Incoming Student Spotlights

HOMETOWN: Hanoi, Vietnam / PROGRAM: M.Div., M.A.B.S.

Bhless and I are so thankful to be at WSC! Bhless is from the northern highlands of the Philippines; I was born in the Netherlands but grew up in a few different places in U.S. and Canada. In God’s good plan, He brought us both to Hanoi, Vietnam. We met in 2016 and got married in 2017.

I had been in Vietnam since 2010, and Bhless since 2012. I had come as a missionary and English teacher, and Bhless had come as an English teacher, looking for ways to be involved in missions.

The ministry in Vietnam was a church plant. We found out that church planting is a wonderful way to spread the gospel and to disciple believers. We also found out that church planting is hard work, and we were under-prepared. We both had experience from our families and churches, but this is not the same as formal training. We needed dedicated time away from the field to be trained, equipped, and (when ready) to be sent out again.

We came to WSC drawn by its unique character and setting. We had several trustworthy friends recommend the seminary to us. The tight-knit community and genuine interaction between students and faculty were evident when I visited the campus. The seminary’s focus on preparing expert servants for service in the worldwide church is what we believe we need to be well-prepared for future mission. We are also excited by the international communities in Southern California and Westminster itself.

I am studying in the Master of Divinity program (four year), and Bhless is studying the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. Toward the end of our studies, we hope to join Mission to the World (MTW), seek ordination in the PCA (Koos), and return to Vietnam for church planting or church development work.

We are excited for all that is to come in these next few years. We are blessed to meet so many wonderful people who are involved with the seminary! Most of all, we give thanks to God and glorify Him for bringing us here to Westminster. I n one of Jim Elliot’s journals from the years prior to his move to Ecuador, he described how he discerned God’s will not by signs or voices, but by God’s provision for his needs. In my own life, I’ve experienced this same truth, particularly in my decision to attend WSC. The path to seminary was neither a simple one nor one anticipated long in advance – yet I can clearly see the Lord’s hand guiding me here.

In 2018, I completed my undergraduate degree in Spanish with a minor in TESOL and moved to Peru to teach English. Aside from teaching, my time in Peru shaped my direction by way of other experiences, especially a weekly children’s ministry. Just before the pandemic, in January 2020, I also went on a short-term mission trip with the Presbyterian Missionary Union to Iquitos and surrounding communities on the Ucayali riverbed, which further weighed on my heart the desire to do missions work.

If it had not been for COVID-19, I don’t believe I would be at WSC presently. I returned to the States in April 2020, continuing to teach online for the same school, with a stubborn expectation that I would be back in Peru within the year. During this time at home, however, between frustrated hopes and new hopes, I began to consider attending seminary.

Rereading books by Elizabeth Elliot first reminded me of my previous interest in Bible translation, and I also felt a strong yearning to know God more deeply through His Word. As I researched different seminaries and graduate schools, I was particularly drawn to WSC’s emphasis on studying the Scriptures in their original languages. Yet for many months, it did not seem possible for me to attend this year. It was my continuous prayer that God would remove each obstacle if it were His will, and one-by-one He did so. Late this May, I finally decided to pursue an MA in Biblical Studies.

Today, I am unsure of the exact route ahead after my studies at WSC. I may have the opportunity to work in the Iquitos area again, and Bible translation still frequents my thoughts. However, I am certain God has provided for me to be exactly where I am, and that He will supply each future need according to His will.

HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, PA / PROGRAM: M.A.B.S.

HOMETOWN: Montgomery, AL / PROGRAM: M.Div.

HOMETOWN: Fortazela, Brazil / PROGRAM: M.Div.

My name is Wright Draper, and I was born and raised in a PCA church in Montgomery, Alabama. After graduating from Trinity Presbyterian School, I headed 45 miles East to study Business Finance at Auburn University. During these formidable years, I held leadership positions as a fraternity chaplain, treasurer, Inter Fraternity Council chaplain, and served in college ministry in two PCA churches for three consecutive summers. After graduation I moved back 45 miles West to serve for 3 years as a youth director and pastoral intern at my home church, Eastwood Presbyterian. I didn’t think my next transition would be much more than 45 miles. Little did I know, God would soon lead me 2,500 miles West to Escondido, California.

It was nearly four months ago when I reconsidered enrolling in the MDiv program at Westminster Seminary California. Prior to this change of mind, I didn’t think God would lead a 26-year-old from Alabama to begin a four-year season of rigorous theological education in Southern California. Frankly, I didn’t think it could happen. But I decided to visit, and that made all the difference. Admissions Assistant Cassady Gilmour organized my campus tour to include meeting with Dr. Bryan Estelle and President Joel Kim, staying with 3rd year students Dustin Burge and Brennan Kiledjian, attending graduation, and meeting a whole host of students, faculty, and professors. I was encouraged by all the conversations, and I was confirmed in my decision. I knew this would be, but I did not know how it would work out. Looking back, it truly is hard to believe that I’m actually here. God has been so faithful and kind to lead me on such short notice and provide for my needs during each step. What a joy and privilege it is to study at Westminster Seminary California, and what a greater privilege to serve a God who does more than we ask, think, or imagine. Upon graduation, which currently seems ages away, I hope to shepherd Christ’s church through word and sacrament as a minster in the PCA. I was 17 years old and was walking in deep darkness (Rom. 3:23). But on a Sunday morning, I was sitting on the sidewalk when something happened that would change my life once for all. In my wallet, I found an evangelistic flyer. Its message made me think, and I noticed that I needed Jesus desperately. I was a sinner and hell would be my final destiny inevitably (Rom. 6:23a). To make a long story short, that morning I was rescued by Jesus Christ through the message of the Gospel (Eph. 2:8).

An overwhelming desire to learn and share God's Word overpowered my heart. Some years later, I was sent by the local church to study at Seminário Presbiteriano de Brasília (SPB), where I took the Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Subsequently, I passed an ordination exam and was ordained to be a pastor in the Presbyterian Church of Brazil in 2013. After many years serving the local church, my wife and I wanted to serve abroad.

Having served in some countries through short mission trips and long ones, we’ve grasped many lessons. One of them was that we would need to be ready for the challenges we could face, especially in post-Christian countries. The more effective we are in sharing the gospel, the more we will be able to achieve our desire: work with church planting. As Abraham Lincoln used to say, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spend six sharpening my axe.” For that reason, I thought to myself, “I should sharpen my axe first.”

Therefore, we were looking for a biblical seminary that was committed to the Reformed faith. Tiago Cunha, who graduated from WSC last year, was the one who encouraged me to apply to WSC. Following his advice, I submitted my application. And the Lord Jesus gave me this great opportunity to keep “sharpening my axe.” My family and I are deeply grateful to be here, for this is a precious season to learn more in order to work with church planting wherever God leads us.