A Publication of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies
Seth J. Nelson - Moving Forward in Mission
Steven C. Adamson - Expanding Our Reach: For the Glory of God
Seth J. Nelson - Expanding Our Reach: By Reenvisioning Our Mission
Mark E. Ross - Expanding Our Reach: In Preparing Pastors
Richard W. Winston - Expanding Our Reach: Through Christian Scholarship
T. Chris Crain - Expanding Our Reach: Among Local Churches
J. Alex Pettett - Expanding Our Reach: On the Mission Field
Martha Margaret Cotten - Expanding Our Reach: Across the Globe
Kyle E. Sims- Expanding Our Reach: Within the ARP Church
News at Erskine Faculty News Alumni in Action
CONTRIBUTORS:
Seth J. Nelson
Steven C. Adamson
Mark E. Ross
Richard W. Winston
T. Chris Crain
J. Alex Pettet
Martha Margaret Cotten
Kyle E. Sims
EDITORIAL TEAM:
Heath Milford, Editor
Mark Ross, Assistant Editor
Langley Shealy, Graphic and Design
FROM THE DEAN
Moving Forward in Mission
“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Prov. 21:1). This proverb reverberated around Erskine on January 17, 2025, when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) announced that it had reversed its decision to place Erskine College & Seminary on probation for financial instability and instead reaffirmed our institutional accreditation through 2032.* Our sovereign God not only turns the heart of kings but also the heart of powerful accreditors to do his will! This proverb was even more poignant because we could not appeal the accreditor’s initial probation action, and we did not even know that SACSCOC had an internal review process which could overturn such actions. We rejoiced that our Lord answered the prayer that so many of Erskine’s friends had been praying for more than a year, “Lord, grant us favor with SACSCOC so that they clearly see the financial progress that Erskine has made.”
As it turns out, the Lord used SACSCOC’s own internal review process to discover and correct a mistake it had made in the review of our 2024 financial monitoring report. As a result of additional review, SACSCOC observed the strength of our report and recognized our improved and now stable financial performance. In a January 17 press release, President Steve Adamson commented, “This is a watershed moment for Erskine College. Over the last two years, we have made tremendous financial progress, and the institution is in a stronger position than it has been for decades…. This reversal provides external validation for the changes we have made and the financial performance we have attained in recent years. We are ready to move forward with renewed energy and strength.”
Indeed, since January we have been moving forward with renewed energy and strength. With the restraints from the past gone and trusting in God’s continued provision, we are moving forward in new and deepening ways to accomplish the mission that he has given Erskine and to expand our reach for his Kingdom.
This edition of Grace and Truth will highlight several of the avenues through which we are moving forward in mission to “expand our reach.” We begin with an overview of Erskine’s vision and strategic plan by our president, Dr. Steven Adamson, and I follow this with our newly redeveloped seminary statements of mission and core values. We continue with Dr. Mark Ross explaining how our Master of Divinity program is aimed at transforming students into the image of Christ and Dr. Richard Winston discussing how our Master of Theology program promotes distinctly Christian scholarship with benefits for both the church and the academy. Dr. Chris Crain, Rev. Alex Pettett, and Mrs. Martha Margaret Cotten each address how our Doctor of Ministry with a concentration in missiology and the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership assist in expanding our impact around the world. And Dr. Kyle Sims expresses the goal of Erskine College and Seminary to be a resource for and blessing to the ARP Church and her agencies.
The Rev. Seth J. Nelson, PhD Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Educational Leadership
(*A note of clarification about our accreditors: SACSCOC accredits the total institution of Erskine College, which includes the Seminary. In addition, a specialized accreditor, The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Commission on Accrediting accredits Erskine Theological Seminary’s graduate theological degrees. In 2022, ATS reaffirmed its accreditation of the Seminary through 2032.)
Our Vision and Mission
Institutional Vision
Erskine College exists to equip students for lives of service and leadership, building Christ’s Church and influencing society for God’s glory.
Institutional Mission
The mission of Erskine College is to glorify God as a Christian academic community where students integrate knowledge and faith, equipped to flourish as whole persons prepared for lives of service, leadership, and influence through the pursuit of undergraduate liberal arts, graduate, and seminary education.
Seminary Vision
Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies, rooted in a gracious Reformed theology, aspires to equip servant leaders to advance Christ’s Kingdom.
Seminary Mission
Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies glorifies God as a theological community where students embody the gospel of Jesus Christ, confess historic Christian orthodoxy, engage Reformed theology, value the Church, and grow as whole persons to serve as pastors and leaders who advance Christ’s Kingdom.
Expanding Our Reach: For the Glory of God
Steven C. Adamson, President, Erskine College
This year, Erskine College marks its 186th anniversary and the Seminary its 188th. This milestone warrants an update and a forecast, focusing on what Erskine looks like today and what its future might be as one of our nation’s oldest Christian institutions of higher education.
Erskine differs from most Christian colleges in that it has a missional undergraduate admissions policy rather than a covenantal one, making the College one of the denomination’s largest missionary organizations. Our evangelical responsibility is protected by the requirement that all of Erskine’s trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff be committed Christians— ensuring that the education and nurturing of students with the gospel takes place in the classroom, on campus, and in extracurricular activities.
Erskine’s success in accomplishing its vision of “equipping students for lives of service and leadership, building Christ’s church and influencing society for God’s glory” has never been more evident.
Today, the College consists of the embedded Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies, training believers for active Christian service; more than 20 undergraduate programs equipping students for lives of service and leadership in all walks of life; the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership in cooperation with World Witness’s SEED Ministry preparing church leaders in the global south; and sponsorship of the independent Charter Institute, allowing more than 26,000 K-12 students in South Carolina to receive a public education focused on respect, honesty, integrity, and truth. Erskine’s influence on society is global, encompassing nearly all age groups and making an impact on millions of lives.
In a day when many Christian institutions of higher education have drifted from their roots or are closing due to deteriorating finances, Erskine remains firm in its Christian convictions and financially stronger than it has been in decades.
Anchored by its mission and vision and based on a strategic plan built on the four pillars of Missional Fidelity, Financial Stewardship, Educational Excellence, and Expanding Reach, Erskine has established itself as one of the region’s leading Christian colleges.
In an increasingly secular world, Erskine’s commitment to the ARP’s Philosophy of Christian Higher Education, reflected in the strategic plan’s first pillar, “Missional Fidelity,” is essential in guiding the Institution to remain faithful to its ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God.
Erskine’s recently completed fiscal year audit—showing increasing total net assets, increasing unrestricted net assets, and positive change in net assets from operations—reveals a sound base of financial support and sound fiscal management, reflecting our commitment to “Financial Stewardship.”
For the Glory of God (cont.)
The College’s activities, both in and out of the classroom, are marked by “Educational Excellence,” as demonstrated by expanded degree options, high academic standards, quality of instruction, and dedication to our students’ spiritual formation.
When it comes to Erskine’s “Expanding Reach,” we can cite our participation in the denomination’s educational efforts in the global south through the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership program, implemented in concert with World Witness’s SEED Ministry (see report on pages 20-21).
Erskine’s future looks bright. Guided by the strategic plan, we are working to formalize the Erskine Center for Worldview Studies, which “seeks to advance the biblical worldview through education, research, service, dialogue, and thoughtful critique,” an appropriate goal for a Christian institution of higher education. With the implementation of best practices in fiscal management, financial stewardship of the Lord’s resources will enable the College to invest in additional programs. To help our students serve Christ according to their gifts and talents, additional graduate and undergraduate programs are planned.
Erskine is committed to supporting the denomination in its missionary, evangelical, and outreach efforts. We are proud to serve as an agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Working closely with World Witness, Outreach North America, and Bonclarken, Erskine seeks the blessings given by the Lord to those who faithfully serve him.
Dr. Steven C. Adamson (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is President of Erskine College. He previously served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, AZ and Provost of The Bible Seminary in Katy, TX. Dr. Adamson has also filled pulpits in the Free Church of Scotland.
*A version of this article originally appeared in The ARP Magazine, November/December 2024, pp. 4-5, and is reprinted here with permission.
Expanding Our Reach:
By Reenvisioning Our Mission
Seth J. Nelson, Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies
A grand, beautiful, hopeful, and certain vision animates the Church. Revelation 5:9–10 describes this vision as the followers of the Lamb of God, who is also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, singing, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” To aim for that future vision, Jesus Christ commission-ed us, based on his authority and empowered by his presence, to make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Trinity, and teach everything he taught toward the obedience of faith (Matt. 28:18–20). As we aim for this vision by participating in Christ’s mission, our lives should be characterized by the values of the Kingdom of God, perhaps most concisely described by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7).
In order for Erskine Theological Seminary to more deeply align with God’s vision for his Church, to more faithfully respond to Christ’s Great Commission, and to more consistently live out the values of his Kingdom, we engaged in a process to reevaluate and strengthen our vision, mission, and core values. Over the course of the last year, a group of people representing every constituency invested in Erskine, including key representatives of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, gathered, prayed, and provided extensive feedback to redevelop our vision and mission and to articulate core values. Entrusting ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit and bathed in prayer, our goal was to produce new statements that integrated several important commitments.
First, we wanted to expand our attention to quality theological education not only to include graduate-level seminary education, but also to include the College’s undergraduate Bible department and non-degree programs such as the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership. This expansion of our vision and mission connects to the creation of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies, one of Erskine College’s five schools in its new academic structure.
Second, we wanted to draw from the best of the Seminary’s past and sustain the “Erskine ethos” of a gracious, warm-hearted approach to Reformed theology. Our approach throughout has been to uphold the Westminster Standards while inviting students from diverse theological backgrounds to appreciate the treasures of Reformed theology. Along with the Erskine ethos it was very important to us to sustain our commitment to real-world pastoral application as embodied by professors who themselves have extensive pastoral experience. This has long been a distinctive strength of Erskine Theological Seminary.
Third, we wanted to unambiguously recommitment ourselves to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture, historic Christian orthodoxy, a biblical worldview, academic excellence, and the priority of the Church. We especially wanted to embrace our role as a servant to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in meeting the denomination’s educational and pastoral training needs.
By Reenvisioning Our Mission (cont.)
Fourth, we wanted to look to the future and expand our reach by committing ourselves to what we believe the Church needs in its leaders and pastors. During their theological studies our students ideally should remain engaged in their churches and ministries, so our educational offerings should be affordable, flexible, and accessible from a distance. When they graduate with us, and head into the pastorate for the first time or apply their deepened learning in their current ministry context, they should be people who are more deeply conformed to the image of Jesus Christ because of their studies with us. That is why we are committing Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies to “teach and seek to facilitate learning that integrates students’ intellectual, spiritual, emotional, relational, and ministerial formation.” By God’s grace, we want to see our graduates serving as leaders in Christ’s Kingdom and pastors in his Church characterized by faithfulness, humility, resilience, and fruitfulness.
In what follows I present to you the Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies reenvisioned vision, mission, and core values. May this presentation bring gladness to your heart as you read about the vision, mission, and values which we believe the Lord impressed upon us—values which honor the best of what the Lord equipped Erskine to be in the past and look forward with a clarified mission and good hope for the future. May the Lord in his kindness use our reenvisioned mission to expand our reach that we may more faithfully serve his Church and advance Christ’s Kingdom. Soli Deo Gloria!
Vision: Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies, rooted in a gracious Reformed theology, aspires to equip servant leaders to advance Christ’s Kingdom.
Mission: Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies glorifies God as a theological community where students embody the gospel of Jesus Christ, confess historic Christian orthodoxy, engage Reformed theology, value the Church, and grow as whole persons to serve as pastors and leaders who advance Christ’s Kingdom.
Core Values: Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies affirms seven core values.
1. Gospel Centrality & Historic Christian Orthodoxy
We believe that God calls us to proclaim and embody the gospel of Jesus Christ and to participate in his Kingdom mission to renew all things. We confess the lordship of Jesus Christ and believe that the Bible is God’s infallible and inerrant Word. Further, we adhere to the historic, orthodox expression of the Christian faith, best summarized in the Nicene Creed.
2. Biblical Worldview
Grounded in the eternal truth of God’s Word and reliant upon the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, we seek to guide students to love, think, and act more like Jesus Christ throughout God’s world. A biblical worldview includes viewing all aspects of life through the lens of God’s Word and aligning the desires of our hearts with God’s character and Kingdom values.
3. Gracious Reformed Theology
We believe that the Reformed understanding of the Christian faith, as articulated by the Westminster Standards, best expresses the teaching of the Bible. As recipients of God’s grace, we humbly hold this conviction and respectfully engage with those who interpret the Bible differently, inviting them to appreciate the treasures of Reformed theology.
By Reenvisioning Our Mission (cont.)
4. The Priority of the Church
We value ministry in and through the local church because the Church is God’s central vehicle for accomplishing Christ’s mission in the world. As the denominational school and seminary of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, we especially seek to meet the educational and pastoral training needs of our denomination. Further, we serve the broader Church by welcoming students from many denominations, equipping them for diverse ministries.
5. Faithful Stewardship
We are committed to financial responsibility, providing an affordable and valuable theological education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their location, stage of life, or ministry context. We aim to be good stewards of our students’ time with us, equipping them for effective, life-long ministry.
6. Academic Excellence with Practical Application
We strive to deliver a high-quality theological education that fosters thoughtful and humble engagement with academic scholarship, while also emphasizing practical pastoral application. Our goal is to equip students for effective ministry and leadership in Christ’s Kingdom.
7. Whole-Person Formation
We value the whole-life transformation of our students towards greater conformity to the image of Jesus Christ as pastors and ministry leaders. Therefore, we teach and seek to facilitate learning that integrates students’ intellectual, spiritual, emotional, relational, and ministerial formation.
The Rev. Seth J. Nelson (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology & Educational Leadership. He is an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, having previously served for ten years in pastoral ministry in two local congregations.
Expanding Our Reach: In Preparing Pastors
Mark E. Ross, Director of the Master of Divinity Program
When Dr. Steve Adamson first met with the faculty of Erskine Theological Seminary, just days after he began work as our president, he set before us the vision that we must be a seminary laser-focused on the training of “pastor-shepherds” for churches. One might pause for a minute to ask why the need to add “shepherds” to the term. Afterall, the word “pastor” comes from Latin and means “shepherd,” so isn’t that what a pastor is? What else could a pastor be?
In the minds of some, the pastor of the church is primarily the preacher, and his time should largely be consumed with preparing and delivering sermons. Preaching is certainly an important part of being a pastor, because when preaching is done correctly the church members are fed with the Word of God. Feeding the sheep is a vitally important role for a shepherd, and the same is true for pastors and the flock of God. But feeding is not the only duty of a shepherd. We can see this in the charge given to the apostle Peter by our Lord Jesus Christ after the resurrection.
In John 21:15-19 we have three piercing questions, followed by three affirmative replies, which are themselves followed by three forceful commands. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus, and Peter each time affirms that he does. Then Jesus gives him three commands: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.” In these three commands we find two verbs, feed and tend. The first is specific and pertains to the nourishing of the sheep, giving them the food which they need to live and to grow. The second is general, covering all that is done to watch over and provide for the well-being of the sheep. It is in fact the verb form of the noun for pastor or shepherd. It therefore involves leading the flock where they should go, guarding them against enemies, caring for them when they are sick or wounded, and seeking them when they go astray. It is not a calling fulfilled just by preaching. Words alone will not complete the job.
With these two verbs are two direct objects, lambs and sheep. These two words cover all the sheep, the whole church of God: the young and the old, the immature and the mature. The pastor is a shepherd for the whole flock of God, not just one portion of it, for each one is precious to the Chief Shepherd. Indeed, we will best understand the calling of pastors when we remember that they are not called to be shepherds in the absence of the Chief Shepherd, but in union with him. After Peter had received the three forceful commands which set out his ministry for the future, Jesus did not say to him, “Now, go and do it!” Rather, he said, “Follow me.” Jesus himself would continue to shepherd his flock. Though bodily he would be in heaven at the right hand of God, yet by his Spirit he would be present with each one of his flock, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).
This brings us to the heart of seminary training and preparation for ministry. We are called to prepare pastors who are conformed to the image of Christ (“shepherds after his own heart,” Jer.3:15), so that with Christ they may perform his work and shepherd the flock of God. We can best think of this work in four dimensions, as they have been presented by Dr. Seth Nelson, the dean of Erskine Theological Seminary, in The ARP Magazine for September/October 2024, “Forming Students in the Image of Christ.”
In Preparing Pastors (cont.)
The first dimension is what is commonly regarded as the main work of seminaries, theological formation. Students must be taught the Holy Scriptures, for Christ feeds his flock on the words which he gives to them. Pastors must therefore know the Holy Scriptures and how to interpret and apply them faithfully. But, as we have seen, there is more to the work of pastor than just teaching the Bible. There is also the personal formation of the pastors to relate well to all the flock of God, serving among them in healthy, caring, and responsible ways.
The third dimension is spiritual formation, in which students are themselves growing in their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, becoming more and more like him. Seminary should not produce graduates who are confident that they have arrived spiritually, but who see themselves as humble servants who must constantly look to the Lord for grace and guidance. Finally, there is ministerial formation, equipping students with the skills necessary to carry out the work of faithful, pastoral ministry among the people of God. These skills include preaching, to be sure, but more than just preaching is required of pastors, if they are to be like, and labor with, the Chief Shepherd of the flock.
With these four dimensions in mind, the faculty of Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies are beginning a re-evaluation of our central degree program, the Master of Divinity. Here is where we prepare the “pastor-shepherds” to take up their calling to be the under-shepherds of Jesus Christ, and like him to be good shepherds of the flock. We are aiming to expand our reach, into the lives of our students, and into the lives of the churches they will serve. Like Peter, they must begin with a deep look into their own hearts, to see if they truly love the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they must be committed, as Peter has said, “to shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:2-4).
The Rev. Mark E. Ross (PhD, University of Keele) is The First Presbyterian Church – John R. de Witt Chair of Theology at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies and Associate Dean for Erskine Columbia. He is the author of Let’s Study Matthew and has served in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church for over forty years.
Expanding Our Reach: Through Christian Scholarship
Richard W. Winston, Director of the Master of Theology Program
I have had the privilege of directing the Master of Theology (ThM) program for almost two years. During that time, I have worked with both ARP pastors and students from other denominations, and it has been a joy to lead this program and interact with each one of them. I have been edified and blessed by learning each student’s aspirations and helping them to reach their educational and ministerial goals.
The purpose of the ThM program is to equip students for advanced biblical and theological scholarship and teaching in various educational and ministry contexts. If you’ve ever wanted to read more academic literature and develop your research and writing skills in that field, then a ThM is for you. The ThM especially focuses on helping you learn how to analyze and synthesize such literature. Furthermore, if you think God may be calling you into an educational ministry, then the ThM is a good step into the world of academia and theological education. And, if you’re considering a PhD, the ThM provides a solid foundation for such studies.
Of course, the ThM is not just for aspiring academics, but for pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers. For those who are teachers at missionary training institutions or engaged in high-level teaching ministries, a ThM will enhance your effectiveness as a teacher. The rigorous demands of the ThM will also enhance your organizational and administrative abilities. And, for what it’s worth, my academic studies helped me read faster and write better, which led to more efficient sermon preparation and, hopefully, more coherent sermons.
One of my goals as a program director is to improve the ThM program continually. Over the past few years, we have revised and improved a foundational course in learning to write a ThM paper. This is one of the first courses ThM students take, and it guides students through every step of the research and writing process. Students also receive feedback at each step of the process so they can improve their work and succeed. Several students have already commented on how this class has set them up to thrive in the ThM program.
We have also taken a closer look at the purpose of the biblical and research languages in the ThM program. We believe that all ThM students should enter the program with the ability to use the biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew) in their research. Then, throughout the program, students who are planning to write a thesis also learn one modern research language that is relevant to their field of study (such as French, German, or Dutch). Learning another language is a stretching experience, but it’s part of what takes students to the next level in their knowledge and research abilities.
One of the benefits of the ThM is that it offers many fruitful areas of study. Students concentrate their studies in one of the following areas: biblical studies (with a focus in Old Testament or New Testament), theological studies (systematic theology), or historical studies (historical theology or Church history). Almost all of the ThM courses are taken within this concentration, and the course work usually culminates with students writing a thesis in their field.
Through Christian Scholarship (cont.)
Of course, theological studies should not only equip the mind but should sanctify the soul as well. To this end, each ThM course has at least one assignment dedicated to developing students spiritually. For example, in a course I just taught on New Testament Backgrounds and Theology (a core course for the NT Biblical Studies Concentration), students not only read and analyze academic literature and write a research paper, but throughout the semester they also keep a journal of reflections on the following questions: What values shape how you approach research? How do you think your research would be different if you were not a Christian? What values do you see reflected in some of the issues and scholars you studied this semester? How would you assess these values? What’s one way you can reflect the fruit of the Spirit more in your research? Likewise, in the aforementioned writing course, students compose a handful of essays describing how the Christian faith informs their approach to research and writing. In other words, what makes Christian research Christian?
Erskine Theological Seminary continues to expand the reach of the ThM program beyond the local classroom. Students join our classes from across the United States as well as across the world in countries such as Canada and Pakistan. Students enjoy in-class interactions but also have the ability to join online if they are not local. And I have regular interaction with our students throughout their classes and in planning their course of study.
The ThM is not just another degree and doesn’t merely give students the opportunity to take more classes. Rather, the ThM equips students to do high-quality, academic-level work. While the work is rigorous, it provides students with the tools to be lifelong learners with the ability to discern truth from error. Such skills help one be not only a better Christian leader, but a more responsible and knowledgeable person overall. And of course, we aim for all of these abilities to be used in a sanctified manner for the glory of God and the good of the church.
The Rev. Richard W. Winston (PhD, Central Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of New Testament and Director of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies and Master of Theology Program at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. He has published articles and reviews in numerous academic journals and is the author of Misunderstanding, Nationalism, or Legalism: Identifying Israel’s Chief Error with Reference to the Law in Romans 9:30-10:13. Dr. Winston previously served in pastoral ministry for eight years.
Expanding Our Reach: Among Local Churches
T. Chris Crain, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
How did a beleaguered sect which started in a remote corner of the Roman empire grow into a worldwide faith that has impacted innumerable people? What challenges has the church had through the centuries in mobilizing itself to share the faith faithfully? Who are the great figures in the history of missions and what can we learn from them? Our new Doctor of Ministry (DMin) with a concentration in missiology is an exciting opportunity to answer these questions, learn about the history and expansion of Christianity, and apply that knowledge and wisdom to a variety of ministry contexts.
Starting in the Spring of 2025, Erskine Seminary has begun to offer a DMin program with a concentration in missiology. Church leaders are trained in missiology in order to create and promote partnerships between the local church and the global church, while simultaneously addressing the challenges and opportunities that accompany national policies of both globalization and isolationism. Whether they leave home to travel across the world or whether the world comes to their doorstep, ministry leaders need to be equipped for reaching other cultures.
This three-year program includes a dissertation, and half of all coursework is specific to missions. We will be offering three new required courses: History of Missions, Theology of Missions, and The Global Church. Current missions-related courses from our catalog will also be offered (e.g., Engaging Islam, Contextual Theology, Advanced Apologetics).
Pastors, missionaries, chaplains, and those serving in parachurch ministries are all encouraged to consider these studies designed to focus on theology and its application all within the context of missions, whether local or global.
In my service as an Army chaplain I learned that I must embed myself in each unit and learn the context in which I was ministering. Though my doctrinal beliefs remained the same, the way I applied those depended on the type of unit I was assigned. Ministering to Army medical personnel is different than relating to Army infantry officers because the culture of each is different. In missions, likewise, it is important to learn the language, culture, context, and history so that the doctrinal foundations one has may be applied with faithfulness and relevance.
One of our current students commented on his studies in our program:
Perhaps one of the least understood aspects of the great commission is how to faithfully and strategically involve your church in missional opportunities that extend ‘to the ends of the earth.’ The passion of the church for missions usually pursues the passion of the most recent missionary, but is this the best approach? This program is a great opportunity for each pastor to earnestly answer the call of stewarding resources and congregants to engage in this sacred task.
Among Local Churches (cont.)
Our vision for this program is to promote a robust partnership between the local church and the global church. How can churches best serve in their community and in the global community? More and more, these are becoming linked through immigration and technological shifts. By studying missions, Christian leaders and their churches can engage the world at large even as the world comes to them.
The Rev. T. Chris Crain (PhD, St. Louis University ) is Associate Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. He has published articles and reviews in numerous academic journals and contributed “Nevin, John Williamson”in Michael J. McClymond, ed., Encyclopedia of Religious Revivals in America. Dr. Crain previously served as an active-duty chaplain in the United States Army for almost twelve years, as an Assistant Pastor, and as headmaster of a Christian school.
Expanding Our Reach: On the Mission Field
J. Alex Pettett, Executive Director of World Witness
In 2008, a dark-skinned Sudanese pastor showed up at the Narkis Street Congregation, where I was co-pastoring in Jerusalem, Israel, searching for Christian fellowship. He was one of thousands fleeing an extended civil war in Sudan that was both tribal and religious in dimensions. While there, he spoke of the atrocities of mass murder among his fellow congregants by Muslim militias. He remarked that it was common to have a worship service on Sunday morning, followed by a mass funeral for murdered congregants on Sunday afternoon. He told these stories with outstretched arms to the Lord, praising his name while he disclosed the horrors of the execution of his family and loved ones at the end of a machete wielded by extremist Muslims. This pastor embodied the Spirit of joy seen in Acts 5:41, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
This experience shook me to the core. It forced me to confront my own theology of suffering, to wrestle with how I might respond in the face of such tragedy. More importantly, it ignited a sincere, personal quest to understand how the Lord is moving in places like North Africa and other regions under persecution and to discern what role he’s calling me to play in his work there.
Even though I’ve spent most of my adult life in foreign missions, I’ve often felt unequipped to understand how I can best support the church in these contexts. In the West, we’ve become so paralyzed by the fear of ‘helping without hurting’ that we often choose fear-driven inaction over faith-driven obedience. This has sent me on a journey to find some of the best minds in missions to push ahead with strengthening the Church in areas of persecution.
I knew that I was unequipped with effective research skills that would reveal the most applicable means of ministry to help those who need it the most. That realization led me to pursue a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) with a concentration in missiology from Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. From my own experience, here are some benefits of the DMin I have already gleaned:
1. Formal study deepens and enriches a missionary’s experience. While nothing compares to the lessons learned on the field, pursuing further study connects missionaries with the collective wisdom of those who have gone before. Through books and research shaped by a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry, missionaries gain insight, warning, and encouragement that can accelerate growth and sharpen effectiveness. Academic training doesn’t replace experience—it multiplies its impact.
2. Conducting this degree in a cohort community is a means of accountability and encouragement. Pursuing a degree can often feel isolating, but walking this journey alongside other pastors has been a source of strength and encouragement. Sharing the challenges and joys together has created a support system that keeps me going, even when the workload feels overwhelming. We challenge one another, sharpen each other’s thinking, and spur one another on toward greater faithfulness in the ministry to which we’ve been called.
On the Mission Field (cont.)
3. Theological training equips missionaries to minister with both faithfulness and discernment. Distance from Western debates and controversies can help missionaries focus on the work at hand, but staying connected to thoughtful theological reflection is just as vital. Studying theology and missiology provides the tools to assess whether ministry practices align with Scripture and serve the mission’s long-term goals.
4. The DMin concentration in missiology stands apart from other degrees by focusing on a practical ministry project tailored to your own context. This program equips you to approach mission work with objectivity and to develop practical tools and goals rooted in Scripture and sound doctrine. By collaborating with seasoned missionaries and national pastors, while pouring through books and scholarly publications, you’ll gain the wisdom and skills to create a project that benefits the entire mission.
The opening class of this program was one on conducting research, for which we needed to write our first research paper using the latest methods. My topic is the “Lessons for Best Practices for Church Growth in Persecuted Northern Nigeria.” In a few short months, I have been able to begin research on the disappearance of the North African church from 800-1200 AD and relate the causes for the demise of the church to similar things that are happening to the church in northern Nigeria today. As a result, I’ve identified four lessons from Scripture and history that are necessary to be applied to the work in northern Nigeria and other places of persecution, if the church is going to survive and thrive in a violent and oppressive context.
Some of the lessons were obvious, and others deeply challenged my understanding of how to invest in and mobilize resources for this part of the world. For example, in areas of persecution, though missionaries should be the first willing to risk life and limb for the Gospel in dangerous areas, the context I am studying would require missionaries to be exclusively native Africans to minister the message effectively, create the community necessary for the first converts, and to prevent unnecessarily endangering local Christians already present. In addition, though I believe evangelism is the first Gospel tool to be deployed, it has to be accompanied by opportunities for growth in doctrinal depth lest the Church be destroyed by a lack of Scriptural fidelity from doctrinal ignorance. Lastly, though “faith comes by hearing,” the apologetic of faith in areas of persecution is a ministry of mercy and witness of compassion through extraordinary efforts to alleviate destitution and disease. All of these must be present for the Church to survive and thrive in areas of persecution. This is just the beginning of what I have learned so far in my academic pursuit.
In a time when the global Church is under growing pressure, the need for courageous, theologically grounded, and practically equipped leaders is more urgent than ever. Erskine Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry with a concentration in missiology stands as a unique and essential training ground—not just for academic development, but for Kingdom impact in the world’s most challenging contexts.
This is more than a degree. It is an invitation to deepen your calling, sharpen your convictions, integrate rigorous theology with faithful action, serve the Church where it needs it most, and join a community of mission-minded leaders who are committed to seeing the Gospel flourish in places of suffering and resistance.
The Rev. J. Alex Pettett (MDiv, ‘22) is the Executive Director of World Witness and has served in foreign missions for over two decades. He is currently pursuing a DMin with a concentration in missiology from Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies.
Expanding Our Reach: Across the Globe
Martha Margaret Cotten, Director of Global Theological Education
How it Began
In 2023, Erskine Theological Seminary and World Witness entered into a partnership to provide theological training for pastors in Rwanda. The government there passed a law requiring the pastors of all churches to show proof of having received a diploma from an accredited school, and for their churches to meet certain building standards. The aim of these requirements was not to persecute Christian churches, but to suppress the plethora of “ministries” with untrained pastors preaching a prosperity gospel, where the only ones prospering were the pastors. The government intervened to prevent these pastors from taking advantage of the people.
The opportunity for the ARP Church to come to the aid of Rwandan Christians came through a young man from Rwanda who was a graduate of Erskine Theological Seminary, Benjamin Musuhukye (MACE, ‘05; MAPM, ‘06). Benjamin returned to Rwanda after his graduation to serve in a ministry he began for the orphaned children of the Rwandan genocide, and he had earned the respect of his government. World Witness initially responded to the need for theological training of pastors. With the new governmental requirement for pastors to have a diploma from an accredited school, Erskine Theological Seminary entered the picture. Now Erskine and World Witness are working together to provide the necessary theological education for Rwandan pastors through the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership.
News from Rwanda
We ended last year with the graduation of our first two cohorts of students in Rwanda. These 47 graduates were quickly replaced by even more new students who have been patiently waiting for their spot in our program. Courses for our Nyabihu and Bugesera (Juru) cohorts have begun this year with a variety of Old Testament classes being taught by Ben Glaser, Sam Cotten, Justin Brickey, George Schwab, and Kyle Sims. And our cohort in Runda is plugging away with only four more courses until their graduation! Additionally, our recent alumni in the Rwandan Global Diploma program have been asking for more classes, requesting we develop another level of training so that their education does not have to end at graduation. It is humbling to see their passion for learning and desire for education, despite the sacrifices they must endure to get it.
We plan to start a new cohort in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, as soon as we have the funding for it. Interested Kigali students have attended our 2-day “taster” event and are ready and willing to begin as soon as we are financially able. All expenses for our Global Diploma programs are fully funded by the generosity of supporting individuals and churches through the John and Sarah Ellen Carson Scholarship (see page 27).
Translation Project
Another exciting development in Rwanda is our new translation project. Rwanda has very few resources in their own language of Kinyarwanda to support biblical, theological, and Reformed understanding. Last year, our very own David Galletta had R.C. Sproul’s Scripture Alone translated, and each of our students received a copy. This year, the Global Diploma/Carson Scholarship has picked up the mantle and is having Right With God by Michael Reeves translated and printed. Each of our students, alumni and current, will receive a copy. Right With God is just one out of the Essentials series, a series intentionally designed to be short and easy to read. Our prayer is that we will have the funding to continue translating the entire series.
Across the Globe (cont.)
Scholarship Expansion in Pakistan
As a part of our push towards sustainability, we are thrilled to report that we will begin offering the John and Sarah Ellen Carson Scholarship to a Pakistani ARP to enroll in the MDiv or MATS program at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. This person must pass the language competency exam and meet all of the other criteria needed to matriculate at Erskine. They will then complete their degree online. After finishing this degree, they may go on to get more training if desired. This scholarship is a huge step towards meeting one of our major long-term goals: to replace ourselves with educated and qualified national instructors and professors.
On the Horizon
We have been reestablishing a relationship with our sister denomination in Mexico. The Mexican ARP Church is doing well but desires to receive even more solid, Reformed training, especially out in the villages. The program in Mexico will be two-fold: Comunidad Reformada De Estudios Superiores, the seminary established by the ARP Church of the United States over 50 years ago, and Erskine are exploring a relationship where we can send professors to teach classes. These might be full-time Erskine Theological Seminary professors or our Global Diploma adjunct professors. The second aspect of this program will be much like our other Global Diploma cohorts. Out in regions like La Huasteca, pastors and lay leaders will gather and formally begin the Global Diploma program. We hope to use ARP pastors who speak Spanish to teach these classes, supported by the Global Theological Education Department at Erskine and our regular Global Diploma adjuncts.
Erskine’s Global Theological Education Department is also researching how we can support the Hispanic diaspora here in our own backyard. There are many Hispanic pastors and lay leaders in the United States who desire more training but do not qualify nor have the financial resources to attend regular seminary. We are exploring partnerships that would enable us to provide Global Diploma courses in cohorts, using Spanishspeaking Global Diploma adjuncts, ARP pastors, and qualified ARP leaders.
Need for Prayer
Please pray for Erskine’s Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership and for the John and Sarah Ellen Carson Scholarship which funds it. Our number one desire is to strengthen Christ’s rapidly expanding Church in the Majority World through equipping her pastors and lay leaders with a robust and formational understanding of the Bible. As you can see, we have many ways to accomplish this, but our human and financial resources are limited.
• Pray that we would be innovative and resourceful in the different ways God may want to provide for this ministry.
• Pray that God will call enthusiastic and creative men and women to come alongside us to support our work by advocating for us and for our students in their churches, presbyteries, among their friends, and on social media.
• Pray that churches and individuals will catch our vision – and will express that by sacrificially giving, fervently praying, and faithfully serving this program as Jesus Christ calls them.
• Please pray most of all for our students, that the Holy Spirit would truly be their teacher. Pray that all of the information they are receiving would be more than simply an expansion of their understanding but would be life-changing, spiritual and ministerial formation that they can pass along to those they lead.
Martha Margaret Cotten (BA, ‘97; MATS, ‘20) is Director of Global Theological Education at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. She and her husband, Sam, are members of the SEED Ministry Team of World Witness, which provides pastoral and leadership training programs in Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, and Pakistan. Additionally, she has a MTh from Union School of Theology and is currently completing a DMin in Missions, Development, and Leadership in the Global Context from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Expanding Our Reach: Within the ARP Church
Kyle E. Sims, Director of Church Relations
Two years ago, I started working as the Director of Church Relations at Erskine College and Seminary. It was a difficult decision to leave the church I had pastored for 18 years and the calling I had grown to love. Yet, I took up this new work for several clear reasons. First, I believed in the potential of Erskine for the good of the church. Second, Dr. Steve Adamson becoming president answered our prayers for exemplary leadership to move our college and seminary forward. Third, I believed in the administration’s vision to restore and strengthen the relationship between Erskine and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Not long after Dr. Adamson began as President of Erskine, he called in several denominational leaders to advise him on his proposed four unchangeable pillars that, going forward, Erskine would be built upon (see pages 7-8). The first of these, “Missional Fidelity,” emphasized the importance of our relationship with the church and faithfulness to the mission given to Erskine by the General Synod. One of the main goals of my job is to closely connect Erskine to the ARP Church and to develop ways that we can be a blessing to the pastors, ministry leaders, and churches of the ARP Church and beyond.
Over the last two years, I have traveled to churches to preach and present Erskine. I have been to every ARP presbytery in the US at least once. I have attended other denominational meetings and churches to represent Erskine. Recently, I spent three days in Washington, DC with different religious leaders, advocating for religious freedom on Capitol Hill and exposing Erskine to the broader church in America. I have been to Rwanda twice to attend a graduation and teach for the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership. I have been to Mexico to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the former Ebenezer Seminary (currently Comunidad Reformada De Estudios Superiores) and help build connections between our sister ARP Synod in Mexico and our two seminaries. And, I am witnessing how Erskine’s growing partnership with World Witness demonstrates what we can do when our agencies work together, pooling our resources and sharing our expertise.
Dr. Adamson has given me a clear mandate to discover ways Erskine, especially the seminary, can bless the ARP Church. This year, we set aside money to help encourage and rejuvenate the ARP Church’s ministers. As part of this, we will have two books to give to every minister and seminary student at Synod this year. Mark Ross and I have led officer training for local churches and presbyteries. Many professors have taught at the Family Bible conferences and in local churches and presented on topics at presbyteries. We hope to expand our ministry to the ARP Church by continuing with these activities and adding more continuing education training and seminars for pastors, ministry directors, and local church members.
Erskine has directly blessed the ARP Church by allowing me to continue serving as the Principal Clerk of the General Synod. Our Synod officers all serve on a largely volunteer basis and receive only a small stipend. Dr. Adamson has repeatedly stressed that I am to take the time to do this work well as part of my work at Erskine, and as part of Erskine’s work to support the General Synod.
Within the ARP Church (cont.)
One of the exciting parts of my job is telling the story of what the Lord is doing at Erskine College and Seminary. I graduated in 1993 with a major in history and a minor in religion. When I was at Erskine, there was a passive Christianity that, in many ways, mirrored the passive Christianity of our culture in the late 20th century. However, 30 years later, the world changed, and so did the ARP Church. The Christian cultural guardrails have been lost in our society. Every denomination has been forced to choose between a commitment to Biblical truth or a compromise with the world. Thankfully, the ARP Church and Erskine have selected to seek Biblical faithfulness. These changes can be seen in many ways in our church and institution of higher learning. At Erskine, there is a renewed commitment to Jesus from the administration, faculty, and staff. At our first Fleet Fellowship in the fall of 2023, the baseball coach spoke, giving a clear call to unbelievers to believe the gospel and for believers to follow Christ more closely. Professors are more intentional about sharing their faith in and out of the classroom. We have just hired a new Bible professor from Northeast Presbytery (see page 25) and are excited to see his ministry begin to students both in and out of the classroom. This year saw the return of a distinctly ARP student ministry on the campus of Erskine, something that was lost almost a decade ago. As Vice-Moderator of Synod in 2018, I wrote an article for The ARP Magazine in which I argued that Erskine was an untapped resource for our denomination and could be a key part of our ministry going forward. I still believe this to be true today, and I have the privilege of being a part of this work of the Lord.
One troubling thing I have heard is from those who question the need for us to have our own seminary. Some ask why we need Erskine Theological Seminary when there are many other good seminaries. There are some clear and important reasons why we need to have our own seminary. First, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church has its own distinctions that we do not want to lose. One of the unique things about the ARP Church is our polity, which has retained a more traditional Scottish flavor than many of our other sister denominations. We have an ethos different from some of our closest sister denominations. We need an Erskine Theological Seminary to maintain these unique qualities of the ARP Church that we do not want to lose going forward. Second, one reason that Erskine Theological Seminary was founded was so we could train our ministers. Without a denominational seminary, we are at the mercy of other institutions in which we have little control or influence. Third, Erskine Theological Seminary serves as a continuing ministry to the ARP Church. As we expand our programs, we want to be more than just a place that trains ministers; we want to continue to bless all the ministers, officers, leaders, and members of the ARP Church and beyond.
What can you do for us at Erskine? First, pray for us both privately and as a part of your congregation’s worship and prayer emphasis. Second, encourage your students to consider our college and seminary when looking for schooling. Third, please consider Erskine as part of your personal and church giving. I would love to see every church have a line item for each ARP agency, including Erskine. Finally, let us be a blessing to you. Contact us if you need help with officer training, Christian Ed seminars, special services speakers, or even a supply pastor for a Sunday morning. We are here to bless you however we can.
The Rev. Kyle E. Sims (BA, ‘93; DMin, ‘10) is Director of Church Relations and Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Erskine Theological Seminary & School of Biblical Studies. He has twenty-five years of pastoral experience, has previously served as Vice-Moderator for the ARP Synod, and currently serves as Principal Clerk.
NEWS AT ERSKINE
FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
Dr. Philip Mohr Appointed Assistant Professor
Dr. Philip Mohr (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, The Catholic University of America) has been appointed Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. He previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary, The Catholic University of America, and Common Ground Theological Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. He is currently pursuing ordination in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Justin Brickey Appointed Adjunct Professor
Rev. Justin Brickey (MDiv, ‘15 , ThM, ‘23 ) has been appointed Adjunct Professor in the Global Diploma in Theology & Christian Leadership program. He is an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and a missionary with the SEED Ministry of World Witness. Rev. Brickey has served cross-culturally in the United States, Peru, Spain, Rwanda, and Pakistan and frequently travels around the world training missionaries, indigenous ministers, and local church leaders.
Dr. Max Rogland Appointed Research Professor
Dr. Max Rogland (PhD, Leiden University) has been appointed Research Professor of Old Testament. He is the author of commentaries on Ecclesiastes and Obadiah for the ESV Expository Commentary series, the study notes on Ecclesiastes for the ESV Study Bible, a commentary on Haggai and Zechariah 1-8 for the Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible series, and edited the volume Faithful Ministry. Dr. Rogland also serves as pastor of Rose Hill Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Columbia, SC.
Dr. Daniel Janosik Appointed Research Professor
Dr. Daniel Janosik (PhD, Brunel University/London School of Theology) has been appointed Research Professor of Apologetics. He is the author of John of Damascus: First Apologist to the Muslims, A Guide to Answering Islam, and contributed “John of Damascus,” in The History of Apologetics: A Biographical and Methodological Introduction. Among other endeavors, Dr. Janosik was previously a missionary in Japan.
Dr. Jim Belcher Appointed Research Professor
Dr. Jim Belcher (PhD, Georgetown University) has been appointed Research Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology. He previously served as a pastor, college and seminary professor, and college president. Dr. Belcher is the author of Cold Civil War, In Search of Deep Faith, and Deep Church, which won a 2010 Christianity Today Book Award in church/pastoral leadership.
ALUMNI IN ACTION
Rev. Philip Bunch (BA, ‘09; MDiv, ‘12) serves as Associate Pastor of Congregational Care at Greenville ARP Church in Greenville, SC. He previously served at Fayetteville ARP Church in Fayetteville, TN and First ARP Church in Rock Hill, SC. Rev. Bunch and his wife, Courtney, live with their son in Greenville, SC .
Rev. Ryan Gladden (BA/MDiv, ‘23) was recently ordained and installed as Pastor of First ARP Church of Statesville, NC. He previously served as an intern at Centennial ARP Church in Columbia, SC and First ARP Church of Lancaster, SC. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Statesville, NC.
Mr. Adam Grabowicz (MATS, ‘25) serves as a Ruling Elder at Parafia Ewangelicko-Prezbiteriańska Odkupiciela w Warszawie (The Evangelical-Presbyterian Parish of the Redeemer in Warsaw, Poland.) Originally a World Witness church plant, it is now one of the founding members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Poland. Mr. Grabowicz was awarded both the Bruce G. Pierce Award for Christian Leadership for his steadfast service to his local church and the Ray A. King Church History Award for academic excellence.
Rev. Jordan Bernard (MDiv, ‘18) serves as Associate Pastor at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Rock Hill, SC. He previously served at York ARP Church in York, SC and First ARP in Lancaster, SC. Jordan is currently pursuing a DMin degree at Erskine Theological Seminary as well. He and his wife, Amanda, have three children and live in York, SC.
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
Will you celebrate and partner with us? All funds are used to provide education for Global South pastors and future church leaders. Donations can be made at https://www.erskine.edu/giving/global-education/
LEARN MORE
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etsadmissions@erskine.edu
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