ALUMNI news Ryan Baker (MDiv ’06) was ordained on June 10 at Grace Christian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Rev. Chuck Garriott (MDiv ’79) preached. Ryan and his wife, Emily, and their three children—Grayson (age 7), Coleman (age 5), and Meredith (age 10)—live in Fort Collins, where Ryan is the RUF campus minister at Colorado State University. Bill Evans (MDiv ’02), wife Dana, and their children, Madison (age 14), Slaton (age 13), and Lily (age 8), are nearing the end of their fourth year in Nairn, Scotland, where they serve as missionaries. Bill is the solo pastor of the The Free Church in Nairn. The Evanses plan to return to the US in the summer of 2008 for furlough. George Faithful (MDiv ’06) received a Graduate Diversity Fellowship to pursue a PhD in historical theology at Saint Louis University. His tentative research topic is “Theology in Translation: The Americanization of German Hymnody.” Chris Fisher (MDiv ’06) recently became executive director of City School in Austin, Texas. City School provides excellent and accessible Christian education in urban Austin and is affiliated with Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Chris and wife Jennifer have five children: Annie (age 10), Abby (age 9), Sarah Grace (age 7), Ben (age 5), and Andrew (age 3). Andrew Flatgard (MDiv, MAC ’04) married Shelley Ross on April 21, 2007. Shelley has worked with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) for the last five years. Rev. Jeremy Jones (MDiv ’96) was one of the officiants. Groomsmen included Rev. Brent Harriman (MDiv ’02), Rev. Pat Hickman (MDiv ’05), Rev. Ross Dixon (MDiv ’03), Peter Maynor (MAC ’02), and Jeremy Huggins (MDiv ’02). The Flatgards live in Memphis, Tennessee, where Andrew is the RUF campus minister at the University of Memphis and oversees the new RUF work at Rhodes College. Mark Gaking (MDiv ’00) recently joined Wycliffe Bible Translators as the director of church relations strategies. Once Mark and wife Julie complete their initial partnership development, they will transition to Orlando, Florida, to serve at Wycliffe’s headquarters. Julie will serve Wycliffe in the areas of hospitality and prayer. The Gakings have three children: Morgan, Susanna, and Peter.
COVENANT | Fall 2007
Andy Lee (ThM ’97) received the distinguished George B. Morgan ’20 Award from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for his work with the MIT Educational Council in Hawaii. Andy received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT in 1980. He was the organizing pastor of and continues to serve at The City Church of Honolulu. He and his wife, Alli, and their six children have lived in Honolulu since 1997. George Robertson (MDiv ’91, ThM ’97) successfully defended his PhD dissertation, titled “Sacramental Solemnity: Gilbert Tennent, the Covenant, and the Lord’s Supper,” on May 7, at Westminster Theological Seminary. His PhD is in historical and theological studies. George is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia, where he lives with wife Jackie and children Taylor (age 12), Anna (age 9), Abbey (age 9), and Caroline (age 4). After seven years as a church planter in LaPorte, Indiana, David Rogers (MDiv ’99) transitioned to Cape Coral, Florida, where he now serves as the associate pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church, alongside Dr. Oliver Claassen (ThM ’80). David and Kelly have five children: Tianna (age 13), Haley (age 11), Celine (age 8), Josiah (age 8), and Lilianna (age 2). On June 10, Pete Scribner (MDiv ’06) was ordained to Christian ministry and installed as the assistant pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Flint, Michigan. Covenant Seminary professor Dr. Jay Sklar preached, and Doug Graham (MDiv ’94) affirmed the vows of ordination. Pete and wife Erin have been married for 12 years and have two children, Jack (age 7) and Caroline (age 3). Andrea Taylor (MATS ’05) was recently accepted into the School of Law at Southern Illinois University where she will focus on public interest law. Andrea desires to continue the work she has done for the past six years, advocating and seeking justice for survivors of domestic violence. After two years as at Northpointe Presbyterian Church in Meridian, Mississippi, Allen Vargo (MDiv ’00) accepted a call to Crossgate Church (PCA) in Seneca, South Carolina, to serve as the assistant pastor to youth and families. Allen was installed on May 20. Dr. Jimmy Agan (MDiv ’95), Dr. Render Caines Sr. (DMin ’87), Rev. Stephen Speaks (MDiv ’98), Dr. Bob Wilson (father of Allen’s wife, Lynette), and Rev. Tom Cheely (Allen’s uncle) all participat-
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ed in the service. Lynette plans to teach in the fall. Allen and Lynette have one daughter, Grace Ann (age 6). Dan (MDiv ’84) and Becky Young celebrate the marriage of son Ben on June 22. Dan coofficiated at the service. The Youngs live in El Paso, Texas, and serve with MTW’s Border Evangelism and Mercy Ministries (BEAMM). Dan and Becky have three other children: Will (age 19), Rachel (age 17), and Lisa (age 15). Among other things, Becky teaches at Covenant Christian Academy while Dan teaches at San Pablo Seminary in Mérida, Mexico. BIRTHS Joel (MDiv ’99) and Cyndi Keen welcomed Benjamin Seth into their family on January 30, 2007. Sisters Emma and Abby (ages 6 and 4) are thrilled with their baby brother. Joel serves on the pastoral staff of Stephen Ministries in St. Louis, Missouri, where he helps congregations equip laypeople to care for hurting people. Cyndi is a part-time social services worker and a full-time mom. Walt (MDiv ’05) and Holly Nilsson welcomed second child Adam Kristofer on October 6, 2006. Adam weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 inches long. He joined sister Julia Pearl (now 2). Walt continues to serve as associate pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in California, Maryland.
We Want To Hear From You! Alumni, we consider you family, and we’d like to keep in touch! Please let us know where in the world God has called you, and fill us in on what you’re doing there. Update us about your family as well . Send e-mails to alumni@covenantseminary.edu and written correspondence to Alumni News Attn: Joel Hathaway 12330 Conway Road St. Louis, MO 63141 If you don’t currently receive e-Connec t, our monthly electronic newsletter, but would like to, send your request to alumni@covenantseminary.edu.