FROM SURGEON TO SEMINARIAN

Meet Karl Geier

It doesn’t take much interaction with Karl Geier to notice that he has a passion for helping people. That desire is what led him to study medicine and become a surgeon. But as Karl devoted himself to the medical field, God was simultaneously developing a resolute desire in his heart to teach God’s Word. He wanted to not only have the skills to tend to the body, but also the soul. So, to equip himself for the ministry—to point people to the One who can heal the brokenhearted (Ps. 147:3)—he came to The Master’s Seminary this past January.

Karl grew up in Paderborn, Germany. His father and mother were not believers at his birth, but God graciously saved them when he was ten years old. The family immediately began attending a small church in town, a change which Karl remembers as sudden and drastic. He explained how almost overnight his family went from being socially progressive to striving to live in accordance with God’s Word.

For Karl, however, salvation did not come until several years later. Weekly church attendance established his belief in God, but he still didn’t fully understand the gospel. Two extremes are pervasive throughout churches in Germany: liberalism and legalism. Karl experienced more of the later. For years he equated the means of salvation with external works. It wasn’t until his

early twenties that God used the influence of Christian books, believing friends, and personal time in God’s Word to show him the beauty of the true gospel. His burdens were lifted as he understood God’s grace on the cross.

After conversion, Karl enrolled in medical school and eventually became a trauma surgeon. He enjoyed helping those who have experienced severe physical injuries. But many times, patients would tell him about personal issues that went far beyond physical ailments. In those moments, his medical training had limited value because the gospel was what these men and women needed most. As he explained the gospel to patients and led a Bible study at his church through the book of Romans, he watched God transform lives. This cultivated an even greater love for the Bible and a passion to teach it. Karl wanted to help others escape the theological confusion that he, like so many others in his country, experienced. He knew he needed more training.

While finishing up medical school, Karl had the opportunity to study part-time under TMS alumni at European Bible Training Center, The Master’s Academy International’s training center in Germany. This exposed Karl to the rich training he could receive through seminary, and he began to dream of studying at TMS. Last year he applied and was accepted, but he knew that logistical and financial obstacles could still keep him from moving to Los Angeles. If that was going to happen, the Lord would have to provide abundantly.

In the coming days, Karl watched the providence of God unfold, paving a way for him to study full-time at TMS. Because of the generosity of our ministry partners, Karl received a scholarship that covered his tuition. Like hundreds of other men at the seminary, he is overwhelmed with gratitude for our donors. Although he knows he will likely never meet them this side of heaven, he views his calling to a life of ministry as a stewardship of the investment God’s people have made in him.

Karly says there are too many stories of God’s miraculous

KARL GEIER STANDS FAR RIGHT WITH OTHER SPRING 2022 NEW STUDENTS

providence in bringing him to TMS to share. But in addition to receiving the scholarship, there is one story he feels summarizes them all. On the morning he needed to purchase his flight to LAX, Karl knew the ticket would require over $1,000. Although he had the money, he knew there were countless other expenses ahead as he began seminary. Karl prayed for the Lord’s help, trusting that if this indeed was God’s will, then God would provide. Throughout that day, several people gave Karl financial gifts, not even aware of his need to buy airfare. By the time he went to finally purchase his ticket, he only paid $30 out of pocket.

This first semester in seminary has been “a dream come true” for Karl. While it’s not always easy living thousands of miles away from home, he knows TMS is where he needs to be. He is overwhelmed at the privilege of being able to “study under men who not only teach God’s Word, but faithfully live it out.” His professors have become his pastors, equipping him and shepherding him for a life of ministry.

In thinking about the future, Karl is open to ministering wherever the Lord sees fit. For now, he is just focused on being a diligent student and churchman. As a surgeon who spent years in medical school, he is well-acquainted with the importance of being properly trained in order to effectively help others. His time at TMS is providing the necessary training and tools to accomplish that at the highest level.