The
Seminary Pentecostal Theological Seminary Cleveland, Tennessee
Winter Spring 2008 2009/2010 of God eologic al Seminary
Story
Steven Jack Land 30 Years of Ministry at the PTS
On November 3, 2009 a special celebration was held in commemoration of Dr. Steven J. Land's thirty years of ministry at the Seminary. Dr. Land began his ministry at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary on a part-time basis in 1976, but became a full-time member of the faculty in 1979. He served as Professor of Pentecostal Theology in these early years, then became Academic Dean for eleven years, 1991 to 2002. Dr. Land was appointed as the ninth President of the Seminary at the 70th General Assembly of the Church of God and inaugurated on October 14, 2002. As part of the commemoration, Dr. Land was inducted into the Ministerial Hall of Honor, and an endowment established in his name to fund general operations at the Seminary. We invite all alumni and friends of the Seminary to join with others in giving honor to our President by contributing to the Steven Jack Land Endowment for Unrestricted Use.
A Word from the President The Bible reminds us that everything that is good and blessed we have received as a gift and a legacy from God and others. (“What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7). So many people have prayed for, loved and taught us the Word of God. God has given himself in Jesus Christ. With our name change, we acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit who brings the Father and the Son to us. Our core identity and global influence are captured in this name—Pentecostal Theological Seminary. I am asking, in these challenging times, that you would remember the deep need for theological education in our increasingly secular, pluralistic environment (especially in the global north and west). All of us were subsidized by others in our Seminary training. Even though we have extended scholarships we still have to turn people away or see them add to their debt everyday. Please join Peggy and me, along with our Board, faculty, staff and other partners by giving a regular monthly amount. It is important. It is our responsibility to train our own. To send someone to Seminary you can join our record number of “20-30 somethings” this year! Check our new website, listen to our chapels and send your information and suggestions. You are making a difference around the world. I feel privileged and blessed to be your President at this historic moment of challenge and opportunity. Merry Christmas from our house to yours. We hope to hear from you soon. Steven Jack Land,
President Professor of Pentecostal Theology
You can help! This academic year our student scholarship base has expanded by larger than normal increases. When a scholarship fund is established at the Seminary, a celebration of the life of the individual for whom the scholarship is named takes place to recognize his/her contribution to ministry and education. This also introduces the students to the donors who are making their education possible.
Giving Opportunities You can help us honor those for whom endowments are named and “give back” something for the assistance which you received from scholarships, individuals and churches.
James M. Beaty Library Fund R. Hollis Gause Endowment for Theological Studies Steven Jack Land Endowment for Unrestricted Use or General Scholarship Assistance Where Most Needed
Worship and the Arts Course, July J-Term Professor, Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns
Call 423-478-7728 for a credit card payment or send donations to the Office of Institutional Advancement, PO Box 3330, Cleveland, TN 37320
Join the Pentecostal Theological Seminary Alumni and Friends Community Group on Facebook.
2009 ALUMNI DONORS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRONG SUPPORT OF THE SEMINARY!
Reverend Thomas Acevedo Dr. Kimberly E. Alexander Mrs. Beth Arnurius Mr. Donald E. Arnurius Ms. Maria L. Badre Reverend and Mrs. Gregory Wayne Baird Reverend and Mrs. Wesley Leroy Baker Reverend Lucille Barfield Reverend and Mrs. Robert Wayne Barnes Reverend and Mrs. Rolando Bethancourt Reverend & Mrs. Donald R. Bird Reverend and Mrs. Jerome Boone Dr. and Mrs. James P. Bowers Reverend and Mrs. Fred Alton Brannen Reverend and Mrs. O. Wayne Brewer Reverend Dervin S. Brown Reverend Ronald Allen Bryant Reverend Charles M. Bullins Reverend Robert E. Buxton Reverend Ildefonso Caraballo Reverend & Mrs. Milton D. Carter Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Keith Cason Mr. Floyd Joe Chatham Reverend Bette Collins-Crews Reverend Jack O. Dean Chaplain and Mrs. Michael C. Doan Chaplain and Mrs. Calvin L. Eastham, Jr. Reverend and Mrs. Thomas Wesley Edwards Dr. and Mrs. C. Richard Ellis Reverend and Mrs. Gary Lee Fields Dr. and Mrs. Herbert S. Frazier, Sr. Reverend and Mrs. Lloyd E. Frazier Reverend Margaret H. Gaines Chaplain Douglas Malone Golden Reverend David Henry Gosnell Reverend Kenneth Allen Hall Dr. and Mrs. Sang-Ehil Han Dr. Susan L. Harper Reverend B. Gary Harris Reverend and Mrs. Wayne W. Heil Chaplain and Mrs. Charles Lavon Howell Reverend Phyllis Elaine Hunt Reverend Dr. Sonjia L. Hunt Dr. Jackie and Dr. Cheryl Johns Reverend and Mrs. Terry L. Johns Reverend and Mrs. Wilson R. Kilgore Reverend Darrell B. Kilpatrick Reverend & Mrs. John B. Kim
Reverend J. Anthony Lombard Chaplain and Lloyd A. Looney Reverend Andree M. Marcelin Reverend Livingstone D. Marcelin Dr. and Mrs. Lee Roy Martin Reverend Reginald G. McCarn Reverend and Mrs. Mitchell L. McClure Ms. Barbara S. McCullough Reverend and Mrs. Gerald E. McGinnis Reverend and Mrs. Benjamin B. McGlamery Reverend Larry R. McQueen Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Salvador Moran Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. O'Bannon Mr. Thomas J. Offutt Jr. Reverend and Mrs. Christopher L. Ogden Reverend and Mrs. Larry B. Perkins Reverend Osvaldo Pupillo Dr. and Mrs. John T. Ramos, Sr. Mr. Taz W. Randles Reverend & Mrs. Kermit E. Robertson Reverend and Mrs. Dennis F. Robinson Reverend Jeremy B. Robinson Reverend Victor M. Rodriguez Dr. and Mrs. David G. Roebuck Mr. and Mrs. Randy D. Rush Reverend Daniel R. Salmon Reverend David Santiago-Cruz Reverend Bobby Gene Scott Reverend and Mrs. Stephen G. Sexton Mrs. Maria M. Sheffey Reverend J. Clark Sheffield Mr. & Mrs. Leonard H. Sisson Chaplain and Mrs. David W. Smartt Dr. and Mrs. Donnie W. Smith Reverend and Mrs. L. Jerald Smith Reverend and Mrs. R. Wendell Smith Reverend and Mrs. David Sustar Reverend Bob J. Sutherland Reverend and Mrs. Daniel Sylverston Reverend Joylita Terpstra Dr. and Mrs. John Christopher Thomas Reverend and Mrs. Manning Thornton, Jr. Reverend Simion Timbuc Reverend and Mrs. Richard L. Ussery Reverend and Mrs. David L. Vanoy Reverend Daniel James Vassell Reverend and Mrs. Gregory R. Whitlow Reverend Bernice S. Woodard Reverend and Mrs. Welton J. Wriston
Dr. Beaty Honored
David Brett (85) currently serves as the senior pastor of Christ Community Church in Beaumont, TX. Marcela Chavan-Matviuk (99) was promoted from Director of Curriculum and Communication to Director of the Center for Latino Leadership at Regent University. Congratulations! Yanghee Choe (06) is married and has a beautiful daughter. She serves in the children’s ministry at the church her father pastors in Korea.
Dr. James M. Beaty was inducted into the Hall of Prophets on September 22, 2009. Much of Dr. Beaty's over 60 years of ministry has been devoted to ministerial education. He came to the Seminary in 1980 and served twelve years as academic dean, then continued as Professor of New Testament unti1 2001. Dr. Beaty is the current Professor Emeritus of New Testament. The endowment will fund resources for the library, a passion and concern of Dr. Beaty's for many years. Contributions may be made to the James M. Beaty Hall of Prophets Endowment.
Alumni Stories Marcia Anderson (91) served as academic dean and registrar as well as full-time teacher at Discipleship College until she recently passed the dean’s job to a young Kenyan. The school is working toward university status so they can confer bachelor’s degrees. Tom Baize (01) is an Air Force chaplain at Sheppard AFB, TX. He began his post-modern X-Treme chapel services with one in attendance and now has over 100 congregants. Others are now beginning to participate from the surrounding areas of the building where the group meets for worship. Petru Bala (94) is a teacher in a Pentecostal bible school and deacon in a Pentecostal church from Timisoara City. He preaches in Romania and other countries. Yves Bazile (99) is missionary to France. The Argenteuil Church of God is beginning to experience growth and salvation.
Danny Claypoole ((06) has been assigned to the 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, OK where he and his wife, Leah, and son, Elihu, will make their home. William Coble (08) pastors the North Greensboro Church of God in NC. Lance Colkmire (92) has been appointed the managing editor at the Church of God Publishing House. He will continue to serve as the senior editor of the Commentary. Lance has been married to Sharon for 26 years and they have two daughters, April and Allison. Mitchell Wayne Flora (83) continues to enjoy a fruitful pastoral ministry at University Church of God in Greenville, NC. He coordinates the MIP program in Eastern North Carolina for the Church of God, a member of the International Ministerial Development Board, a state council member, and district overseer of the Greenville district. He and his wife, Lou, have two children, Mitchell Steven and Rhapsody, and four grandchildren. He received his doctorate at Columbia Theological Seminary in 2002 with emphasis in pastoral leadership. US Army chaplain Everett Franklin (98) was promoted to the rank of Major. He is currently assigned to Fort Hood, TX where he is participating in a training program to be a family life chaplain. Charles Fritts (08) is the senior pastor of The Community Church of God in Brentwood, TN. The North Walhalla Church of God, pastored by Scott Hager (07), celebrated 95 years of ministry on October 18, 2009.
Bonnie Harbuck (05) was recently married and is now Bonnie Conklin. She is the chaplain at the North Georgia Detention Center which is a holding center for men being deported out of the U.S. Mark Hardgrove (92) pastors the Conyers Church of God and is a Ph.D. candidate at Regent University. He is adjunct professor at Beulah Heights University and serves on the North Georgia COG State Council. He has been married to Sun for 25 years and they have 3 children. Mark writes and publishes sermons and Bible studies online and has published two books. The Church of God in Alaska, under the leadership of Administrative Bishop Gary Harris ((07), now has a new state office. The office was dedicated by Dr. Tim Hill, first assistant general overseer, during the 2009 camp meeting. Rod Harwood (98) is serving as chaplain for St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Oregon. He was recently appointed director of mission operations where he reports directly to the president/CEO. He is the first Protestant to be appointed to this position. Richard Hicks (04) was married in August 2008 and moved to California. He is in his second year of the NT PhD program at Fuller Seminary. He also assists Roy McKinley at the Burbank New Life Church of God in Burbank, CA. Charles Houston was appointed to the Saluda Church of God in Saluda, SC in September. Daniel Isfan (08) was administered the oath of office for active duty chaplaincy in April by Dr. Robert Crick, Director, Chaplains Commission. He left ministry at the Bethel Romanian Church of God in Gallatin, TN to relocate to Fort Campbell, KY where he is assigned to the 101st Air Borne Division. Mickey Jett (90) is in a D.Min. program at Erskine Theological Seminary. He serves as the deputy command chaplain with the Army Material Command, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville AL. Todd Johnson (91) is the pastoral care pastor at Lenexa Christian Center in Lenexa, KS. Konstantin Kiryakov (2000) and his wife founded God’s Love Church of God in Kiev, Ukraine after returning home following his graduation from the Seminary in 2001.
Justin (06), Donna (07) and Jude Knowles left for Camobodia to serve as missionaries for People for Care and Learning. They are teaching English and computer classes, co-leading a Sunday morning Bible study, leading a youth group and exploring several economic development ideas. On October 25 they had a baptismal service where over 60 people were baptized, including staff from the Common Grounds Coffee Shop where they have discipleship class on Sunday mornings, youth from the Sunday evening service, and children and widows from the PCL children’s home. Noel LaPointe ((96) returned to Cleveland after serving in an urban mission setting in upstate New York. She works at the Squires Library where she has many opportunities to minister to Lee University students. Dustin Lee (04) began a new church plant in Seattle, WA. The church is meeting in the family’s home, progressing slowly but healthily. Dan Lindeman (99) is senior pastor at the New Hope Worship Center in Lemmon, South Dakota. Lauren Ballema Markel (07) is serving as staff on InterVarsity at the Western Michigan University campus. She testifies that there are now an average of 100 at their Thursday worship services and many are being formed and discipled in small groups. Jonathan Martin (06), pastor of the Renovatus Church of God in Charlotte, NC, recently made a move to lease the Eastland Mall’s abandoned theater. Pastor Jonathan says, “Renovatus is people rebuilding their lives, people looking for second chances -just like Eastland Mall. The idea that this property has sort of been forgotten and pushed to the margin -- we've always identified ourselves as a church for people from the margins. So for us, it's a perfect fit." Check it out at www.renovatuscommunity.com.
Mitch McClure (97) is senior pastor of Middle Valley Church of God in Hixson, TN; law enforcement chaplain for Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga, TN; and vice-chair of Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department. Robert McCready (00) moved to Cleveland, TN and serves as headmaster of Christ’s Legacy Academy in Athens. Joseph Melvin (90) is the family life ministry director in Fort Bragg, NC. Thomas Mills (03) serves as mental health chaplain for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Danville, IL. Daniel Moore (91) serves as Executive Pastor of Mountain Meadows Church of God. Marc Morris (87) was elected as vice president for internal affairs for the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines. This is the lead network of accredited residential care agencies. He will serve for the next two years on the board of directors of the association. Jimmy Nichols (95) is the family life coordinator for the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg with headquarters in Heidelberg. He is an Army chaplain. Patty Nichols (07) is an Army chaplain serving in Iraq. Carla Northcutt (04) is director of Christian formation and discipleship and missions director at Marietta Church of God. Ilya Okhotnikov (01) continues to serve as Provost for the Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow. The school received its educational license in July 2008 which is valid through May 2013. The Russian Orthodox Church has been influential against Pentecostals and they need our prayer support as they press forward. Charles Popov (91) is currently serving as the chaplain for 192nd Brigade and oversees five battalion chaplains. Chuck (84) and Sherry Quinley are serving as missionaries to Thailand. They are media missionaries who have established the Edge Radio, an FM music
network in the Philippines. They hosted the first United Christian Broadcaster’s Forum in Chiang, Rai, Thailand in January 2009. This began a network to share resources and opportunities. The Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries under the leadership of President Scott Rains (97) was affected by recent storms in Manila, Philippines. Faculty, staff, and students were hit the hardest. Continue to pray for recovery in the Philippines. Jeff Roberson (04) received the Honorable Order of St. Barbara Award (an honorary military society) in February 2009. The award honored his loyal service during two deployments to Iraq. Jeff is now assigned to Fort George Meade, MD where he serves as a chaplain recruiter. Elias Rodriguez (07) pastors the Calhoun Spanish Church of God of Prophecy and is overseer for the Southeast Hispanic Region. He is adjunct professor for NT Survey at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, adjunct professor of NT and OT for the Tomlinson Center, and member of the Biblical Doctrine and Polity Committee of the COGOP. Luis (97) and Mareleney (95) Rodriguez are senior pastors of New Life Church of God Ministries in Tucson, AZ, a growing church with over 1300 congregants. Congratulations to Dr. David Roebuck (84), director of the Dixon Research Center, and his staff on the receipt of a $4,000 grant from the Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board. The grant will be used for archival purposes. Jon Rogers (99) serves as the national representative for Focus on the Family. His role is to support the network of “associated” state organizations entitled Family Policy Councils. Tom Rosson (89) has served with World Missions since 1989. He currently serves as president of the Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow, Russia. Pastors Gary Sears (83) and Chris Moody (08) led individuals from their congregations to participate in a construction project to erect a sanctuary for a church in South Dakota under the leadership of
missionaries to Native Americans, Carl (96) and Anna Nobles. The sanctuary was built in four days by a group of thirty-eight men and women.
Butch Varner pastors Hamilton Pointe Church. You can check it out at www. hamiltonpointechurch.com.
Ismael Serrano (94), stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, is an Army chaplain currently deployed to Iraq. He is copastoring the Gospel Service in Baghdad.
Eugene Wigelsworth (82) serves as the director of religious programs/MDOC for the state of Mississippi. He supervises more than 49 chaplains in approximately 40 prisons.
The Gereja Bethel Indonesia denomination celebrated its 38th anniversary during a chapel service at the Bethel Seminary in Jakarta, Indonesia. During the service a special presentation was made to Tommy Smith, Jr. (86) He has served as a missionary to Indonesia since 1983. Timothy Staggs (96) is serving as an Army chaplain at Fort Knox, KY. He looks forward to more years serving in the military. The Church of God missions ministry in Paraguay, under the leadership of Paul (93) and Rhonda Stockard, is now sending forth missionaries into other countries. They have been able to reach out to a variety of institutions through community involvement and outreach.
Phyllis Williams (90) is a missionary right in her own neighborhood. She began spending time with the middle school and elementary age children in her complex, playing with them, and teaching them about love and appreciation by providing them gifts to give their mothers for their birthdays. She attends St. John United Methodist Church which has helped her provide money, candy and toys for the kids during Christmas. Phyllis says, “I love living where I do with all of these opportunities; I believe I am where the Lord wants me.”
Martin Studdard (86) is in his 12th year as full-time missionary evangelist with NEAT Asia. He became the director of NEAT Asia in 1998. Henry Thomas (90) is chaplain at Providence Hospital in Mobile, AL. He and his family attend Oak Park Ministries and are excited about the future ministry of the church. Jim Thomas (04) is a full-time prison chaplain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He and his wife, Amy, look forward to becoming parents. They are in the adoption process.
Alumni give their regards to Dr. Land at his induction: Aubrey Griffis Jensen (04), Hugh Bair (85), Jonathan Augustine (95), Wayne Brewer (84).
Peter (07) and Debbie Thomas celebrated 30 years of ministry in Africa on April 26. In 1979 they traveled to Ghana on a container ship to begin their journey there. Iniobong Upke (08) is the national overseer for the Full Gospel Church of God in Nigeria, West Africa where he supervises over 200 congregations. Arthur Van Niekerk (88) is an ordained pastor living in East London, South Africa. He is dean of a Bible school which he established. He is involved with several community programs and wants to establish chaplaincy programs in the city’s hospitals.
Former President Ray H. Hughes, Sr. and his wife Linda; President Land; Johnny Johnson, current Board member.
On October 9, 2009 James Walden, senior pastor of the Perinne New Testament Church of God in Miami, Florida was inducted into the Hall of Prophets at the Seminary. Brother Walden is the father of Carlton and Angella (02) Walden and father-in-law of Sophia (05). This event initiated a scholarship fund which will provide tuition assistance.
Special thanks to the Church of God Department of Communications and Chaplains Commission for providing some of our alumni updates. Update your information at ptseminary.edu, Alumni & Friends.
Faculty Paul Elbert Dr. Elbert is a physicist-theologian and New Testament scholar who is an adjunct professor at the seminary. He was motivated by his students to author a little book of interest to preachers, pastors, and teachers as thy approach the rigors and challenges of ministering in the world of the twenty-first century. This well-researched presentation is a focused resource for encountering the dispensational/cessationist proof-texting culture which may influence Pentecostal churches and missionaries. Pastoral Letter to Theo: An Introduction to Interpretation and Women's Ministries is available from Wipf & Stock Publishers, Eugene, Oregon.
Thank You! During summer 2009 camp meetings and ministerial events, we had a number of alumni helping us spread the word about the PTS: Randall Allen – Charismatic Episcopal Church Daniel Alvarez-NE Hispanic Wayne Brewer-Oklahoma Jose Castro- SE Hispanic Jose Cedillo – South Central Spanish Roger Childers-Pee Dee Bill Coble-Western NC John Corcoran-Southern OH Charles Fischer- Pacific Northwest Charles Fritts- West/Middle Tennessee Scott Hager-South Carolina Mike Hammond- Rocky Mountain Region Mark Hardgrove-North Georgia Ray Hurt-WV Paul Lombard-Alabama Jeff McAffee-Arizona David Redden-Midlands Luis O. Rodriguez – AZ (hispanic) Chris Smithey-Illinois Wayne Solmon- Southern New England Dan Tomberlin-South Georgia Richard Ussery-Kentucky Rodney Vickers-Tidewater VA Jack Weaver, Collinsvile, AL, ministerial alliance Florie & Eugene Wigelsworth-Mississippi Dusty Wilson-Michigan District camp meeting reps in North Georgia: Carla Northcutt Carol Wiseman
Calendar January 4 January J-Term Classes Begin Jan 20
Spring Registration (New Students)
Jan 26
Spring Classes Begin
Contact Us: Phone: 423-478-7707 Email: Jterpstra@ptseminary.edu