Admissions
A difference in my ministry
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I am leading a church in a city that recently dealt with a string of arsons.As a 2006 Biblical MDiv graduate (and current doctor of ministry student) I've used my missional training at Biblical in practical and life-changing ways.My congregation renovated a building in just five days so that it could be offered rent-free to a local Muslim family who lost their home in one of the fires. Why? Not with a goal of proselytizing by word but rather because this is what Jesus would have us do. As part of the covenant established with the family, the church receives evidence each week that they are saving money that will bring them closer to purchasing a home. Dan Williams Senior pastor, New Life in Christ Fellowship, Coatesville, PA |
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My Master of Divinity training at Biblical Seminary helped me transition directly from a role as president of a successful business in New Jersey to a senior pastor position in Michigan. Our church is re-igniting its passion for Christ and currently walking through a vision and name change. Senior pastor, Phil DiLerniaCrossPointe Community Church, Wayne, MI |
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I received my MDiv in 2003 and Judie, my wife, received her MDiv in 2004. Together we launched “The Village,” a church plant in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. When we teach about what it means to be missional followers of Jesus, we stress that it’s often about simple acts of obedience in loving one’s neighbor. Some can only give a few dollars since they can barely make ends meet; but all are learning that those simple, everyday acts of love can be some of the most powerful expressions of the Gospel to our world. Dan & Judie Hyun Pastor, The Village, Baltimore, MD |
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As a recent MDiv grad of Biblical, I felt God leading me towards being an influencer for the mission and vision of Biblical as an instructor at the seminary. Having recently been accepted into the PhD program at Wheaton, and waiting to hear from two others before deciding, I know that the Church needs instructors who are living missionally. That’s what I found at Biblical and that’s how I'm passionate about serving God. |
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I was so inspired by the training I received at Biblical that I led my church INTO the city of Philadelphia to face an environment of crime and violence with the love of Jesus. I am currently writing my dissertation in Biblical’s doctor of ministry program on the dynamics of the move.I have also recently been named to the faculty at Biblical as instructor of practical theology. |
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The training I received at Biblical Seminary shaped the way I understood the purpose of the church in a community. My 36 months of missional-centered training through the LEAD MDiv program equipped me with the necessary ministry leadership tools to refocus the resources of a suburban church that had grown inward and impotent in reaching its community. Essentially, these tools helped me to lead the church to reach into the community with renewed passion and desire for being on Mission with God. Biblical enabled me to think differently about the purpose of the church in the world, and ultimately to give the church back to its local community. |
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Life in the 21st Century can be complicated, yet I believe the teachings of Jesus speak hope into the messiness of life. My LEAD MDiv training at Biblical shaped me to be able to do the ministry of leading a church that invites people to explore the relational message of Christ. Biblical prepared me to think missionally and contextually about the unreached people we are trying to connect with. My training equipped me to think better about translating the message of Christ to people outside of faith, folks who feel that they’ve been burned by religion in the past, and people who have written off faith as fantasy. These are the people who are particularly welcome at Engage. A driving force at Engage is community involvement. Last summer, we founded GreenFest, an environmental awareness event that was held in Letort Park, and in December we partnered with New Life Community Church in a Car Winterization event for single mothers. |
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Biblical Seminary grounded my theology in the mission of God that sends his people into the world. When communicating theological truth, Biblical has helped me focus on the day-to-day challenges that God's people face. I serve as chair of the Northshire Nonprofit Network and work with several ministries and nonprofit organizations in Vermont. I regularly blog on theology at www.inamirrordimly.com and on writing at www.edcyz.com. I recently authored my first book, Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life and I am seeking to build a method for theology that is rooted in a relationship with God and that thrives on dialogue. I believe theology should breathe life and unity among God's people and I credit Biblical Seminary with helping point me in this direction. |
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