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2012 |
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Training for Godliness
Whatever you think of Mr. Bean's performance at the opening ceremonies, the entire world is glued to the London Olympics for these two weeks. We are often amazed at what human beings can do physically. I've been struck by the intensity of training that lies behind these amazing physical accomplishments. One Olympics-centered commercial highlights how an athlete "hasn't ordered dessert in two years"! Rigorous all-consuming discipline for years is dramatically displayed on the Olympic stage. As Christians our minds are surely drawn, from time to time, to 1 Tim. 4:7-8, " ...train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way...." These words bring to mind brothers and sisters who reflect this god-centeredness every day in their ministries. I think of those who have come to Westminster, both past and present, to put themselves through rigorous training that the apostle surely intended to be the extension of well-trained godliness.I think of the alumnus ministering in another country in need of endurance as he has just narrowly avoided an attempt on his life by forces hostile to the gospel. I think of the retired alumnus in another state who is yet still running the race with a passion for bringing friends "across the line" to Christ and still training others to do so. I think of the college professor who draws on his Westminster training to faithfully coach the next generation how to think through questions of the Bible and science and philosophy in ways that lead to godliness. Then there are the handfuls of new summer Hebrew and Greek students passing me in the halls with expressions of intense engagement in the new regimens of weak verbs and paradigms. Westminster has been and continues to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to train men and women to live and minister around the globe and across the generations in light of the "promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:8) in Jesus Christ. We pray for you and would ask you to pray for us that the Lord would continue to give us grace to run with "endurance...looking to Jesus"! (Heb. 12:2) Partnering with you for kingdom purposes,  Rev. John Currie, MAR, director of student development and alumni relations
P.S. Sign-up and login for access to all our rich, historic audio archives. The Media Center is easily accessible for your ongoing equipping. At www.wts.edu, go to popular links on the lower right hand corner of the page. Bringing the Gospel Home |
From the Office of the CAO
New monthly news feature In the Finance Office in Machen Hall, we've begun a new fiscal year. All the Year-to-Date items in the budget reports are reset to zeros. A new development team is making plans on a clean slate. But there are clouds overhead. Westminster needs one million dollars more in contributions than we received in the year that just closed. Reaching the Heart of South Philadelphia
Rev. Jonathan Olsen, (M.A.R. '04) As I walked through South Philadelphia near 17th and Washington with Rev. Jonathan Olsen, on almost every block it seemed that we talked to someone from the neighborhood. From members of his church to recent converts, to drug dealers, Pastor Jon (as he’s known on the streets) is a man of the community and he talks to them all. by Jeremy Eshelman, M.Div. student Class NotesDr. Stan Gale (M.Div. '86) recently published a new booklet in the P&R Basics of the Faith series, Why Do We Pray?. "It lays out a Reformed understanding of prayer. I'm praying that God will use this booklet to spark a movement of prayer among His people, as Douglas Kelly suggests in the blurb on the back." Irene Bakker (M.A.R. '74) died on May 24th, 2012 after a year-long struggle with gall bladder cancer. She is survived by her husband Bernie (M.Div. '75) and five children. "Irene was passionate in doing all to the glory of her God as she served with her gifts in numerous areas: as a wife; mother; daughter-in-law; resource teacher for the Durham Catholic School Board; numerous ministries at Hebron Church promoting worship, education, outreach, English Conversation Circles, Immigrant Support Group; the Christian Reformed Church of North America as a Board of Trustees and Faith Formation Committee member." The Alumni Office at Westminster is always interested to hear how the Lord is using you in ministry. Drop us an email anytime at alumni@wts.edu and share what’s new in your life. Fire on the Mountain
President Lillback speaking in Australia Rev. Dr. Peter Lillback, President of the seminary, will be speaking at the annual Fire on the Mountain Conference in Queensland, Australia (South of Brisbane) which will take place August 10 to 12. Joining him is Westminster alumnus Rev. Dr. Tim Rott (M.Div. '79), minister in the Reformed Churches of New Zealand. Visit the conference website for more information. |
