"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
From its inception, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has existed for Christ, his gospel, and his global church. Our founders understood that they were “building a base to serve the West and reach the World.” That mission continues to guide the seminary as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2030. And more than ever before, we have a vision for strategically engaging with God’s global mission, something we want to share with you in this issue of Update.
First, we want to let you in on the exhilarating work the Lord has been doing through our Global Church Initiative (GCI). Though you’ve likely heard reports on some of the trips the GCI has organized, we want to let you know the heart behind it, the fruit we are seeing from it, and what other developments are in store for our seminary through this program (p. 4).
Next, we hear from recent graduates Koos and Bhless Hagg about their experience as students who came from afar with the determination to return to the foreign mission field (p. 6). The bulk of our issue highlights the work of our alumni around the world. Mike Brown gives a moving report on the work God is doing in Europe (p. 14). We also hear from Antonio Coppola and Kennedy Gondwe about ministerial training on the continent of Africa (pp. 16 and 20), and from Mark Bocanegra serving in Japan (p. 17) and Bill Green serving in Costa Rica (p. 18). We hope their stories of God’s faithfulness the world over inspires you, and emboldens you to pray with us that our work in Escondido would continue to have a global reach.
Lastly, one other way WSC has committed to God’s mission is by establishing a conference to increase awareness of the global church. We were happy to host many of you November 13–14 as Rev. Dr. Brian DeVries delivered the Dennis and Jane Johnson Lectures on Global Missions at WSC. Dr. DeVries is the principal of Mukhanyo Theological College in South Africa, and the author of the award-winning You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God’s Church Serving in God’s Mission (Crossway, 2024).
Thank you for your continued friendship and prayers as WSC strives to serve Christ’s church through the preparation of her servants, wherever the Lord calls them.
Cordially in Christ,
Joel E. Kim WSC President
UPDATE | FALL 2025
PRESIDENT
Joel E. Kim
EDITOR
Jonathan Cruse
DESIGNER
Karly Steenholdt
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MISSION: The purpose of UPDATE is to showcase WSC’s distinctively Christcentered, graduate education through the work of its faculty, students and alumni who are serving as pastors, teachers, missionaries, and leaders worldwide in light of our overarching mission, “to glorify God through graduate theological study. . . for those who will serve in the Christian community and the larger society.”
Since 1979, WSC has offered a distinctly Reformed and rigorous education in order to glorify Christ, promote His Gospel, and serve his Church. The strength of our degree programs lies in our faculty’s unified commitment to the inerrant Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. WSC is the only dually accredited seminary in the Western United States serving confessionally Reformed churches.
All rights reserved. The Global Church Initiative Reflecting on Four Years at WSC by Koos and Bhless Haag
Mark MacVey, 20 Years of Service Winter Refresher 44th Annual Commencement God's Work in Italy and Beyond From Escondido to Edinburgh Alumni on a Mission Bringing the Light of the Gospel to Africa Alumni News In Memory A Vision Supplied by God's Provision Honorarium + Memorial Gifts 2024-2025 Annual Report 04 06 08 09 10 14 15 22 24 27
The Global Church Initiative
AND WESTMINSTER SEMINARY CALIFORNIA
Almost fifty years ago, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) was planted by Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Purposefully and prayerfully, Southern California was chosen as the location. One reason was to establish a faithful and confessionally Reformed seminary presence west of the Rockies. Another reason was the strategic location and access Southern California offers to the global East and the South. WSC is well-situated to serve as a gateway to and from Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. To pray for and with these students as they return to the shores of other nations to serve the Lord as missionaries, church planters, pastors, and teachers is one of our greatest joys.
We rejoice as the Lord’s faithfulness is manifest in the fruit of this decision throughout our past forty-six years. We have welcomed students from Argentina, Brazil, China, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the
As WSC approaches her fiftieth anniversary, we are redoubling our efforts and intentionality in seeking to serve the churches in these areas. The Global Church Initiative (GCI) is one of the ways we seek to be faithful and fruitful in serving Christ, His Gospel, and His Church. Begun in 2021, the GCI offers opportunities for our students to engage with churches, ministries, missionaries, leaders, and laity in various countries. As we’ve recorded in previous issues of Update, WSC, in partnership with Mission to the World (MTW), has sent students to Japan (2023), Cambodia
WSC VISION TRIP 2026 | PANAMA CITY
WSC is well-situated to serve as a gateway to and from Southeast Asia, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
(2024), and Scotland (2025). On these trips, students learn about and participate in the Lord’s work through Reformed and Presbyterian church planting globally. Faculty members accompany the students and guide their reflection on the experience. Students report to the student body upon their return, helping to foster a continual love and concern for the global church in the WSC community.
One of the exciting things that is happening through GCI is the arrival of students from abroad, students like John Koh. John was interning at a Presbyterian church in Japan (pastored by WSC alum Rev. Mark Bocanegra) when, in April of 2023, our GCI team of students arrived.1 John had grown up believing seminary was really the “cemetery of faith,” but his experience with the GCI team had completely dispelled that notion. John stuck with the group as they attended various worship services, toured major cities, and listened to local pastors and missionaries about gospel work in Japan. Through this time with the team, he encountered men and women who came to Japan with eager hearts to learn more about how they could steward the abundant gifts they would receive in their seminary training. He saw a love for deep theology wedded to a love for active service in Christ’s church. This group solidified John’s decision, not only to pursue full-time ministry, but to attend WSC.
John now is entering his second year of study and plans to return home to serve the church in Japan upon graduation. To that end, he recently came under care of the South Coast Presbytery of the PCA, the first step in his effort to be ordained as an international associate for MTW. We praise God for John, and students like him, and hope to see more and more come to our campus through our commitment to the GCI.
We are now in the planning stages of our next vision trip, this time to Central America. Earlier this year, nearly forty students attended an introductory luncheon announcing the opportunity to spend a little over a week in Panama City in the Spring of 2026. We are encouraged by the interest and eagerness of our students to engage and explore global missions. Dr. Brad Bitner, WSC Associate Professor
of New Testament, directs the GCI and will be leading eight students on this upcoming trip. They will be working closely with and learning from Rev. Scott Dillon. Scott, who was a missionary in Peru for twelve years, has served since 2022 as lead pastor of the church plant and as team leader for Panama City MTW team.
WSC is especially pleased to announce that these vision trips will now be offered for credit. Because we believe they are beneficial in shaping and sharpening our students’ focus on understanding and serving the global Church, we will be offering them as a Practical Theology elective (2 credits). Our intention is to offer at least one trip a year, with the hope that all of our students would participate in at least one such trip during their time at WSC. Pray with and for us that God’s mission for the world would be realized through our efforts in the GCI.
1
JOHN KOH WITH WSC VISION TRIP TO JAPAN 2023
WSC VISION TRIP 2025
| CAMBODIA
You can read more about the Japan vision trip in the Spring 2023 Update issue, on page 12.
From One Journey to the Next
REFLECTING ON FOUR YEARS AT WSC
by KOOS AND BHLESS HAAG
In the summer of 2021, my wife, Bhless, and I traveled from Southeast Asia to California, a new chapter in our family’s life. Our journey to Westminster Seminary California was a clear demonstration of God's grace; He truly established each of our steps, guiding us to this special place for a special time of learning and equipping. Our time here has been an undeniable gift from God, delivered through the kindness and dedication of the faculty, staff, classmates, and the many generous supporters of the seminary.
The excitement of those first days gave way to a whole host of emotions and experiences over four years. Seminary is a journey of ups and downs—hills to climb, sunny vales to pass through, and dark woods through which to trudge. By God's strength, we worked hard, driven forward by the regular rhythms of class schedules and due dates, experiencing enthusiastic semester starts, the inevitable mid-semester lulls, and the final, intense push toward the end.
And then, suddenly, graduation day arrived. It was a day full of joy and hope. This joy did not come because we had finished our study program, but because we, as a graduating class, were being sent out. I’m so thankful that WSC calls graduation “commencement.” It perfectly captures the spirit of what God has equipped us to do. Our service has commenced, and we have been sent out to serve Christ’s church with all the gifts, talents, and knowledge we have received. The years that follow will see many more graduates go out from Westminster, well-equipped to serve Christ and his Church, and I find this to be a profound source of hope.
We were initially drawn to the seminary by its
diverse community and solid teaching that we might be better equipped for ministry. Our goal has always been to return to the mission field in Southeast Asia. So, what have we learned? Do we feel better equipped? Was this high-intensity marathon a worthy endeavor?
Some struggles remain, for that is part of sanctification. But I certainly see that I have grown, and all praise is to God. From the faculty and staff, and even from my classmates, I have witnessed humility, wisdom, and moderation. These have rubbed off on me; perhaps these are the most important things I have learned at WSC. I have learned to keep the main thing the main thing and to live at peace with all, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
OUR SHARED JOURNEY AND CALLING
My calling to the mission field has been an unexpected journey guided by the Lord’s hand. I never imagined I would become a pastor or a church planter; my simple desire was to serve. From repairing the water tank of a small mountain village in Guatemala, to map-making, to leading English outreach, one day I found myself doing the work of a pastor.
When I met Bhless, she joined me in this ministry and became involved in the small house church I was leading. As we worked together, we both grew in our appreciation and love for the church. We understood that even though our church was small and seemingly weak, it was precious to Christ and belongs to him. Working in the Church is what we want to do in missions and with the rest of our lives. Through this shared service, God gave us the clarity that our long-term mission was to serve in church planting
and development, and Bhless encouraged me to go to seminary to be better equipped for this task.
"My calling to the mission field has been an unexpected journey guided by the Lord’s hand. I never imagined I would become a pastor or a church planter; my simple desire was to serve."
A unique part of my experience was the opportunity to study and learn more about the culture and history of our country of mission. This academic exercise gave me a fresh perspective and helped me stay connected to the vision of where we are heading.
I'm also very encouraged by WSC’s renewed focus on global missions. I'm thankful for the missions prayer group, vision trips, and growing partnerships that have confirmed our calling. We were deeply involved with these missions focused activities on
campus. I helped to facilitate and lead the prayer group, as well as invite missionaries to share on campus. Bhless was also an active part of this, helping to prepare meals for missions lunches and praying for missions. The Prayer for Missions group started out small, and during our time grew larger and more committed in gathering to lift up the needs of Christ's Church throughout the world. It was particularly sweet, and humbling, to pray for brothers and sisters in Christ. Often we prayed for those whom we knew closely—the families, friends and churches of international students at WSC, as well as alumni of the seminary. Some of their situations were dire, and bringing them to God in prayer brought us peace and hope, and joy when we were privileged to see prayers answered. Taking part in these groups helped us keep the right perspective, that God’s glory will fill all the earth.
I am also grateful to see how female students are welcomed as legitimate seminarians, since both men and women are called to be well-educated and equipped to serve Christ and his gospel. For me, it was a great privilege and a joy to study alongside my wife, learning and growing not only as individuals, but also together as partners in life and ministry.
BHLESS'S REFLECTIONS
The excellent, pastoral character of the faculty has profoundly shaped my own experience at Westminster. Our professors are brilliant in their fields, but their genuine care for people left the most profound impression.
I am deeply grateful for Dr. Barrie, who was not only our academic advisor but also our counselor and pastor. He consistently listened to us, prayed with us, and walked with us through our challenges.
Another professor who modeled humility and integrity left a deep and
lasting impression. When asked to comment on a particular theologian, he replied, “I don’t want to editorialize.” That simple act of restraint taught me as much as a lecture ever could about true academic humility and Christian grace.
During my time here, I went through a season of great darkness. Though my mind was clear about the gospel and I was thankful for Christ, I just had no desire for living. Yet God was there even in that deep valley. I experienced his care and love through the seminary community: classmates, professors, and friends who prayed for me, encouraged me, and walked with me. One professor shared that he "knew" what I was going through. He extended pastoral grace, providing flexibility with due dates and encouraging me to prioritize my well-being over academic performance. This act of care showed me that the seminary values a student's overall well-being.
Finally, I witnessed incredible growth in my husband's character. While he has always been kind, I saw him mature significantly in his pastoral care. His capacity to listen, empathize, and care for people has deepened, and it's a blessing to see this lifelong process of sanctification in action. These changes have come through the power of the Spirit in the context of the seminary community and the examples of the professors.
Koos and Bhless Hagg graduated in 2025 with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Biblical Studies, respectively. Originally from the Netherlands and the Philippines, they have plans to return to Southeast Asia by next summer.
Koos (MDiv) Home Country: Netherlands
Bhless (MABS) Home Country: Philippines
Mark MacVey
Celebrating 20 years of service to WSC
1. You have been here for over twenty years now. Would you have guessed that you'd still be engaged with the WSC community 20 years later when you started your first position?
No, not at all. I came to WSC from the Midwest in 2002 to pursue a degree in Historical Theology with the intention of spending two to three years here before moving on to a PhD program or teaching role at a Christian school. The Lord had other plans for me, providing a California wife in 2004 and an opportunity to serve the seminary in March 2005. I anticipated that I would work at the seminary for a few years as I finished my degree and settled into married life, but here we are, 20 years later.
2. How have your position and responsibilities evolved over the years?
Though I didn’t become a scholar or teacher as planned, I have enjoyed being part of an academic community while supporting the work of the seminary behind the scenes. As is the case at many smaller educational institutions, administrative staff at WSC fill a variety of different roles and responsibilities as needs arise. I started as Director of Recruitment in 2005 and took on additional responsibilities related to admissions and student services that grew into the roles of Director of Enrollment Management in 2008 and Vice President for Enrollment Management in 2013. In my current position as Sr. Enrollment Specialist (since August of 2021), my primary responsibilities are related to financial aid and international student services, but I have opportunities to use my experience to support our admissions/enrollment team in a variety of ways.
3. What do you find most rewarding in your service to the WSC community?
The most rewarding part of my job is the opportunity I have had to meet prospective students from around the world and build deeper relationships with many of them as they learn and grow at WSC in preparation to serve the Lord in their various callings. (In Mark’s work in the Enrollment/Admissions Department, he has served 683 graduates which is almost 52% of all WSC Grads (1,334).)
4. What are the most significant changes you have observed in the seminary and students throughout the past twenty years?
One of the most significant changes I have observed in the seminary is makeup of the faculty. When I arrived at WSC in the early 2000s the seminary was in the midst
of a transition period from the first generation of WSC professors to a second generation, most of whom were WSC graduates. (I had the privilege of learning from Michael Horton, David VanDrunen, Scott Clark, and Bryan Estelle when they were still young!). Over the past 10-15 years several new faculty members from a wider variety of educational backgrounds and experiences have been added to the faculty and strengthened it in many ways. The biggest change I have observed with regard to students is the way they process information and make decisions regarding their seminary education. Students increasingly rely on online sources and networks for decision-making support and are less inclined to engage directly with seminary representatives or consult with their pastor or a professor regarding their seminary options.
5. What have been the most surprising developments over the past two decades?
Though I should not be surprised, I am continually reminded of God’s faithfulness in sustaining this institution year after year through the provision of students who are called to serve him and the tremendous amount of support that we receive from friends and donors.
6. What are the most significant challenges the seminary faces, and how can readers of Update be praying for the seminary?
I think the most significant challenge the seminary faces is the ever-shifting landscape of higher education in general, and graduate theological education in particular. When I started in my role in 2005, online or virtual education was just starting to take off but was still a bit of a novelty in the seminary context. Just a few years later in 2012 the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) started granting exceptions to its on-campus requirements, paving the way
for seminaries to offer hybrid and then fully online degrees. ATS approved the first fully online M.Div. program in 2017 and the trend toward online seminary education was rapidly accelerated by the COVID-19 Pandemic and some form of virtual education has been adopted by nearly every seminary in the United States. Westminster Seminary California’s commitment to in-person, residential education with limited flexibility and accessibility is obviously working against this trend. I would encourage readers to pray for us as we seek to communicate the value of a face-to-face seminary education for the good of our students as future minsters and leaders within the church.
7. What are your hopes for the seminary for her next twenty years?
My hope and prayer for the seminary is that she would continue to be used in the service of Christ, his Gospel and his Church for another twenty years (and beyond) while remaining faithful to its commitment to the Reformed Confessions and steadfast in the purpose of educating future ministers and leaders for the church and society, which are needed now, and I expect will be needed as much as ever in the future.
8. How are things with the MacVey family? What is on the horizon for you, your wife, and your children?
As some readers of Update may know, I lost my first wife (Mari) in January 2021. I remarried in June of 2022. My wife, Darcie, and two stepchildren Ayden (22), Garrett (16) have been a great blessing to me and my sons, Kellan (11) and William (8). Two of our boys attend Calvin Christian School where I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors. Similarly to my service at the seminary, family life has been filled with both challenges and blessings over the past 20 years, but I remain hopeful as we look forward to whatever God calls us.
WINTER REFRESHER
COURSES INCLUDED
The Life & Theology of John Owen
JASON PICKARD, PHD
Ministry & Addiction
JAMES BERRY, DO
44th Annual Commencement
The 44th annual commencement ceremony of Westminster Seminary California took place on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 10 am at Escondido United Reformed Church. The school conferred a total of 25 Masters of Divinity degrees and 13 Masters of Arts degrees during the ceremony, which was led by a number of prominent ministers, pastors, and elders. Rev. Anthony C. Phelps of Christ our Hope Presbyterian Church in Charlestown, Rhode Island offered the ceremony’s invocation, followed by a reading of John 17:14–19 from Mr. Thomas W. Huyck, who is a lawyer, a ruling elder at Grace Fellowship in Zeeland, Michigan, and the father of graduate Hannah Huyck. Rev. David E. Nutting (MDiv, 2003), senior pastor at North City Presbyterian Church, offered a prayer for the graduates.
SETH ADAMS | MDiv
"Thank you, faculty, for your discipline, your passion, and your love for Christ. You have been models for me and my classmates, and I will cherish every moment of the education and the practical wisdom you have given me."
Dr. Stephen J. Nichols, President of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, delivered a commencement address titled “Living Truthfully.” Nichols’ address drew on the previously read verses from John 17:
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
Nichols exhorted Westminster’s graduates to emulate the disciples in standing strong despite persecution they
HANNAH
HUYCK | MATS
"Classrooms, office hours, and fire pit discussions are the soil where we grow to bloom as messengers of the gospel."
CLIFF FOSTER | MDiv
"Living in close contact with the students here was most formative for me. The people you met, their piety, their love for Christ—the aroma of Christ was all over this campus."
M.Div. degrees total graduates
M.A. degrees
may endure in their work. Like the disciples, Nichols told the graduates they are not being sent into the world without resources, but with the Word of God and the Truth of Scripture to guide them.
Speaking of the missionaries and pillars of the faith who labored before them, Nichols remarked, “History shapes us – the people who lived in those places, labored in those places, wrote the textbooks that you read, that are now part of your DNA, that have shaped you, that have formed you.”
Nichols emphasized that standing on the shoulders of these great men of the faith anchors Westminster’s 2025 graduates to something in the past which fortifies them against the propaganda of the present age. “[We have] 24/7 images 6 inches from our face, it’s constantly a torrent of breaking news. And we never have time to pause, and to reflect, and to analyze, maybe even criticize, or construct an argument. Our muscle of critical thinking is atrophying, and we are surrounded with what seems to be a sea of absurdity,” Nichols warned. He told graduates that what they have learned at Westminster will be their defense against this age of propaganda.
“You have been taught to think well,” Nichols said. “And you have been taught good things – things that are excellent to think about. Don’t let that muscle atrophy.” In closing, he remarked, “It is my prayer for you graduates that God blesses you with a life of faithfulness and a life of fruitfulness.”
Following the commencement address and the singing of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” President Joel E. Kim conferred the 38 degrees alongside Academic Dean Ryan Glomsrud. Westminster’s Class of 2025 was an exceptionally diverse group, speaking 10 different languages and coming from 16 US states as well as from South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, the Netherlands, India, and Argentina. Graduates have secured employment as church
interns, pastors, chaplains, church planters, writers/editors, teachers, and one as a Wycliffe Bible translator. Others will be going on to pursue further education while some plan to serve with Mission to the World (MTW) and with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) on college campuses.
We are particularly encouraged to see a heart for both global and U.S. missions in this year’s graduating class, as many students are not only heading back to the countries they came from to spread the gospel there, but others are heading to India, Israel, Korea, and U.S. states such as North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, California and Arizona to do missionary work. To highlight a few graduates in particular, Hannah Huyck is heading to Bulgaria, and Jared Pine is, Lord-willing, joining mission work in Mexicali. Eventually, Koos and Bhless Hagg are hoping to pursue missions in Southeast Asia, while Alex Kiess plans to head to Japan. Join us in praying that the Lord of the harvest would bless the labors of these 2025 graduates! 13 25 38
ISAAC FOX | MAHT
“May we who graduate from this place be identified not by the books we read, our niche theological preferences, the degrees we received, or even this institution, but instead by our confessions.”
SAGE BYRD | MABS, MATS
"Thank you for making this a place where students not only learn the riches of theology, but experience God who has condescended to us, who enters our deepest griefs and our more elated joys."
ALEX KIESS | MDiv
"You taught us in a way that exalts Christ, and you taught us in a way that gives us an example to strive to imitate as we see to serve Him and to serve His church."
Local Training + Global Reach
DAVID
B. ALENSKIS | BELIZE
MDiv 2009
Served as a missionary in Belize for 10 years and is now moving to serve in the Netherlands
BILL GREEN | COSTA RICA
MAR, MDiv 1982, 1983
Served with CRWM for 13 years church planting and starting a Christian School
IWAN BAAMANN | CANADA
MDiv 2009
Preaching at a Presbyterian church
SERVING IN
ANTONIO J. COPPOLA | SOUTH AFRICA
MDiv 2017
Served as Church Planting Pastor of Covenant Waterfall in Durbin, South Africa and is now Academic Dean of Mukhanyo Theological College
“WSC is committed to God’s mission by increasing awareness of the global Church and equipping students for a ministry that prays for, sends, and supports global missions according to the Word of God.”
PRESIDENT JOEL E. KIM
MARK BOCANEGRA | JAPAN
MDiv 2017
MATHIASD. SANGLOF | SWEDEN
MABS 2002
Pastoring a church in Sweden
MICHAEL BROWN | ITALY
MDiv, MAHT 2004, 2009
URCNA Missionary serving in Milan, Italy
KENNEDY GONDWE | ZAMBIA
MATS 2015
He has taught Apologetics and is the Zambia director for Africa Centre for Apologetics Research and has helped trained pastors in Zambia.
MTW Missionary
JAMES KONG | TAIWAN
MDIV 2021
CBM Missionary in Taiwan
Number of WSC alumni serving
One + Five + Ten +
The Gospel in Post-Christian Europe
GOD’S WORK IN ITALY AND BEYOND
by MICHAEL G. BROWN
When most people think of Europe, they picture grand cathedrals, ancient cities, and centuries of Christian heritage. But behind the beautiful architecture lies a sobering reality: although it was the birthplace of Western Civilization, Europe is now one of the most spiritually barren continents in the world. In most European countries, less than 3% of the population identifies as Protestant. The light of the Reformation that once shaped society has, on the one hand, been replaced by secularism and relativism, and on the other, by the rapid rise of Islam. Consequently, many Europeans can go their entire lives never interacting with a follower of Christ. Europe is post-Christian, postmodern, and increasingly indifferent—if not hostile—to the message of the cross. Christianity is often viewed as little more than a dying cultural tradition of the past.
Yet God has not left himself without a witness. In the very lands that once sent missionaries to the ends of the earth, the Lord is quietly and faithfully building hisChurch again. With a population of almost three quarters of a billion people, many of whom are refugees and immigrants from Africa and Asia, Europe is at a unique point in history for the gospel.
In Milan, where I serve as pastor, we are seeing God gather his people through the ordinary means of grace: Word, sacrament, and prayer. The gospel is being preached, souls are being nurtured, and disciples are being made. Our church is part of a growing effort to plant and strengthen confessionally Reformed and Presbyterian congregations across Italy. The goal is not merely to start local churches, but also to establish a faithful, unified Reformed denomination that can serve the next generation. Currently, there are no Reformed or Presbyterian denominations in the country. This work is slow, often unnoticed by the world, but it is also deeply encouraging. Christ promised to build his church and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
The work in Italy is not happening in isolation. Across Europe, there is a renewed hunger among pastors and congregations for biblical fidelity and confessional unity. This is where partnerships have been invaluable. Over the past
few years, I have had the privilege of working alongside other WSC alumni serving in various European contexts: Rev. Vincenzo Coluccia in Lecce, Italy; Dr. Zack Purvis in Edinburgh, Scotland; Rev. Mihai Corcea in Bucharest, Romania; and Fikret Böcek in Izmir, Turkey. Together, we are learning that in post-Christian Europe, cooperation is not optional, but essential.
One highlight this year was participating with pastors Böcek and Corcea in a theological conference marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council (AD 325). Held in Izmir, Turkey, the event drew a remarkably diverse crowd: Protestants, curious non-believers, and even many Muslim theology students from nearby Islamic seminaries. The atmosphere throughout the day was very encouraging, both because of its theological precision and spiritual hospitality. Over lunch, during breaks, and throughout the panel, conversations blossomed, full of sincerity, reflection, and a desire to understand.
Yet the greatest blessing came the following day, during the Lord’s Day service at Izmir Protestant Church. The liturgy was rich with Word, sacrament, and the singing of Psalms. More than fifty visitors joined the congregation, some drawn by the conference the previous day. Many heard the Gospel for the first time. The best part is that eight adults were baptized, all former Muslims who had been discipled and catechized by Pastor Böcek. It was a moment of great rejoicing, a testament to the living power of the Word in a
Mike, with Fikret Bocek (serving in Turkey) and Mihai Corcea (serving in Romania)
land where Christ’s name is rarely honored.
As a missionary in Europe, I am deeply grateful for the training I received at Westminster Seminary California. WSC shaped me in ways I only fully appreciate now that I am on the field. The rigorous study of Scripture in its original languages, the deep immersion in covenant theology, and the emphasis on the ordinary means of grace gave me both the convictions and the tools I need for ministry in this challenging context. More than that, WSC instilled in me a love for the church—not as a platform for personal ambition, but as the flock of Christ, purchased with his blood and nourished by his Word.
The need for well-trained, confessionally Reformed pastors in Europe is immense. The fields may not appear “white for harvest” in the way we often imagine, but the opportunities are real and the doors are open. We need laborers who are willing to commit for the long haul, learn a second language proficiently, preach Christ faithfully, and shepherd God’s people with patience and love.
My hope is that readers will see Europe not merely as a vacation destination or the birthplace of Western Civilization, but as a needy mission field. The same gospel that turned the world upside down in the first century is still the power of God for salvation today. Please pray for the churches in Italy and across Europe. Pray that God would raise up more workers to join in this work. And pray that through the ordinary, steady ministry of Word and sacrament, the Good Shepherd would gather his sheep, even in the most unlikely places.
Rev. Michael G. Brown (MDiv ’04; MAHT ’09) is pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan, Italy, and a missionary of the URCNA. He has authored and contributed to several books, including Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored, Christ and the Condition, and a commentary on 2 Timothy in the Lectio Continua series.
From Escondido to Edinburgh
In the heart of historic Edinburgh, Scotland, over 5,000 miles from Escondido, CA, alumni from Westminster Seminary California are helping to shape the future of ministry in the Free Church of Scotland. Remarkably, three graduates currently serve as full-time lecturers at the denomination’s ministerial training college, Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
Ben Castaneda (MDiv, 2012) is lecturer of New Testament, a position he has held for the last five years, after years of laboring as both a pastor and missionary. He said, “WSC gave me a great and solid foundation in the languages, and really emphasized just knowing the Bible well, which is one thing I want to communicate to my students. As those going into the ministry in some capacity they need to know their Bibles.”
Daniel Sladek (MDiv, 2001) reflected on the “helpful and fruitful” way in which the professors at WSC taught theology: “One of the things that I really benefited from was the robustly, soundly exegetical approach theology—a study that was also done in a way that was confessionally aware.” Daniel has been living in Scotland since he graduated from WSC in 2001. After pastoring for seven years in the rural highlands, he completed a PhD and now is lecturer of Old Testament and Hebrew.
Upon completion of his MDiv in 2012, Zack Purvis went on to study at Oxford, where he received a DPhil in 2014. After several other post-doctoral fellowships, in 2021 he began as lecturer in church history at ETS. Zack recently remarked on the influence that WSC President Emeritus Dr. W. Robert Godfrey had on him during his time at WSC, “not only for his great knowledge of the church but for his great love for the church, and that’s what I hope to bring to the students here as well.”
This microcosm of WSC in the hub of historic Presbyterianism reflects well our desire and aim to serve the global church. Join us in thanking God for these men, and others like them, and pray that the Lord would bless their efforts to train the next generation of pastors.
Alumni on Mission
KENNEDY GONDWE | ZAMBIA
Where are you at, and what are you doing?
I’m currently based in Zambia, a Southern African country, though my ministry primarily focuses on rural areas, working with pastors and Christian leaders. My work here is threefold. First, I am involved in training local pastors in the basics of exegesis and apologetics. Many of these men shepherd large congregations but have never had access to formal theological education. The training is conducted in the local languages—Chewa/Nyanja and Tumbuka. Providentially, I speak both fluently, along with a few others, which has made this ministry especially fruitful. Second, I serve as a lecturer at two local Baptist theological institutions: Covenant College Trust and Central Africa Baptist University. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to teach theology from a Reformed perspective in these Baptist settings. They’ve been remarkably open in allowing me to equip pastors at a higher academic level.
"I have seen firsthand how the Word alone transforms lives and raises faithful young leaders."
Editor’s Note: We were able to communicate with a number of our alumni who are serving in foreign countries, to get a sense of the work they are doing and help us know how to pray for them. First up is Kennedy Gondwe (2015) in Zambia, who serves in theological training. Then Mark Bocanegra (2017) shares about the challenging but encouraging work of planting Presbyterian churches in Japan. Lastly, we hear about the work in Costa Rica from Bill Green (1982, 1983), who has been pastoring there for 40 years.
Third, I actively engage in apologetics within Zambia’s public universities and colleges. I frequently partner with ZAFES (our equivalent of InterVarsity or RUF) to respond to student questions and challenges to the faith. These platforms have become vital for addressing contemporary issues among the younger generation.
What drew you to this work?
While studying at seminary and taking Dr. Horton’s Modern Age class, I was deeply convicted about the theological struggles facing the African Church. I was reminded of the African philosophical worldviews—such as ancestor veneration, spiritism, and the fear of witchcraft—that obscure the beauty of Christ’s obedience and suffering for sinners. I became convinced that the Lord was calling me back to my people. So, upon completing seminary, I boarded the next flight home to serve the Church here.
Tell us about some of the major challenges you are facing in this work.
Theologically, Reformed convictions—especially Sola Scriptura—often clash with prevailing African traditional beliefs. The resurgence of Pan-African ideologies that label Christianity as a “white man's religion” has also created a deep skepticism, particularly among university students. Despite this, I remain anchored in the conviction that God works through the preached Word: not through social manipulation or trendy gospel presentations, but through the clear, contextualized proclamation of Scripture. This truth, drilled into me during seminary, continues to guide my ministry. I have seen firsthand how the Word alone transforms lives and raises faithful young leaders.
The Two Kingdoms framework has also shaped my approach to ministry in a politically volatile society like ours. Tribalism and political divisions run deep in Zambia, and I’ve found the Two Kingdoms paradigm to be an ideal tool for engaging public life while remaining faithful to Scripture. My goal is to teach the Word faithfully without promoting political allegiances.
How can the WSC community help you and pray for you?
It’s been difficult to stay in touch with most of our former classmates, apart from my dear brother Adam Smith and Professor VanDrunen, who honored us with a visit to Malawi last year. I was deeply moved that he responded to my call and came to speak to pastors there. Please pray with me that the Lord raises more faithful laborers for Zambia. There is a great need for a confessional Reformed Presbyterian Church here. As of now, the entire country does not have even one. Pray that the Lord would provide the necessary resources to establish and sustain such a ministry.
MARK BOCANEGRA | JAPAN
Tell us where you are serving, and what drew you to the field.
I am serving in Chiba, Japan—the eastern part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. I am a pastor at Kaihin Makuhari Grace Church (KMGC) in the Presbyterian Church in Japan (PCJ). I am also a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and serve as the team leader of the Makuhari Team at Mission to the World (the missions arm of the PCA).
I am a Filipino American who grew up in Tokyo for the first 10 years of my life. Because of my time in Japan, I always dreamt of returning to Tokyo and working there. After becoming a Christian during my freshman year in the US, I later realized that Japan was the second largest unreached people group in the world—less than 0.5% are Evangelical Christian. After getting married to Megumi and working two years in Tokyo, I went to WSC to earn my MDiv in the hopes of serving as a missionary pastor in Japan. I particularly had a heart for helping the Presbyterian Church in Japan develop.
"Biblical theology helped me exegete texts in light of its context, culture, and hearer—without diluting the writer's intent—an invaluable skill in listening to the Japanese people."
What is most challenging about the ministry you are engaged in?
There are many challenges that come with ministering in an unreached people group—the small number of Christians, the lack of resources, the social isolation, and the unique difficulties of Japanese culture. The broader PCJ is rapidly aging with very few covenant children walking with the Lord. Much of the PCJ pastorate is overworked and struggles with financial difficulty. Many younger pastors are not able to find calls after seminary because of the lack of funding. The success rate (i.e., particularization and financial independence) of church plants is very low. The median church size is about 35. Many PCJ churches struggle to grow past the 80-person mark. The list of difficulties goes on and on.
But when asked what is the most challenging, I will opt to answer in a metaphor: the spiritual desert heat. I compare mission fields like China or India to a jungle—lots of predators and outward animosity against Christianity, but fertile soil for the Gospel. However, I compare Japan to a spiritual desert. There is no outward rejection or persecution of Christianity, just complete indifference to it. It is this constant, brutal, and scorching spiritual apathy that makes it hard for seeds to take root and for churches to thrive. I feel like pastoring in Japan is like farming with a bucket of water and a pack of seeds in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tell us something that encourages you about the work God is doing in your ministry/region/ context?
When I graduated in 2017, the California desert experienced a "super bloom" after a season of sudden, exceptional rainfall. It was amazing to see the most beautiful flowers bloom in the most barren wasteland. The most encouraging thing is seeing it at an individual and congregational level. The Lord provides "super blooms" on the spiritual desert wastelands of Japan and our hearts. A single lady who came to Christ through YouTube during COVID found our church and asked to be baptized on her first day with us. A non-Christian father of a church member with stage IV cancer confessed his faith while we were talking about his funeral arrangements. A non-Christian husband of a church member asked me to teach him about the Bible after being
diagnosed with cancer and his daughter being diagnosed with a severe mental disability. Just last Sunday, a lady who volunteers at the same animal conservation group as two church members came to church for the first time in her life, asking after worship what it would take to be baptized! The most common sin of a missionary (myself included!) is to try to engineer and construct works of the Holy Spirit. I am most encouraged when He blows whenever He wishes regardless of my plans, and makes sure to keep me on my toes and busy at the same time!
How has your training at WSC especially equipped you?
I think there is a perception that the academic rigor of WSC is not applicable to the practicality and complexity of cross-cultural missions. I actually believe in reality it is the complete opposite: the academic rigor is the very thing that has helped me the most as a missionary. My Greek and Hebrew classes helped me understand that the importance of language learning in missions and cultural understanding. Our study of the depth and diversity of 2000 years of church history helped me be comfortable jumping into a culture and church tradition unfamiliar to me. The nuanced approach of systematic theology trained me to learn the other side of the argument as well as my side, a useful skill in missions. Biblical theology helps me exegete texts in light of its context, culture, and hearer— without diluting the writer's intent—an invaluable skill in listening to the Japanese people. Practical theology help me present Christ in a way that is never too complicated or too far for the listener. WSC gave me the foundation for what I needed for missions, but it was wide and firm enough to build a ministry of cross-cultural missions on it. I believe this is thanks to its academic rigor.
What are some ways you have been able to maintain ties to WSC even after graduating?
As a missionary, I visit WSC to encourage students to think about missions and ministry overseas. I am always encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of the students. I also host a WSC missions trip every three years, and additionally am connected to WSC alumni in Japan and working with recent graduates. I have worked on translating Reformed works with Nozomi Kusunoki. I have hosted a seminar with Pastor Rui Wang in Tokyo with his church. We also had a WSC gathering where students met veteran alumni: OPC Missionary Murray Uomoto and MTW missionary Gary Watanabe. WSC graduate Allen Rea is a tent maker in Japan who is a member of KMGC. Rev. Yuma Takei and Rev. Terrance Kim will be hoping to serve with KMGC and the MTW Makuhari team. This multi-generation fellowship and cooperation has been en-
couraging for all, and it is the fruit of the missional commitment of the WSC community.
What are some specific ways we can be praying for you?
Our congregation was blessed with the leadership, stability, growth and funds to consider purchasing a piece of land for a chapel for 150-200 worshippers. If the Lord wills, we pray that the Lord would double our congregation and our spiritual growth and maturity. Pray that my family, the families of our session, church staff, missionaries, and lay leaders would be protected from the Evil One. Pray that our unity would be bolstered in both the ups and the downs. Pray that we would be compassionate, humble, bold, sober-minded, passionate, faithful, and hopeful. Pray for the Gospel of Christ to reach our non-Christian family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Pray that each congregation will always be ready for when the Holy Spirit works, just like how he worked in Samaria in John 4.
BILL GREEN | COSTA RICA
Tell us a little bit about your ministry: where are you serving, and how were you called there?
My wife and I served for various summers in Mexico, and involved ourselves with Latin Americans during our time in Seminary. We were “nudged along” by the Lord with a love and passion for serving in Latin America. Upon applying with the mission, there was an opening for a new field – Costa Rica. We landed in San José, Costa Rica on January 1, 1985, sent by the Christian Reformed mission agency (CRWM), for church planting. We began work immediately in two different communities: a squatters’ invasion and a middle-class barrio. I was later assigned to visit and teach in Nicaragua as well. We served for 13 years with CRWM (until 1997).
"Our love of Scripture and solid exegesis has earned our Reformed community a good reputation, allowing us to have had a positive influence in the various pastors’ associations in Costa Rica."
What has been the most challenging aspect of your work?
By far the greatest challenge has been the establishing of a Christian School. Costa Rica had no religious equivalent even close to a Reformed understanding of church, society, nor education. The religious context of Costa Rica was Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and Dispensationalist Arminian Baptists. And in the 80’s a strong anti-religious, atheistic current was growing rapidly. Combined with a deeply rooted traditionalism, bringing people to embrace a concept of education that promotes Christ as Lord of our whole world has been difficult. All the present philosophical and religious currents militate against an integrative biblical worldview.
Tell us something that encourages you about the work God is doing in your context?
We praise the Lord and are greatly encouraged by a good number of young people who have grown up in the church now, and are serving as committed servants of Christ in various ways, forming Christian homes, leaders in our churches and school, etc. This is a great encouragement. And across Latin America we are seeing many young men coming to the Reformed faith as well.
Have your Reformed convictions brought a unique contribution to the work you are doing for the church in your region?
In many, many ways. A consistent Calvinist apologetic has been key in many contexts. Our love of Scripture and solid exegesis has earned our Reformed community a good reputation, allowing us to have had a positive influence in the various pastors’ associations in Costa Rica. Various leaders have embraced being “Reformed” when before they rejected it as heresy! Our commitment to the historic (Reformed) faith has been contagious.
How has your training at WSC especially equipped you?
When we established a Reformed Publishing House (and in-house printing operation) in 1999, the exercises of writing papers and exams at Seminary had given me the skills needed to be Editor of a bi-annual theological Journal that we have published—without a miss—since 1999!
What are some specific ways we can be praying for you?
Future committed and trained leadership is the pressing need of the hour—at all levels: church, school, Seminary, etc.
COSTA RICA
JAPAN
ZAMBIA
Bringing the Light of the Gospel to Africa
by ANTONIO COPPOLA MUKHANYO THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
The Church in Africa is currently experiencing rapid growth. In fact, some 680 million Christians—most of the Christians in the world—now reside on the African continent. The problem though is that there is very little depth to much of this recent growth. The predominant flavor in the African church consists of prosperity gospel heresy that is often mixed with African Traditional paganism. This makes for a spiritually lethal concoction and the proliferation of every manner of wild and wacky churches, typically led by selfappointed “apostles” and “prophets.” Though there are certainly many wellmeaning pastors who desire to serve their churches faithfully, most are not theologically educated due to a severe lack of good theological institutions on the continent.
The need therefore for quality, biblically grounded and confessionally Reformed theological education on the continent is immense. I graduated from Westminster Seminary California in 2017 and returned home to South Africa to church plant and teach theology. Today I have the privilege of serving as academic dean at Mukhanyo Theological College.
“Mukhanyo” is the Ndebele word for “light,” indicating our hope to spread the light of Christ’s gospel across Africa. The school was established some thirty years ago and exists to train pastors and church leaders to serve Christ’s church in the African context. Mukhanyo is one of the few confessionally Reformed theo-
logical institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, and certainly one of the biggest Bible colleges in South Africa. We have six campuses in South Africa, and about a hundred local learning sites (situated at partner churches who facilitate our curriculum) across sub-Saharan Africa, from South Sudan to Zanzibar, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa. We offer accredited Higher Certificate programs, Bachelor of Theology and Honors degrees and are in the process of developing our own Master’s degree. We also facilitate Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary’s ThM program. Currently we have some 600 students, 250 of which attend classes at our campuses, while the rest attend classes at our local learning sites. Like WSC, Mukhanyo strongly believes that in-person training is crucial in order to form pastors and church leaders.
In my role as academic dean, I am responsible for, among other things, the oversight of the curriculum. I aim to ensure that the theology we teach our students is of a high standard, rooted in Scripture and the Reformed confessions. The goal is to effectively train and equip our students to faithfully minister Christ’s gospel so that the Church in Africa is healthy and flourishes, and God is glorified.
I am deeply grateful for the excellent and rigorous training that I received at WSC. It has provided me
with the foundation and the tools necessary for the immense task at hand here in Africa. Westminster’s focus on the original languages has instilled in me a high view of God’s Word and an instinct to always go back to the sources. The life-giving theology that I was taught, rooted in God’s Word and his covenant promises for his people has prepared me to faithfully preach and teach Christ and his gospel from all Scriptures. The care the professors took to invest in my life, their willingness to pastor, counsel and pray with me and their modelling a Christ-like life, has provided me an example to follow in caring for God’s people— and in training future pastors—here in Africa.
Antonio Coppola (MDiv, 2017) is the Academic Dean of Mukhanyo Theological College and a minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian and Reformed Church of South Africa (PARCSA). He lives in Pretoria, South Africa, and is a PhD candidate at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the author of Faithful God: An Introduction to Covenant Theology.
Alumni News
If you have an update to share, we'd love to know! Email us at alumni@wscal. edu and be sure to include your name, graduation year, and degree received.
1983
Dave Bennett (MAR-MDiv) and friends recently developed a homeless work program with Community House AZ.
1991
Paul Castellano (MAR, MDiv in 1984) recently received his Doctorate of Ministry degree with the topic, "The Way Forward is The Way Back: Growing as a Christ Follower Today Using the Five Solas of the Reformation."
Mike McDonald (MAR) is serving as Post Chaplain for American Legion Post 24 in Johnson City, TN. He was recently re-appointed to the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Missionary District of the East which has the mandate to supervise Aspirants to ordained ministry and then recommend them for approval once the prescribed studies and examinations have been sustained.
1992
Steven Wright (MAR) was installed as pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Troy, TN in October 2024. Serving bi-vocationally, he also teaches Upper School humanities classes at Christ Classical Academy in Dyersburg, TN.
2000
Dr. Daniel Hyde (MDiv) and the Oceanside United Reformed Church recently celebrated 25 years of ministry in the coastal north county of San Diego.
2003
David Barcelo (MABS) has written a devotional guide on Psalm 23, Conforta Mi Alma: 31 Días de Aliento Siguiendo al Buen Pastor, to be released this fall.
2008
Richard Cunningham (MDiv) recently wrote a book titled The Everyday Biblical Scholar: Unlocking the Tools Used by Trained Biblical Scholars.
Stephen Roberts (MDiv) was accepted into Birmingham Theological Seminary's new chaplain-specific Doctor of Ministry program.
2009
Austin Britton (MDiv) graduated with honors from Colorado Christian University with his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health. He is now a licensed counselor practicing in Missoula, MT, as well as an ordained missionary deacon in the Rocky Mountain Diocese of the Anglican Church in North American (ACNA) where he serves as the chaplain for the Missoula Paddleheads baseball team and a leader of the campus minister's regular prayer breakfast and support group on the campus of the University of Montana.
2010
Joseph Randall (MDiv) became recently engaged to a beautiful, godly young lady, named Mercy, who lives in Kenya.
2012
Chris Stevens (MDiv) just started his new role as Assistant New Testament Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Jackson, MS.
2013
Jordan Huff (MDiv) Took the call to be Senior Pastor at Parish Church in Lafayette, LA in November 2024.
2015
Justin DeBerry (MDiv) Senior Pastor of West Center Baptist Church in Madison, SD, is celebrating the first published book of his wife, Kerrie, Rhyme and Rest, a gospel-centered devotional. Megan York (wife of fellow WSC alumnus Dan York) illustrated the book.
2016
Michael Beatty (MDiv) recently started his new role as the Pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in Wisconsin.
2017
Jonathan Cruse (MDiv) had a new book published, Paradox People: Learning to Live the Beatitudes (P&R).
2019
Nick Davis (MDiv) has been serving as Rector/Church Planter at King of Grace Anglican Church in Tucson, AZ since 2023 and was ordained as the pastor in November 2024.
2022
Dustin Karzen (MDiv) recently began hosting a Sunday afternoon study in Redondo Beach, CA with the hopes of organizing a Reformed church plant.
1: Alumni at URCNA Classis SWUS meeting at Grace URC in Torrance 2: Denver Alumni Gathering
IN MEMORY OF THOMAS W. ZIEGLER
March 28, 1941 – February 21, 2025
Trustee Emeritus, Westminster Seminary California
Dr. Thomas Ziegler went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 21, 2025, at age 83. A well-read, sharpwitted man to the very end, Tom led an accomplished life that touched many, including friends, his church, and the Westminster Seminary California community.
Tom grew up in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. He earned his B.A. and Doctor of Medicine degrees at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1966 to 1968 Tom served in Vietnam in the Navy Reserve Medical Corps on the Mekong River. As the first medical officer for
the River Assault Flotilla One, he established a medical program for the Army and Navy troops in the delta and was awarded the Bronze Star for his distinguished service. He returned from Vietnam around the time his wife, Elizabeth, finished her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University. The two married and eventually settled in San Diego where they would pursue their respective medical careers, specializing in nephrology. Tom was the Director of the Dialysis Unit at the Veteran Affairs San Diego Health System until he retired in 2001.
Tom’s dedication to both medicine and his Christian faith was profound. Fellow veterans of the forces in which he served in Vietnam recall him as a doctor in the manner of a chaplain. He served as a Sunday School teacher and ruling elder of New Life Presbyterian Church in La Mesa, CA, and as a trustee of Westminster Seminary California.
His seven years of service to WSC as a trustee from 1991 - 1997 were marked by his passion for the mission to see men educated and prepared for pastoral ministry, and a desire to see the seminary provide affordable student housing near the campus. He was faithful in his attendance at seminary board meetings, annual conferences and other events until recent years. When the seminary launched the initiative to build apartments on campus, he championed the cause and was among the first to support the Westminster Village. Dr. Ziegler remained enthusiastic about the benefits of a student housing community. He often remarked on the value of learning peer-to-peer in the informal meetings and discussions that take place outside the classroom.
We give thanks to Dr. Thomas Ziegler for his faithful prayers and contributions to the work of the seminary and for the welfare of the students.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58
IN MEMORY OF EDWARD BROWER
May 31, 1928 – May 9, 2025
Trustee Emeritus, Westminster Seminary California
Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has lost one of the founding members of its first independent Board of Trustees. Edward Brower went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 9, 2025, at age 96 in Visalia, CA. Ed was born on May 31, 1928, in Uitwellingerga, Frisian, The Netherlands, the second of sixteen children. Ed immigrated to the United States at the age of 23 in 1951 with several fellow Friesens from his hometown in the Netherlands. In 1954, he married Edna Dragt, whom he had known from his hometown in the Netherlands. They were blessed with 66 years of marriage, 30 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.
An industrious and humble man of faith, he built a thriving dairy busi-
ness, dedicated his life to his family, and served his church and WSC through the decades. As he built the dairy business in Escondido and later in California’s central valley, Ed would find time to serve on Christian school boards, as an elder in the church, and lead Bible studies well into his “retirement” years. His family reports that one of the most instrumental achievements in Edward's life was his involvement in the startup and construction of Westminster Seminary's campus and location in Escondido, CA, in the 1980s.
Ed was a founding trustee, serving in the first class of WSC trustees and attending the first board meetings in 1979. He would often fondly recall that he attended those first meetings at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia with Dr. Robert Strimple, (WSC’s first president), as the local WSC board of trustees initially reported to the Philadelphia board. After 1982 the local board assumed full responsibility of the newly independent seminary. Ed served as a trustee for 18 years from 1979 to 1999, and as a Trustee Emeritus from 1999 on, attending board meetings for nearly two more decades. Although he couldn’t attend meetings in-person in recent years, he remained an indefatigable ambassador for WSC. His continuous interest and support were a testimony of his faith, his commitment to preparing men to preach the Gospel and ultimately of his love for Christ’s church.
Ed and Edna’s quiet and generous giving went to several funds, including the annual, scholarship, memorial, capital and endowment funds. When the seminary acquired adjacent land in 2014 to build the student housing, they were keen to advance the project. He called the seminary to say that the funds they had designated for WSC in their estate were going to be given to this longenvisioned initiative and added, “He who gives while he lives, knows where it goes.” They were both able to see Westminster Village become a community of faith for hundreds of students and their families and to leave a legacy for future generations.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Rev. 14:13
A Vision Supplied by God’s Provision
Thank you for your prayers and financial support of Westminster Village, the 72 apartments on the campus of Westminster Seminary California (WSC). Praise God for the provisions that have brought a bold vision to an extraordinary community of faith.
President Joel E. Kim announced to the Board of Trustees in May that this nearly $29 million initiative, “Building on a Firm Foundation: The Campaign for Westminster Seminary California,” was debt-free, thanks to recent gifts that retired the loan balance of $670,000 on the housing.
This project was a long-held vision of the founders and trustees of the seminary – to see housing for students on or near the campus. Initially approved by the Board of Trustees in 2007, the housing was to be built on the existing 10-acre campus at an estimated investment of $9 million. The plans were approved by the City of Escondido for 48 apartments behind the classroom buildings, and commitments and funds were gathered. With the 2008 financial crisis, the plans were put on hold, but the trustee-led housing committee continued to explore opportunities in the real estate market that might broaden the scope of the project and achieve the vision.
Providentially, the 9.5 acres of land adjacent to the campus came available for sale in 2014. Friends of the seminary purchased and deeded to WSC the 9.5-acre plot and the process of new plans and city approvals moved ahead quickly. The new site allowed for more apartments, a spacious commons building, a children’s playground, and plenty of parking.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of many, half of the funds had been raised by the groundbreaking and construction, enabling the project to commence at that time without incurring debt. Construction began in 2016, and 64 apartments were completed for students to occupy by summer 2018. With increased demand, another building of 8 apartments was built in 2023. The building of Westminster Village remains the largest capital project in the history of WSC and a continued blessing for the seminary community.
You can imagine the excitement on June 1, 2018, when the first wave of students and their families began arriving at the Village loaded with anticipation, as well as furniture, books, bikes, dishes, toys, and more. “Moving-in” and “moving-out” days are now part of the routine at the Village, as some of the students graduate each year and new students arrive. Hundreds of students and their families
Purchased 9.5 acres of land
64 apartments, a commons building, and playground was completed
have enjoyed this community of faith and have developed relationships for a lifetime of ministry.
The Village has exceeded expectations in ways beyond the economic impact. The students enjoy below-market rents, making a move to southern California more affordable. The seminary appreciates income that offsets the upkeep on the Village and provides an additional source of operating support. During the pandemic, students and Village residents were able to stay in their apartments and attend classes virtually, whereas students at universities nationwide were required to pack up their things and vacate their dorm rooms. Perhaps the most priceless aspect of living in this community is the peer-to-peer learning that occurs when students gather to discuss their faith and their classroom studies.
Consider the immeasurable effect on international students. WSC attracts students from around the world at 15 to 20% of the student body annually. They often arrive with their clothes and books jam-packed into one or two suitcases. Village residents and members of area churches help to furnish their apartments and provide for their needs. The Village fosters a shared and vibrant community of learning, living, and serving others, enabling these new students to assimilate more readily into life in the U.S. and WSC.
The testimonies of residents reflect the tremendous impact on the lives of the hundreds who have lived at the Westminster Village and we pray that hundreds more will be blessed by the investment you have made in those who are called to study at WSC.
"The friendships forged in the Village and on campus are treasures I will carry into eternity. Brothers and sisters in Christ became companions for life, their encouragement and shared pursuit of truth a gift beyond measure."
8 more additional apartments were built students, spouses, and children housed since 2018
418 children OVER 50%!
212
A child of a seminarian was asked to pick things that represent the culture of the Westminster Village to him.
Friends
All my best friends are here and we get to celebrate things together.
Sharing
Almost like everything in our house was from things people shared.
Faith
It feels safe and everyone is a Christian. Dad and other people are going to school to be pastors and they can study together. And if you do something wrong you can say sorry and you know they will forgive you.
Photo Credit: Esther Mukai
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4. What’s my deadline for end-of-year giving?
• If your gift is coming directly from your IRA administrator, you must complete your paperwork in time for your administrator to send a check to the charity on or before December 31.
• If you have been given an IRA checkbook, your check must be received AND PROCESSED by December 31. It is NOT enough that personal IRA checks are postmarked or even hand-delivered by December 31.
• Bottom line, your gift must be received and processed by December 31 in order for it to count toward your RMD. Since IRA checks do not include your name and look very similar to standard bank checks (which have different guidelines), it’s a good idea to alert us when giving in this manner.
Making Kingdom Impact Through Your Retirement Assets
If you are 70 ½ or older, you can give to Westminster Seminary California from your IRA and receive significant tax benefits in return.
BENEFITS OF GIVING FROM YOUR IRA
Convenient
An easy way to give to your favorite charity.
Tax-wise
Charitable distributions reduce your taxable income. This benefits you even if you don’t itemize deductions on your tax returns!
Promises kept
Gifts from your IRA can be used to fulfill any charitable giving pledges previously made.
Impactful
Gifts are tax-free to the charity. The entirety of your gift will go toward ministry!
REQUIREMENTS OF A QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION
You can give to Westminster Seminary California from your IRA without any federal tax liability, as long as the gifts are qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Distributions qualify for all or part of an IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD).
• IRA holders must be age 70 ½ or older at the time of the gift.
• Give up to $108,000 per year.*
• Distributions to donor-advised funds are not permissible.
To learn more about IRA gifts or other smart and powerful giving options, contact Westminster Seminary California at 888.480.8474 or email development@wscal.edu Learn More!
• Distributions may be made from IRAs including a traditional IRA, inherited IRA, SEP IRA (inactive) or simple IRA (inactive). Other retirement accounts are not eligible.
*As of January 2025. Indexed for inflation annually This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your financial advisor and legal counsel for information and advice specific to your situation.
Honorarium & Memorial Gifts
IN HONOR OF
Rev. Dr. Steven M. Baugh
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Rowlands
Mrs. Doris Bergsma
Dr. Kelley Lovelace
Mr. Adam Chau-Dung Chang
Miss Amy Chang
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold H. Veldkamp
Mrs. Gloria B. Duncan
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Duncan
Ms. Marilyn J. Frank
Mr. Burton D. Santee Jr.
Rev. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey
Mrs. Karin G. Norlin
Rev. and Mrs. Joel E. Kim
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Rev. Joel E. Kim
Dr. and Mrs. Patrick J. O’Banion
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Anonymous
Gifts Received from April 12, 2025 through October 20, 2025
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. Elko Brouwer
Mr. and Mrs. Allan Oudman
Mr. Edward Brower
Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Brower
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Brower
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II
Rev. and Mrs. Robert M. Godfrey
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. W. Robert Godfrey
Mr. Nathan Haveman
Miss Renee Haveman
Mr. and Mrs. Mike T. Hillebrecht
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Kiledjian
Rev. and Mrs. Joel E. Kim
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Koonce
Mr. and Mrs. Art Robyn
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Van Die
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brower
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Smith
Mrs. Betty Byerly
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mrs. Etta de Jong
Mr. and Mrs. Peter de Jong
Mr. Samuel J. Fick
Mr. Ronald W. Prins
Mrs. Trudy Goedhart
Mr. Ben Goedhart
Mrs. Charlene Granstra
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mr. Case Groen
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Onnink
Mr. Clark Haan
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mrs. Margaret Irons
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Mr. John Maas
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mrs. Mari A. MacVey
Rev. William C. Godfrey
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Marcus
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II
Mrs. Mary Vanderbyl
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold H. Veldkamp
Mrs. Janet Ramig
Dr. Alexander Ramig
Mr. Arie Roest
Mr. and Mrs. Allan Oudman
Miss Samantha Skocilic
Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Tedrick
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. Strimple
Mr. and Mrs. Lance J. Edling
Rev. Dr. Robert B. Strimple
Dr. and Mrs. Patrick J. O’Banion
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Porter
Mr. Gregory J. Tucker
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bousema
Dr. Thomas W. Ziegler
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. W. Robert Godfrey
Rev. and Mrs. Joel E. Kim
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Reinheimer
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
DECEMBER
7 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at Corona Presbyterian Church OPC (Corona, CA)
14 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at Harvest OPC (San Marcos, CA)
28 | Dr. David VanDrunen preaches at El Camino OPC (Goleta, CA) JANUARY
16 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at Reformation Bible College Conference (Sanford, FL)
29-31 | Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at Theo Global Asia/East Asia Conference (Thailand) FEBRUARY
1-7 | Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at Theo Global Asia/East Asia Conference (Thailand)
4-6 | Dr. David Briones presents a paper for the New Testament Colloquium at The Institute for Faith, Work and Culture at RTS Orlando (Orlando, FL)
14 | Dr. Craig Troxel speaks at the Men’s Retreat of the Presbytery (OPC) of Northern CA
27-28 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at conference at New Life Mission Church Northern California KPCA (San Jose, CA)
MARCH
1 |President Joel E. Kim preaches at New Life Mission Church Northern California KPCA (San Jose, CA)
7-8 | Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at Oklahoma Covenant Theology Conference and preaches at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Norman (Norman, OK)
25-26 | Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at the Kistemaker Lecture Series at RTS (Orlando, FL)
APRIL
16-17 | Dr. David VanDrunen speaks at the OPC Timothy Conference (Charlotte, NC)
17-19 | President Joel E. Kim speaks at conference and preaches at The First Presbyterian Church of Orange County KAPC (Westminster, CA)
“I want my students to grow in their knowledge of and confidence in the Word. I want them to love God’s people and believe in the mission of the church. But most of all, I pray that our students will know more and grow in their love for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Joel E. Kim
Blessed ASSURANCE
Resting in the Promises of God
JANUARY 24-25, 2026
ESCONDIDO, CA
In a world full of uncertainty and a population riddled with anxiety, it is comforting for the Christian to know that their salvation and eternity are secure in Christ. Join Westminster Seminary California professors (past and present) as they explore the riches of God’s provisions, presence, and assurances. Our conference is titled, “Blessed Assurance: Resting in the Promises of God.” Our hope is that your heart will be filled with the comfort and peace God intends for his people.
PLENARY SESSIONS & SPEAKERS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24 | 7
The Christian Consoled
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 | 8AM PST
The Christian Comforted | R. SCOTT CLARK
The Christian Assured | MICHAEL S. HORTON
The Christian Reassured | DAVID VANDRUNEN
The Christian Blessed | JOEL E. KIM
Questions & Answers | SPEAKER PANEL
NOTE: Cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing, by email to conference@ wscal.edu, or by fax to (760) 480-0252, and received by January 2, 2026, in order to receive a full refund, less a $10 cancellation fee.
CUT HERE
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
Name (first/last) Person 1
Name (first/last) Person 2/Spouse
Three ways to register now: (recommended) Visit wscal.edu/conference
Phone: Call (888) 480-8474
Mail:
Complete, detach, & mail the form below to:
Westminster Seminary California Attn: Annual Conference 2026 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027
Phone Number Email
Name of Church
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Check Visa Mastercard American Express Discover
Registration cannot be proccessed until payment is received Credit Card Number Expiration Date
Faculty Books Available Now
The Heidelberg Catechism
A Historical, Theological & Pastoral Commentary by R. Scott Clark (Lexham Press, 2025)
Saving the Reformation
The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust Publishing, 2019)
Natural Law
A Short Companion by David VanDrunen (B&H Academic, 2023)
Faith in Exile
Psalm 119 & The Christian Life by David VanDrunen (Christian Focus Publications, 2025)
Shaman and Sage, The Roots of "Spiritual but Not Religious" in Antiquity by Michael S. Horton (Eerdmans, 2024)
New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity 11A
Texts from Ephesus Co-edited by Bradley J. Bitner (Eerdmans Publishing, 2024)
The Majesty on High Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament by S. M. Baugh (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017)
Justification
2-Volume Series, New Studies in Dogmatics by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2018)
Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrams by Dennis E. Johnson (Crossway publishing, 2024)
The Primary Mission of the Church Engaging or Transforming the World? by Bryan D. Estelle (Mentor, 2022)
Learning to Love the Psalms by W. Robert Godfrey (Reformation Trust, 2017)
Politics after Christendom Political Theology in a Fractured World by David VanDrunen (Zondervan, 2020)
Rediscovering the Holy Spirit God's Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2017)
What is the Priesthood of Believers?
Basics of Faith Series by A. Craig Troxel (P&R, 2019)
What is the Priesthood of Believers?
Basics of Faith Series by A.
Recovering Our Sanity How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears that Divide Us by Michael Horton (Zondervan, 2022)
Journeys with Jesus Every Path in the Bible Leads Us to Christ by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2018)
