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Several years ago a wise old Texan said to me, "Son, a man will change his God before he'll change his politics." At that time I wasn't wise enough to know just how insightful his words actually were.
I just finished reading Miroslav Volf's excellent book, A Public Faith. I suspect that, beyond the fact that I think Volf is an important and challenging voice for the Church to hear today, I read the book out of a deep sense of dissatisfaction, if not desperation, in this election year. At least a good measure of my dissatisfaction comes from frequently hearing Christians make their God match their politics rather than bending their politics to God's character and purpose.
Must we have a public faith? Absolutely. Our identity and mission as the sent people of God demands it. But what does it mean to have a public faith that is truly redemptive for the whole of society? Volf's book has some important ideas for all of us along those lines. Of course, Denver Seminary has a wonderful legacy of encouraging the Church to speak prophetically and redemptively to our society. Vernon Grounds' important work in Evangelicalism and Social Responsibility, remains a classic treatise on this topic. (You can get a reprint of Dr. Ground's work here.) Building on that legacy, the Seminary's mission statement obligates us to prepare men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. That means we must help our students learn how to live out a public faith—coherent and compelling, prophetic and plausible, realistic and redemptive.
May the Lord give you wisdom to live a public faith for the sake of His name during this election season.
P.S. A good sense of humor and a great sense of God's sovereignty will help too!
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 What has been happening in your life? We want to know! Send us your photos, plus updates (e.g. weddings, births, anniversaries, career changes, etc.), to and we’ll highlight it right here in the Alumni Connection. We look forward to "seeing" you!
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1960's
![William Carson]() William C. Carson (M.R.E. Christian Ed., 1963)
After serving 21 years as a Christian Ed director, and 21 years as a Christian bookstore owner and shepherd, my wife, Patricia, and I are serving with Wycliffe Associates in Kupang, Indonesia. We are serving in various capacities including hosting guests, setting up inventory system for the books of various Bible translations published by SIL in different languages in the area and helping to install an electric security fence, similar to what I used with the sheep. It is wonderful to see how God prepares us for the jobs He wants us to do.
1970's
Lyle Jacobson (M.Div. 1970)
Lyle Jacobson shows society the value of those with developmental disabilities in his new book "Good Lookin' Man Like Me: A Luminous Portrait of a Life That Transcends Constraints." He highlights the unique resilience of the human spirit to overcome obstacles through his brother, Wendell "Wendy" Jacobson. Jacobson encourages families and individuals to appreciate the unique way people who are different and how it can teach the general public many important lessons about living. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy early in life, and later afflicted with osteomyelitis and epilepsy, Wendy has shown that nothing could overpower the one quality that drew people to him: his personality. Lyle has a bachelor's from Biola University and a master's from Denver Seminary. He worked in the pastoral ministry for 21 years before leaving to work as the manager at an office furniture store, behaviorist in an obesity treatment center and a test and balance technician in the commercial HVAC industry. He lives with his wife in California.
1990's
David Bateman (M.Div. 1990)
I have been serving as a pastor since graduation from Seminary. I am about one month away from finishing my 4 CPE units at Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, SC. I was ordained by SBC in 1991 and by the Vineyard in 2006. I currently pastor a Vineyard house church which we planted.
Carlton "Worth" Wilson (M.A. Christian Lay Leadership, 1991)
As of July 31, 2011, I went from being the pastor of two churches to one as the yoked relationship between the two was broken. The Cle Elum Community Church was a federated church with two denominations it related to -- PCUSA and ABCUSA . The church voted in June to end our affiliation with PCUSA due to the changes on ordination standards. The church voted to affirm Scriptural positions and to leave the PCUSA. The sister church we were yoked with decided to remain with the PCUSA. This made the yoked relationship impossible to maintain. The end result is that I now pastor the Cle Elum Community church. I also continue to be a mentor pastor for the American Baptist Churches of the Northwest. I lead the Central Washington Leadership Learning Community.
Kirk Slater (M.Div World Mission, 1994)
Kirk and Laura have served in Uganda with WorldVenture for 16 years doing church planting and leadership development, though now almost exclusively focusing on the latter and leadership of the WorldVenture Uganda team. Kirk received his Doctor of Ministry from Columbia International University in 2010. His dissertation was on how spiritual formation is happening in Uganda. We're currently on home assignment in Michigan and welcome opportunities to share about the awesome things God is doing in Uganda. L: 313.450.8753
Hilda Lo (M.A. Counseling, 1998; D. Min. 2002)
Dr. Hilda Lai Man Lo is ordained as a licensed pastor by the International Christian Assembly (ICA) in Hong Kong. She is head of Adult Education and director of Counseling Care Center at ICA. Alongside the church ministry, Dr. Lo offers counseling services to clergy and seminarians on Mondays at the Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement Ltd.
2000's
Jeff Krohn (M.Div. Intercultural Mission, 2001)
Jeff just graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School this year with a ThM in New Testament. He and Stacey are back in Peru, where they have served since 2002 with SIM (Serving in Mission).
Drew Moser (M.A. Christian Studies, 2005)
Drew is a member of the student development faculty at Taylor University in Upland, IN. He is also a Ph.D. student in Higher Education Leadership at Indiana State University.
Deric (M.Div. Chaplaincy, 2008) and Rebecca (M.A. Christian Studies, 2008) Sneller
My wife and I both graduated from Denver Seminary in December 2008 and now are both on staff at Living Water Bible Fellowship in Alamosa, CO. I also am serving as an Army Reserve Chaplain and am deploying for the next year with an Engineering Battalion out of Texas. We are both greatly enjoying ministry together and now parenthood.
We would love to hear what God is doing in your life! Please send your personal and/or ministry updates, plus photos, to .
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2012 Alumni Webinars
We are excited to announce that in 2012, we will be presenting 6 webinars for alum, hitting on a variety of topics such as money management, how to deal with millennials, apologetics, and so on. A complete schedule for the year is coming soon, but for now we can give you a head's up on what's coming in April:
April 18 - 12:00 pm (MST): Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary, will be talking about what it means to have a missional church (more information soon!)
We would love to hear from YOU for suggestions on topics and speakers. Is there a professor you want to hear from on a certain topic? Is there a particular challenge in ministy you would like addressed? Please email all suggestions to .
If you missed a webinar, we have archived past webinars at www.denverseminary.edu/alum-webinars. You can also find all current information on coming webinars on the same page.
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Are you interested in having an Alumni event in your area? Email us at and indicate what area you live in. We will contact you soon!
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"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV)
It is our honor and priviledge to pray for you and want to give you the same opportunity to prayer for us also.
Please pray for:
From the Seminary:
· Dr. Mark and Priscilla Young, that God will open many opportunities to share the mission of Denver Seminary and encourage others to step out in faith and become a part of what God is doing here.
· That God would provide as we have applied for five grant or foundation requests for our Growth Initiative and Minority Advancement Initiative.
· The Lord to provide wisdom as the search for a new Dean of Students is underway.
· New on-campus residents to establish edifying relationships with their neighbors and that the Lord protect them from feelings of homesickness.
· God to provide boldness to students who have needs so they can approach us with their requests for help.
· Strength for the faculty to teach and minister well to students this semester.
· The faculty and staff as they move through the varied tasks and challenges of CACREP, NCA and ATS re-accreditations.
· Our soon to graduate students that they may finish well, and that they will find jobs and ministry positions in their chosen fields.
· Dr. Jan McCormack and Roger Cauthon as they prepare to go before the ACPE Committee to be approved as CPE supervisors. Pray that they would well and faithfully represent themselves, the Seminary, and the Lord in such a way to have a favorable approval for their status as supervisors.
Do you have a prayer request you would like to share for the next Alumni Connection? Send all requests to (If you have a prayer request but would prefer to keep it private, please indicate so in the email)
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Understanding God's Mission: Mission Symposium 2012
"Everybody's talking about being 'missional.' Is 'being missional' just another church growth fad, or a radical new way to see life and ministry, grounded in the very heart of God?"
Denver Seminary was the host and co-sponsor (with WorldVenture)of the Mission Symposium 2012 on January 27-28, 2012. The Symposium was the third in a series of conferences organized by WorldVenture missionaries and this year's conference expanded on how an understanding of God's mission informs all ministry.
The Symposium set to define the contours of a Missional Theology and identify its practical outworking in the lives of Christian leaders, churches, and organizations. In addition it sought to challenge and assist each participant to identify practical and specific steps they could take to see their life and ministry become more mission-focused.
Audio and slide presentations from each session are available on the Denver Seminary website.
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Caring for our Father's World: Rally for the Common Good
Each year the Grounds Institute of Public Ethics examines a theme that touches on a topic in the realm of social ethics. The Institute partners and networks with other, like-minded institutions, agencies and organizations on the national and global scene which are concerned about a comprehensive, cutting edge and robust evangelical witness to the public square.
The 2011-2012 theme is "Caring for our Father's World" and the week of February 20 was the second event of the year, The Rally for the Common Good. The Rally introduced students, as well as many in the Denver community, to what creation care really means, why Christians should care and how they can get involved in this issue. Edward R. Brown of Creation Care Inc. was the speaker for the week, which also included a lively discussion from a panel of experts on the issue during chapel service.
To learn more about the Rally and listen to audio from the Chapel presentations,visit The Rally for the Common Good webpage. To learn more about the Grounds Institute, visit www.denverseminary.edu/grounds-institute
Black History Month
February was Black History Month, and Denver Seminary and the African American Initiative (AAI) was pleased to host activities that highlighted the achievements of African Americans and how the church has been involved in those achievements.
Chapel services on February 27 & 28 were dedicated to this topic. Denver Seminary was honored to welcome special speakers Rev. Frank Davis, Pastor at Zion Baptist Church and Ministries (February 27) and Pastor Leon Emerson, Pastor of Now Faith Christian Center Church (February 28). A brown bag lunch followed both chapel services, allowing students and visitors to dive deep into the topic presented with discussions and questions. Audio is available for each of the audio services - listen to it here.
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Adventure Preview at Denver Seminary!
March 15 & 16, 2012
April 16, 2012
June 14 & 15, 2012
Do you know someone who is interested in learning more about Denver Seminary? One of the best ways to do this and see Colorado at the same time is to join us for one of our adventure previews. Potential students will spend one day on campus participating in the classroom, touring the campus, meeting with students and faculty, and learning about Denver Seminary's academic programs and community life. They will spend the second day experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Colorado. » More information here
Conference for World Christians
Monday, March 12 & Tuesday, March 13, 2012
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Denver Seminary Chapel
Topics: Discipling the Few (March 12) and Hand of God vs Heart of God (March 13)
Join Denver Seminary alumnus Bill Harding at the Conference for World Christians, where he will be sharing what is being done in evangelism and discipleship throughout the world. Bill and his wife Grace served the Gedeo people of southern Ethiopia for eight years (beginning in 1983) through ministries of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Bill is currently a special representative for SIM International (Serving in Mission).
Youth Symposium 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Denver Seminary Chapel
Topic: Bringing Hope in the Midst of Crisis
Rich Van Pelt, nationally known speaker and author, will speak on how to respond to teenagers and families in crisis, ministering grace, hope, and guidance. The symposium is free and co-sponsored by Denver Seminary and Gordon College. For more information and to register, go here. Though the target audience is faith-based youth workers, the content is applicable to youth workers in other contexts.
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Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture.
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