The Mustang Connection June 2022 by themastersuniversity

June 2022 vol.

The

MUSTANG CONNECTION

no. 6

A PUBLICATION of THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY

AN IDEAL FIT Dr. Abner Chou’s theological precision, Christian character and academic credentials set him apart as the choice for TMU’s next president.

WELCOME to THE MUSTANG CONNECTION. WE ARE COMING OFF OF ANOTHER REMARKABLE YEAR AT THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY, AND IN THIS EDITION WE’VE INCLUDED SOME OF THE YEAR’S BEST PHOTOS, STORIES AND CHAPEL MESSAGE HIGHLIGHTS TO GIVE YOU A TASTE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE HERE. This month’s magazine also features a story on Dr. Abner Chou, who was unanimously affirmed as the full-time president of The Master’s University and Seminary in March, a move that took effect May 6. The priorities of a university’s president often say much about the institution itself. And Dr. Chou’s unwavering commitment to Christ and Scripture certainly is a reflection of our mission. If you haven’t already, you can subscribe at masters.edu/magazine. We would love to hear from you. You can reach our editorial staff at mnesbitt@masters.edu.

C O V E R P H OT O BY M A R K F I N S T E R

CONTENTS

Right Out of the Gate

M A S T E R’S I N M I N I S T RY

Mark & Jess Stucky

C O V E R S T O RY

An Ideal Fit

2 0 2 1-2 0 2 2 I N R E V I E W

The Year in Photos

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

Faculty in Action

2 0 2 1-2 0 2 2 I N R E V I E W

The Year in Stories

Just Catching Up June

2022

RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE

CAMPUS

HIGHLIGHTS 01 The Master’s Chorale recently enjoyed eight days of ministry during its Golden State

THE MASTER’S CHORALE IN FRONT OF T H E G O L D E N G AT E B R I D G E .

02 Dr. Don Hedges has joined The Master’s University faculty as the next dean of the School of Music. Hedges comes to TMU from Trinity International University, where he was a faculty member since 1999 and served as interim dean of Trinity College and Graduate School. While at Trinity, he chaired the music department, taught music courses, directed musical theater and supervised church music interns. Before Trinity, Hedges served as associate pastor for music and worship at Richview Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario, and taught music and Christian worship at North American Baptist College (now Taylor University) and Edmonton Baptist Seminary (Edmonton, Alberta).

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

03 TMU had a memorable end to the year at multiple NAIA championships in May. Jack Dudeck finished second overall at the NAIA Men’s Golf Championship. And TMU Track & Field set a new program record with eight AllAmericans, with the men’s team recording its highest-ever finish (eighth). Caleb Pouliot (pole vault) and Davis Boggess (5,000 meters) finished as national runners-up. Hannah Fredericks (1,500, 5K) became the first Mustang to earn two All-American awards on the same day. Wesley Methum (10K), Daniel Rush (10K), Ellen Palmgren (800 meters) and Anthony Ghiorso (1,500 meters) also earned AllAmerican honors. Learn more at gomustangs.com.

tour. The performance ensemble served in churches and sang in schools. Some highlights included witnessing the first graduation of students from The Master’s Seminary extension program at NorthCreek Church in Walnut Creek, singing on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, visiting several of The Chorale members’ home churches, and connecting with many alumni and prospective students. Learn more about The Chorale at masters.edu/music.

04 TMU is expecting another large incoming class in fall 2022. As of the end of May, we had more than 400 incoming students enrolled — a nearly 40% increase from the same time last year, when we ultimately welcomed a record 415 new students to campus. These enrolled incoming students would place our total enrollment at over 1,100 for the fall.

FA C U LT Y

UPDATES

UPCOMING

EVENTS JULY 7-9

DR. JASON BEALS (biblical studies) earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from The Master’s Seminary in May. His dissertation explored the millennium-era temple described at length in Ezekiel, examining its purpose and function.

MUSTANG HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL CAMP JULY 11-14

MUSTANG BASEBALL CAMP DR. TODD BOLEN (biblical studies) released his most recent photo resource earlier this month: the 1 & 2 Kings edition of the Photo Companion to the Bible (PCB). This resource provides valuable illustrations for the rich geographical and historical detail embedded in the narrative of Kings. The PCB and other photo resources are available at bibleplaces.com.

JULY 11-14

MUSTANG BASKETBALL CAMP JULY 14-16

DR. GRANT HORNER (English) is currently working on a book about the leading Roman poet Ovid. The book will analyze Ovid’s most famous and influential work, “Metamorphoses.” This work is the top source for studying Greco-Roman mythology, and it heavily influenced writers such as Shakespeare and Milton, making a study of “Metamorphoses” valuable for anyone in the field of literary studies.

MUSTANG ELITE VOLLEYBALL CAMP JULY 18-19

MUSTANG BEACH VOLLEYBALL CAMP JULY 18-21

If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to check out the video lectures our faculty have provided through The Center for Thinking Biblically. Among them is a series by DR. JORDAN MORTON (education) titled, “Thinking Biblically About Education.” The synopsis reads, “Our culture will tell you that education is the ticket to living the American dream. Is that biblical? What should education encompass? What should we learn? Is there anything we should not learn?” See these and other series at thinkbiblically.org.

MUSTANG SOCCER CAMP JULY 25-28

MUSTANG TRACK & FIELD CAMP JULY 29-30

MUSTANG YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CAMP

COMMUNITY

MASTER’S IN MINISTRY

MARK & JESS STUCKY MARK (TMU ’09, TMS ’13) JESS (TMU ’10)

SAMUEL - 7 JAMES - 4 BENJAMIN - 1

MARK IS A THIRD-GENERATION MISSIONARY TO BRAZIL, AND JESS IS A FIRST-GENERATION BELIEVER FROM THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY. They are currently serving in Sapiranga, a suburb of Porto Alegre in southern Brazil. This area of 4.5 million people is dominated by cultural Catholicism, cultural Lutheranism and Spiritism, with evangelicals representing only one percent. The Stuckys were accepted as missionaries with Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission in 2014 and moved to the mission field in May of 2015 after attending and serving at Church of the Canyons (Santa Clarita, Calif.) for 10 years. During their first term, Mark pastored the Campo Bom church while leading an evangelistic home Bible study in their target city of Sapiranga. In October 2018, they launched their first church plant, Ministério 5

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

Bíblico de Sapiranga (MBS), with a core group of 20 believers. In 2021, they were excited to vote in their founding church members and begin construction on a church building in Sapiranga. They are also thankful for the opportunity to partner with the Bible Institute (Seminário Bíblico do Sul) that officially began in 2017. Mark is serving as the treasurer and will soon begin teaching classes. They believe that church planting and leadership training must go hand in hand, and these things are at the very heart of what the Stuckys believe God has called them to do in southern Brazil. Currently, they’re serving on a multinational team consisting of their family, a Brazilian pastor and

his family, two single missionaries and two missionary interns. They are praying for and working to train at least two national lay pastors and elders, begin an AWANA program out of their new church building, host at least two weekly evangelistic home Bible studies, and be a light for Christ in their neighborhood. They have also started up men’s, women’s, youth and children’s ministries. Pray for them as they equip and entrust believers to serve in the work of the ministry. “PRAY FOR US THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD WILL SPREAD RAPIDLY AND BE GLORIFIED, JUST AS IT WAS ALSO WITH YOU,” 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1 (NASB).

MASTER’S CONNECT This is where you’ll find a monthly alumni newsletter, a church directory, a job board, and the opportunity to network with other members of the TMU family. All in one place. stay connected at masters.edu/alumni

COVER STORY

AN IDEAL FIT

DR. ABNER CHOU’S THEOLOGICAL PRECISION, CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS SET HIM APART AS THE CHOICE FOR TMU’S NEXT PRESIDENT.

by KAELYN PEAY AND MASON NESBITT photo by MARILYN CHO

DR. ABNER CHOU DID NOT ASPIRE TO THIS. In fact, he was so content as a Bible faculty member and endowed fellow at The Master’s University that he didn’t picture himself doing anything else. So, when the board of directors of The Master’s University and Seminary unanimously affirmed Chou as full-time president in March, a move that took effect May 6, it was not the culmination of a lifelong dream. It was, however, a call to serve an institution that Chou loves. And as it turns out, it was also an opportunity to leverage many of the passions and skills that have made him such a beloved professor at TMU: his theological precision, his ability to challenge others to think deeply about the Word of God, and his humility — something that endears him to faculty, staff and students alike.

Ultimately, though, Chou wanted to teach the Word of God wherever God placed him. So, when Chou graduated in 2003 and was offered the opportunity to teach a Greek class at TMU the next year, he took it. He served as an adjunct in the Bible department, worked on his graduate degrees at The Master’s Seminary, and then moved to Israel to teach at TMU’s Israel Bible Extension (IBEX) program for two years. In 2007, he returned as a full-time Bible professor at TMU’s main campus.

When Chou came to TMU as an undergraduate Bible major in 2000, he envisioned himself becoming a youth pastor.

“Getting to teach here was an honor from the beginning,” Chou says. “The only dissatisfaction I ever felt with the job was with my own limitations. The only concern I had was that I might not be good enough to impart the knowledge and skill sets effectively to our students.”

“I wanted to teach the Bible,” Chou says. “And at the time, I wanted to teach the Bible in a context that I

Despite his concerns, Chou’s brilliance, charisma and love for Christ made him one of TMU’s most

***

was familiar with, which was youth ministry — which had up to that point been used mightily by the Lord to shape my life. So I wanted to do the same thing for others.”

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

IN MARCH, Chou addressed the topic “The Queen of the Sciences: Reclaiming the Rightful Place of Theology and Creation” during The Math3ma Institute lecture series at TMU. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

esteemed professors. And in 2017, in recognition of his commitment to academic and theological excellence, he became the first and only fully funded research chair at TMU, serving as the John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow. In the legacy of Chancellor MacArthur’s unwavering devotion to Christ and the inerrant Word of God, Chou’s primary charge in this position is to ensure TMU’s doctrinal integrity through influence in research, writing and teaching. Chou relished his roles at TMU.

“What we have here is truly unique,” he says. “At TMU, people love their Bible classes. They love Scripture. So it is a tremendous opportunity and joy to be able to teach our students.” That’s one reason Chou demurred when first asked about the possibility of becoming president. “I just want to teach,” he thought. Over time, however, he came to realize that as president he would still be, in a sense, teaching. Of course, he wouldn’t be instructing faculty and staff, per se, but he would be

“DR. CHOU IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE SMARTEST MEN IN THE ROOM, AND ALSO ONE OF THE MOST HUMBLE. YOU DON’T ALWAYS FIND BOTH OF THOSE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE SAME PERSON.” continuing to challenge them to grow deeper in theological truth and to make sure their eyes remained fixed on Christ and Scripture. Such opportunities come regularly in meetings with faculty, staff and the executive team, and in smaller gatherings with professors. Each

occasion serves to carry out a major function of the presidency at TMU: theological safeguarding. “Whatever is most important to an institution, the president must guard,” Chou says. “Christ and Scripture is our heritage and our purpose. And

June

2022

1 1. CHAPEL SPEAKER Chou has long been a regular speaker in TMU’s chapel services, as seen in this 2009-10 photo.

2. CHAT WITH CHOU In the spring, Chou began hosting “Chat with Chou” events, where students had the opportunity to ask him questions on a variety of topics. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

we know that if we’re going to be faithful to the Lord, which is the ultimate standard, then what has to be guarded at the top is our theological understanding and implementation. And that’s what the president’s role is. What you need is a president who remains sharp in theology.” At the top of Chou’s list is preserving TMU’s unwavering commitment to Christ and Scripture. “That commitment drives every aspect of campus life,” he says, “from the classroom, to the dorms, to student life activity, to co-curriculars, to how staff interact with our students.” Intentional interaction with students is something that remained important to Chou after he began serving as interim president in 2021. Chou has continued to teach classes and, beginning in the spring, he met with students on Friday afternoons to answer a variety of questions. The monthly Q&A has been labeled “Chat with Chou.” “We need to be really careful that we’re not just defending the mission, 11

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

or driving the mission forward, but that we’re actually doing the mission,” Chou says. “Our mission revolves around investing in young people’s lives and shaping them, ultimately, unto Christ, to please Christ in all things. So we have to be involved in that. We have to be in the trenches.” In March, the board of directors voted unanimously to entrust that mission to Chou’s leadership. Jonathan Rourke, chairman of the board, believes Chou’s Christian character, academic credentials and history with the University and Seminary make him an ideal fit for the position. “It’s his faithfulness to the stewardship of this ministry and his humility as a servant leader that set him apart as the person to lead the University and Seminary,” Rourke says. Dr. Tom Halstead, dean of the School of Biblical Studies, says faculty members he has talked with echo Rourke’s sentiments: “We all thought Abner would be a great choice. He’s very well respected, and he has the kind of personality that will endear people to him. And he’s obviously a

great fit because his doctrine is exactly where we are.” Both Halstead and Dr. John Stead, TMU’s executive vice president, pointed out another compelling component of Chou’s resume: He is astoundingly intelligent, a quality exemplified in his leadership of the translation team for the Legacy Standard Bible and in his standing as a widely sought-after plenary speaker and guest lecturer at national conferences, universities and seminaries. “I tell people that he’s one of the smartest men I’ve ever met,” Halstead says. Stead agrees. “I use this phrase all the time: Abner Chou is always one of the smartest men in the room, and also one of the most humble. You don’t always find both of those characteristics in the same person.” KAELYN PEAY is a marketing writer at The Master’s University. MASON NESBITT is the director of communications at The Master’s University.

year In

a look at some o that made 2021

revIew

of the moments and people 1-22 a year to remember at tmu.

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

the year ın photos

PICTURES FROM SOME OF THE YEAR’S MOST UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS.

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

1. WEEK OF WELCOME TMU welcomed a record 415 new students to campus in the fall. P H OTO BY R E AG A N N O L L

2. MASTER’S CUP One of the highlights of the Week of Welcome every year is The Master’s Cup, a wildly entertaining relay race that pits dorms against each other. P H OTO BY EZRA MOORE

3. CHAPEL As always, chapel was a central focus of the 2021-22 academic year, bringing TMU’s student body together three times each week to worship Christ. This year’s list of speakers included Paul Washer. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

4. ENGAGE On Engage Day in November, TMU students were able to serve our neighbors in Santa Clarita by completing home-improvement and yard-work projects. P H OTO BY C A S E Y S C H L AG E L

5. THEOTECH At the inaugural TheoTech conference in October, Drs. Joseph Francis, Joey Kim, John Lennox, Tai-Danae Bradley and Prof. David Crater offered approachable presentations from their areas of expertise. Drs. Abner Chou and John MacArthur bookended the conference by exploring the biblical foundation of technological pursuits. P H OTO BY K AT I E S E IT Z

6. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE TMU Theatre Arts performed “It’s a Wonderful Life” in the fall (pictured) and “Daddy Long Legs” in the spring. P H OTO BY K AT I E S E IT Z

7. IBEX TMU students spent a semester in Israel — some in the fall, some in the spring — studying the Bible in the land where most of its crucial events took place.

June

2022

NEON DODGEBALL This year’s calendar was packed with student activities, among which neon dodgeball was a highlight. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

1. FIRST PLACE FINISH Davis Boggess won the GSAC men’s cross country individual championship in the fall. Boggess was one of TMU’s top male athletes this year, along with Jack Dudeck (NAIA men’s golf national runner-up).

2. FALL FEST Fall Fest was a great time for our students to hang out with friends, and make new ones, over Western food and fun. P H OTO BY EZRA MOORE

3. CHRISTMAS CONCERT In December, the School of Music put on its annual Come Christmas Sing! Concerts, which featured student soloists, music ensembles, the University Singers and Orchestra, and The Master’s Chorale. P H OTO BY K AT I E S E IT Z

4. TRUTH & LIFE This year’s Truth and Life Conference theme was “Tactics,” based on Greg Koukl’s book “Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.” Koukl and Drs. Abner Chou and John MacArthur helped equip our students with the tools to be wise, kind and strategic in their gospel witness. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

June

2022

1. NEW PROGRAMS In 2022, TMU added new majors in entrepreneurial studies, interdisciplinary studies, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering and sport management. Dr. John Beck, right, heads up entrepreneurial studies. P H OTO BY K AT I E S E IT Z

2. CREATION SUMMIT TMU’s Creation Summit 2022 was titled, “Small World: God’s Design for Insects, Parasites and Microorganisms.” The event featured talks by Dr. Jeremy Blaschke, Dr. Matthew Ingle and Dr. Matthew McLain. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

3. LIBRARY Students spent significant time enjoying Powell Library’s renovations, including three new collaboration rooms.

P H OTO BY R E AG A N N O L L

4. SPRING ORCHESTRA CONCERT During the School of Music’s spring orchestra concert, attendees enjoyed music performed by The Master's University Orchestra, under the direction of Prof. Ben Mason. P H OTO BY A N N I E V L A D OV S K A

5. THE MONTY’S In April, nine different performing acts battled it out inside TMU’s gymnasium for the chance to be crowned the winner of The Monty’s Talent Search. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

6. DORM LIFE Dorm life is a highlight of every semester at TMU. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

1. SOCAL It’s always a good time for our students to explore Southern California. P H OTO BY MICHAEL ROURKE

2. SPRING SPORTS TMU Men’s Volleyball and Women’s Beach Volleyball each earned NAIA national rankings for the first time in program history.

3. CDA PREMIERE TMU held a red-carpet premiere for “The Shade” at the Laemmle theater in Newhall this spring. “The Shade” was a superhero TV pilot that TMU students worked on. That night, guests also watched a senior thesis film and student documentaries. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

4. STUDENT RESEARCH CONFERENCE In April, TMU hosted its second Student Research Conference (SRC). TMU students wrote abstracts based on their research and submitted them to editors. If the abstracts were accepted, students then designed posters and presented them at the SRC. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

5. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Stephanie Soares was named NAIA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year for the second time in her career. Soares helped the Mustangs win a program-record 32 games.

6. DR. PLEW A Night of Worship Music with Dr. Plew on April 30 was a beautiful evening of singing to our Lord and a time of celebration of Dr. Paul Plew's career, which spanned 43 years leading the music department at TMU. P H OTO BY A N N I E V L A D OV S K A

June

2022

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

in their element

DR. SHELBI CULLEN (biblical counseling) “I owe much of what I know about how to be a biblical counselor to her patient and loving approach in the classroom, and I feel that she equipped me with the tools necessary to follow in her footsteps and begin counseling confidently.” P H OTO BY RYA N M I L L E R

MEMBERS OF TMU’S EXCELLENT FACULTY, IN THE WORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS.

DR. JOEY KIM (biological & physical sciences) “Not only is Dr. Kim excellent in the subjects he teaches, but he always points his students to develop a love for learning with the sole purpose of glorifying God.” P H OTO BY RYA N M I L L E R

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

PROF. CINDY HALLMAN (education) “She has pushed me in areas that I struggle with, has helped me become confident in my teaching abilities, and above all has helped me grow in my love for Christ and Scripture.” P H OTO BY RYA N M I L L E R

DR. BOB DICKSON (communication) “His passion for what he teaches, and how he teaches it, is nothing short of infectious.” P H OTO BY M A R I LY N C H O

PROF. JO SUZUKI (English) “Where intellectual competency meets a genuine love and care for students, there you will find Professor Suzuki. Hilariously funny, disarmingly frank, he engages his students on philosophy and literature, while pointing them back to Jesus Christ as the ultimate context.”

PROF. JONATHAN SKAAR (kinesiology) “He didn’t just want you to receive a passing grade in his class; he wanted you to retain the information. His curriculum included unique ways to study so that we would really remember things.”

P H OTO BY R E AG A N N O L L

P H OTO BY EZRA MOORE

DR. JASON BEALS (biblical studies) “His personality really comes out in the classroom – and he has a big personality. I also appreciate how he gives a lot of historical context. He has a very good understanding of history, especially in the New Testament era.” P H OTO BY RYA N M I L L E R

June

2022

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

A LO O K AT T H E B I G G E S T N E W S A RT I C L E S

the year in stories F R O M T H E PA S T A C A D E M I C Y E A R AT T M U.

TMU ANNOUNCES ‘SALT & LIGHT’ AS CHAPEL THEME This year’s chapel theme, Salt & Light, was meant to exhort the school’s student body to engage the culture in a way that aligns with Christ’s words in Matthew 5. There, Christ first tells his listeners what defines the blessed (the Beatitudes). Then He explains how they can be a blessing: by being the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. Read more at masters.edu/chapel-theme-2021. P H OTO BY C A S E Y S C H L AG E L

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

TMU RANKS NO. 1 IN STATE FOR BIGGEST GAINS IN ENROLLMENT A study exploring year-overyear changes in the number of freshmen enrolled at colleges across the country shows that The Master’s University saw the highest rate of growth in California and the 18th best rate nationwide between 2019 and 2020. Read more at masters.edu/enrollment-gains. P H OTO BY EZRA MOORE

TMU ADDS EIGHT NEW ONLINE DEGREES TMU is launching eight new online degrees in 2022 and 2023. These programs cover disciplines in the fields of communication and business, such as creative writing and finance. Read more at masters.edu/8-new-online-degrees.

GENEROUS DONORS DEEPEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE MISSION OF TMU

TMU UNVEILS ACADEMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR STEM FIELDS

At record levels, generous men and women have partnered with TMU to equip the next generation of students for lives of faithfulness to Christ and Scripture. We are incredibly grateful to the Lord and to the donors He has supplied. During the 2020-21 school year, TMU’s donors contributed to $9.3 million in overall student aid offered by the school. From fall 2018 to fall 2021, Master’s provided $23.6 million in total aid. As of September 2021, the school’s endowment had risen 178% over the span of five years.

Dr. Tai-Danae Bradley introduced us to TMU’s new academic research institute for STEM fields — The Math3ma Institute. The institute includes faculty members and researchers like Bradley who work to advance the fields of math, computer science and engineering, among others, while sharing their discoveries with the world in engaging and accessible ways.

TMU CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM CAMPUS TMU’s commitment to Christ and Scripture hasn’t changed, but our campus has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. In 2021, that meant major renovations for the library and Under the Oaks student space. Read more at masters.edu/transformative-year-2. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

Read more at masters.edu/academic-institute. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

Read more at masters.edu/generous-donors. P H OTO BY R E AG A N N O L L

June

2022

TRIO ENTERS TMU ATHLETICS HALL OF HONOR

MEMBERS OF TMUS FAMILY TRANSLATE THE LSB

TMU inducted an impressive class into its Athletics Hall of Honor in January: Ryan Zamroz, men’s basketball; Emily Pedersen (Bruton), women’s soccer; and Erin Perperoglou (Buescher), women’s basketball.

Creating the Legacy Standard Bible was an intense process — but one rooted in the translation team’s love for Scripture. Read the story behind the LSB, along with insights from Dr. Abner Chou and the rest of the team, which featured two TMU professors, Drs. Jason Beals and William Varner.

Read more at masters.edu/hall-of-honor-induction-22.

Read more at masters.edu/lsb-translation.

TMU CAMPUS EXPANDS WITH PURCHASE OF NINE NEW PROPERTIES The Master’s University recently purchased nine properties in Placerita Canyon, expanding its housing capacity to meet record-setting enrollment growth the past two years. The units will house upperclassmen beginning in fall 2022. Read more at masters.edu/9-new-properties. P H OTO BY R E AG A N N O L L

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER

handle the heat & show your school spirit

TMU ALUMNI SHORT SLEEVE

AN ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT TO CHRIST AND SCRIPTURE At TMU, we often emphasize our heart and motto: "For Christ & Scripture." But what does this commitment actually look like? Our president, Dr. Abner Chou, explains.

LABC RETRO TEE

LADIES POWER BLUE RINGER TEE

Read more at masters.edu/absolute-commitment.

MASTER'S COOL FIT BOONIE

LABC H AT

MASTER'S AT H L E T I C S S W E AT S H O RT S

UE.MASTERS.EDU

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

chapel highlights

A FEW OF TMU’S MOST MEMORABLE CHAPEL MESSAGES FROM THE YEAR.

THESE AND OTHER CHAPEL MESSAGES FROM THE PAST YEAR ARE AVAILABLE ON TMU’S YOUTUBE PAGE.

‘THE BIRTH OF THE KING’

‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD’ Dr. John MacArthur

Dr. Abner Chou

On Nov. 17, Chancellor John MacArthur walked students through the parables in Matthew 13, reminding them of the hope believers have in Christ and the assurance of His coming that motivates them to be salt and light in the world.

On Dec. 8, President Abner Chou unpacked Luke 2, encouraging students to look at Christ during the Christmas season, to capture everything to the lordship of Christ, and to be His witnesses proclaiming His glory.

P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

‘A SOVEREIGN GOD’ Dr. Voddie Baucham In the midst of an age of anxiety, Dr. Voddie Baucham encouraged our community on March 11 out of Exodus 2 to trust in the God who hears, remembers, sees and knows. P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

‘THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD’

‘BIBLICAL SELF VS. MODERN SELF’

Dr. Ken Ham

Dr. Carl Trueman On March 25, Dr. Carl Trueman, author of “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self,” spoke on a major shift that’s taken place in the understanding of the self and on the importance of believers understanding that their true identity is in Christ.

On Feb. 28, Dr. Ken Ham spoke in TMU’s chapel on cultural conflicts. Where do battles like those over evolution and gender come from? Ham explained that it all begins with a question of worldview: Do you trust man’s word, or God’s?

P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

2021-2022 IN REVIEW

why commencement matters by DR. ABNER CHOU

WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, GRADUATION IS A PROFOUND TIME. It marks the work and sacrifice of parents, professors, students, donors, leaders and board members, all to one end: that students would be changed, prepared and sent out for kingdom service. Graduation marks the triumph of God’s work, not just in a class of students, but in each individual life, with their own individual context and struggle, and with their own individual breakthroughs by God’s providence and grace. It is equally the starting point of a lifetime of service that the Lord will use across the world to impact many lives. Graduation is a reminder that God uses our labors for a far grander cause than just having a school run or program operate. It goes deep into people’s lives, and it goes far as they go out to the world. Graduation may be the end and a new beginning for our seniors, but to us it

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

should be a clarion call to endeavor to send an even better class out the next round. Sometimes we comment on how much work goes into graduation. It is true, there is a massive amount of plant operation, tech, logistics, scheduling, food service, security, signage, and the list goes on. But the work for graduation is far more than that.

P H OTO BY A N N I E V L A D OV S K A

The preparation for graduation is all the sacrifices of service invested by faculty, staff, and students in one’s academic career. It is the constant labor and struggle of working toward the explicit goal, not of academics, but of the honor of Christ and the glory of His name. That is the true preparation for graduation. Our mission is about our students, to invest in them the truth and our lives so that they may capture all things for Christ and Scripture. DR. ABNER CHOU Interim President John F. MacArthur Endowed Fellow

P H OTO BY A N N I E V L A D OV S K A

P H OTO BY T R I N IT Y P E R A LTA

June

2022

THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY TUTORING PROGRAM

Helping to transform students into lifelong learners. Quality guidance from committed tutors who help students in grades 6-12 learn how and why to learn. G R A N D O P E N I N G I N FA L L 2 0 2 2 . L E A R N M O R E AT T M U T U T O R I N G C E N T E R . G O D A D D Y S I T E S . C O M

JUST CATCHING UP

stephen & deborah janho children Abby - 20 | Elle - 20 | Bo - 18 | Jacob - 16 | Sophia - 14

tmu connection Stephen graduated in 1995 with a degree in physical education and an emphasis in athletic training. Deborah also graduated in 1995, having majored in liberal studies.

where they're at

ben & bree rausch

Puyallup, Washington

on the job

children

Stephen is a professional wealth management advisor in the field of real estate. Deborah works at home and also does staging for the business.

tmu connection

favorite memory of tmu Stephen’s favorite moment at Master’s was walking into Hotchkiss and seeing the woman of his dreams. He also remembers ripping a game-winning volley in the first round of playoffs to send Biola packing. Deborah’s favorite memory is the lifelong friendships that she made attending Master’s.

how can the tmu community pray for you? Please pray that we continue to see the work which God provides as ministry for the gospel. Pray that our family would remain faithful to God, His word and the church, and that our lives would be marked by a love for God and others.

Peyton - 2

Ben and Bree both graduated from TMU in 2014 — Ben with a degree in biblical studies (emphases in biblical languages and exposition), and Bree with a degree in liberal studies (emphasis in teacher education).

where they’re at Dana Point, California

on the job Ben works as a project manager at OCI Design. Bree is a second-grade teacher at Pacific Cross Preparatory.

favorite memory of tmu One of Ben’s favorite memories was studying the Bible and hanging out with friends during IBEX. The semester gave him a deep appreciation for the Old Testament. Bree loved the sanctifying, Christ–centered friendships she made at TMU, many of which continue to this day.

how can the tmu community pray for you? Please pray that Bree and I would raise Peyton in a way that honors God, and that we would be used in our community and church to show the hope of the gospel. June

2022

COMMUNITY

ALUMNI

JOB BOARD PRE S E NTE D by TH E M A S TE R’S U NIVE RS I TY OF F ICE OF CARE E R S E RVICE S

Theologian/Writer A P P LY N O W

Sr Accounting Manager A P P LY N O W

Communications and Marketing Director A P P LY N O W

Inside Sales Manager A P P LY N O W

Senior Service Desk Analyst A P P LY N O W

If you have any questions or professional development needs, please contact us at 661-362-2351 or email us at careercenter@masters.edu.

The M U S T A N G C O N N E C T I O N

SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT

CHURCH SCHOLARSHIPS AMOUNT

ELIGIBILITY

$10,000. Awarded as $2,500 per year for up to 4 years.

This scholarship is for new, incoming traditional undergraduate freshmen or transfer students. The student must be a member or regular attendee of the partnered church (listed to the left), and provide the pastor’s recommendation from the listed church in their application for traditional undergraduate admissions.

ELIGIBLE CHURCH PARTNERS

Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, Calif.) Faith Community Church (Newhall, Calif.) Placerita Bible Church (Newhall, Calif.) Faith Bible Church (Spokane, Wash.) Crossroads Community Church (Valencia, Calif.) Grace Baptist Church (Santa Clarita, Calif.) Faith Community Bible Church (Boise, Idaho) San Tan Bible Church (Gilbert, Ariz.) Learn more about financial aid opportunities at masters.edu/financial-aid

Students must apply to this scholarship in order to be eligible. Scholarship awards are not automatic. The student must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or above, or transfer student must have a transfer GPA of 3.0 or above. Awards are dependent on GPA, FAFSA and need. Scholarships are limited to five per church. Once all scholarships have been awarded, eligible students who have not been awarded may be placed on a scholarship waitlist.

Dr. Shelbi Cullen and Kimberly Cummings provide biblical and practical wisdom by coming alongside women with the teaching and resources necessary to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

LISTEN AT MASTERS.EDU/WOMENSHOPE

Dr. Bob Dickson interviews professors from across The Master’s University on topics related to current events and higher education, all from a biblical worldview.

LISTEN AT MASTERS.EDU/THEARTOFDISCERNMENT

OCTOBER 29, 2022 N E W H A L L , C A L I F.

J O I N U S F O R A N I N N O V AT I V E D AY E X P L O R I N G T E C H N O L O G Y F R O M T H E S TA N D P O I N T O F B I B L I C A L T H E O L O G Y.

for a list of speakers, visit masters.edu/theotech.