Alumni News

Dave and Anne Bennett continue to live and minister in Phoenix, AZ. Dave has been doing urban multicultural work through Barrio Nuevo for 15 years. Anne has been a Chaplain with the DOC at Florence, AZ, Prison for the last 5 years. Anne will retire in December as Dave will continue with Barrio. They are thrilled to have all 4 grandsons live in greater Phoenix.

Jim Newheiser is the Director of the Christian Counseling Program and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, and released two books this past year: Money, Debt, and Finances: Critical Questions and Answers and How to Love Difficult Parents: Wisdom for a Challenging Relationship.

Paul Traina served the Lord as a tent-making missionary in Russia from 1999 to 2001 and is currently serving (since 2010) as a missionary to Ukraine, in the city of Kremenchuk. He was married in November of 2020 to Helen, a citizen of Russia.

Rita Cefalu co-edited a Festschrift for Dr. T. D. Alexander, titled, The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah, which was published in May 2020.

Kevin Daane transitioned from his 16-year career as an associate pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido, California, to the Director of Ministry Engagement for Engaging Disability with the Gospel, an organization under the umbrella of the PCA's mission arm, Mission to North America. Kevin will be reaching out to churches all around North America, helping to equip leaders to start disability ministries in their churches, and working with a team of specialists to develop resources. He'll also be coming alongside pastors who have been diagnosed with disabilities or who have spouses/children with diagnosed disabilities to give pastoral encouragement and counsel.

Brian Mills completed a doctoral degree in higher education leadership at Oregon State University in Spring 2021 and serves as Associate Professor, Director of Assessment & Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) at Bushnell University (Eugene, OR).

Stephen Roberts and his wife, Lindsey, welcomed their third child, Canaan Simeon, in March 2021. Stephen is serving as an Army Chaplain in North Carolina.

Ariel Flores has been approved and recommended for Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Chaplaincy Certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Zachary Purvis started a new post as Lecturer in Church History at Edinburgh Theological Seminary. Chris Coleman planted Peace United Reformed Church in Vancouver, WA, in February 2020. Chris and his wife, Melissa, welcomed their first foster child in April 2021.

Joshua Henson received a Th.M. and a Ph.D. in Old Testament Studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2021. The title of his dissertation was "To End In Silence Or Song: The Original Inclusion of Chapter 3 in the Book Of Habakkuk." Josh is currently minister of Word and Sacrament at Grace Covenant Church in Virginia Beach, VA, where he has served since 2016. Daniel "Dinko" Kim and his wife, Priscilla, welcomed their daughter, Emery, in February 2021. Daniel continues to serve at Christ Central of Southern California as an assistant pastor. Kris Marriage and his wife, Caitlin, welcomed their third child and first daughter Miriam Hope on January 25, 2021.

Clay Smith and his wife, Janine, welcomed their son, Yancy Frederick, on August 14, 2021. He is adored by his sisters, Ybeltje (5) and Anzora (3).

Joshua Christoffels has accepted a call to serve as the Pastor of the Hammond Christian Reformed Church in Hammond, Indiana. He is also enrolled in a Chicago Course on Preaching program with the Charles Simeon Trust.

Harrison Perkins has been made associate pastor at London City Presbyterian Church and has become part of the online faculty in church history for Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia).

Mike Brummel was ordained as Associate Pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, WA, in Feb, 2021. He is also a Th.M. candidate at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and expecting his first child soon. Seung-Joo (John) Lee completed his Ph.D. research on Franciscus Junius through the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in July 2021. He is living in Australia with his wife, Dasol, and currently working for Reformed Theological College in Melbourne as Academic Support Officer and Ministerial Intern at Knox Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia. Dan York and his wife, Megan, welcomed twins in March—a girl, Vesper Lydia, and a boy, Solomon James. He is working to finish his Ph.D. through Durham University in the U.K.

Austin and Michelle Reed recently moved to Traverse City, MI, to take the call as Pastor of Redeemer PCA. Michelle is finishing a second Masters degree to become a therapist, specializing in trauma and mental illness. Jason Vander Horst and his wife, Ardis, welcomed another child into the world on February 23, 2021. Aidan Jacob is their third son, joining his older brothers, Elias John and Zachary Norman. Jason also contributed a chapter to a book that was published this past summer: “A God of Choice” in Let Justice and Righteousness Prevail: Sermons and Reflections for the Pro-life Christian.

Connor Underseth has taken a call as an Assistant Pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church of La Mesa (PCA). Alongside his pastoral duties, he has started a Th.M. at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Post-Reformation Historical Theology. Daniel Cortez was called and ordained in December 2020 to be an Associate Minister at Christ United Reformed Church (Santee) on loan to serve as a US Air Force Reserve Chaplain and completed Officer Training