’s glory known in lands without the Gospel.

Dr. McGuffey was right to count the cost. The cost is great, and for Christ, the cost was the greatest—it was the cross. Only by this cost did Christ produce our salvation. Therefore, the cost, for the sake of the Gospel, is always worth its risk. That is the very reason Peter writes in his epistle that we may, “…participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Pet 4:13). The cost is great, but in the field of missions, the cost is His glory.

Recap of DTS Inauguration Weekend 2021 by Rebecca Walton April 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—It has been just under a year since Dr. Mark Yarbrough assumed his duties as Dallas Theological Seminary’s sixth president. What a time of transition! Amid a trying cultural climate in July 2020, former president Dr. Mark Bailey stepped into his role as Chancellor, and DTS installed its own Dr. Yarbrough as its new leader.

Dr. Yarbrough continues a decades-long journey within DTS, beginning as a student in the early 1990s, to serving in various leadership positions as administrative staff (eventually becoming a faculty member). All of this provided the wisdom and experience needed to contribute to his role as a seminary president. It was only befitting for the celebration to be as commendable as his new appointment.

Dallas Theological Seminary is now a part of the Yellow Ribbon Program May 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—As of May 2021, DTS is now classified as a Yellow Ribbon Program participant. (This means eligible students who currently use their VA benefits can now receive additional financial benefits to help pay for higher out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill® doesn’t cover.) These additional funds cover the higher cost of tuition at a private school or for attendance as a nonresident student at a public school. For qualified applicants, DTS will contribute a certain amount toward the extra tuition and fees through a grant, scholarship, or similar program. For more information about the program or VA educational benefits at DTS, scan the QR code.

Commencement 2021 May 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—DTS honored the graduating class of 2021 with a full weekend celebration that began on Friday, May 7, with a Commencement Chapel at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and BBQ picnic and faculty reception. The Texas-style outside BBQ event was an opportunity for patrons, students, faculty, and staff to convene in fellowship to celebrate the graduates of 2021. The celebration concluded May 8 with the Commencement Ceremony at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Dr. J. Scott Horrell, DTS professor of theological studies, spoke at the Commencement Chapel, and Dr. Erez Soref of Israel College of the Bible delivered the keynote address at the ceremony. The ceremony was live-streamed and is available online for a limited time to view. >>> commencement.dts.edu/livestream/ 12

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Say hello to the new Student Council for the 2021-2022 academic year DTS Dallas

DTS Houston

(L-R; Melanie Baker, MABC | Jalen Lee, ThM - President | Kate Kirk, ThM | Jalen Taylor, ThM Marta Hernandez, MACE | Ryan McGaha, ThM | Rebecca Walton, MBTS Lizzie Dagher, MABC (not in photo)

Shannon Jones, MABC President

Chantelle Hobbs, ThM

Rylan Scott, MACE

Alex Meyer, MAAE

DTS offers two new degree programs June 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—Dallas Theological Seminary will roll out two new degree programs beginning Fall 2021. MA in Jewish Studies—Given the Seminary’s dispensational heritage and interpretive tradition concerning a future hope for the Jewish people, it’s fitting for DTS to offer a conservative evangelical program in Jewish studies. The MA in Jewish Studies is a coordinated 74-hour Master of Arts program with Messianic Jewish Theological Academy (MJTA) and Israel College of the Bible (ICB). Doctor of Education—The purpose of Doctor of Education (EdD) program is to prepare Christian educators who are currently in or plan to pursue administrative leadership roles in K-12 or higher-education institutions. The EdD program is being designed as an innovation of the current Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin) Advanced Academic Ministries cohort. It will be practical in nature, just like the DEdMin, but the focus will be more in line with the needs of those who desire to be in educational leadership positions.

Welcome new full-time professors

Kevin Wong, PhD

Tim Robinson, DMin

Todd Agnew, ThM

June 2021—(Dallas, Texas)—Dallas Theological Seminary welcomes three new full-time professors for the 2021-22 academic year. Dr. Wong is a new faculty member to DTS and will join the Theological Studies department.

Originally from California, he and his wife Sarah and their three children are moving to Dallas from Chicago. With his PhD in systematic theology, Dr. Wong has a comprehensive background in philosophy and apologetics.

Dr. Wong has been actively teaching philosophy and theology courses at both Wheaton College and Moody Bible Institute. DTS is honored to have Dr. Wong join its faculty line-up. Dr. Robinson and Instructor Agnew are no strangers to DTS. Both are current faculty members and will continue to teach in their respective departments. Dr. Robinson will continue to teach Pastoral Ministries, and Instructor Agnew will continue to teach in the Media Arts and Worship department. DTS anticipates greater impact from them as full time faculty members.

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Inauguration

DTS WEEKEND 2021

Student / Alumni Dinner on the great lawn | April 9, Dallas Theological Seminary

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The Inauguration Banquet Ceremony | April | April 10, 10, Hilton Stonebriar Anatole Community Dallas Church

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Bringing Peace & Encouragement to Others by: KELLY WILLIAMS

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ometimes I get discouraged. How about you? When I get discouraged, sometimes, I become a discouragement to others around me. Let us think about this notion for a moment.

It is one thing to be discouraged. It is an entirely different thing to be a discouragement to others. But I find that my discouragement often spills over into the lives of others, and my discouragement becomes their discouragement. I lose sight of what matters, and I become a detriment to what God is doing in the lives of others.

My circumstances cause me to want to project my discouragement onto others’ lives.

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The apostle Paul got discouraged from time to time. That gives me hope to know someone as spiritual as Paul was discouraged occasionally. Humans get discouraged; it is normal and expected. He told the Philippians in 2:19 that the best way to deal with discouragement is to hope in the Lord Jesus.

All of our aspirations come down to God’s sovereign grace over our lives. We hope in Jesus, and thus we are encouraged because He cares about the details of our lives—all of them.

All of our aspirations come down to God’s sovereign grace over our lives. We hope in Jesus, and thus we are encouraged because He cares about the details of our lives—all of them. He wants to hear about them. He wants you to share them with Him. He wants you to acknowledge to others and remind them that your hope is in Christ, and thus theirs should be too.

It doesn’t matter how small a detail you are dealing with. He wants you to hope in Him and to encourage others to do the same.

The Philippians were extremely discouraged. Paul couldn’t come and see them because he was in prison. However, he writes this letter to remind them of his hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy so they and he can be encouraged by mutual relationships and news they share with one another.

Do not give up on relationships.

Relationships may be your greatest source of discouragement from time to time, but they will also be the greatest source of encouragement for you.

Paul reminds the Philippians in 2:20 that he is sending Timothy, who has relationship with them. There is no one like him who genuinely cares about their welfare. It is good to be reminded that others care, and we are not in this alone.

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Recently I got a text message from a church member. It said, “I understand that you receive a FedEx load of prayer requests. A gentleman that I know was recently killed. He was not a believer; he actually identified himself as a Satanist.

His young son has been having a very hard time with his death. Would you be willing to join my prayers for him?”

I responded back and said I would be honored to pray for him to find hope and encouragement in Jesus. The world needs Jesus! We need to stay focused on being faithful prayer warriors and faithful servants for Christ.

When I get discouraged or burdened by the sorrow of this world, I think about the people in my life who are faithful servants of Christ, and I think about the sacrifices they are making for Him. I ask the Lord to remove my focus from those who have made it fully about them and are absorbed in their selfishness.

Who in your life do you think of when you need to remember to be a faithful servant of Christ?

Let them know, but also, keep thinking about them.

While Paul was being an encouragement to the Philippians, he didn’t know how his trial in Rome was going to go. He was uncertain and that uncertainty produced anxiety in him like it would in you and me. He says in Philippians 2:24, “I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.” He is uncertain, but he is trusting in the Lord.

What in your life are you uncertain about that is causing you anxiety right now?

The Book of Acts doesn’t record Paul’s release from his Roman imprisonment, nor does it record his execution. But evidence furnished by the pastoral epistles supports the hypothesis of a release during which Paul did additional traveling in Crete, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Achaia.

There is good reason, therefore, to believe that Paul’s hope was realized.

You do not have to solve all the tension of other people’s lives by trying to convince them you do not have any in yours. Nor do you need to wallow in anxiety in order for people to be able to relate to you.

For people to be encouraged by you, people need to know you understand real life, yet you trust in

the Lord for your future despite the uncertainties.

Who in your life shows care to you and seeks to encourage you in the Lord?

Paul reminded the Philippians in 2:26 that Epaphroditus was that kind of friend to them. He had a love and care for the Philippians that gave them renewed peace and encouragement. Are you that kind of person in others’ lives? We all need people like this in our lives. We all need to be people like this in other people’s lives — whether it is a godly dad or mom, or pastor, or Sunday school teacher, or youth worker, friend, accountability partner, ministry director, mentor, care giver, or so forth and so on. Sometimes it is easy to fixate on what people have done wrong and feel sorry for ourselves. It is easy to lose sight of what others have done for us because of what others have done to us.

When I come across people who have lost sight of what others have done for them, I remind them. I want to encourage them to honor those who have served them faithfully. It will bring huge encouragement into a person’s life when they turn and honor, bless, and remember the sacrificial things others have done for them.

It is easy to get bogged down in what people are not or have not done for you, but what about focusing on what others have done for you? It will bring a spirit of hope and encouragement back to your life. Then you, in turn, can give that same hope and encouragement to others.

When each of us do this, it changes the world one relationship at a time from a world of unrest and discouragement to a world of peace and encouragement. We all have a part to play in this through the relationships of our lives.

It is to be encouraged in life and to be an encouragement in life to others. As I near the age of fifty, I realize more each day how much I need encouragement and how much I need to be a reminder of encouragement to others. It is easy to lose hope. It is easy to give up. It is easy to see what is not. It takes courage to see what is and can be. And when we declare these reminders to others, it not only gives others a chance to be encouraged but reminds us to be encouraged as well.

May the peace of Christ rule in your heart today as you seek to be an encouragement to others that brings peace to the storms of their lives.

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DTS Teaching Truth & Loving Well 1

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hip Ingram teaching from Psalm 103 encouraging attendees at the presidential inauguration banquet to remember that God’s good works of the past engender trust in what He will do in the future. He urged listeners to focus on C.H.R.I.S.T., an acronym for Christ, not causes; Healing, not hostility; Relationships, not real estate; Innovation, not indignation; Substance, not success; and Trust, not technology.

1 Dr. Mark Yarbrough, president of DTS, at his inauguration, kneeling in ceremony for the investure prayer next to his wife, Jennifer, and DTS Chancellor Emeritus, Dr. Charles Swindoll.

2 A portion of the new 2021-22 DTS Arise Women's Student Fellowship Board (l-r) Patricia “Patty” Parker, MAMW; Carrye Crowder, MABC; Monica Stephenson, MABC; Deonne Barnes, MACL; Cherylynn Finklin, MACL. 3 Washington Hall management team, Jennifer McCaan, MACE student and manager, and Tranece Harris, MABC student and leasing coordinator, posing in front of their lease renewal table.

4 Sarah Chappell, ThM student and manager of DTS Housing, recieves the Harold M. and Virginia A. Hoehner New Testament Scholarship Award from Dr. Darrell Bock during student awards 2021.

5 Patrick Thomas, director of chapel music and worship at DTS, leads worship during the 2021 inauguration student / alumni dinner on the great lawn.

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6 Brooks Neese (ThM, 2021) hands off the baton to the next president of the Dallas Campus Student Council, Jalen Lee, current ThM student.

7 (Ret.) Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Warran Haggray (ThM, 1995), senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, speaking to his congregation.

8 Chip Ingram (ThM, 1984) visited the DTS Dallas campus. Pictured (l-r) DTS student and DTS Administrative Coordinator, Ruth Singsit, his wife, Theresa and MBTS student Carmen Coker.

9 Dr. Dawn Hanson (MBTS, 2018), head of preschool at River Oaks Baptist School, praying with a little child.

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STUDENT PROFILE Forrest Wilson, (ThM, 2021) | Facility & Plant Operations Lisa Wilson, MACL Student Autumn Wilson, ThM Student | Alumni & Career Services

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he Wilsons are a Dallas Theological Seminary quintessential family.

They are thriving inside the DTS bubble, benefitting from its geographical location and relationships—being blessed in various ways. Their life is unique, unlike the average family who lives, works, and studies at DTS. Whereas most families who reside on campus are millennials with small children—either one or both parents are enrolled in seminary—Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are GENX-ers with a millennial daughter in grad school. All three of them are enrolled in a master’s program, and all three of them live together on the Dallas campus.

Forrest Wilson is a husband, father, pastor, and recent 2021 graduate from the Master of Theology program with a concentration in homiletics. Impressively, he completed his program in 3 years. His background is pastoring, yet he is relying on God for ministry placement now that he has completed his master’s. Currently, he is employed at DTS and thrives at Lake Cities Community Church in Rowlett, Texas, as a pastor.

Lisa Wilson is the heart of the Wilson family. She and Forrest have another son studying at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. The family hopes that he will enter DTS upon graduating. Lisa is a student in the MACL program and is employed at Criswell College around the corner from the DTS campus. Her ministry is being a mother and wife, working alongside her husband in ministry.

Autumn Wilson is the daughter of Forrest and Lisa. She is a ThM student who is spunky, humble; and has a heart for children. Autumn represents the average age of the Dallas campus student body and is blessed to have the immediate support and covering of her parents as she journeys through Seminary. A few years behind her father, she happily gleaned textbooks and notes from him as they went through the ThM program together.

Autumn is walking in faith and trusting in God for her assignment upon graduation. Until then, she lives a peaceful, stable, and happy life with her parents as a DTS student and staff member.

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REBECCA WALTON Editor of DTS Magazine // DT S MAG A Z INE SU M M E R 2 021

The Forgotten Ministry: The Influence of Our Grandparents by: dr. pete deison

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s Christian leaders, we are often made painfully aware of the culture’s drift away from the church Christ came to build. Not only the culture as a whole, but even our own younger generations have become known as the “nones” —those who claim no affiliation with God’s family. How did this happen, with all the faithful preaching, vast resources, seminars, and conferences available? It happened when we forgot the ministry of passing on our faith from one generation to the next; this is not new. We all remember the sad passage “... another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” ( Judg 2:10).

According to 2 Tim. 2:2 we are to be equipped to pass on our faith; however, I want to focus on one very important yet forgotten ministry: the ministry of grandparents. They are the last line of ministry to the next generation. Grandparents play a strategic role that parents cannot, one that is assumed in God’s command, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deut 4:9).

Notice the command is not just to your children but to your grandchildren.

Recently, at a pastors meeting, my wife and I heard about the significance of equipping grandparents. We pondered about the power of being an “intentional Christian grandparent.” I am a grandparent, and I am a Christian. I want to influence my grandchildren for Christ, but I realized how ill-equipped I was

at being an intentional Christian grandparent. Why? Because I allowed culture to divert my focus; I also discovered I was not alone.

Research shows that three out of four Christian grandparents believe something other than discipling their grandchildren is more important. Dr. Josh Mulvihill (author of Biblical Grandparenting) says the message of culture today is that the priority of grandparents is to encourage, support, and be friends with their grandchildren. They do not consider themselves as significant spiritual influencers in their grandchildren’s lives.

Mulvihill says Christian grandparents fall into four types: • • • •

Biblical: intentional Cultural: doting, supportive Blocked: discouraged, frustrated Unequipped: unsure how, unaware of tools

My wife and I have nineteen grandchildren. We are in a second marriage after losing our first mates, so we brought together five daughters and sons-in-law with their children. We are experiencing many circumstances, such as distance grandparenting, blended family grandparenting (a remarriage), and age range grandparenting, nine to twenty-one. Intentional Christian grandparenting is not a one-size-fits-all process.

You must understand your role, how to work with different personalities, and especially how to use your time purposefully. Loving and supporting our grandkids comes easy, but VOICE.DT S .E DU /M AG A Z IN E DA LLA S TH E O LO G ICA L SE MI N ARY

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touching their hearts is a challenge. It is much more than taking them to church or saying grace at the table. You need two kinds of wisdom; wisdom that God gives in His Word and wisdom we have gained by living with and without His Word. The wisdom God provides comes from reading and reflecting on His truth (Ps 77:11–12). It also comes from praying and asking ( Jas 1:5). Wisdom from life takes thought and prayer as well.

When we stand before God one day, He will ask us what wisdom did you gain as you walked on earth (Ps 90:12). It is this wisdom we are to pass on to our children and children’s children. It is when a grandfather says, “Let me tell you where I made a mistake or wished I had done differently.” that little ear perks up, questions get asked, and truth gets imbedded.

As grandparents, we have a unique position of influence in our families. We are only one step removed from the parents’ role of authority and respect, which makes us one step closer to safety for questions and influence. A simple first step is to share our faith story.

Yet there is an even wider position of influence and ministry for the kingdom of God. It is estimated there are approximately seventy-five million grandparents in America. Research enables us to estimate there are about thirty m illion C hristian grandparents. If there is an average of 4 grandchildren per grandparent, that means we have the potential of influencing one-hundred and twenty million children for Christ! That is enough to change the next generation completely. Church leaders need to capitalize on this resource. Yet few if any, churches have a focus on that incredible potential. It is a forgotten ministry opportunity.

All churches have the stair-step ministries: children, youth, college/career, marriage and families, then something for the elderly. Yet this is where it stops. There is little offered for those 60–80, and this is often when they step out of leadership. They have money and time; but we as the church have not given them a vision for their stage in life. A grandparent ministry could totally revitalize some churches (Ps 71:18). There is much to gain from generational teaching (Ps 78:3–8).

I wasn’t aware of many resources and platforms that addressed this niche ministry. Recently I learn about Legacy Coalition. I believe it is a God-ordained ministry purposed to answer this question: How do we reimagine the forgotten ministry of our grandparents? Legacy Coalition offers seminars and resourc-es to help jump-start such ministries. Reigniting passion for the biblical mandate to be intentional Christian grandparents is their goal. If you are interested in more information and resources, contact: legacycoalition.com and/or Pete Deison at pete.deison@pcpc.org.

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Book Excerpt

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ccording to the testimony of Scripture, man in his present human form was created by God as the conclusion and con­summation of all creation. Of man it is said that he was made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26) and that God breathed into him the breath of life (Gen 2:7). These distinc­ tions classify man above all other forms of life, which are upon the earth and indicate that man is a mortal creature with intel­ lect, capacity for feeling, and a will.

Speaking generally, man’s creation included that which was material (“the dust”) and immaterial (“the breath of life”). This two-fold distinction is referred to as “outward man” and “inward man” (2 Cor 4:16); “the earthen vessel” and “this treasure” (2 Cor 4:7). While the soul and spirit of man are represented as continuing forever, the body returns to the dust from which it was formed, and the spirit goes to God who gave it (Eccl 12:7). Accordingly, people can kill the body but not kill the soul (Matt 10:28).

When considering the immaterial part of man, Scripture some­ times uses various terms interchangeably (cp. Gen. 41:8 with Ps 42:6; Matt 20:28 with 27:50; John 12:27 with 13:21; Heb 12:23 with Rev 6:9), even applying these terms to God (Isa 42:1; Jer 9:9; Heb 10:38) and to animals (Eccl 3:21; Rev 16: 3). Sometimes the spirit and soul of man are distin­guished (1 Thess 5:23; Heb 4: 12).

Although the highest functions of the immaterial part of man are sometimes attributed to the spirit and sometimes to the soul (Mark 8:36-37; 12:30; Luke 1:46; Heb 6:18-19; Jas 1:21), the spirit is usually mentioned in Scriptures as that part of man which is capable of contemplating God, and the soul is that part of man which is related to self and the various functions of the intellect, sensibilities, and will of man.

Other terms, however, are also used of man’s immaterial na­ ture such as the heart (Exod 7:23; Ps 37:4; Rom 9:2; 10:9-10; Eph 3:17; Heb 4:7). Another term used is that of the mind of man, either in reference to the sinfulness of the mind of the unsaved man (Rom 1:28; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 4:17-18; Titus 1:15), or to the renewed mind which a Christian possesses (Matt 22:37; Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph 5:17). Other expressions such as “will” and “conscience” also refer to the immaterial part of man.

The Nature of Man LEWIS SPERRY CHAFER difficulty in accounting for the sinfulness of man. Probably the best view, known as the traducian theory, is that the soul and the spirit were propagated by natural generation, and for this reason, man receives a sinful soul and spirit because his parents are sinful.

The human body of man is the abode of man’s soul and spirit until he dies. Although it decays upon death, it is subject to resurrection.

This is true both for the saved and for the unsaved, although the resurrections are different.

Sometimes the body is referred to as “flesh” (Col 2:1, 5) and is used of the body of Christ (1 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 3:18). Other times it refers to the sin nature, which includes the soul and spirit, as in Paul’s state­ment that he had “crucified the flesh” (Gal 5:24). Accordingly, flesh should not be considered synonymous with the body in all passages, as it may denote the whole, unregenerate man.

The bodies of saved persons are declared to be “temples” (John 2:21; 1 Cor 6:19; Phil 1:20), although at the same time their bodies are considered “earthen vessels” (2 Cor 4:7), “vile” bodies (Phil 3: 21), bodies to be mortified (Rom 8:13; Col. 3:5), and bodies which have to be kept under and brought into subjection (1 Cor 9:27). The bodies of the saved will be trans­ formed, sanctified, saved, and redeemed, and finally glorified forever at the coming of Christ for His church (Rom 8: 11, 17-18, 23; 1 Cor 6:13-20; Phil 3:20-21). Jesus Christ possessed a perfect human body before His death, and after His resurrec­tion had a body of flesh and bone that is the pattern of the believer’s resurrection body. The term “body” is also used as a figure of the church as the body of Christ and of which Christ is the head.

Because of the variety of terms which sometimes are used in the similar sense and sometimes in contrast to each other, many have considered the division of man into material and immaterial as the basic division; but even here expressions like “soul” and “spirit” are sometimes used of the whole man including his body.

The immaterial origin of man’s nature is held by some pagan re­ligions to be preexistent, that is, to have existed eternally and only becoming incarnated at the beginning of human existence; this is not supported by Scripture. Another view offered by some evangelical theologians is that the soul is created by God at the beginning of individual human existence; this theory has

Excerpt from Major Bible Themes (Zondervan Publishing House) by Lewis S. Chafer ( DTS Founder and President 1924 - 1952). Used with permission.

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DTS 2021 GRADUATION

Legacy Graduates Alex Gonzales (PhD, 2012)

Scott Neese (ThM, 1981)

Doug Meyerdick (MABS, 1987)

Legacy:

Legacy:

Legacy:

Alex Gonzales (MBTS, 2021) (l)

Brooks Neese (ThM, 2021) (m)

Michael Meyerdick (MACM, 2021) (r)

Montague Mills (ThM, 1978)

Scott McDonald (MACM, 2004)

Mark Hitchcock (ThM, 1991)

Legacy:

Legacy:

Legacy:

Diann Addison (MBTS, 2021) (r)

Riley McDonald (MBTS, 2021) (r)

Sam Hitchcock (ThM, 2021) (l)

Dallas Theological Seminary congratulates all of our 2021 legacy graduates.

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

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ALUMNI NEW RELEASES

JOHN ELMORE ThM, 2011

“In Freedom Starts Today, John Elmore makes a huge promise to the addicted: You can be free from your struggle, and much sooner than you may think.

Through easily digestible readings grounded in Scripture and the practice of daily surrender, Elmore shows you how to break the cycle of addiction, make war against sin, and find your identity in who you are and not the shame of what you have done, one day at a time.” - Amazon

DR. TONY EVANS ThD, 1982

“Kingdom Men Rising challenges men to foster personal discipleship and apply discipleship skills and a leadership mindset to all areas of life. Dr. Tony Evans brings his insights, stories, and wise counsel from God’s Word to clear all obstacles in your path, leading you to the abundant life you’ve been called to live. And along the way, you’ll find your heart stirred to reach for more, no longer settling for a faith that just goes through the motions.

The life of King David is used as the book’s foundation, and topics include overcoming temptation, restoration from sin, how to disciple others, and finally how to leave a legacy of faith and godly influence.”

- Amazon

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I

grew up in a Christian home, and my parents took great care to help me and my siblings to learn, understand, and live according to the Scriptures. We regularly attended a sound, Bible-teaching church. Mom and Dad sacrificed to send us to Christian school. They encouraged me to attend Bible college, where I majored in Bible and pastoral studies, and to go on from there to pursue seminary training.

It was not until later I realized—despite all those years of training—very little was taught about money and the theology of money. Yes, I learned about the tithe, about giving, and about some basic principles of saving, budgeting, and avoiding debt.

I was familiar with Larry Burkett, Dave Ramsey, and others who taught on the topic. I listened to their teaching and read their books to drink in all I could. But my paradigm was flawed. Perhaps like yours.

Because I enjoy the topic of money, I entered the field of financial planning. I pursued training and eventually earned designations as a Certified Financial Planner™, a Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Chartered Life Underwriter®. I

and services designed exclusively for those whose value system includes generous giving. It helps them to give more efficiently and in ways they had never imagined.

Tom told me that they were looking to hire someone in my area to work with them. And the two most important qualifications for the role were … (wait for it!) … pastoral training and a financial planning background. The reason is that they viewed their staff members as “financial pastors.”

Never would I have imagined that there would be one role that would utilize these two seemingly unrelated fields of training that had defined my life. It was an answer to prayer. Of course, I said yes.

As soon as I started, intense training began. Despite my knowledge of financial planning, I required additional education, as it is a highly specialized field. Not only was there technical training, but there was biblical training as well—refreshing, eye-opening training!

My Paradigm Shift

Viewing Money through God's Eyes

by: SCOTT TALBOT loved the work. However, I felt I was devoting my life to helping people with temporal needs and making very little impact for eternity. I felt I had missed God’s calling. Surely, He had prepared me for something more significant! But I did not know what that was.

So I prayed. For years I prayed. I said to God, if He had something else in mind for me, I would do it. But I had no idea what that was. So, I asked Him to show me. I prayed, “If you must write it in the sky for me to understand, please do that. Somehow, please show me!” And then one day, He did—as clear as if it were written in the sky.

I was attending my best friend’s wedding and enjoying the reception afterward. I struck up a conversation with an acquaintance, Tom, who is also a friend of the groom. As we chatted casually, he asked me how things were going, and I shared with him my struggle. He dug further to better understand my heart. And then he made a wild proposal. “Why don’t you come work with us?”

Tom was the executive director of a foundation for a large Christian ministry. He explained the nature of their work.

“Planned giving” is the term often used to describe this work.

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Tom introduced me to Ray Lyne, who was to become a valued friend and mentor. Ray challenged me to develop a biblical philosophy of money, giving, and fundraising. He showed me Scripture passages, asked me thought-provoking questions, and primed the pump with unique insights that I had never really considered. This led me to question my previous assumptions and radically changed the way I view and understand this topic.

Thus began a journey of searching the Scriptures and seeking to understand God’s perspective on the matter. I am learning to view this issue through God’s eyes, which has led to an important paradigm shift. Let’s uncover some of the key principles in Scripture that address the area of finances.

Old Paradigm – Spiritually Neutral From the time I was a child, I understood the importance of giving to God and to God’s work. The principle of the tithe can be seen throughout the Bible, and that was my guide for my giving. I believed that the money I placed in the offering plate on Sunday morning was God’s portion. Everything else belonged to me, and I could do with it whatever I wanted.

As I read books and heard from teachers, I learned that there

are a handful of principles in the Bible intended to help me manage my money. These include saving for the future, avoiding debt, paying taxes, and working diligently to earn a paycheck. If I managed my money well, I could receive greater enjoyment of my money. It was all about me.

And where did the 90 percent—my portion—fit into my spiritual life? Did God care about that? I assumed that there were certain things that God cared about: prayer, church attendance, reading the Bible, and morality. I also believed there were certain things that were spiritually neutral. I wondered if God really cared about things like life insurance, writing a will, and the amount of money I spend on groceries.

Scripture What does the Bible say? First, it is clear that God made everything. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” ( John 1:3). “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16).

It is also true that God is the source of all good things—our provider. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” ( James 1:17). Even the money we work hard to earn ultimately comes from God. “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deut 8:17-18).

Further, the Bible teaches us that God owns everything. Everything! Even after it is placed into our hands. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Ps 24:1).

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours … Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you” (I Chr 29:11,16).

New Paradigm – Spiritually Engaging These are foundational truths that allow us to see the financial arena of our lives in a brand-new way. Rather than seeing our finances (the portion that we keep after we give God “His portion”) as being spiritually neutral, we discover that it is an important segment of our lives in which we can engage with God! Knowing that it all belongs to God allows us to welcome God into our financial lives! We have the opportunity to walk with God, even in this sector of life that we may have previously overlooked.

Stewardship is often interpreted as giving. Giving does not make one a steward. Giving is something a steward does. But

stewardship is about much more than giving. It is about understanding that God owns it all. It is about managing it in a way that honors Him. A friend once asked to borrow my car for a few days. When he returned it, I found that he had filled the gas tank, washed and detailed the car inside and out, and even made several necessary repairs. Because it was my car—not his—he took great care to show his respect for the vehicle and his appreciation to me.

He treated the vehicle better than if it were his own. He cared for the car because he acknowledged my ownership of the car.

That is stewardship.

Knowing that it all comes from God and it all belongs to God informs us that everything we do with God’s money has spiritual implications. Everything! As His stewards, we have the privilege of managing God’s resources according to His heart, His agenda, and in a way that honors Him. Ask yourself, “What would Jesus do if He had my paycheck, my bank account, my home, and my investments?” What would that look like if you began viewing “your money” as God’s money, and yourself as a steward rather than an owner?

What did Jesus say is His number one competitor? Is it Satan?

No. It is money! He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Mt 6:24). The flesh tempts us to view money and that which money can buy as the focus of our worship. This replaces our worship of God and pushes Him out of the picture, putting money in its place. Conversely, we have a wonderful and very practical opportunity to worship God in our finances by making Him the object of our worship over and above money.

As we invite God into the financial arena of our lives, the process becomes one of listening to God so that we can manage His resources for His glory. Thereby, we demonstrate our worship of Him. Enoch walked with God. We can do the same. And the reward will be one of highest praise from our Master: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25:21).

Do you view finances as a divided ownership or all-encompassing God-ownership? Do you have a spiritually neutral mindset or spiritually engaging lifestyle?

Conclusion “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom12:2).

I invite you to shift your paradigm. Let God’s Word guide your thoughts and actions so that you can view the world through God’s eyes and live your life according to His principles. May this be true in the area of your finances. May this be true in every area of your life.

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Alumni Connection In Memory

Howard Prier (1949) died December 25, 2020. He served in World War II aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Lexington. After his discharge, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary.

Although Howard worked until retirement as an engineer, his first love was serving the Lord. He was one of the founders of Believers Chapel in Dallas and is remembered by family and friends for his steadfast commitment to the Lord and for his love and study of God's Word.

Roy Green (ThM, 1954) passed away November 18, 2020.

Robert C. Jones, Sr. (1955) died December 10, 2020. He served for years in various pastoral roles but devoted a majority of his time at London Baptist Church for 28 years. After retirement, Bob continued to serve as an interim pastor for many churches, continually serving the Lord.

Ralph Richardson (ThM, 1955) died March 21, 2020. Ralph pastored the Campbellton Church for over ten years, built The Church of the Open Door, and helped start Bible Alive Ministries. He served as president and professor at Carolina Bible College for over twenty years. His dedication to the Word of God and determination to build, whether as a carpenter or as a minister, marks his ministry.

Neil Ashcraft (ThM, 1958) passed away January 9, 2021. Neil served for four years with The Evangelical Alliance Mission in Paris before returning to the states and pastoring Millbrae Baptist Church. In 1970, Neil became the pastor of Scofield Memorial Church where he served for over twenty-five years. He loved mentoring others, playing golf, and watching sports.

Bobby Henley (1958) died February 5, 2021. Bobby pastored at many country churches across Mississippi. When he was not pastoring, he was farming or working at U.S. Electrical Motors. He loved his work and would share the gospel and sing whenever he was able.

Alfred Lawrence (ThM, 1958) died December 16, 2020. Al served in the Army during World War II and later attended DTS. He pastored five churches across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia and was pastor emeritis of Dry Run Christian Church

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in the Fort Valley. His passion was to teach the Scriptures with clarity and help others grow in their knowledge of the Word.

at First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX. He also served as the president of the Living Program Foundation in Bullard, Texas.

George Miller (ThM, 1959) died January 20, 2021.

Bud Hopkins (ThM, 1966; ThD, 1980) passed away January 6, 2021. Bud pastored a church in California before serving as the Chair of Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

He would later be the founding dean of the MBI Graduate School. He loved the outdoors and being with his family.

Bob Delnay (ThD, 1963) (pictured above) passed away June 14, 2020. Dr. Delnay taught at Baptist School of Theology, Denver Baptist Theological Seminary, Piedmont Bible College, Denver Baptist Bible College, Central Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary, Columbia Bible College and as the founding dean of Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. He was known as a passionate teacher, a caring pastor, and a faithful missionary in Haiti.

Paige L West Jr. (ThM, 1964) died January 2, 2021. Paige was married to Priscilla, whom he loved joyfully and cared for faithfully for their 54 years together. Paige loved studying God’s Word and was a member of Church of the Open Door. He also enjoyed golf and many kinds of music.

Ben Bravenec (ThM, 1965) (pictured above) died November 10, 2020. Ben graduated with a BA in Business Administration from the University of Houston and went on to receive his Masters in Greek from DTS. He served as a comptroller for Projects American Corporation until his retirement in 2014. He was always involved in churches, starting a few Bible churches and pastoring at Sandy Point Bible Church for over two decades.

Thomas McCall (ThD, 1965) died January 28, 2021. Tom was a dedicated scholar and heavily involved in Jewish outreach. He published both articles and books frequently and was ordained to preach by Dr. W.A. Criswell

Bill Wilder (1967) died August 2020.

He served in Managua, Nicaragua, with Central American Mission, helping build a Bible college and support local churches. After returning from the mission field, he worked with the Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority for twenty-two years. After retirement, he continued his ministry as an associate pastor and in prison ministry.

Duane Olson (ThM, 1973) (pictured above) died January 5, 2021. Duane and his wife Jane served as missionaries in Denmark and Portugal with Greater European Mission. After returning to the US, Duane served as the Pastor of Adult Ministries at Faith Church.

He volunteered wherever he was able and spent his free time drinking coffee, fishing, and reading. He will be remembered for his love of the Lord.

Clement Walchshauser (ThM, 1974) died January 15, 2021. Clem pastored many churches over his life and helped plant Montgomery Community Church in Gaithersburg, MD and Three Rivers Church in Plainfield, IL. He preached with a joyfully uncommon fervor and passion. His love for music was only rival by his love of Christ and family.

Harv Freiz (ThM, 1976) died December 17, 2020. Harv has pastored for over forty years at First Baptist Durham and Community Bible Church. After retiring, he served as a minister at the Minnehaha County Jail and led weekly Bible studies. He enjoyed reading, Bible studies, doing puzzles, playing

games with his family, and developing relationships with people.

Philip Johnson (ThM, 1979) passed away February 10, 2021. Phil served as the director of the DTS library and later went on to be the library director at Multnomah University.

Fred C. Hyde (ThM, 1981) passed away December 27, 2020.

Larry Pilkington (ThM, 1983) passed away December 31, 2020. Larry and his wife, Shirley, worked many years as church planters in Texas, Kansas, and Idaho. He was very involved with missionary work and served shortterm in Russian, Venezuela, Taiwan, and India. He pastored Emmanuel Bible Church for twenty-four years.

Joe David Cook (MABS, 1984) passed away October 17, 2020. He served as pastor at several churches over the years, including Friendship Baptist Church in Killen, AL and Faith Baptist Chapel in Napoleon, MI.

Mike Hall (ThM, 1984) (pictured above) passed away on December 28, 2019. He was an energetic and tireless servant of the Lord. Mike spent his life as a bi-vocational minister. He worked with children in Texas, California, South Carolina, and Florida through Sunday school, Awana, WinShape Camps, and Kids Bible Club. He will be remembered to all that loved him as “Mr. Mike.” He also was a board member and participated in the Cadence Military Victory Ranch ministry in South Carolina. He retired from his job in 2012 and became the full time Children’s Pastor of Radiant Life Church in South Carolina. In 2016 he retired to Florida. In 2017 he became the Children’s Director and started a ministry to seniors at Live Oak Church in Navarre.

Robert Harp (ThM, 1985) died July 18, 2020. Bob served as the Executive Director of the Office of Innovation at Biola University, with a mission to foster Christ-honoring innovation and entrepreneurship worldwide. Bob was well-loved and respected by all he met.

Warner Coppinger (MACE, 1987) passed away in October 2020.

passion to see the men of the Colony of Mercy set free from alcohol and drug addictions.

Steven Kerr (ThM, 1990) died August 30, 2020. Steve served on various roles throughout his life, including several pastoral roles, a management position at Starbucks, and ending as a mail carrier with the US Post Office.

Russell Haws (1992) died February 10, 2021. Rusty served as a pastor at multiple churches and as a missionary around the world. He was on the boards of Evangel Seminary and Eukarya Christian Academy. He was known for his deep love of fellowship and mentorship.

John Ebert (1998) passed away September 20, 2020. John worked as a psychologist and was a member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church. He loved studying God’s Word and biblical archeology.

Timothy Edward Tinsley (MABS, 2001) (pictured above) passed away January 30, 2021. Tim attended Wheaton College and Dallas Theological Seminary where he worked as an associate pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. After DTS, Tim moved to Chattanooga, TN to serve as the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church. He was known for his fervent love of the gospel, his love of sports, and his tireless service to his community.

James Heinrich (ThM, 2002) passed away September 4, 2020.

George Niemann (ThM, 2007) passed away December 12, 2020. George worked for over 35 years with Texas Instruments and earned the title of TI Fellow. After retiring, George attended Dallas Theological Seminary and taught at Wilshire Baptist Church and First baptist Church Dallas. Though George was a man of few words, when he did speak, his words were worth hearing. He walked with the Lord all his life, demonstrating integrity, humility, grace, and dignity and providing a godly example to everyone who knew him.

Rudolf Alexander (MABS, 2006; MACE, 2008) (pictured above) passed away October 2, 2020. Rudolf was the pastor of His Hands Community Bible Fellowship Church in Temple Terrance, FL. He was passionate about golf and loved studying eschatology.

Lin Bowman (ThM, 2016) passed away December 17, 2020. After serving in the Air Force for twenty years, Lin attended and graduated from DTS. From there, he worked at Sight and Sound Theatres. Lin enjoyed woodworking, tinkering, going to the shooting range, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Terry Busker (ThM, 2017) passed away December 20, 2020. He worked in various capacities leading up to Area Manager at Premium Standard Farms until 2012. Terry and his family moved to Allen, Texas in 2012 where he then attended Dallas Theological Seminary and graduated with a ThM in 2016. He then served as pastor of Faith Family Church from April of 2017 to December of 2020. Terry was a servant leader, known for his compassion for others, and support of this community. Terry enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, coaching baseball, watching community sporting events, and singing karaoke.

Updates: 1950s Ruth Raws passed away February 1, 2021. She and her husband, Bill Raws (ThM, 1950), met in Wheaton College. After finishing there, the two moved down to Dallas to study at Dallas Theological Seminary. After graduation, they moved to America’s Keswick where Bill and Ruth directed America's Keswick Bible Conference and Colony of Mercy for over 50 years.

Ruth was well known for her love of crafts, her teaching water aerobics at the Keswick pool, her homemade root beer and blueberry pie, and her incomparable chicken barbecues each week during the summer conference season. She was involved in many aspects of the Keswick ministry over the years and always had a deep

Janet Edman Beverage passed away December 3, 2020. She and her husband, John M. Beverage (ThM, 1953), were highly involved at DTS with John serving as the director of admissions in the 1970s. After serving as missionaries in Guatemala, they were both active in Reinhardt Bible Church in Dallas until their retirement. They enjoyed twenty years of retirement together until John passed away in 2011.

1960s On December 17, 2020, Betty Mae Horton Cheshire passed away.

She was the beloved wife of Ray L. Cheshire (ThM, 1960). Betty worked full-time and served as the Chairman of the Student Wives Fellowship while her husband attended DTS. She was known for her faithful service as a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, church secretary, Awana leader, women’s ministry leader, and director of VBS. Her work ethic and servant heart were impeccable and her influence will continue to ripple down for years to come.

Shirley Bryan, the wife of the late chaplain Bill Bryan (ThM, 1962) passed away December 31, 2021.

Carl McConchie (ThM, 1962) published Searching for the True Bottom Line: The Normal Life According to the Epistles.

Dinny (Virginia Reeves) Vishanoff, the beloved wife of Steve Vishanoff (ThM, 1962), died December 19, 2020.

She and Steve served as missionaries in North Africa where she served in the literature ministry. Dinny is remembered by her faithfulness to Christ and compassion.

Sandra Sunde passed away January 10, 2021. She was the beloved wife of David Sunde (ThM, 1964).

Dan Norwood (ThM, 1966) retired in 2020 from his chaplaincy work, but is still active and enjoys connecting with his former classmates.

Will and Hildegard Moir (1967) (pictured top of corresponding column) visited their daughter and her family

during COVID-19. They enjoyed interacting with their grand-twins!

Wilbur Pickering (ThM, 1968) published the third edition of The Greek New Testament According to Family 35.

Mary Elaine Kaufman passed away December 21, 2020. She was the wife of Russel L. Kaufman (ThM, 1969) and served alongside him at Grace Bible Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Fellowship Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona. She loved rollerblading, teaching Sunday school, and playing the accordion.

1970s Hal Thomas (ThM, 1970) retired as pastor emeritus. While he is retired, he continues to serve in some capacity in the IT department of Rocky Bayou Christian School, which he co-founded in 1973. The school has grown from 22 students to over 800. His wife of 62 years, Betty, passed away in October 2020.

In December 2020, Larry Miller (ThM, 1971; DMin, 1996) published Roman Catholics: Saved or Lost? and What’s a Christian to Do in Chaotic Times?

Richard Polcyn (ThM, 1971) lost his wife, Marge, in August of 2020 after a wonderful marriage of 64 years.

Richard is hoping to write more of his life journey with Christ soon.

Carol and Rick Calenberg (ThM, 1972) have not been able to minister in Liberia, but they purchased a home near their daughters stateside. When they are cleared to return overseas, they will continue serving with Evangelical Seminary of West Africa.

Bill Connell (ThM, 1973) temporarily served as Associate Pastor at Grace Bible Church in Southgate, MI after having served fifteen years as Senior Pastor.

Craig Prather (ThM, 1973; DMin, 1999) took on additional responsibility with Avant’s Global Engagement Team, assisting four Argentinian pastors as

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Alumni Connection they develop their discipleship and missions processes.

Don Hawkins (ThM, 1974) continues to serve with Encouragement Communications as president. Their listener duration has increased significantly since the beginning of COVID-19 and they are grateful for the Lord’s provision of supporters and workers in their ministry.

Mike Longden (ThM, 1974) celebrates forty-five years of marriage this year and has continued serving as the chaplain at Wheat State Manor in Whitewater, KS.

Al and Billie Nucciarone (ThM, 1978) continue to serve with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Israel and pastors Jerusalem Baptist Church.

development at Central Pacific District of the C&MA. Previously, Mike had served in various pastoral roles for about forty years.

Jerry Pattillo (ThM, 1978) retired from Northwest Bible Church in November 2018 and now serves as a missionary to train pastors in a restricted country in Asia.

Doug Tiffin (ThM, 1980) began his fourth year serving as the president of Dallas International University. TIU is offering a new MA in Translation Advising for this coming year.

Beth and Daryl Thompson (ThM, 1978) moved to Missouri after Daryl retired from his role as district superintendent for the Northern Plains District with the EFCA.

Tom Esehak (ThM, 1981) celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in 2020 with his wife, Judith.

Lucille Klaassen passed away October 28, 2019 after an eight year battle with cancer. She served alongside Doyle (1975) with The Evangelical Alliance Mission until 2015.

Bruce Main (ThM, 1975) retired in September 2020 after serving eleven years in healthcare chaplaincy and thirty-four years as a senior pastor.

Steven J. Cole (ThM, 1976) published a collection of eleven short biographies in Great Christians You Should Know.

He continues to pastor Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California.

Dennis Rainey (MABS, 1976) ended his career as a radio host, speaker and writer with FamilyLife Ministry. After serving in ministry for over forty years, he and his wife, Barbara, are enjoying their retirement.

Gary Abney (ThM, 1978) retired after serving in various leadership and coaching roles with Leading Ways, Marketplace Chaplains, and Eagle Center for Leadership.

Imanuel Christian (ThM, 1978) is producing original Bible commentaries and devotional books in Gujarati, one of the major languages of India, and is involved in teaching and preaching ministries.

Stephen Haymond (ThM, 1978) and his daughter Amy travelled to Nicaragua as part of a team of drivers delivering Jesus curriculum to the public schools there. The ministry sponsor is Project Jesus for Children, which is based in Costa Rica with offices in Canada and the US. They worked with a missionary and his family, alongside a number of dedicated Nicaraguan workers.

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Lois and Virgil Reeves (ThM, 1979) (pictured above '78 - '20) transitioned out of their full-time roles with Crossworld at the end of 2020. They served from 1978 to 2020 in various ministries in France. They established an FM Christian radio station, planted a church, and started a women’s Bible study.

1980s Paul Birmingham (ThM, 1980) retired as Protestant Chaplain of the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, Ohio, after 32 years of service in February 2021.

Barbara and Bill Boggess (ThM, 1980) are celebrating their new grandson, Reza. They have been able to provide computer and projection equipment for video conferencing in Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and Congo (DRC) through Equipping Leaders International, Inc. Bob Glahn (ThM, 1980) is celebrating five years serving in Ethiopia with EastWest Ministries International, training leaders to make disciples among the 33 million unreached population.

John McCullough (ThM, 1980) retired after serving as senior pastor of Red Rocks Fellowship for twenty years and after over thirty years of ministry.

Michael Mitchum (ThM, 1980) retired from his role as director of leadership

Philip Powers (ThM, 1981; PhD, 1995) published Your Glory: a Biblical Study to help believers identify and understand the key words and phrases the biblical authors used to describe the unfathomable glory of God. J. Paul Tanner (ThM, 1981) is cofounder and academic dean of the Arab Center for Biblical Studies. ACBS has developed an online platform in Arabic for training believers through the Arab world. Recently, Paul published a commentary on the book of Daniel for the Evangelical Exegetical Commentary series.

Mark Young (ThM, 1981) published One True Story, One True God with Discovery House Publishers. He is continuing his service as the president of Denver Seminary.

Gary and Terri Camlin (ThM, 1982) continue serving at the Portuguese Bible Institute. This year, their enrollment has tripled. Their annual Bible Conference shifted online, but the conference still had an incredible impact, even being featured in a TV broadcast.

What does archeology have to do with theology? According to Archeology and the Bible, Patrick Hunt (MABS, 1982) argues that an understanding of archeology and its related sciences can enrich both the context and understanding of the Bible, exemplified through ten biblical passages.

Drew Williams (ThM, 1982) retired from working at Dallas Theological Seminary as the director of housing & relocation services after twenty-five years in that role.

Daryl Wilson (ThM, 1982) retired from the pastorate and is now serving as an interim pastor in Texas.

JoAnn and Tom Doyle (MABS, 1983) trace the stories of incredible women who are leading their husbands and families to Christ across the Middle East and the Muslim world in Women Who Risk.

Bill Henry (ThM, 1983) retired in May 2020 from classroom teaching after 38 years, primarily in Christian schools in Ohio and Maryland. During that span, he also started three soccer programs while also coaching basketball and baseball. In addition, Bill began the drama department at Heartland Christian School in Columbiana where he directed over 20 plays.

After more than three decades in Christian school leadership in the States and Vietnam, Dana and Joe Neff (ThM, 1983) now work from the TeachBeyond Global Centre in the UK caring for TeachBeyond schools and programs globally. TeachBeyond is a mission that uses transformational education. They are blessed to work with amazing people in some hard places and to see God changing lives.

Don Samdahl (ThM, 1983) published The New Testament Study Bible: Bible Doctrine Version. Don includes exegetical insights and explanatory notes to help readers understand the text.

In 2017, Frank W.R. Benoit (MABS, 1984; DMin, 2009) published Not by Ignorance in Spain, and the work has recently been translated and published in the United States. This highly readable and accessible book is for Christians who are looking to understand cessationism without getting caught up in the academic debates and contention that normally follow.

Kurt and Pat Nelson (ThM, 1984) lost their grandson Jackson Bates in October 2020 after a two-year battle with diffuse midline glioma. His celebration of life emphasized the hope that believers have in Christ.

Continued prayers for the family are appreciated.

Peter M. Wallace (ThM, 1984) cultivated devotions and sermons for his new work, Bread Enough for All. Carol and Gene Pond (ThM, 1985; PhD, 2001) are serving more in their church's music and adult Sunday school ministries. During the Oregon fires, they were able to remain in

their homes and only lost electricity for a few days while many of their neighbors had to evacuate and many of their friends lost their homes.

Jeffrey Watson (DMin, 1985) published From the Christmas Cradle to the Crimson Cross, a collection of twenty watercolors for Advent and Easter.

Douglas and Lisa Baker (ThM, 1986) started Live My Potential, a life coaching service aimed at helping people discover and develop their God-given potential.

Mike Chouinard (ThM, 1986) retired from a teaching ministry at Calaveras High School, where he taught physics for six years. Now he is moving to a rural community to farm and reach the farmers, start a small church, and start a food ministry.

Emmitt Cornelius Jr. (ThM, 1986) published Breaking the Silence: A Faith Response to the Racializing of Abortion in America. Analyzing the disproportionate number of abortions in black communities, Dr. Cornelius considers the issue with concern to biblical justice and human dignity.

Stan Maughan (ThM, 1986; DMin, 2012) is currently serving as one of the pastors at Calvary Church in Lancaster, PA. He also enjoys leading trips to Israel, serving as a guest teacher at His Hill Bible School in Comfort, TX, and spending time with his growing family (16 people and climbing). He recently built a backyard pond in the scaled dimensions of the Sea of Galilee, complete with the Jordan River, Arbel Cliffs, Mount of Beatitudes, Lake Huleh, and even Banias falls!

Ruben Martinez (ThM, 1987) selfpublished his first book, In Search of Faith, to challenge readers to fully consider the object of faith amid this fallen world.

Wesley Ooms (MABS, 1987) stepped down on March 1, 2021 as Lead Pastor of Community Bible Fellowship in El Paso, Illinois, a church he and his wife, Norma, planted more than 31 years ago. They will now make their home in Central Arkansas, and plug in to a local church as well as continue in ministry teaching Perspectives on the World Christian Movement as well as training national pastors and teaching abroad as the opportunities arise.

David Turner (ThM, 1987) is enjoying his semi-retirement with golf and family time. He continues his work as a personal physical training on the side.

1990s By examining the life-on-life discipleship of Jesus, Waldie Neufeld (ThM, 1990) challenges the traditional discipleship model in favor of a messier and intentional process in his new book, Teaching Stones of Love: Jesus’ Model of Disciple-Making.

Vince and Lori Burke (MABS, 1991) continue their ministry in the Philippines. Vince has taught over Zoom for Christ Commission Fellowship twice a week and has seen a dramatic rise in views, reaching over 32,000 people.

Mike Cunningham (ThM, 1991) continues his work with Entrusting Truth, a ministry which focuses on equipping fathers to lead their families in the Word of God. This is accomplished through half day or 10week seminars meeting once a week.

The ministry expanded overseas to Trinidad and Tobago, Liberia, Uganda, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Togo, and Ethiopia. In these countries the emphasis has been equipping pastors, pastoral students, church planters, and some lay leaders to study the Word independently.

Gary Woodson (ThM, 1992) wrote a children’s book based on the true story of how two stray dogs ended up under his care. Morgan James Kids published Gary’s book, Canine Heaven, in March, 2021.

David Love (ThM, 1994) and his ministry were unexpectedly able to supply Spanish Bibles and other books to a family who works with churches in Mexico at the beginning of COVID-19 shutdowns. He is looking forward to continuing ministry in South America and recently purchased soccer balls with Portuguese Scripture verses on them for his next Brazilian mission trip!

After serving 25 years as senior pastor of Parkview Baptist church in Lexington, Nebraska, John Shields (ThM, 1995) will serve as the church health and leadership strategist for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptist.

In September of 2020, Karin Benningfield (MACE, 1998) began a new ministry as Mobilization Manager at Liebenzell USA, a mission agency dedicated to church planting, discipleship and training national leaders through theological and higher education.

2000s David Gibson (MABL, 2000) is nearing completion of the translation of the New Testament into the Feni language of Papua New Guinea. Based in Texas, he has been spending two months a year in Papua New Guinea working with Feni speakers on the translation for 13 years. They are hoping to finish final editing and typesetting in 2022.

Joe Parle (MABS, 2002) published Dispensational Development and Departure through Exegetica Publishing & Biblical Resources.

Through this book, Joe hopes to equip readers to understand dispensational models and evaluate resources that claim the label.

Elizabeth Marti (MABL, 2003) and her husband Nate live in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, a country in its 5th year of ongoing conflict and on the US government's "Do Not Travel" list. There the team works together with the local Bible translation organization in written and oral translation, audio recording of Scriptures and Jesus Film dubbing.

Elizabeth is the director of the team and Nate works as an IT Specialist and is helping to plan future construction.

James Ndungu (STM, 2003) has been involved in full-time Christian ministry since 1990. He and his wife Mary have been training African church leaders since 1994.

They currently serve as full-time missionaries training and equipping nationals.

Kim Toynes (MABS, 2003) graduated with her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Wesleyan University.

T. Adam Van Wart (MABC, 2004; ThM, 2006) wrote Neither Nature nor Grace: Aquinas, Barth, and GarrigouLagrange on the Epistemic Use of God's Effects, attempting to provide an alternate reading of Aquinas without overstepping either epistemological extreme.

Jairus Francis (MACM, 2005) and his wife, Judy, are retiring from his missionary work with Send International.

Barbara Neumann (MACE, 2005; DMin, 2011) serves as the leader of women’s development at Ananias House. Their mission is to strengthen existing churches in the Middle East by equipping selected women to be godly, competent, and confident leaders in their church. This is a fiveyear project that walks alongside women in the program as they learn to implement training in their country and eventually become independent of American support.

Venrique Roberts (ThM, 2005) earned his PhD in Leadership Studies at Beulah Heights University.

Ricky’s dissertation was on “Servant Leadership and M illennial Disengagement within the Church.”

In his first book, Ted Shimer (MABS, 2006) exposes the addictive and destructive power of pornography while revealing a path to true, lasting freedom. The Freedom Fight is based on his work and research into the impact of pornography on both the church and campus.

Deborah Hayhoe Padilla (MABL, 2007) and Ramon Padilla (MABL, 2012) have moved to Toronto, Canada to begin a new assignment with Summer Institute of Linguistics in Scripture Engagement among diaspora minority language communities.

Sang Jin Kim (PhD, 2008) published a second book on two of the Old Testament speaking prophets, Elijah and Elisha. His second book is called A Canonical Significance of the Miracle Narratives of Elijah and Elisha. The Korean title is Luis Gomez (DMin, 2009) published Madre e hija: Una Relación de Amor and Al Rescate de los Valores: Frente a la Influencia del Postmodernismo. Dr. Gomez writes to encourage maternal relationships and reclaim the value of biblical virtues respectively.

Jeffry Meyer, the husband of Markene Meyer (MACE, 2009; DMin, 2016), died February 29, 2021. He and Markene enjoyed the outdoors, renovating houses, and music. They both served at Trinity Lakeside Anglican where his wife served formally. He loved talking

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Alumni Connection with people, the Colorado Rockies, and his work as a relocation specialist.

2010s.

Ross E. Wyche Jr. (ThM, 2010) published God’s Quarterback , connecting his passion for pursuing Christ with his love of football. He hopes to teach readers the “plays and principles” to becoming a quarterback for God. Kat Armstrong (MACE, 2011) published her first book, The InBetween Place, through Thomas Nelson.

Beth Horn (ThM, 2011) is working as a missionary with WorldVenture, coordinating children’s ministry and facilitating trauma healing groups for a community center for refugees.

Matthew A. LaPine (STM, 2011) wrote The Logic of the Body through Lexham Press in the effort to retrieve theological psychology and understand the discussion on human emotions through a robust theological analysis.

Seth Stevens (ThM, 2011) created a podcast called Surviving Ministry in which he interviews various people about life in ministry to provide encouragement and endurance to others.

On December 4, 2020, Fellowship HiCrest Church pastored by Johnathan Sublet (MACE, 2011) partnered with Fellowship Bible Church to host a family-friendly, online comedy show for their church and the public of Topeka. The event included worship and comedy by Tim Shrop.

Robert L. Wagner (MACE, 2011) published a reflection on 1st Corinthians titled The Problematic People.

Matthew Ballmann (ThM, 2012) and his wife Natalie (MA, 2012), along with their four children, are grateful to be planting a new Lutheran church in San Antonio, Texas called Trinity San Antonio.

Jeff Harding (MACE, 2012) was awarded the Excellence in Youth Ministry Award from the Association of Youth Ministry Educators. He serves as the host of the “Youth Ministry Maverick” podcast and a blogger for Youth Specialties and Ministry Jobs.

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Tizita Seifu (MABC, 2012) formed The Journey Inspired with a commitment to build global mental and spiritual wellness. Her ministry partners with individuals, families, professionals, along with faith and global cultures to build life inspired and equipped by mental and spiritual wellness through professional counseling, speaking, and training.

in Christian Education Journal based off his dissertation research at Biola University.

Yohan (ThM, 2012) and Jin (ThM, 2012) have been serving one of the indigenous people groups called the "SEA." Since 2015, Yohan has served in the fields of Bible translation and Scripture Engagement with the SEA people. Their translation team is planning to finish and dedicate the New Testament in 2022. Jin has served as a literacy team advisor. Her ministry is developing the SEA language by teaching SEA orthography to their people, publishing a dictionary, and creating graded reading materials.

They hope to see the SEA people coming to faith and loving God as they read and understand the Scripture in their mother tongue.

Raimie (ThM, 2016) and Stephanie Bateman (ThM, 2020) continue to serve with their ministry, Teach the Story. Their first conference in Balti, Moldova had over seventy attendees.

Todd Bolen (PhD, 2013) released his latest Photo Companion to the Bible collection focusing on the books of 1-2 Corinthians. The collection contains over two thousand images and annotations to illustrate the biblical text and cultural background.

Ryan J. Noble (MACM, 2013) published Walk with a Limp, an inspirational work of personal testimonies to encourage believers to wrestle with God by engaging with life’s difficult questions.

Roger Williams (MACE, 2013; MACM, 2013) will be graduating with a Master of Public Healthy in Epidemiology in May, 2021.

Steven Anderson (PhD, 2014) partnered with Seminaro Teológico Evangélico Gozo Eterno (STEGE) to translate his Interpretive Guide to the Bible into Spanish and use it as the basis for the Bible class curriculum.

In Running on Faith: Championship Wisdom, Rick Meyer (MACL, 2014) collected quotations, motivations, and devotions to help the believer run the race of faith set out before believers.

Dave Adams (MACL, 2015) published “More than a Feeling: The Influence of Emotions in Learning and Implications for Church Ministry”

Bob Jennerich (ThM, 2015) published Facing Life’s Challenges Head On. With turmoil and anxiety swirling around many people, Bob hopes to point readers toward Christ even in the midst of adversity.

Sam Jones Cherian (ThM, 2016; MACL, 2016) and his wife welcomed their second son, Samuel Jon Cherian May 15, 2020.

Congrats to Jena and David Pendleton (ThM, 2018) on the birth of their child, Kate Piper Pendleton!

2020s.

Christine Bond (ThM, 2020) serves as the Special Education Department Chair, teaches dyslexia intervention and reads to students with special needs at Beckendorff Jr. High in Katy ISD. She continues to serve with Hope for the Balkans Ministries in Bulgaria during the summers and is on staff serving wounded and recovering women at Christian Survivors Ministries online.

David Dann (DMin, 2020) and his wife, Annette, continue working with the ministry they founded, Christ’s Victory International Mission of Liberia, on April 12, 1998. The ministry comprises an orphanage with 30 children, fourteen churches, and two high schools. The orphanage and the schools are located in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city. Their primary motto is “Bringing More People to Christ” by training young men and women to proclaim the gospel message of salvation throughout Liberia.

Kim (MACE, 2020) and Steve Selke (ThM, 2020), and they traveled from Australia to Wheaton, IL for Steve to begin working on his Ph.D. at Wheaton College under Dr. Doug Moo. Daniel Valle Gracia (ThM, 2020) and his family are missionaries to the Jewish people. Daniel and Monica (MABC, current student) were called to DTS, from Spain via Australia.

New Ministries Jim Allman (ThM, 1977; ThD, 1984), adjunct faculty, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX Bill Boggess (ThM, 1980), elder, Livi n g S t o n e Ch u rch , S a i n t Augustine, FL Richard Spencer (ThM, 1981), senior staff, Global Training Network, Peoria, AZ Jim Smith (ThM, 1982; DMin, 1999), chaplain, High Point University, High Point, NC Bob Westfall (ThM, 1983), interim pastor, Interim Pastor Ministries, Orleans, MI Jeff MacLurg ( ThM, 1984), advancement representative, The Timothy Initiative, Seattle, WA Mike Klumpp (MABS, 1988), pastor, Rich Valley Presbyterian Church, Saltville, VA Tracy Troxel (ThM, 1989), senior pastor, Stone Hill Church, Princeton, NJ Greg DeLong (STM, 1990), associate pastor, Valley View Community Church, Sugarcreek, OH Andy Rist (ThM, 1990), pastor of spiritual formation, Highland Park Baptist Church, Southfield, MI Ru s s e l l Ye e ( Th M , 1 9 9 0 ) , commissioner, California State Redistricting Commission, Oakland, CA Michael Karpf (ThM, 1993; DMin, 2019), instructor, Opened Bible Academy, Houston, TX Richard Brown ( ThM, 1994), pastor, Grace City Church, North Charleston, SC Steven Kelley (MACE, 1994), hospice chaplain, St. Croix Hospice, Panora, IA Royce Smith (ThM, 1997; DMin, 2015), lead pastor, The Fellowship of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX Malcolm Gill (ThM, 1999; PhD, 2006), senior assistant minister, St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, Sydney, Australia

Matthew Kreider (ThM, 1998), chief of personnel, US Army Chaplain Corps, Ft. Jackson, SC

Naomi Wallace (MACE, 2018), adult ministry teacher, Hope Community Church, Andover, KS

Ikki Soma (ThM, 1999), campus pastor, Bayou City Fellowship Spring Branch, Houston, TX

Bernard Mickle (MACE, 2019), director of youth outreach, Marion County Commission on Youth, Indianapolis, IN

Carlos Zazueta (ThM, 2002; DMin, 2017), pastor, Grace Bible Church – Bryan Campus, College Station, TX Tim Wagner (MABS, 2004), executive director, Crackle Plus, Santa Monica, CA Jim Fishback (MABS, 2007), leadership coach, Global Service Network, Apex, NC Wi ll Groben ( MABS, 2008; ThM, 2011), pastor, Whitewater Community Church, Whitewater, KS Nathaniel Marsh (ThM, 2008), senior pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Lompoc, CA Wade Bryant (MACE, 2009), associate family minister, The Village Church, Flower Mound, TX Rex Howe (ThM, 2011), president, Tri-State Bible College, South Point, OH Jeff Donelan (MACE, 2012), senior pastor, McCook Evangelical Free Church, McCook, NE Mark Underkofler (ThM, 2012), senior pastor, Prairie Bible Church, Carpenter, SD Nathan Wang ( ThM, 2014), executive minister, West Houston Chinese Church, Houston, TX Jeremiah Walpert (ThM, 2015), senior pastor, Twin Rivers Church, Springfield, OR Br yan Glass ( ThM, 2016 ), independent church, school, and non-profit consultant Jason Scott (ThM, 2016), pastor of discipleship and spiritual formation, Chapel Rock Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN Lynn Tan (MABC, 2017), counselor, The Source, Houston, TX Rayna Uribe (ThM, 2017), women’s ministry director, Grace Bible Church, Dallas, TX

Justin Cordery ( ThM, 2020), associate pastor, Canyons Church, Salt Lake City, UT Tre’ Crume (ThM, 2020), associate pastor of youth ministry & discipleship, Redeemer Covenant Church, Carrollton, TX Ellen Forsman (MACS, 2020), director of community life, Grace Church, Basalt, CO Joel Hergert (ThM, 2020), associate pastor, Harvest Valley Church, Scottsbluff, NE Faith Michael (MACM, 2020), refugee ministry leader, Northwest Bible Church, Dallas, TX Susannah Volkers (MABC, 2020), professional therapist, Synergy Counseling LLC, Fairfax, VA Charonda Woods (MACE, 2020), small groups director, The Bridge, Silver Springs, MD Aaron Allcorn ( ThM, 2021), manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX Justin Henry Braun (ThM, 2021), discipleship pastor, Napoleon Church of the Nazarene, Napoleon, OH Jim Simmons (MACM, 2021), missionary appointee, Africa Inland Mission International, Tanzania

DTS Alumni Stay Connected Please send your updates to alumni@dts.edu Dallas Theological Seminary Alumni Department 3909 Swiss Avenue Dallas TX, 75204 214-887-5100 888 DTS-ALUM (387-2586)

The Chancellor's Corner MARK BAILEY | CHANCELLOR | DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Being Like the Master This question always occurs to me as I read Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:25, a passage that has been a haunting ache in my heart from the moment I first read it. He said, “It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher, and the slave as his master.”

Did you hear it? Does it haunt you, too? Wouldn’t it be enough if we could just be like Him? What an awesome thought, especially in today’s culture of consumerism that teaches us we never have enough, that we always need more and more and more.

Do you remember what it’s like to get enough cold, refreshing water when you’ve been really thirsty on a hot summer day? Can you remember being absolutely satisfied after eating a delicious Thanksgiving meal?

live without?

By contrast, we will never really be satisfied by material possessions. Have you ever felt “buyer’s remorse” after an insidious shopping binge or after overextending your budget to buy something you thought you couldn’t

Jesus says being like Him will be enough for us—it will completely satisfy us, give us peaceful, inner rest, bring soothing relief deep into our souls, relax our frazzled nerves. This is what is promised to us from the One whom God has designated to be our personal trainer, Jesus.

In a message delivered August 1, 1875, at Metropolitan Tabernacle in Newton, Massachusetts, the great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon perfectly described this benefit of following Jesus’ lead. His sermon was titled “The Choice of a Leader,” and my favorite part is this tender passage: We are overpowered by the grandeur of the Redeemer’s goodness, by the splendor of his love, the infinity of his self-sacrifice, Jesus commands our faith by the revelation of himself . . . . He was so outspoken and yet so gentle, so courageous and yet so kind, so unflinching and yet so tender [I love this part!], wearing his heart upon his sleeve in the transparency of truth, but prudent and guarding himself with infallible wisdom; a match for all, however they might assail him, and yet apparently never on his guard at all, but as a child among them, the holy child Jesus. Oh, if you sit at Jesus’ feet you will not only learn of him and his teaching will have power over you [this is the part I love the most], but you will learn HIM, for he himself is his own best lesson.

You see, the secret of rest is found in service, in working alongside the Savior, in being mentored by Him, in being discipled by Him. It’s found in connection with Jesus Christ, for, as Spurgeon said, “He himself is his own best lesson.” The result is an incredible “rest,” a deep and abiding peace in the innermost part of our beings, in our souls. This paradox of finding comfort in the context of labor, finding rest in the context of being yoked, is part of the mystery of Christianity. All you have to do to experience this wonderful paradox is to accept invitation. *Excerpted from Mark Bailey, To Follow Him: The Seven Marks of a Disciple (Multnomah:1997), 24–25.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “The Choice of a Leader,” Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 21 (May 2021): https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/ the-choice-of-a-leader/#flipbook.

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Gezellig and God by: MEG DUNLAP

G

ezellig is my favorite Dutch word. It translates to a feeling of togetherness in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere.

You can use the word to describe a quaint café, dinner at a close friend’s house, or even to describe a lively, warm person. It can also be used to describe a familial sense of community.

I first learned of this word when I moved to the Netherlands for a semester of study in January 2018. As I quickly experienced, the Dutch culture reflects the coziness of “gezellig” in many different ways: I would feel gezellig as I walked down a cobblestone street graced with pastel-colored flats, or when my coffee order came with a stroopwafel on the side, or in the midst of a fresh market lined with a plethora of tulips for sale. The whole culture captivated me by its charm and loveliness.

However, one area I knew lacked a true sense of “gezellig”, or familial togetherness, was my exchange housing I lived in with about 200 other students from around the globe. We all had come to the Netherlands as foreigners, mostly alone, not knowing anyone, and unfamiliar with everything. We all craved that feeling of community, but none of us knew how to obtain it among other strangers. So, naturally, God gave me the perfect opportunity to bring people together and share His name.

Every Tuesday night, I would host dinner for whoever wanted to come. It was served family style and gave others the opportunity to get to meet new people and share in the beautifully bonding act of eating a meal together. I would bike down to the market and try to get as much food as I could carry on the back of my bike.

I would then carry it up to our disheveled but functioning hallway kitchen. A couple of friends would help me prepare the meal, and then a varying number of students would come together each week to eat. Word about this spread quickly within the dorm, and peo-

ple would come eat a free meal then leave to go party for the night. Thankfully, there was a one-hour break between when dinner would normally end and when the bars would open in the evening. Thus, God again moved!

Through the Lord’s guiding, I offered a chance each Tuesday night for people to join me after the Gezellig dinner and before the parties, to be with me as I opened the Bible and facilitated a seeker-friendly experience with the Word of God. No strings attached; anyone was welcome. You would be amazed at the ways in which God’s Word spoke for itself, without me having any prior seminary training (at the time), in the lives of these friends from all over the world. Most people who came to this study each week had never read the Bible before because they always felt intimidated by it, so having someone there with them as they read it was intriguing and inviting.

God moved powerfully each week through simply opening the Bible with my friends.

We read a passage once together out loud, then once silently. I would ask if anyone came across a word they did not understand (because we were reading an English Bible with many different international students). Then I would just ask them four simple questions: • • • •

What did this passage say about God? What did this passage say about mankind?

What did this passage say about God’s relationship with mankind?

If this is true, how would it change your life?

The “if ” question was key. The conjuction is a strategic approach to remove the pressure in confronting a person about their salvation. I did not have to know the answers to all their questions; I simply had to be faithful in opening the Word with them in love, in humility, and in community. God did the rest! I cannot tell you how many came to know the Lord as their personal Savior that semester, but I do know lives were changed, and I am confident seeds were sown on fertile ground. All thanks to the power of loving community and the power of God’s Word.

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