UPDATE Magazine Fall 2023 Issue

Update UPDATE Westminster Seminary California

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Westminster Seminary California

Proclaiming the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth

Proclaiming the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth

A Hidden Resource for Christ’s Global Church

Growing Laborers for the Harvest

Returning to Serve the Brazilian Church

by Dennis E. Johnson

by Roy Kim

by Tiago Ferreira da Cunha

W S C A L .E D U

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2024 Annual Conference

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PRESIDENT'S

CORNER

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“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

ACTS 1:8-9 2

rom its inception, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has existed to bless and be blessed by the global church. This is captured in one of its earliest mottos: “Building a Base to Serve the West and Reach the World.” Such was and remains the missionary heartbeat of this institution. And now, after more than 40 years of preparing servant leaders through an academically rigorous curriculum, we look forward to what more we can strategically do for Christ’s church “to the ends of the earth, to the end of the age.”

As the only confessional Presbyterian and reformed seminary in the west coast of the US, WSC has a unique opportunity and privilege to not only bless the global church, but also be blessed by them. Founded in 1979, WSC has sought to be a beacon on the hill that would radiate the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

We have seen this opportunity in many areas of the seminary: the incredible number of international students we have received, trained, and sent home to serve; the newly-established global vision trips that offer our students an opportunity to learn firsthand about serving opportunities in various countries; our well-equipped graduates who are ministering around the world; and our faculty, who frequently travel abroad to serve the global church through preaching and speaking engagements and whose translated writings reach far beyond the borders of the US. In this issue, Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology Dr. Dennis E. Johnson reflects on WSC as a “hidden” resource for Christ’s global church (p. 4). Alumnus Tiago Ferreira da Cunha writes about his experience as an international student at WSC and returning to minister in his home country of Brazil (p. 22). Current student Roy Kim describes his seminary preparation for global missions work (p. 8). Finally, we report on a successful 2023 Japan Vision Trip and announce the location of the 2024 vision trip (p. 12).

We live in an exciting time where the Lord Jesus Christ continues to build his church. It is our sincere prayer that God would find us faithful and fruitful in our service to Christ, his gospel, and his church. Thank you for your faithful support of the seminary in this kingdom work.

Cordially in Christ,

Joel E. Kim WSC President UPDATE | FALL2023

UPDATE | FALL2023 PRESIDENT Joel E. Kim EDITOR Marcus McArthur DESIGNER Megan York PRINTER Streeter Printing

Contents 04

Hidden Resource for 04 AChrist’s Global Church

by Dennis E. Johnson

UPDATE magazine is a publication of Westminster Seminary California.

ONCAMPUS

For address changes, duplicate mailings, or additional magazine requests, please write or call.

Laborers for 08 Growing the Harvest

Westminster Seminary California 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027

by Roy Kim

PHONE (888) 480-8474

E. Briones 10 David Announcement

FAX (760) 480-0252

12 Japan Vision Trip Annual 14 42 Commencement

EMAIL development@wscal.edu WEBSITE www.wscal.edu PERMISSIONS: UPDATE grants permission for any original article to be photocopied and distributed, permitted that the wording is not altered in any way, no fee is charged beyond the cost of reproduction, and no more than 500 copies are made. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Westminster Seminary California. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: This article originally appeared in UPDATE, a publication of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) and is reprinted with permission. For more information about WSC, visit www.wscal.edu or call (888) 480-8474.

MISSION: The purpose of UPDATE is to showcase Westminster Seminary California’s distinctively Christ-centered, graduate education through the work of its faculty, students and alumni who are serving as pastors, teachers, missionaries, and leaders worldwide in light of our overarching mission “to glorify God through graduate theological study. . . for those who will serve in the Christian community and the larger society.”

Since 1979, Westminster Seminary California has offered a distinctly Reformed and rigorous education in order to glorify Christ, promote His Gospel, and serve His Church. The strength of our degree programs lies in our faculty’s unified commitment to the inerrant Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. Westminster Seminary California is the only dually accredited seminary in the Western United States serving confessionally Reformed churches.

2023-2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Daniel J. Bryant Rev. William Chang Rev. CJ Den Dulk Rev. Joel D. Fick Mr. Milton D. Hodges Dr. Solomon Jo Rev. Dr. Lloyd H. Kim Rev. Eric Landry Mr. Mark Memmelaar Rev. Steven D. Oeverman Dr. James D. Paauw Mr. Ronald W. Prins Mr. Roger A. Swets Mr. Timothy W. Townsend Rev. Dale A. Van Dyke Dr. Thomas D. Vander Veen Rev. Brian D. Vos

INFOCUS

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and Henry 16 Dawn Doorn Retirement + The Global 18 WSC Church Annual 21 2024 Conference Registration

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ONMISSION

to Serve the 22 Returning Brazilian Church

by Tiago Ferreira da Cunha

24 Alumni News INPERSON & INPRINT

Speaking and 26 Faculty Writing

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+ Memorial 28 Honorarium Gifts CLOSE with 30 UP John Bales

©2023 Westminster Seminary California All rights reserved.

W S C A L .E D U

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INFOCUS

A Hidden Resource for Christ’s Global Church

by D E N N I S E . J O H N S O N

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ver forty years ago a modest Southern California city named “Hidden” (“Escondido”) witnessed the arrival of a “school for specialists” in the Bible. The term “school for specialists” came from the lips of J. Gresham Machen, the founder of Westminster Seminary California’s parent institution in Philadelphia; and the new seminary’s mission was to bring to the West (and beyond) the robust theological and pastoral education that had distinguished Westminster’s ministry for half a century.

The fledgling seminary in its hidden town committed itself to begin “Building a Base to Serve the West and Reach the World.” Enshrined in its bylaws, in fact, is the observation that its location in “an ethnically diverse region near Mexico and accessible to the Asian nations of the Pacific Rim, places before WSC the challenge and opportunity” to prepare students to convey Christ’s gospel to all kinds of people, both regionally and “throughout the world.”

How could such a daring, global vision be realized by a small, newborn seminary in a hidden locale? It could only be achieved by the God who is sovereign over every nation everywhere on this sin-stained earth. His purpose for history is to magnify his glory by rescuing rebels through his Son and transforming them into his loyal subjects and beloved children. His redeemed family embraces people of every nationality, and his Holy

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UPDATE | FALL2023

“In invincible and often surprising ways, God calls his servants by grace, equips them by his Word and Spirit, and directs them into service across the globe.”

Spirit is advancing the reign of his Christ to the ends of the earth through the proclamation of the gospel and the planting and growth of his church. In invincible and often surprising ways, God calls his servants by grace, equips them by his Word and Spirit, and directs them into service across the globe.

THE FACES OF CHRIST’S GLOBAL CHURCH ON WSC’S WALLS So it happened that from the beginning God began to enlist the newborn school into his global initiative. In 1980 a handful of Americans took a risk on the brand-new seminary, and so did a young man born in India, who would go on to shepherd congregations in Canada and the U.S., and a Korean—the first of many—who would return to his homeland to teach theology and educate pastors. We welcomed the Japanese-American son of a missionary to Japan, who returned to Japan after graduation to labor alongside his father. Koreans and Korean-Americans from around the Pacific Rim would leave WSC to preach the gospel, plant churches, and train pastors in Korea, Cambodia, Japan, the U.S., and elsewhere. An Egyptian would return from his studies at WSC to minister in Egypt, and then in Iraq.

A succession of Christian brothers came from Nigeria and returned to fill leadership and teaching roles in the Church of Christ in the Sudan among the Tiv (now Universal Reformed Christian Church). A Kenyan alumna has served as a regional discipler and international leader with The Navigators. Ugandans returned to Uganda to establish a theological college named for the Confession of Faith that defines WSC’s theological convictions. A Canadian alum planted a church in Alberta, mobilized and mentored church planters in Canada and the U.S., and then planted another church in British Columbia. As the author to the Hebrews would say, “time would fail me to tell” (Heb. 11:32) of all the men and women of faith from around the world who, having been found by the Good Shepherd in his sovereign grace, found their way, somehow or other, to WSC. The photos of each graduating class grace the walls of “faculty hallway” on campus, and those from the first thirty W S C A L .E D U

years appear in the published history of WSC’s birth.1 As I look over those many faces, I thank the Lord for all the students with whom I learned over my 37 years of service with WSC. But what especially moves me to awe is that so many of them, from almost every continent, converged (as others still do) on WSC’s campus in order to fill their minds and feed their hearts with God’s Word and then to carry his life-giving message to nations “at the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Africa: Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda Asia: China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam Australia and New Zealand Europe: Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom Central and South America: Argentina, Brazil The Middle East: Iraq, Israel, Turkey And, of course, North America: Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

In those class portraits I also see the faces of students from the U.S. who left WSC’s halls to cross political, linguistic, and cultural boundaries to share the message of Christ with people whose speech, diet, dress, and social experience differ radically from their own. These global followers of Jesus (aka, missionaries) have traveled to Belize, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Niger, Peru, Sweden, and Thailand, as well as to the homelands of our international students (which I listed above).

I think, for example, of a Japanese-American raised in Hawai’i, who was called to church planting in Mexico and the Philippines, then to New York City, and now to Japan (the land of his roots) to mentor urban church planters throughout east Asia. Or of a Korean-American theologian who taught church leaders in the Philippines and Cambodia, and who now coordinates the Presbyterian Church in America’s Mission to the World. A pastor who holds WSC’s 5

Doctor of Ministry degree, upon his “retirement” from ministry in the U.S., moved to Uganda to disciple pastors for the churches of East Africa. Not surprisingly, God’s Spirit often uses the faithful teaching and Christ-like character of these missionaries to introduce international students to WSC, “hidden” away in Escondido, and so to draw them here to explore the whole counsel of God. Finally, those class portraits remind me of the many graduates who serve Christ’s global church as pastors of congregations in California and Oregon and Montana and Texas and Iowa and South Carolina (you get the idea); or as wives of pastors; or as wise elders; or as Christian counselors and Christian school teachers; or as faithful

Pray for WSC

Our Faculty Please pray that the Lord would continue to use our graduates in building up the church around the world.

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Christ-followers in other callings. After all, God’s global church includes the United States. So these brothers and sisters, too, are global Christians. Since they have spent many hours alongside believers from around the world in WSC’s classrooms and library and student lounge, learning together and praying together, I believe they have a more vivid sense of connection with the global family of God.

WHAT DRAWS GOD’S GLOBAL CHURCH TO WSC? The diverse faces that I see in the graduation portraits prompt me to ask, Why has the Lord been pleased to use this still young and quite small seminary to equip so many leaders for his church around the world? Other seminaries offer degrees focused on missiology, intercultural studies, the social sciences, and church planting strategies. WSC does not. Other seminaries bring their resources conveniently to a global audience through online offerings. WSC maintains and

practices its conviction that heralds of God’s gospel and servant-leaders for Christ’s church are best discipled in person, face to face, in a community where mentors and apprentices in the Word and ministry know, and are known by, each other.

I see two main reasons that the Lord of the nations is pleased to gather his servants at WSC and then send them out to the ends of the earth. First, they come to feast deeply on God’s lifegiving message for the nations, to be equipped for a lifetime of discovery in the riches of Scripture. Second, they come to develop a methodology of ministry that fits that message, to be equipped for a lifetime of sharing the gospel of grace with others.

GOD’S LIFE-GIVING MESSAGE FOR THE NATIONS WSC’s curriculum drives students deep into the Scriptures, both for their own growth in Christ’s grace and to prepare them for lifelong service to Christ’s church. Twenty semester hours of

UPDATE | FALL2023

coursework in Hebrew and Greek lay the foundation for students’ engagement with the original texts in the Old and New Testament courses that follow. Those courses introduce students to principles and practices of sound interpretation, which are grounded in the Bible’s redemptive-historical flow, covenantal structure, and Christ-centered focus. Students are prepared to engage God’s Word themselves, and to consult commentaries and other resources with humble discernment. Moreover, whether students realize it or not, these disciplines are forcing them to think cross-culturally, pulling them out of their linguistic and cultural comfort zones to enter the worlds of the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman antiquity.

The church history curriculum traces the church’s growth, its suffering and struggles, and its failures and faithfulness across the centuries and around the world.

Students’ cultural horizons are expanded as they see God’s Word spread from Jerusalem in the time of the apostles, west into Africa and Europe, east into Asia, and eventually to the Americas. An expanded perspective on the life of the church that is truly catholic—universal not only globally but also temporally—provides a challenge and corrective to western, late-modern parochialism. The history of the church demonstrates how theological debate that leads to doctrinal clarification intersects with the lived experience of God’s people in the context of diverse social conditions.

The integration of the fruit of biblical studies with historical theology comes to expression in systematic theology, the thematic articulation of “the whole counsel of God” revealed in Scripture. WSC seeks to ground its students solidly in the historic Christian faith articulated in ancient creeds and expressed with additional clarity in the Protestant Reformation. Our passion is that students come to know more deeply the sovereign creator of all things and redeemer of his chosen people, the eternal divine Son whom he sent to accomplish our redemption, and the Holy Spirit who makes dead hearts live, by invincible grace uniting us to the risen Christ forever. I am persuaded that God draws his servants to WSC and sends them out to the ends of the earth because of the seminary’s robust commitment to this message of utterly amazing grace.

MINISTRY METHODOLOGY THAT FITS GOD’S MESSAGE Embedded in God’s message and flowing from it is the divinely-ordained methodology for its dissemination. Central is the proclamation of the Word, so WSC’s practical theology requirements offer ample experience in preaching (with evaluation and coaching). It is no coincidence that Acts, a book that brims with apostolic preaching, characterizes the growth of the church as the growth of the Word (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20).

W S C A L .E D U

“I am persuaded that God draws his servants to WSC and sends them out to the ends of the earth because of the seminary’s robust commitment to this message of utterly amazing grace.”

The book of Acts and the whole New Testament show that now, under the new covenant, God’s people are interracial, intercultural, and global. The Westminster Confession describes the visible church as “catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law),” so it “consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children” (25.2). In his visions John sees “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,” whose robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9, 14). WSC therefore orients students to the methodology embedded in God’s message through required and elective courses in missiology and gospel witness to specific people-groups and regions. Over the years, seasoned missionaries, missiologists, and evangelists have offered focused electives and modules on the dynamics of gospel witness in African-American/urban contexts, in Chinese/Chinese-American contexts, to the Jewish people, in Korean/Korean-American contexts, to “Mexicans on the move,” to Muslims, in Southeast Asia, and to university students.

A hidden valley. A still-young “school for specialists” in the Bible. Yet the sovereign Lord of the nations is pleased to display the glory of his grace by gathering his messengers in this little place, by saturating their minds and hearts with his grace and truth, and by sending them out with the Word of life to the ends of the earth.

1 WSC Graduates by class, 1982–2011 are listed in W. Robert Godfrey and D. G. Hart, Westminster Seminary California: A New Old School (Escondido: Westminster Seminary California, 2012), 185–198. Photos of graduating classes 1983–2011 are on pages 202–230.

Dennis E. Johnson is Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California. Dr. Johnson and his wife, Jane, live in Dayton, Tennessee.

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ONCAMPUS

Growing Laborers for the Harvest

by R O Y K I M

“T

he harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Our Lord's assessment in the 1st century AD could just as easily describe our context today. This is true in the United States, where church buildings are empty, seminary enrollment has been on the decline, flocks are without shepherds, and pulpits remain vacant. When we consider the sheer numbers of the unchurched abroad and the seemingly ever-dwindling figure of pastors and missionaries in those regions, however, Christ’s statement rings even more true.

To be familiar with such impressions is one thing, but to witness these realities firsthand and hear them confirmed by pastors and missionaries on the ground in countries like Japan is another thing altogether.

In light of such a bountiful harvest and a dearth of laborers on the mission field, I am grateful to be at a church that faithfully supports and prays for its missionaries (New Life Presbyterian Church of La Jolla). But I am even more grateful to be at a seminary that has taken its mission statement – For Christ, His Gospel, and His Church – seriously.

Even in my first year, I have experienced firsthand the delight it has been to attend a Reformed and Presbyterian seminary practicing what it preaches in its missionary zeal. The

H O M E T O W N : Queens, NY / P R O G R A M : MDiv

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UPDATE | FALL2023

particular joy of coming out of a classroom having basked in the inexpressible glory and loveliness of Christ and then participating in our Prayer for Missions group, where we pray for our graduates currently toiling in foreign lands for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. The comfort of praying for beloved missionaries with Dr. Troxel in our faculty-led prayer group. The edification of sharing testimonies of the Lord’s faithfulness beyond our borders with my fellow brothers in the seminary weight room. The encouragement of talking through my family’s missional calling over lunch with Dr. Bitner. The immense privilege of traveling to Japan on the seminary’s vision trip this past April and learning from the local pastors and missionaries proclaiming Christ in what they called “a spiritual Sahara desert.” These all testify to the growing missional spirit of Westminster Seminary California and the growing awareness of the fact that the Bride of Christ is not just red, white, and blue, but a great multitude from every nation.

Surely, there is more work to be done, more laborers to raise up, more zeal to be ignited; nevertheless, it is encouraging to see signs of vitality in our seminary's missionary zeal.

Despite all our efforts, we are reminded that we fall woefully short. It is difficult to combat the blinders that we mostly American seminarians have toward the growth of the kingdom beyond our borders. Further, the things that would keep us future pastors and churchmen from the mission field are manifold. Whether they are specific stateside callings, the comforts of the American lifestyle, the fear of persecution or the difficulties that attend the missionary lifestyle, the lack of desire to learn a new language and culture, the worries of starting or raising a family in a difficult environment, the reasons to stay seem to outweigh whatever calling and whatever need awaits us on the field.

And how can we ever hope to address this desperate need, when the thought that whole people groups have never even seen a Christian and much less heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ tempts us to despair and futility? Furthermore, how could we mere humans ever hope to measure up to this great calling to make disciples of all nations?

It is this understanding that brings us to our knees in humble supplication before the Lord of the harvest. I’ve always found it fascinating that the Lord does not tell his disciples to pray for mass conversion in Matthew 9:38-39, but instead tells them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers out into the field.

We are grateful for how the Lord is faithful to His promise and is working out answers to our great question.

We are grateful for our President Joel Kim, under whose direction the seminary has fully embraced its calling to receive, grow, and send laborers out into the field. Please be praying for our seminary leadership and its continued faithfulness to the purity of the Gospel and the Great Commission. We are grateful for our unsung alumni, W S C A L .E D U

“The Bride of Christ is not just red, white, and blue, but a great multitude from every nation.” steadfastly proclaiming Christ and Him crucified all around the world. Please be praying that the Lord would bless and keep them, their families and their ministries, especially so for those in nations where the threat of social, governmental, and terrorist persecution constantly lingers over their heads. We are grateful for our current students who are preparing for ministry in countries like Mexico, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sweden and China. Please be praying for them as they study and prepare for Gospel ministry across the globe.

We are grateful for the vision trip to Japan the seminary has embarked on and the future trips the seminary will embark on. Please be praying for our upcoming trip to Cambodia (another unreached nation), the students and spouses who will attend it, and the missionaries whom we will learn from and hopefully encourage.

If I could be so bold, please also pray for me and my wife, Esther, as we consider our family’s calling after my graduation in three years. May the Lord open and shut doors of opportunity as He sees fit, send us wherever He will, and equip us for whatever ministry He calls us to, all to the praise of His name.

We are ultimately grateful for Christ, in whom we have redemption. He is building His church and in Him we place our trust.

Pray for WSC

Current Students Please join us in praying for our students as they consider participating in the 2024 Cambodia Vision Trip, as well as their fundraising efforts.

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Dr. David E. Briones Announced as Associate Professor of New Testament

W

estminster Seminary California is very pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. David E. Briones as Associate Professor of New Testament. Dr. Briones began teaching at WSC in the Fall 2023 semester. President Joel E. Kim notes, “I am grateful that Dr. David Briones has joined our faculty and our community. He is not only a noted scholar and experienced teacher; he also brings a deep love for the church as a pastor and a commitment to serving the global church. I look forward to laboring together with him.”

Dr. Briones was born and raised in California. After becoming a Christian at age 18, he received a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Life Pacific University and a M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He then became convinced of covenant theology at a pub in England, where he earned a M.A. in Theology and Religion and a Ph.D. in New Testament at Durham University under the supervision of John M.G. Barclay.

Dr. Briones has taught Greek, New Testament, Biblical Backgrounds, and Biblical Theology at several institutions, but he most recently served as an Associate Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (2019-2023) and Reformation Bible College (2014-19). He has authored Paul’s Financial Policy: A Socio-Theological Approach (T&T Clark) and coedited Paul and Seneca in Dialogue (Brill) and Paul and the Giants of Philosophy (IVP Academic). He has also written several essays in edited volumes, such as the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd Edition; IVP Academic), and published articles in peer-reviewed journals, such as New Testament Studies, Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and Catholic Biblical Quarterly. He is currently finishing a Philemon commentary for the International Theological Commentary series (T&T Clark) and has other

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book projects in progress: two commentaries on Philippians and 2 Corinthians and a co-written book on the Apocrypha.

All these things are counted as gifts of grace that he hopes will bless the church.

As a churchman, Dr. Briones serves as an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, preaching and teaching whenever possible. He lives with his wife, Mindy, and four children in Valley Center. The Briones family enjoyed spending the summer living on campus in the Westminster Village, where Dr. Briones frequently engaged in evening conversations with students around the fire pit. He joins Dr. Bitner in the New Testament department at WSC.

“He is not only a noted scholar and experienced teacher, he also brings a deep love for the church as a pastor and a commitment to serving the global church.”

UPDATE | FALL2023

W HAT I HO P E TO I NST I L L I N MY ST U DEN TS

“I genuinely want to instill a true understanding of God's word.

As Augustine said, "So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them." I long to be lovingly dogmatic and winsomely Reformed, and I pray that students will join me in that overtly theological endeavor. "

Q U I C K FACTS A B OU T DR. B RI ON ES

Parents Immigrated from

Nicaragua

Born and raised in

Southern California

Ordained in

Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Married with 4 Children

Reading

Favorite Food

Nicaraguan

Watching movies

Skateboarding

Hobbies & Interests W S C A L .E D U

PhD completed at

Durham University

Basketball

Coaching baseball 11

Japan Vision Trip L

ast spring, a group of Westminster Seminary California students and some of their wives participated in the 2023 Japan Vision Trip for more than a week’s worth of learning about the church in Japan. To better understand the needs and inner workings of the churches in Japan, the team spent their spring break visiting Nagoya, Tokyo, and Chiba, meeting and greeting the saints in these cities and learning about their congregations, outreach programs, Bible schools, and prayer needs.

On their first day in Japan, the team attended worship at the Presbyterian Church of Japan (PCJ) in Shiga and another service at Nagoya Central Church. The pastors of both churches graciously spent time with the WSC team, telling them about the Japanese church landscape and various missions opportunities. The next day the team met with Mission to the World (MTW) missionary Brett Rayl in Nagoya, where they participated in a prayer walk around the city and learned about the Japanese culture of Shintoism and Buddhism. Later that day they met with missionaries on the outskirts of Nagoya who attempt to expose the Japanese to Christianity through their art program. The third day brought the WSC team to Tsu city, where they met with the PCJ church planting team, worshiped with them, and learned about their need for more church planters in the area. The team spent the remainder of their trip in Tokyo, meeting with Setagaya Grace Church pastor Joe Congdon, Jeff Saunders of RUF Tokyo, and WSC alumnus Mark Bocanegra.

Of the highlights of the trip, the team was able to attend Good Friday and Easter services with the church in Chiba, witness a baptism, visit the Christ Bible Institute in Nagoya,

and hear testimonies from Japanese Christians. The team worshipped at Kaihin Makuhari Grace Church in Chiba for Easter. "Our group was split between the two nextdoor apartment buildings that make up the church," said Emily Kirby, one of the WSC team members. "We saw the children's ministry sing some songs and witnessed a baptism and testimony... It was a blessing to be in fellowship with our Japanese brothers and sisters on such a celebratory day."

WSC student Roy Kim described the contrast of seeing churches tucked between pagan temples, flourishing shopping malls, and businesses of ill-repute. "In this world of darkness, [churches are] very underfinanced, as you can imagine. If you have no church members, you have very few people tithing." And yet, Kim said that God has faithfully provided for those churches and church plants.

Biblical literacy is very low in Japan, and organizations like the Christ Bible Institute are hoping to provide not only theological education but also counseling and pastoral resources as well.

WSC is grateful for the opportunity to encourage, fellowship with, and grow alongside fellow believers in the mission of the gospel.

Westminster Seminary California is excited to announce Cambodia as the 2024 WSC Vision Trip destination! Please pray for our students as they consider participating in the Cambodia Vision Trip, as well as the local pastors and missionaries in Cambodia who will host our team. If you would like to provide financial support for the Cambodia Vision Trip, please contact the seminary at (760) 480-8474 and ask for Rachel Kats.

"Biblical literacy is very low in Japan, and organizations like the Christ Bible Institute are hoping to provide not only theological education but also counseling and pastoral resources as well."

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UPDATE | FALL2023

Westminster Village Update The 10th and last building will be completed at the end of November, bringing the total number of apartments (1, 2, and 3-bedroom) to 72. There are currently 130 adults along with their children residing in the Village. Upon completion, approximately 10% of the total cost of this project (the largest capital initiative in the 43-year history of the seminary) will remain to be funded.

Please pray with us that funds will be provided to eliminate the remaining debt and for how you might help. This project, on average, cuts the housing costs in half for students by providing below-market rents. The 9-acre apartment complex creates an affordable and safe community of faith for many students and their families who call the Westminster Village home.

“When my wife and I were prayerfully considering relocating our family for pastoral preparation we were committed to finding a seminary that would provide excellent biblical training and would be the best environment for our family. Where those two priorities wed together was here at WSC! We now find ourselves thousands of miles away from home yet surrounded by a huge family here in the Village!

Without the family housing, none of this would have been possible for us.”

CURRENT VILLAGE RESIDENT

90% funded

9

residential buildings

72

individual units

1

commons building

You can help!

10% owed W S C A L .E D U

Please prayerfully consider a gift to help complete the Westminster Village for Christ, His Gospel, and His Church.

Please contact us with any questions: DEVELOPMENT@WSCAL.EDU or 888-480-8474 13

42nd Annual Commencement W

estminster Seminary California’s 42nd Annual Commencement took place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 10am at Escondido United Reformed Church. Thirty-four master’s degrees were awarded, including 22 Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and 12 Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees. The Class of 2023 is comprised of men and women from 10 U.S. states and 6 countries, including 3 graduates from Korea, 2 from China, and 2 from Mexico. The 2023 graduating class represents several denominations, including the PCA, URCNA, OPC, KAPC, and various non-denominational churches. These graduates join more than 1,200 alumni who are serving as pastors, church planters, missionaries, teachers, scholars, counselors, and lay leaders in more than 30 countries throughout the world.

The Rev. Dr. David W. Hall, WSC Trustee and Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Georgia, delivered the commencement address, “In Light of His Appearing: Starting, Middling, and Finishing Well,” based on 2 Timothy 4:1-9. Rev. Hall encouraged WSC’s 2023 graduating class to look to the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ as their true compass during their respective ministries in a sin-stricken world. Other guest participants included Rev. Craig Marshall (Pastor of Grace Bible Church in Escondido, CA), Rev. Jessie Pirschel (Pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church in Temecula, CA), and

2023 Graduation Reception Speeches 14

Rev. Jeff Suhr (Senior Pastor of New Life Church of Irvine in Irvine, CA).

Since its inception in 1979, WSC has offered a distinctively Reformed and rigorous theological education to glorify Christ, promote his gospel, and serve his church. Westminster Seminary California remains the only accredited reformed seminary in the Western United States serving confessional Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Please join the WSC faculty and staff in praying that the Class of 2023 will constantly look to the glorious appearing of Christ wherever the Lord calls them to serve.

Videos from commencement activities are available online at YOUTUBE.COM/WESTMINSTERSEMINARYCALIFORNIA

32

total graduates*

10

states

22

M.Div. degrees

6

international countries

12

M.A. degrees

9+

denominations

*There were 32 actual graduates, three of them earning multiple degrees

MATT STONE | MDiv

PETER VOS | MDiv

“What you’re called to offer to the world in need is not your own wisdom, nor the finer points of doctrine, but the true source of everlasting life and joy, Jesus Christ.”

“In our service to Christ, let us not miss Christ. Let us not miss the beauty of the one who died in our place, who rose to give us life.”

UPDATE | FALL2023

In Light of His Appearing: Starting, Middling, and Finishing Well The following is an excerpt from Rev. Dr. David W. Hall’s 2023 commencement address.

T

he appearing of Jesus is the beginning and the end of that paragraph in 2 Timothy 4:1-8. And that appearing is somewhat of a cloudy term in contrast to what it really is. We know the liturgical season of epiphany, from which this word is taken. But even more basically it is taken from the word for “light.” The epiphany is the conspicuous appearing, normally in the sky in which the ancients would take note of some dramatic event with radiance and glory and with a burst of light. The appearing of Jesus Christ is referred to often in the pastoral epistles. It is referred to in Titus 2 for the grace of God that brings salvation as blazed, if you will, has appeared. And in Titus 3:4, with the kindness and love of our savior blazed and appeared. It is the appearing of Jesus Christ that leads us in the book of Titus to say “No!” to worldliness as we wait for the blessed hope of the glorious blazing, appearing, combustion of Jesus Christ.

And it is that phrasing with those terms that in verses one and eight of 2 Timothy chapter 4 of this infamous charge that I want to call your attention and suggest to you is a suitable framing for a life of ministry. To keep before us the appearing of Jesus – the blazing. And whether it is in the ordained pastoral ministry, which I have served in for a number of years, or whatever you do, I want to encourage you graduates to begin well, to serve well in the middle, and

DREW ADMIRAAL | MDiv “I hope this is something you and I can do for the people to whom we will be ministering—to not withhold from them the beauty and reward that comes with wrestling with the deep things of God’s word.”

W S C A L .E D U

to finish well, which is the standard in some ways in light of that all-compelling blaze of Jesus Christ that such provides a bearing that transcends decades of cultural change, of erosion, and of incidentals. And you will need that kind of compass and anchor for all of your life….

You are to be congratulated, all of you and your family members who have served so much. I want to lend my voice to your supportive families and your friends, to congratulate you and to encourage you to begin well. But begin your ministry with the end in view, with Jesus’ blazing, radiant glory in his appearing. And I want to encourage you to do well in the middle and looking to end well in light of that reappearing and that blazing glory. Let that be your constant visual to monitor your standing….

“I want to encourage you graduates to begin well, to serve well in the middle, and to finish well, which is the standard in some ways in light of that allcompelling blaze of Jesus Christ.”

MONSE SANTIAGO MABS, MATS “These three years I’ve been here in seminary are a testimony of the one who has promised to be with us always, to the end of the age.”

STEVE YOO | MDiv “Only at WSCal can you learn by the example of exceptional professors how to be a good student of theology, and even more so, a steward of God's word and a faithful shepherd to his people.”

15

Honoring a Legacy of Service: Dawn and Henry Doorn

F

or 20 years, Henry and Dawn Doorn have served Westminster Seminary California in the development and stewardship of the school's resources. Now, WSC prepares to say farewell.

Henry Doorn retired as Director of Stewardship at the end of June after serving the Lord and His people faithfully at WSC for 20 years. Prior to coming to WSC, Henry worked with Reformation Societies International (RSI), developing their website. He used his technical skills in developing the “Into the Word” cassette tape (and later CD) partnership program when he joined WSC in 2003. He was instrumental in the digitization of the seminary’s donor and alumni records, transitioning WSC into the database program still used in the development department today.

Henry continued his own professional development in the field, earning the Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) designation while focusing his efforts on church relations and donor stewardship. Henry Doorn brought a heightened level of biblical stewardship to the fundraising process at WSC. Dawn Doorn took one step closer to retirement in July, moving away from full-time employment in her work as Vice President for Advancement. During this time of transition, she will work with the Rev. John Bales, WSC’s new Vice President of Development. Dawn’s career in development

spans more than 30 years, following her years as an educator. She worked for secular non-profits before her husband encouraged her to put her expertise to use for the Lord at WSC. Dawn had earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation before joining WSC and assisting in the transition of White Horse Inn (now Sola Media) onto the WSC campus. She was one of 5,000 leaders worldwide to hold the CFRE distinction 20 years ago, and that training would serve her well during her years at WSC. One of Dawn’s strengths has been knowing the importance of raising friends and building trust before raising

funds. This mindset has helped create a sustainable future for the seminary as she sought to serve God’s people by inviting them to join in prayer and financial support for the work of the seminary. Her character and hospitable nature cultivated lasting friendships and encouraged great support and enduring partnerships with WSC. The faculty, board, and administration are grateful for the legacy of trust that Dawn and Henry have cultivated over two decades. They will be missed, but they leave the seminary trusting in the Lord’s gracious provision for this critical kingdom work to continue until the Lord returns.

“They will be missed, but they leave the seminary trusting in the Lord’s gracious provision for this critical kingdom work to continue until the Lord returns. ” 16

UPDATE | FALL2023

Rev. John Bales Hired as Vice President of Development

W

Westminster Seminary California is very pleased to welcome Rev. John G. Bales as Vice President of Development. Rev. Bales returns to WSC after previously serving the Advancement Department from 2007-2008 and as Library Director from 2008-2012. Dawn Doorn, Vice President for Advancement, will be aiding the seminary in this transition before her retirement. Dawn notes, “John Bales is a seasoned fundraising professional who embraces the stewardship values of Westminster Seminary California. We are thrilled that he has rejoined the development team to advance the mission of the seminary.”

Rev. Bales was born in South Dakota and raised in Bismarck, ND. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Northwestern College (IA), an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a M.L.S. from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. Rev. Bales has served as Theology, Philosophy and Religion Librarian at Baylor University in Waco, Texas (2013-2016) and, for the last 7 years, as a Director of Development at Baylor University. As a churchman, Rev. Bales served as a Minister of Word and Sacrament for 17 years in California, Washington, and Wisconsin. He is currently a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

As a development professional, John brings the expertise and experience needed in today’s complex world of fundraising. He reflected on his return to WSC, “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to return to WSC. The seminary is in a strong position today because of past leaders such as Dr. den Dulk, Dr. Strimple, Dr. Godfrey and now President Kim. WSC has been truly blessed with godly men who have served as Trustees. Our faculty is top notch, committed to the Scriptures and to the Reformed confessions.

And our friends and supporters have been extremely generous. I am especially grateful for Dawn Doorn, who initially hired and trained me in development work. Her approach has always been focused on developing friendships and demonstrating faithful stewardship with our friends and supporters. I owe a debt of gratitude for her mentorship. I hope that I can continue the tradition.”

He added, “It’s such a joy to work alongside friends who care deeply about Christ and His Church. We are singularly committed to preparing pastors and church leaders who will be faithful to God’s Word and our confessions as they serve His Church in these tumultuous times. This is why I have returned to WSC.”

W S C A L .E D U

“John Bales is a seasoned fundraising professional who embraces the stewardship values of Westminster Seminary California. We are thrilled that he has rejoined the development team to advance the mission of the seminary.”

17

WSC + the Global Church

Jefferson de Oliveira

CURRENT STUDENT / Fortaleza, Brazil

Jefferson would love to church plant in any country God leads his family.

Bryce Waller

MDIV 2008 / Bogotá, Colombia

Bryce is the Senior Pastor of United Church of Bogotá, an English-speaking church founded in the 1860s that draws Christians from all over the world to worship in the heart of this global city of 11 million people.

A LU M N I S E R V I N G A B R O A D O R PA S T I N T E R N AT I O N A L S T U D E N T S CURRENT INTL. STUDENTS W S C FA C U LT Y 18

UPDATE | FALL2023

“As a seminary in Southern California, with Mexico as its neighbor and with close ties to Asia, WSC has always been engaged actively in missions, both near and far.”

President Joel E. Kim

David + Eowyn Stoddard

MDIV, 1999 + MABS, 1997 / Munich, Germany

David currently serves as International Director for Europe, overseeing MTW’s vision, strategy, and personnel in Europe. Eowyn assists David in his role and supports their local church-planting role in Munich through evangelism, teaching, and women’s initiatives.

Dr. Bradley J. Bitner Cambodia

Dr. Bitner met with the Mission to the World (MTW) team in Phnom Penh in preparation for WSC's 2024 Cambodia Vision Trip.

Danel Tan

CURRENT STUDENT / Singapore, Singapore

After seminary, Daniel plans to return to Singapore to serve the church there.

Dr. David VanDrunen South Africa

Dr. VanDrunen taught intensive modules on Anthropology and Christology at Mukhanyo Theological College in Pretoria and Durbin.

W S C A L .E D U

19

Do you know a

future pastor? Theologian?

Bible teacher? Scholar?

Tell them about Seminary for a Day!

SPRING SEMESTER (DATE TBA) A campus-wide event for prospective students

SFAD participants receive free admission to the 2024 Annual Conference on January 19, 2024.

Easy registration at WSCAL.EDU/SFAD

Don't forget about our travel grant!

WSC is delighted to reimburse prospective students for up to $400 of your travel expenses. This can be applied toward airfare, car rental, gas, and more. Plus, we'll arrange up to two FREE nights of lodging for you!

20

UPDATE | FALL2023

Carrying Out the Charge to Care for the Church

JANUARY 19-20, 2024 | ON THE CAMPUS OF WSC | ESCONDIDO, CA Among the final words of Paul to his “son” Timothy was a reminder of why we do what we do in the church: “The aim of our charge is love” (1 Tim 1:5). No goal is more noble, more demanding, or more gratifying. How do we, as the church, keep our sight set on love as we carry out the ministry of Word, sacrament and discipline? How do we, as believers, faithfully carry out the stewardship of God’s grace entrusted to us so that we build one another up in love? This year’s conference takes aim at such questions with a view to encouraging all who attend, both in their individual callings in the church and in our mutual vision for the church, to pursue purity of heart and sincerity of faith.

PLENARY SESSIONS & SPEAKERS

REGISTER TODAY!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 | 7PM PST

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Our Aim is Love | B R A D L E Y J. B I T N E R A Pure Heart | A . C R A I G T R OX E L

Online: (recommended) Visit wscal.edu/conference Phone: Call (888) 480-8474

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20 | 8AM PST A Good Conscience | J A S O N P I C K A R D A Sincere Faith | D AV I D E . B R I O N E S A Faithful Stewardship | J O E L E . K I M Questions & Answers | S P E A K E R PA N E L

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Westminster Seminary California Attn: Annual Conference 2024 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027

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ONMISSION

Returning to Serve the Brazilian Church

by T I A G O F E R R E I R A D A C U N H A

O

ne of my last events as a student at Westminster Seminary California was the Graduation Reception dinner, where I was invited to talk about my seminary years. On that occasion, I commented that I had found in Westminster California, thousands of miles away from my country, the two things that most influenced my life: good old Reformed theology and solid education. It's been more than two years since my training at WSC. Today I am an assistant pastor of a church in a city in northern Brazil. Looking back, I see more clearly the enormous impact WSC had on my pastoral and academic background.

I was born in a small village near the city of Baiao, in the Brazilian Amazon region. I was introduced to the Reformed faith at age 8 when my father left Roman Catholicism to become a Presbyterian. Former farmhands who became elementary school teachers, my parents always believed in the power of education to change lives.

Their dream had always been that their 8 children would go to college. To make this possible, they made great sacrifices. But it was their encounter with the Reformed faith that proved to be the most lasting influence on our family.

My father underwent a transformation that permanently changed his faith and his perspective on life. By the grace of God, he became a godly man and brought us up at the feet of the Lord.

But even though I was raised in a godly home, it wasn't until my late teens that I began to experience intimacy and fellowship with the Lord more consistently. I moved to the city of Maraba, where I went to college and

22

started to get involved in church service. When I was 20, I began to notice the first signs of my calling to the ministry. I struggled for a long time with the inner compulsion that drove me into ministry. I married Ilsa when I was 28, and we moved to another city, where I started working in a good job with financial stability. It was only at the age of 30 that the Lord's call overcame my resistance, and I decided that I should seek a theological equipping to serve the Lord and his church more effectively.

I was sent by my church and presbytery to study in São Paulo, the largest metropolis in Brazil. It was a troubled and difficult period, as I had to work during the day to support my family and study at night. With only one year of seminary, I realized that it would be impossible to maintain the frenetic routine of São Paulo. In February 2018, as we were considering different perspectives, I received an email from WSC Admissions, which informed me of the construction of the residential village on the WSC campus. I was delighted with that information, as I had always been interested in studying at WSC, but things such as the high cost of rent had led me to postpone that plan indefinitely. After hearing the news about the new residential village, my wife and I spent a few months in the difficult task of raising funds for the study years. The task was so arduous that we used to say that if we could get the funds to pay for my studies, we needed no further sign of providence that this was what God was directing us to do. And he opened many doors as we got financial support from my family, my presbytery and some friends and acquaintances.

UPDATE | FALL2023

After contacting Mark MacVey in the enrollment department, he informed me of a local resident interested in helping to fund the tuition for a Brazilian student at WSC. That was how I met Mr. Bradley Arakelian, assistant pastor for missions at North City Presbyterian Church in Poway. A fluent Portuguese speaker, Bradley would become the first and last person we saw in the US. He was instrumental in the process of change and acclimatization in the first few months in the USA. He also became an excellent friend, with whom we learned many details of American culture and life. Mark also gave us a very warm welcome and introduced us to the installations of WSC. My English was so poor that, without Mark’s help, I would not be able to open a bank account.

The WSC years went by too quickly. I felt privileged to be able to study at the feet of men like Michael Horton, David VanDrunen, Steven Baugh, Bryan Estelle, R. Scott Clark, and Julius Kim. But my first challenge was the Greek classes with Dr. Charles Telfer. Those classes were just an appetizer for bigger challenges, particularly with Hebrew.

I joined as a listener in two Latin classes that proved to be very fruitful for my post-seminary life.

The most challenging classes for me were the Old Testament classes with Dr. Joshua Van Ee and Dr. Estelle. I lost many nights of sleep studying for the tests and papers in these disciplines. Thanks to my teachers, I learned to appreciate the depth of the Old Testament and to be humbler as I studied it. Academically, WSC gave me something rare in higher education: the tools I needed to keep studying.

The seminary library still remains my favorite place on campus. But as Dr. Clark used to say in his classes, a good scholar is the one who knows how to research the best primary and secondary sources. My contact with high-level research has changed the way I study. Not only that, but writing papers has helped me improve my academic writing. Despite English being my second language, I managed to improve it during the course, and the feedback received encouraged me to continue writing. Something I appreciated about professors was that, rather than lowering the bar to make me more comfortable, they always looked to hone my skills to produce higher quality academic work.

In particular, WSC's emphasis on the original languages of Scripture instilled in me a greater appreciation for Greek and Hebrew. I keep Dr. Baugh's classes as a precious memory. I never left his classroom without having learned something new and exciting about NT Greek. I can't measure the weight that the study of languages, biblical theology, church history, and practical theology had on my ministerial training. In my pastoral routine, I am sure that I save many precious hours by knowing how to use languages for exegesis, as well as by being able to critically evaluate the support material for sermon preparation.

As for pastoral preparation, I am grateful for the trainW S C A L .E D U

ing that WSC has given me. Not just the pastoral theology professors, but all the other professors always showed a pastoral heart for me. Curriculum integration was also extremely positive. In the first semesters, it was already possible to see how the original languages informed the study of exegesis, which in turn were the basis of systematic and historical theology. This all culminated in the preparation of sermons, which came out richer and more robust. North City Presbyterian Church and their lovely pastor, Rev. David Nutting, allowed me to preach some sermons from an apprenticeship in their pulpit.

In particular, I have fond memories of Dr. Craig Troxel's classes. As I write, I have beside me a copy of The Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges, which Dr. Troxel introduced to me.

I also have great memories of community life in the seminary residential village. My wife and I made excellent friends, whom we will keep in our hearts and hope to see again, if not in this life, then when we are all in Celestial Jerusalem. The residential village was the most peaceful place we've ever lived. I learned many things from my neighbors, especially from the “international building” people, as we liked to call ourselves. My next-door neighbor, the Chinese pastor Qingjun Luo, was one of the people I most identified with during my seminary years. I learned from him both how to serve the Lord better and how to be more diligent in my studies.

When my seminary years ended, I immediately returned to Brazil, where I began to work in the same church that had sent me to São Paulo. The challenges in northern Brazil are considerable. There is a lack of workers in the field, and it is difficult to maintain the few who are engaged in the work. I was ordained to pastoral ministry in January 2021, at Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil, the largest Reformed denomination in Brazil. During this period, I have preached, taught, visited, and counseled. My family has also gotten bigger, with the addition of our third child, Marcos, who was born this year. Before we left for the US, we already had a son, Lucas, and we had another one while we were there, Calvin.

Next year, God willing, I will start a new challenge in my pastoral life, which is to be the senior pastor of a church in my hometown. It's a small town and the church is still

“Academically, WSC gave me something rare in higher education: the tools I needed to keep studying.”

23

young. I am planning to implement there something I thought before my seminary years, namely, a theological training project focused on the formation of leadership.

Thanks to the initial impulse I got from classes with Dr. Telfer, today I am working on the first Portu-

guese translation of Loci Communes by Wolfgang Musculus. The first volume, with around 200 pages, will be published soon in Brazil. I have plans to translate more theological works from the Reformation and Post-Reformation period for the Brazilian church.

We are excited and eager to expe-

rience more of God's grace. He has always been by our side and has not forsaken us. As John Bunyan states in his autobiography, “all things considered, I magnify the heavenly Majesty, for that by this door He brought me into this world, to partake of the grace and life that is in Christ by the gospel.”

Alumni News

2007

Presbytery of Central Pennsylvania of the OPC in October 2023. Along with fellow alumnus Jonathan Cruse (MDiv, 2017), he co-authored Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and also began PhD studies at Highlands Theological College, supervised by Mark Elliott.

If you have an update to share, we'd love to know! Email us at alumni@wscal.edu and be sure to include your name, graduation year, and degree received.

1992

Fritz Hinrichs (MAR) began his 30th year teaching the Great Books to homeschoolers and still finds great joy in this enriching work.

Burke Shade (MDiv) was installed as the Assistant Pastor of St. Mark Reformed Church (CREC) in Franklin, TN, in June 2023. He also underwent cancer treatments in Scottsdale, AZ, and received encouraging reports that the tumor has shrunk significantly – praise the Lord!

2001

Peter Ho (MAC) became the pastor of Logos Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Seattle, WA, in July of 2023 after seeing a listing on WSC’s alumni job posting webpage.

David Magowan (MABS) and his wife, Elinor, are leading a church plant from Carey Baptist Church in Reading, UK, where he has been a co-pastor since 2009. They started meeting on Sunday mornings in an elementary school in September 2023.

2003

Nate Hitchcock (MDiv) celebrated twenty years in ordained pastoral ministry. He continues to serve as the senior pastor of Ascension PCA in Edmonds, WA, and he and his wife, Anna, joyfully welcomed their first grandchild in March!

24

R. Andrew Compton (MDiv) completed his Ph.D. from the University of Pretoria (Pretoria, South Africa) with a dissertation titled, “A Priest Coping with a New Place: A Vocational Psychology and Trauma Reading of Ezekiel’s Priestly Identity.” He has been professor of Old Testament Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary (Dyer, IN) since 2016.

Martin Hedman (MACS) began serving as the Pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, WA, in June 2023.

Ran Shen (MDiv) started a new position as the Mandarin Pastor for Bay Area Chinese Bible Church in June of this year.

2008

Ken B. Montgomery (MDiv) had an article published in the April 2023 edition (vol. 48, issue 1) of Themelios (the theological journal of The Gospel Coalition) titled, “You are the Salt of the Earth (Matt 5:13): Influence or Invitation?”

Stephen Roberts (MDiv) and his family recently moved to Fort Bliss, TX, and he will be promoted to Major in December.

2010

Tommy Myrick (MDiv) was installed as Senior Pastor of New City Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Ferndale, MI. The Rev. Nick Batzig preached the installation sermon. Tommy joins fellow WSC alumni Harrison Perkins (MDiv, 2015) and Scott McDermand (MAHT, 2016; MDiv, 2018) serving in eastern Michigan.

2011

Andrew J. Miller (MDiv) was installed as Regional Home Missionary for the

2012

Chris Stevens (MDiv) began serving Covenant Reformed (PCA) in Rustin, LA, as the Senior Pastor in 2020. He recently edited the publication Studies on the Paratextual Features of Early New Testament Manuscripts alongside Stanley E. Porter and David I. Yoon in the series Texts and editions for New Testament study, vol. 16 (2023).

2013

Brandon Hoffman (MAHT) and his family recently returned to the San Diego area, and Brandon began teaching at Santa Fe Christian School in August 2023. He and his family are excited to be back in this area that they love!

2014

Shaun Murray (MDiv) launched a marketing company focused on helping reformed churches called Kingsmen Design.

2015

Sun Kwak (MDiv) became the Senior Pastor of the newly formed church Christ Our Redeemer (PCA) in Camarillo, CA, on May 28, 2023. He is grateful for God’s kindness and providential hand in guiding the leaders and congregation of Christ Our Redeemer through this new work.

2016

Mark Hogan (MDiv) was installed as

UPDATE | FALL2023

the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Van, TX, on August 27, 2023.

throposensitive Theology and Affective Spirituality.

Dan York (MDiv) successfully completed and defended his PhD at Durham University under the supervision of Walter Moberly in the Department of Theology and Religion.

Kevin Wang (MDiv) began PhD studies in Biblical Studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

2017

Antonio Coppola (MDiv) published a book titled, Faithful God: An Introduction to Covenant Theology. He continues to pastor Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church in Durban, South Africa, alongside fellow WSC alums Alex Hewitson (MDiv, 2022) and Brendan Stamper (MDiv, 2023), who serve the church as interns.

Jonathan Cruse (MDiv) co-authored a new book titled, Glorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism with fellow alumnus Andrew Miller (MDiv, 2011).

2018

Sam Hyeong Rae Jo (MDiv; MAHT) received his PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam under the supervision of Dr. Willem van Vlastuin and Dr. Kyle Stroble (Talbot School of Theology, Biola University). His doctoral research focused on John Owen’s An-

2020

Emily (Van Der Linden) Gilbert (MATS) married Andrew Gilbert on June 10, 2023.

2021

Aaron Chizmar (MDiv) accepted a position as the Biblical Greek teacher and School of Engineering Director at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Inwoo Lee (MAHT) currently teaches theology to middle school and high school students at a Christian school in the greater Seoul area. He is pursuing PhD studies in the Faculteit Religie en Theologie at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam researching John Owen’s doctrine of justification.

2022

Peter Bell (MDiv) accepted a call to candidate as the Teaching Elder/Pastor of Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Santa Maria, CA, and is pursuing ordination in the coming months.

James Petropoulos (MDiv) was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on October 6, 2023. He currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Redeemer Santa Rosa.

Rudy Manrique (MDiv) was ordained as a minister of the Word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on September 27, 2023. He currently serves as an Assistant Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Yorba Linda, CA, and is working to plant a church in Riverside, CA. Peter Vos (MDiv) was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) on August 27, 2023. He has been serving as the Associate Pastor at Orland Park Christian Reformed Church in Orland Park, IL, since June 2023.

2023

Christopher Kim (MDiv) was ordained on September 24, 2023, in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and currently serves as an Assistant Pastor at Inland Church.

David Mendoza (MAHT) began teaching in the humanities department at a classical school called John Adams Academy in July of 2023.

LEFT: Tommy Myrick's installation service at New City Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Ferndale, MI; RIGHT: Chris Kim's ordination service with fellow WSC alumni in attendance.

W S C A L .E D U

25

INPERSON + INPRINT

WSC Faculty Serving the Global Church

W

estminster Seminary California faculty have served the global church through international speaking and preaching opportunities since the seminary’s inception. This commitment to Christ’s churches around the world has only increased over time as our professors have looked to capitalize on WSC’s strategic location facing the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

In recent years, our faculty have spoken in South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and many other countries.

In addition, WSC faculty books have been published in at least 14 different languages, including Korean, Portuguese, Indonesian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Mandarin. Our professors are honored to serve the global church through these international partnerships.

In July, Dr. Michael S. Horton spent two weeks speaking in Egypt and Kenya. A guest of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt, Dr. Horton spent the first day in Cairo touring the Grand Egyptian Museum and Giza Pyramids with his hosts.

On July 8, he had the honor of delivering the commencement address at the Alexandria School of Theology (AST) on John 13:1-20, titled “A Strange King.” AST is a strategic venture of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. It is the only Anglican theological institution in the Middle East that teaches primarily in Arabic. This marked AST’s fifteenth commencement ceremony. On the Lord’s Day, Dr. Horton preached in morning and afternoon services at Anglican Church in Zamalek and Anglican Arabic Church in Heliopolis, respectively. He spent the next few days delivering additional

lectures at AST on “The Hiddenness of God,” a seminar hosted by a ministry affiliated with Mission to the World, and a Theo Global conference in Alexandria, Egypt. Dr. Horton spent the following week in Nairobi, Kenya. There he had the great honor of conducting a seminar at East Africa Baptist School of Theology, which is a ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Nairobi. He spent the rest of the week speaking at the Theo Global East Africa conference alongside African pastor-scholars. Between these speaking engagements Dr. Horton had the opportunity to enjoy a Nairobi National Park game drive.

Earlier this summer, Dr. David VanDrunen had the distinct honor of delivering a lecture on political theology in the Australian parliament building. Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and several MPs attended Dr. VanDrunen’s lecture. During his time in Australia, the Lachlan Macquarie Institute (LMI) invited Dr. VanDrunen to host a seminar for its students and scholars outside of Canberra. LMI is a Christian think tank that trains and supports wise Christian leaders for politics and culture who are biblically faithful, culturally intelligent, and positively engaged for the common good. Dr. VanDrunen’s seminar examined biblical wisdom for walking the path between church, politics, work, and everyday life. Toward the end of the summer, it was Dr. Horton’s turn to encourage Australian Christians as he taught at Queensland Theological College in Brisbane, Australia.

Please pray for our faculty as they travel around the world serving the global church.

“This commitment to Christ’s churches around the world has only increased over time as our professors have looked to capitalize on WSC’s strategic location facing the Pacific Rim and Latin America.”

LEFT: Dr. VanDrunen speaking at Lachlan Macquarrie Institute; RIGHT: Dr. Horton speaking at Theo Global East Africa conference

26

UPDATE | FALL2023

UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS NOVEMBER 19 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at Taiwanese Lutheran Church of San Diego (San Diego, CA).

DECEMBER 3 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at North Park Presbyterian Church (San Diego, CA).

JANUARY 31 | Dr. David VanDrunen teaches at International Reformed Baptist Seminary (Mansfield, TX).

FEBRUARY 2-4 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks at Covenant OPC Conference and preaches (Coeur d’Alene, ID) 8-9 | Dr. David VanDrunen speaks at OPC Timothy Conference (Oveido, FL).

19-21 | Dr. David VanDrunen speaks and preaches at Korean Institute for Reformed Preaching (South Korea).

DECEMBER 24 | Dr. Michael Horton preaches at Oceanside URC (Oceanside, CA) APRIL 23-24 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Asian American Leadership Conference (Orange County, CA).

MAY 3-5 | Dr. David VanDrunen speaks at Christ OPC Conference (St. Charles, MO).

23-25 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Ligonier National Conference (Orlando, FL).

28-30 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks at the Banner of Truth Conference at Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, PA) OCTOBER 11-21 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Ligonier Mediterranean Study Cruse (Mediterranean Ocean).

15 | Dr. A. Craig Troxel speaks at NAPARC Eastern Ministerial Conference (Ontario, Canada).

W S C A L .E D U

Winter Refresher 2024 JANUARY 10-13, 2024

FREE auditing for WSC alumni!

COURSES INCLUDE

Urban Apologetics DR. CARL ELLIS, JR.

Missions in Europe REV. DAVID STODDARD

The Life and Thought of Theodore Beza DR. DAVID NOE

Faculty Writing BOOKS

For more faculty books, see the bookstore ad on p. 31 or visit us online at wscal.edu/bookstore

Natural Law: A Short Companion

by D A V I D V A N D R U N E N

The texts in this volume begin and end with this same point. Composed under different circumstances by giants of the Reformed tradition—Theodore Beza (1519–1605), Amandus Polanus (1561–1610), and Francis Turretin (1623–87)—they represent genres of classical treatments of the same doctrine. Each text explores aspects of justification from a different angle. Together they touch on a host of important theological concerns: the nature of faith, good works, sanctification, union with Christ, the Holy Spirit, hermeneutics, the unity of Scripture, and more.

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Honorarium & Memorial Gifts

Gifts Received from Apr. 26, 2023, through Oct. 17, 2023

IN HONOR OF

IN MEMORY OF

Rev. Dr. R. Andrew Compton

Mrs. Edythe G. Adams Mr. Gary B. Adams

Rev. Dr. Richard P. Kaufmann Mr. and Mrs. David V. Edling Esq.

Mrs. Joyce Blauw AG Business Solutions Black Soil Dairy Rev. Richard J. Blauw CatchMark Technologies Dakota Plains Dairy Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn Edgewood Dairy Rev. Dr. and Mrs. W. Robert Godfrey Meadow Rock Dairy Mr. and Mrs. David W. Mulder Red Arrow Dairy Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schimmel

Mrs. Marlys Keen Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn Dr. and Mrs. Paul L. Kurtzweil

Mr. Roger Blok Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korthuis

Mrs. Jane E. Prins Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E. Brouwer Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Prins

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Brinks Mrs. Linda S. Brinks Mr. Henry and Mrs. Dawn Doorn Mrs. Derkina J. Den Boer Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Faber Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Dennis E. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Arlan F. Memmelaar Dr. and Mrs. William J. Montgomery Mrs. Edna Paauw Dr. and Mrs. James D. Paauw Dr. Elaine Tan Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick Mr. and Mrs. Norman J. Van Solkema Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl Ms. Ellen Ward Ms. Marilyn Jean Frank Mr. Burton D. Santee Jr. Rev. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey Mr. Edward Brower Mrs. Derkina J. Den Boer Dr. and Mrs. Michael N. Dudley Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korthuis Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Ornee Dr. and Mrs. William Rowland Ms. Barbara A. Van Solkema Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl

Mr. Mike Branch Mr. and Mrs. Alex Watson-Wong Mr. Dennis Clark Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis Mrs. Marlene De Groot Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis Mr. Arie de Jong Jr. Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl Mr. Benjamin den Hartog Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korthuis Mrs. Molly den Hartog Lindsey Mr. and Mrs. Scott Korthuis Mrs. Trudy Goedhart Mr. Ben Goedhart Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl

Rev. Dr. William H. Kooienga Mrs. Marilyn Kooienga Mr. Dan Kuipers Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis Mr. Dennis PanKratz Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Tucker Mrs. Carolyn Poundstone Mr. and Mrs. James W. Onnink Rev. Don Poundstone

Mrs. Janet Ramig Dr. Alexander Ramig Mr. Melvin E. Taylor Dr. and Mrs. Paul W. Taylor Mr. Fred A. Troost Mr. and Mrs. Gary Troost Mr. John Vander Meulen Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn Rev. and Mrs. Derrick J. Vander Meulen Mr. Keith Vander Pol Mr. and Mrs. James E. Brinks Rev. Thomas L. Wenger, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Patrick J. O’Banion Mr. Jerry Yuke Mr. and Mrs. Alex Watson-Wong

Giving From Your IRA Making Kingdom Impact Through Retirement Assets If you are 70 ½ or older, you can give to Westminster Seminary California from your IRA and receive significant tax benefits in return.

Benefits of giving from your IRA CONVENIENT. An easy way to give to your favorite charity.

TAX-WISE. Charitable distributions reduce your taxable income. This benefits you even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax returns!

PROMISES KEPT. Gifts from your IRA can be used to fulfill any charitable giving pledges previously made.

IMPACTFUL. Gifts are tax-free to the charity.

The entirety of your gift will go toward ministry!

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Requirements of a Qualified Charitable Distribution You can give to Westminster Seminary California from your IRA without any federal tax liability, as long as the gifts are qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Distributions qualify for all or part of an IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD).

• IRA holders must be age 70 ½ or older at the time of the gift.

• Give up to $100,000 per year as a single person or $200,000 per year as a married couple from separate accounts.* • Distributions to donor-advised funds are not permissible.

• Distributions may be made from IRAs including a traditional IRA, inherited IRA, SEP IRA (inactive) or simple IRA (inactive).

Other retirement accounts are not eligible.

This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your financial advisor and legal counsel for information and advice specific to your situation.

Learn More Contact us at 888-480-8474 or development@wscal.edu.

UPDATE | FALL2023

WSC Annual Report ACADEMICS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023

Faculty

Accreditation

Alumni

11 Members

Association of Theological Schools

1,200+

9.3:1

Student/faculty ratio

102

Graduates

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Total Students

christian reformed church in north america

independent/ reformed baptist

7%

5%

68

master of divinity

29

2

master of arts

visiting/nonmatriculating

WSC Alumni Serving 11%

WSC continues to graduate more men in the Master of Divinity program than all other

other

FINANCIAL

programs combined

20%

tuition

Ordinary Expenses

orthodox presbyterian church

14%

united reformed churches in north america

$7,300

Ordinary Income other

korean presbyterian

6% 13%

24%

presbyterian church in america

other reformed/ presbyterian denominations

average scholarship/grant

$9,000

average net cost

27% 81% 20%

$5.1

MILLION

$16,300 TUITION PER FULL-TIME STUDENT

$5.0

MILLION 53% 7%

instruction & programs unrestricted gifts

W S C A L .E D U

fundraising & development

12%

general & administrative

WSC does not receive direct funding from the

government or from any specific church denomination

29

Up Close with

Rev. John Bales You worked at WSC in the Development department and as Library Director from 2007-2012.

Please tell us what you have been up to since 2012.

I worked at Baylor University in Waco, TX, for the last ten years. I essentially did the same type of work at Baylor that I had done at WSC. During my first three years I served as the theological librarian, which entailed teaching basic research methods to undergraduates and providing advanced orientation classes to doctoral candidates in religion, philosophy, and church history.

In addition, I taught a one-unit class to first-year students and led a colloquium on Augustine and happiness. I also had the privilege of taking a short-term mission trip through Baylor to Ndola, Zambia. I witnessed abject poverty and suffering, but also inspiring faith and joy among the Christians there. I am a different person because of that trip.

“I think there is in every one of us a desire to know that our work is meaningful. This desire is magnified even more in our turbulent world today."

30

During this time, the Dean of the Libraries knew I had development experience and asked if I would become their development officer, so I transferred to their development department and began raising support for the University. Thus, I worked as a major gifts officer for the past seven years, the last three years as Baylor’s regional development officer in California, which meant I was traveling throughout California.

With respect to the church, I attended Redeemer PCA in Waco, where I led the adult education classes and filled the pulpit occasionally.

What drew you back to WSC to serve as Vice President of Development?

Certainly the Lord’s hand directed my return. While working remotely in Orange County as Baylor’s regional development officer, I was attending Trinity OPC in Dana Point. I benefited immensely from the preaching ministry of WSC alumnus, Rev. Jonathan Moersch.

Jon's faithful exposition of the Scriptures reminded me weekly of the value of a WSC education. It was during my time in Orange County that President Kim graciously invited me to return to WSC and fill the position from which Dawn Doorn is retiring after nearly 20 years. President Kim described how the Lord has been blessing WSC with the now near completion of the student housing Village, which lessens the financial burden of students while also creating a safe community. He joyfully

reported on the addition of new faculty to replace several respected, retiring faculty. And he upheld the vision of WSC as uniquely positioned to send forth well-prepared pastors and church leaders not only into North America, but also strategically located as a gateway for our graduates to serve in the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

Why do you think it is important to support seminary education, Westminster Seminary California in particular?

I think there is in every one of us a desire to know that our work is meaningful. This desire is magnified even more in our turbulent world today. While everything is changing, the Lord’s work does not. WSC’s board, faculty, staff, and friends are committed to serve the church by preparing godly pastors, teachers, and missionaries for his vineyard. We are dedicated to the inerrancy of God’s Word and to the Reformed/Presbyterian Confessions for the preparation of an educated ministry.

Together we are following a long tradition from Calvin’s académie in Geneva to Machen’s founding of Westminster Philadelphia to our labors at WSC today. That is very meaningful to me.

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands...” (Psalm 90:17).

John Bales is the Vice President of Development at WSC.

UPDATE | FALL2023

Faculty Books Available Now

Transfiguration and Transformation

The Primary Mission of the Church

Recovering Our Sanity

Politics After Christendom

by Hywel R. Jones (Banner of Truth, 2021)

Engaging or Transforming the World?

How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears that Divide Us

Political Theology in a Fractured World

by Bryan D. Estelle (Mentor, 2022)

Saving the Reformation The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort

by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust Publishing, 2019)

Justification 2-Volume Series, New Studies in Dogmatics

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2018)

Learning to Love the Psalms

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust, 2017)

God's Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2017)

by Michael Horton (Zondervan, 2022)

What is the Priesthood of Believers?

Basics of Faith Series

by David VanDrunen (Zondervan, 2020)

by A. Craig Troxel (P&R, 2019)

Echoes of Exodus

Journeys with Jesus

Tracing a Biblical Motif

Aquinas Among the Protestants

Every Path in the Bible Leads Us to Christ

by Bryan D. Estelle (IVP Academic, 2018)

Edited by David VanDrunen (Wiley-Blackwell, 2017)

Natural Law A Short Companion

by David VanDrunen (B&H Academic, 2023)

The Majesty on High Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament

by S. M. Baugh (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017)

by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2018)

Ephesians

Core Christianity

God's Glory Alone

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary

Finding Yourself in God's Story

The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life

by S. M. Baugh (Lexham Press, 2016)

by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2016)

by David VanDrunen (Zondervan, 2015)

Calvin on the Christian Life Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever

by Michael S. Horton (Crossway Books, 2014)

Visit our campus Bookstore! WSCAL.EDU/BOOKSTORE W S C A L .E D U

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WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN CALIFORNIA 1725 BEAR VALLEY PARKWAY ESCONDIDO, CA 92027 WWW.WSCAL.EDU

BITNER TROXEL BRIONES PICKARD KIM J A N U A RY 1 9 - 2 0 , 2 0 2 4

Carrying Out the Charge to Care for the Church

32

UPDATE | FALL2023