INTOUCHT h e O ff i c i a l N e ws l e t te r of t h e

A s i a n T h e o l o g i c a l S e m i n a r y

Transforming Leadersfor the Church and the World

Enroll. Pray. Give.

Vol.1 .2012p 4

I N TO U C H W I T HA M A N DA S H AO TA NA n I n t e r v i e w

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PA STO R S ’ T R A I N I N G I N . . .B O R AC AY ?A R e p o r t

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G R A D UAT E S ’H E A RTS B E ATF O R T H E WO R L DM u s i n g s

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O N E T H I N GA D e v o t i o n

I n To u c h w i t h A m a n d a S h ao Ta n A n I n t e r v i e w b y

L e s l i e L o f r a n c o -

B e r b a n o

S p o n s o r ATS St u d e nt s N owb y Va c h n a Va

T h e o Fo r u m H i g h l i g h t s b y

L e s l i e L o f r a n c o -

B e r b a n o

Pa s to rs ’ Tra i n i n gi n . . . B o rac ay ?B y D r. F e r L u a

M BA at ATS

ATS G rad s ’H e a r t s B e atfo r t h e Wo r l d

O n e T h i n gD e v o t i o n

b y D r. T i m D . G e n e r

On March 30 Asian Theological

Seminary will graduate its 2012 batch,

and a few of them share their encouraging

stories of transformation on page 14 —how

God changed their lives and approach to

ministry. Another graduation happened in

Boracay Island, believe it or not, this time

among pastors and church workers from

Panay Island.

After 30 years of teaching at ATS,

Dr. Amanda Shao Tan decided to obey

God’s calling, and will be missed by our

community. She does not know yet where

this will lead, but her heart is at rest. Read

more about her experience as faculty on

page 4.

Read about the highlights of our

recently held Theological Forum on

Walking with God: Christian Spirituality in

the Asian Context, page 8.

The Center for Biblical Stewardship

reopened its MBA Program last January,

and its course offerings are too interesting

not to be considered by all of us. So plan

your calendar to include attending their

courses, page 14.

ATS is excited to welcome many more

students for School Year 2012-2013. Pray

about enrolling in its different programs.

We cannot wait to welcome you in our

seminary halls and in our hearts.

Ammi Belle Armas

Head, ATS Communication & Development Office

D e s i g n & l a y o u t b y

K y l e e n S a y a s

k y l e e n . s a y a s @ g m a i l . c o m

C o n t r i b u t o r

L e s l i e L o f r a n c o - B e r b a n o

G l e v y B a y b a y o n

M e l M e d i n a

E s t h e r O n g

A b i g a i l S a n t o s

S t a f fINTOUCHP h o t o g r a p h e r s

G l e v y B a y b a y o n

R e d y S t e v a n u s

J a y - r Ya n g a

S u n s h i n e Yu

4

7

8

10

12

14

20

C o v e r p h o t o b y

Va c h n a Va

2

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Officers of the Board:

Efraim M. Tendero

Chairman

Vicente Y. Sia

Vice Chairman

Erlinda G. Tan

Secretary

Cecilio K. Pedro

Treasurer

ATS B OA R D O F T R U ST E E S

Members:

Rev. James Aberin

Atty. Fred B. Bravo

Atty. Francis M. Egenias

Dr. Anastacio A. Escosar, Jr.

Rev. Nicky Joya

Dr. David T. Nichols

Mr. Noel P. Pabiona

Bishop Cesar Vicente P. Punzalan III

Rev. Russel E. Simons

Rev. Dwayne F. Thielke

Schedule of Admissions Test

First Semester 2012-2013

February 27, March 26

April 28 and 30

May 26 and 28

(9 am to 12 noon)

A c c re d i t a t i o n s : A s s o c i a t i o n f o r T h e o l o g i c a l E d u c a t i o n i n S o u t h E a s t A s i a ( AT E S E A )

A s i a T h e o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n ( ATA ) , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n o n H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n ( C H E D )

Enrollment

June 7 and 8 (9 am to 7 pm)

CLASSES START

June 11

Come to our

O P E N C A M P U S on

J u n e 1 8 to 2 2 , 2 0 1 2 .

Coffee. Fellowship. Class sit-ins. And more.

3ANNOUNCEMENTS

Now that she’s putting 30

years of fulltime teaching behind,

students will miss out on the

challenges of her class. Before

she is sorely and truly missed,

here she is—up close and

personal in a candid interview.

Amanda Shao Tan was 16

when she heard the call of God on

her life. Seated in the back pew

during a sermon by the Chinese

evangelist Stephen Tong, she

was jolted by a voice urging her

to “come to the front” for the

altar call. Looking around, she

found no one had said anything

to her. She realized then it was

God speaking. Six months later,

after a period of soul-searching,

she stood up and heeded the call

for fulltime ministry. Since then,

she has never looked back on the

commitment she made to God nor

has she ever regretted it.

Shortly after graduation from

college, she finished her MDiv.

and ThM and taught at the ATS,

later capping her academic

achievements with a PhD in

Hermeneutics and Biblical

Interpretation from Westminster

Theological Seminary in the U.S.

Ministry runs in her blood. Hers

is a devout, closely-knit Chinese

family that traces its Christian

lineage four generations back.

Her maternal great-grandparents

suffered persecution in China as

the first believers in their clan.

Her great-grandparents on both

her paternal and maternal sides

Fair and fine-boned, Dr. Amanda

Shao Tan, ATS professor of

Hermeneutics, New Testament,

and Greek, can lull you into

thinking she’s all honey and peach

blossom. But students of hers will

swear that beneath this sweet and

delicate exterior lies a “tiger” lady

who will demand only the best

from you—and get it, too.

b y L e s l i e

L o f r a n c o - B e r b a n o

COVERSTORY4

b y L e s l i e

STORORYY

IN TOUCHWITH

AMANDA

TAN

were ministers. Her parents taught at Chinese schools in Manila,

thus exposing her early to the teaching life.

Amanda’s love for teaching and mentoring has grown with

years of knowing God. “Survivor” is what she calls herself,

having weathered the rigors of academia while hammering the

principles of hermeneutics into her students. Reputed to be a

“terror” teacher, she finds the epithet amusing and admits she

was surprised to learn about it. She makes no bones about her

strict ethos and exacting ways. She finds that when students are

pushed to do their best, they rise to the challenge and shine. She

especially enjoys the interaction of students as this contributes

to the never-ending adventure of discovery that characterizes a

teacher’s life. Occasions like this make all the effort worthwhile.

While at ATS she was appointed Academic Dean, twice. It was

an assignment she resisted until God made it clear that it was

from Him. Looking back now, she describes it as a most difficult

time, when she had to unlearn old ways and re-learn God’s

ways. “Initially I thought God put me there to help ATS,” she

confesses with a wry smile, “but then God warned me He would

use the position to change me. And He did!” Born and bred in the

Chinese ways of discipline and hard work, she thought her prime

duty was to ensure that tasks were accomplished. Not so, she

found out. Her greatest lesson was realizing that “Leadership is

not getting things done; it’s relationship. It’s loving people first,

and then getting things done.”

She has also had to come to grips with the reality of her

disability. Born with spina bifida, a congenital spinal disorder

that at that time claimed 9 out of 10 babies’ lives and which

has left her on crutches, Amanda found that she had never

grieved about her condition. A beloved youngest child, she had

“Leadership is ...

loving people first,

and then getting things done.”

5

experienced only acceptance and affection from

her family and community. The fact that she was

different was something she had learned to ignore—

until ten years ago when God had to reach into the

cesspool of her heart and bring out the festering

grief and lament of her soul.

Since then real healing has taken place. Her

experience has deepened her desire to help people

with disabilities (PWDs) turn their shame around

into a means of grace and growth. As her advocacy,

she teaches that Christ Himself suffered shame on

the cross, and PWDs are privileged to identify with

Christ, emulate His response and find healing in

God’s love.

Up close and personal, Amanda Shao Tan is

a woman of surprises. She tends to be shy and

reticent but blooms in intimate conversations. She

claims to have no gift of leadership but God has time

and again thrust her into leadership positions. She

was born with a disability that has caused her pain

and shame, yet because of God, she has arrived at

wholeness far greater than she ever expected.

At this point, she is leaving fulltime teaching

in obedience to God’s call. Where God is leading

her she has no idea. But she is not disturbed. She

knows that just around the corner, God Himself

would meet her, wonders in hand.

“PWDs

are

privileged

to

identify

with

Christ...

and find

healing

in God’s

love”

COVERSTORY6

“She is one great model of a

transformational teacher for

all of us,” says ATS President

Dr. Tim D. Gener of Amanda

Each school

year, ATS gives

scholarships

to deserving

students,

Vachna Va is

one of them.

Read how your

SPONSOR ATSSTUDENTS NOW

REACH THE WORLD

TOMORROW

My country Cambodia is 80% Buddhist

and less than 2% Christian. If one

converts to Christianity or other

religions, he and his family is often

shamed. I heard the Gospel when

missionaries from Phnom Penh came

to share the good news in my city. Their

music class and soccer team made me

go to church every weekend. I did not

understand the Scripture but I wanted

to know more about Jesus. As I was

taught the foundation of the Christian

faith, I prayed to receive Jesus and

got baptized when I was 17 years old.

I committed myself to receive Him as

God, my Lord and Savior, risking great

rejection from my relatives, friends,

and other people in my village.

I began to have a vision to be a

pastor, but I asked God to confirm this

by working in the lives of my family

members to become Christians, too.

One by one from my father to my

siblings, they converted to Christianity.

Praise God for showing His might and

confirming my call to serve Him.

I needed training to become a pastor

so I decided to check on Asian

Theological Seminary. When I just

arrived at ATS in November of 2009,

I became so sure it was to be the

seminary I would enroll in. I felt very

peaceful with the warm reception given

me. What I have learned at ATS were

not just the academic and ministry

lessons but especially life lessons.

Faculty and staff are very kind and

approachable--- their life testimonies

have encouraged me to move on and

trust God more.

In June I will be a third year student

of MDiv Pastoral Studies and by

God’s grace I will graduate in 2013.

My commitment has always been to

work full time as pastor in my church

back home----the Christian Fellowship

Church of Neak Loeung. I also plan to

teach at a seminary and to establish

a training center to equip Christian

leaders and pastors. I believe God will

sustain me to be His faithful servant.

Without the generous financial support

for my scholarship, I would not have

been able to study this far. Please help

me and other ATS students reach the

world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

donations to our scholarship

program can touch one life that

can reach the world for God’s

sake.

7

Dr. Capaque noted that

the Filipino expression

of being, or Pagkataong

Pilipino, consisted of

terms such as loob,

katawan, or kaluluwa that

were meant to refer to

the total person, never

to a divided self. Filipino

spirituality is relational,

symbolic, celebratory,

spirit world-oriented,

and mindful of justice in

the face of poverty and

suffering.

Nineteen topics for

breakout seminars

ranged across various

disciplines and interests.

In “The ‘Dark Night of

the Soul’ and Filipino

Spirituality,” Dr. Rico

Villanueva proposed that

Filipino spirituality, by

virtue of its history and

experience, is rooted in

lament, made evident in

the concept of damay.

First plenary speaker Dr. John Goldingay,

Professor of Old Testament at Fuller, opened

the conference with his talk on the Book of

Psalms’ invitation to a “spiral” relationship

with God. Systematic Theology professor

Dr. Simon Chan and Dr. George Capaque,

Dean of Discipleship Training Centre in

Singapore, explored specific aspects of

Asian and Filipino spirituality. Capping the

conference was psychologist and spiritual

director Dr. Irene Alexander, who stressed

relational knowing (humans as spiritual

beings) as the basis for understanding God,

oneself and others.

Spirituality was seen as a totality of

self (feeling, thinking, being) and attitudes

attuned to God’s will. Several points on

Asian and Filipino spirituality drew most

of the questions at the open forum. Dr.

Chan noted the theological richness of

folk Christianity, as seen primarily in Third

World Pentecostal-charismatic movements.

He challenged evangelicals to reconsider

those features of folk Christianity that

invigorate Asian Christian spirituality, such

as an engagement with the spiritual world,

and an incarnational or sacramental view of

life.

Now on its eighth year, the ATS Theological Forum held

February 9 and 10 at the Union Church of Manila once more

brought together 500-strong delegates from the academe, faith-

based organizations, local churches and the general public to

explore the theme, “Walking With God: Christian Spirituality in the

Asian Context.”

8FEATURE STORY

In “Styling a Spirituality for the ‘Creative

Class’” ATS professor Lorenzo Bautista

described the profile of creative Christians

as a class and limned the contours of a

spirituality best suited for them.

In his talk “The Voice from the Whirlwind:

Suffering, God, and Natural Disasters,” Dr.

Noli Mendoza brought an eco-theological

reading to Job’s encounter with God and

showed a timely topic in light of current

events.

Dr. Amanda Shao Tan, in her session

on “Spirituality for the Shamed Disabled,”

shared the Tsinoy experience in grappling

with issues of shame and “loss of face”

through disability in a largely shame-based

culture such as the Chinese.

The conference closed with a ceremony

on the blessing of light led by conference

chair and ATS Academic Dean Dr. Adonis

Gorospe and accompanied by contemplative

indigenous music by the ATS worship team.

The following are

snippets of feedback

from delegates: “This

is a great seminar, with

excellent, well-chosen

topics”; “It was an

answered prayer…and

I learned a lot from the

sessions”; “It is a big

help for me as I teach

students in Values

Education”.

Judging from the

enthusiastic response,

the next conference

promises to be another

good success.

See you at the next

forum!

Photos courtesy of Glevy Baybayon, Jay-R Yanga, and Sunshine Yu.

b y L e s l i e

L o f r a n c o - B e r b a n o

THEO FORUMHIGHLIGHTS

9

PASTORS’ TRAINING IN... BORACAY?

Who would have thought of training pastors in the beautiful island of

Boracay? I did not. That is why when Dr. Rene Chanco, ATS Chaplain,

told me that we could open a pastoral training center in Boracay Island

in August of 2010, I just laughed, thinking he was just joking. Boracay

is known to be a tourist destination because of its pristine beaches,

not as a pastoral training center.

b y D r. F e r n a n d o C . L u a

D i r e c t o r, AT S C e n t e r f o r C o n t i n u i n g S t u d i e s

V i c e P re s i d e n t f o r A d m i n a n d F i n a n c e

10FEATURESTORY

Dr. Fer Lua (right), with

the first 12 graduates of

Pastoral Ministry Program

in Boracay Island. Nathan

Jackson and Dan Beaver of

First Love international

Ministries stand behind the

graduates.

Later on I received a text

message that a missionary

couple based in Boracay would

like to talk to me regarding our

training program for pastors

under Center for Continuing

Studies. That was the time

that I said, “Okay, this must

be true then.” I met with Dan

and Tori Beaver from First

Love International Ministries

in a coffee shop on my way

home one night and discussed

with them about our Certificate

in Pastoral Ministry program.

They were excited to partner

with ATS in this endeavor.

Thus began a series of email

exchanges where the target

pastors are those from Panay

Island (Antique, Aklan, Capiz,

and Iloilo provinces) in the

Visayas region. In November

of 2010 we started the first

module on Rightly Handling

the Word with 42 pastors and

workers in attendance.

Last November 29 I taught

the 10th and last module

(Pastoral Ethics) for the

certificate program and on

December 1, we held the first

ever graduation ceremonies

in Boracay Island. There

were many pastors attending

the different modules but

only 12 of them successfully

completed the 10 modules and

received their certificates. It

was a successful partnership

with the Beavers . We are now

looking forward to starting

a new training program

called Certificate in Biblical

Interpretation this year. Please

pray for God to raise more

laborers for His harvest.

The participants

For admission contact the ATS Center for

Biblical Stewardship at telephone 9297806

or email stewardship.info@gmail.com.

The MBA in Biblical Stewardship

and Christian Management* is

the flagship program of the ATS

Center for Biblical Stewardship. It

is an executive Christian MBA that

integrates corporate excellence with

biblical faith, wisdom and values

designed for heads of Christian

non-profit organizations as well

as pastors of local churches with

administrative roles.

Nora Lucero, CEO of the

Philippine Bible Society and

immediate past chairman of the

United Bible Societies, Global Board

has this to say about her MBA degree

from ATS, “Training at the MBA in

Biblical Stewardship and Christian

Management has well-equipped

me to face the challenges of the

corporate world with its fast moving

landscape.”

*Accreditation with ATA is in process.

12FEATURE STORY

MBAATATS

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE

BIBLICALWISDOM+

February 20-24

March 19-24

April 23-27

May 14-18

June 18-22

July 16-20

August 20-24

September 17-21

October 15-19

November 19-23

December 3-7

January 21-26,

2013

MBA in Biblical Stewardship & Christian Management

2012 COURSE SCHEDULE

Strategic Planning and Control

BJ Sebastian, M.B.M., Asian Institute of Management

Aurma Manlangit, M.P.M., University of the Philippines

Organizational Development

Agnes Sarthou, Ph.D., Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary

Development Institute

Work, Calling, and Human Dignity (Theology of Work)

Adonis Gorospe, Ph.D., Ateneo de Manila University

Research and Writing (MBA Paper)

Cesar Punzalan III, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A.

Strategic Marketing

Terence Gatfield, Ph.D., Griffith University, Australia

Biblical Stewardship and Resource Development

Zenet Maramara, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A

Human Resource Development

Adrian Gutierrez, M.B.A., Ateneo de Manila University

Grace Sumbillo, Ed.D., Asia Graduate School of Theology, Phil.

Program and Project Management

(with Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System)

Erickson Velardo, M.B.A., Asian Theological Seminary

Managerial Accounting and Financial Management

Danilo Lucero, C.P.A., B.A., University of the East

Nora Lucero, M.B.A., Asian Theological Seminary

Social Transformation

Charles Ringma, Ph.D., University of Queensland, Australia

Athena Gorospe, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary, U.S.A

God’s View of Economic Life

Carol Christopher, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary, USA

Succession Planning

Cesar Punzalan III, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A.

13

ATS molded me to love learning more, to listen and

appreciate cultural and denominational diversity, to

not plagiarize but be accountable as a learner and

a humble servant like the professors who modeled

servanthood in daily life and ministry.

It shaped my habit to contextualize learning

particularly in teaching and developing curriculum,

grounded me on the Bible, depend on the Holy Spirit,

and be sensitive to the needs of society and be a

channel of societal transformation.

My main focus will be eastern Indonesian children

and youth and also to train Sunday school teachers.

As a recipient of ATS scholarship, I learned to

administrate this program back home and particularly

to prepare the youth to be an accountable donor

recipient.

I will really miss ATS, my home away from home.

Fe e l t h e h e a r t b e at of s o m e 2 0 1 2 g rad u ate s a s t h e y s h a re h ow G o d

u s e d t h e i r ATS e d u c at i o n a n d t ra i n i n g to c h a n g e t h e i r l i ve s a n d

a p p ro ac h to m i n i s t r y.

ATS GRADS’

ATS life made me appreciate the beauty of reading,

studying and reading some more; it enabled me

to be more reflective on the lessons the Lord is

teaching me through His Word and my experiences.

It’s a spiritual discipline that has become part of my

life.

Through the MA TUL program I learned that there

should be no dichotomy between what is spiritual

and what is practical; everything I do, especially in

ministry, is spiritual.

I want to be involved in community transformation

and development, serving with the poor in any way

I could. I need to always be spiritually prepared,

ready to do God’s task for me.

14FEATURESTORY

RUTH EUNIKE RENATE

PELLO, Indonesia

MA Christian Education

NIKOS SANCHEZ

MA Transformational

Urban Leadership

HEARTSBEAT

Humbling experience. Transitioning from medical

school to seminary ---from that of serving with status

to serving without it, I grew much as a person.

ATS gave me an appreciation of people from various

backgrounds and denominations; taught me to keep

an open and curious mind and apply critical thinking

in whatever I do.

I foresee myself leading the Heroes Church to grow

into a Christ-centered community, then partner with

other ministries to engineer a gospel-driven movement

to help make our cities, our nation, our world, a better

place.

ATS faculty, staff, and community have challenged,

inspired, humbled, and encouraged me to be better,

and I will forever be thankful for this.

ZURIEL BERNARDINO

MDiv., Biblical Studies

ATS is the best place for me to study His Word and

be trained for future ministry back home in Cambodia.

I also learned how to study hard, manage my time,

and communicate better with others. ATS shaped my

trust, commitment and vision in serving God.

It taught me how to reflect and evaluate my style of

leadership, how to more effectively serve Him back

home, and that the Word of God can be relevant to my

life and in the context of Cambodian people.

I want to become a pastor, and serve God with my

grandfather at Phnom Penh New Life Church among

young professionals or college students. Later on I

plan to do church planting then pursue further studies.

FOR THE WORLD

HENG VORAK VEASNA,

Cambodia

MDiv., Biblical Studies

ATS education enhanced my confidence in

fulfilling my call to ministry. It opened a big

door for learning I never imagined existed. In

my vocabulary, “judging” is now replaced by

“understanding”. I understand better those

whose beliefs deviate from what I believe,

even those outside the Christian faith.

Love should be the motivation in doing ministry

– the “willed love”, not only the “felt love.” We

should continually ask God for that kind of

love.

I intend to continue helping our church achieve

the vision of equipping would-be ministers and

workers in God’s kingdom and help put up a

foundation to help realize this vision within five

years. I foresee our church collaborating with

ATS for theological training of our workers.

After almost 12 years of fulfilling and yet challenging

ethnic ministry in Southern Philippines, I decided

to return to ATS (my late husband and I finished

certificate in Intercultural Studies in 1997). My desire

to minister to hurting missionaries led me to pursue

Counseling in ATS because of the transformative,

community-based, mission-oriented counseling program.

ATS has taught me to see a person as created in God’s

image and minister to the whole person in the context

of his/her community and culture. We can bring healing

to those who are wounded, broken and rejected while

taking care of ourselves. As one professor said, “Our

greatest gift to people is ourselves.”

I plan to continue serving in ethnic ministry by doing

care and counsel first for the missionaries, then for

the church and community, then I plan to teach others

how to care and counsel in mission context.

“be willing to get our hands dirty in bringing God’s love to the poor

“Our greatest gift to people is ourselves.”

16FEATURE STORY

BRANDO GENIZA

MDiv., Theology

GIZELLA SIBAYAN

MA Pastoral Counseling

Being More Than Doing: The importance of “being”

emphasized by ATS greatly shaped my life and

character for 3 1/2 years. More than academic and

ministry excellence, my heart has been taught to

depend more on the Lord and His ways.

Mind, Heart and Hand: I was taught to handle the

Word properly, my heart was put in the right place,

so that my hand is able to do the ministry that God

has placed before me.

I am now involved in a missions mobilization effort

for our Overseas Filipino Workers. I pray someday

God will bring me to a restricted people group and

serve Him cross-culturally.

The community and friendships that I have with

students and professors are gems that God has given

me. The journey was worthwhile and meaningful

because of them. God bless ATS!

ATS taught me humility in learning about my faith and

relationship with God. I realized the importance of

spiritual disciplines and a conscious effort to practice

them.

Success in ministry is not just about amassing

cognitive knowledge but living a life of Christlikeness.

I plan to help my church develop materials on

discipleship and mentor second-generation leaders,

introduce social transformation as a responsibility

of the church and be willing to get our hands dirty in

bringing God’s love to the poor.

I enjoyed the sense of community, the friendships,

the spirituality and competence of the faculty. ATS is

actually home that I would love going back to.

be willing to get our hands dirty in bringing God’s love to the poor”

U N D E R S T A N D I N G , N O T J U D G I N G

ESTHER EUNICE TAPAO

MDiv., Intercultural

Urban Studies

ANNIE MILLAN

MA Christian Education

I was trained at ATS intellectually and spiritually.

Knowing my limited capacities, it was a process to

call on God for help for three years. It was also a

time of joy and great opportunities to meet friends

and professors at ATS.

ATS taught me discernment and openness toward

other religions. It is important for a cross-cultural

missionary like me who needs to be faithful both to

the Word of God and the recipients of the gospel. I

will continue to learn both the Word of God and the

world of humans.

I will share my faith among Japanese people in

culturally relevant ways and lead them to Biblical

truths.

Through ATS, God shaped my theology and

spirituality as a young leader. I learned from godly

professors who also set a good example for me to

follow, one of which is humility. I saw this in all my

teachers in ATS.

I also learned to respectfully listen to other people

so that I can give my best service to those in need,

instead of assuming I already have the answers to

all kinds of questions.

As an intern pastor in my church, I am dedicated to

caring for the young professionals in our church. In

the future I wish to see our church making an impact

not just in the professional world but also in the lives

of our poor brothers and sisters.

“be faithful bothto the Word of God

and the recipients of the Gospel”

18FEATURESTORY

ALDRIN TERESA

MDiv., Biblical Studies

TAISHI KINUTA, Japan

MDiv., Intercultural

Urban Studies

and the recipients of the Gospel”

Many things crowd our minds. Many voices clamor for our

attention. We want to be centered but justify worrying about the

“many things”. In all these, it is refreshing to hear of David’s

single-minded devotion in his prayer for “one thing” only.

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that

I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my

life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek

him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

This declaration of trust is at the heart of Psalm 27, which

begins with the famous line: “The Lord is my light and my salvation,

whom shall I fear” (v. 1). Evidently, David was facing a difficult and

dangerous situation. Yet in his experience of trouble, the one thing

David asked of the Lord is to be able to dwell in His presence,

gaze upon the Lord’s beauty or goodness and to seek Him in his

temple.

This is not a form of escapism for David, but rather one of

perspective. It is the LORD who ultimately defines reality for him,

not trouble, not his situation. The LORD is his light and salvation.

Warren Wiersbe puts it this way: “David didn’t close his eyes to the

circumstances around him; rather he looked by faith to the Lord

and examined his circumstances from heaven’s point of view.”

b y D r. T i m D . G e n e rPh.D., Ful ler Theological Seminary, U.S.A.;

Master in Phi losophical Foundat ions, Inst i tute

for Chr ist ian Studies, Canada;

Bachelor of Arts in Phi losophy,

Tr in i ty Universi ty of Asia;

Bachelor of Theology,

Febias Col lege of Bible, Phi l ippines

ONE THING

A DEVOTION

20 DEVOTION

“IT’S WHEN GOD IS OUR

ONLY CONCERN THAT

ANXIETY AND FEAR LOSE

THEIR HOLD IN OUR LIVES.”

At the closing ceremony of the recent ATS Theological

Forum on Christian Spirituality last February 9-10, Soren

Kierkegaard was quoted and his insight challenged me:

“purity of heart is to will one thing.” I agree. To will “one thing”

is holiness…purity of heart at its very basic. In my prayer

time, I felt that the Lord just wanted me to dwell on Psalm 27

for several days to imbue my life with this one thing.

The simplicity of choosing Christ as the one thing leads to

wholeness and healing for our divided selves. It is the point

of the healing miracles in the Gospels. We are to desire to

move away from a frazzled, fragmented life to one that forms

a unity and simplicity serving only to know God and to make

Him known better. As one spiritual writer puts it: it is when

God is our only concern that anxiety and fear lose their hold

in our lives.

Can we as an ATS community desire only this one thing?

Whether you are a graduating student unsure about your

future and ministry path, a parent wondering how to put

your kids through school in the next years, a businessman

desiring financial growth and sustainability, one struggling

with infirmities and hopelessness, or someone who just wants

to walk with God in a more intimate way…can the Lord be our

light and our salvation?

King David provides a new pair of lens through which to

view all the challenges of life: desire one thing only, desire

God. And when we set our hearts on God and His kingdom,

we will experience the truth of Jesus’ promise, all “these other

things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:30-31).

21

April 13-14 (Tues-Wed)

(8am-5pm)

Introduction to Christian Spirituality

Dr. Adonis Gorospe

This is a 16-hour introductory certificate

course on the meaning of Christian spirituality,

its characteristics, the common forms it

manifested in the history of the church, and

its foundation in the experience of God in all

of its multiple and often unique variations in

the daily life of God’s people.

April 16-20 (Mon-Fri)

(8am-5pm)

Strategic Leadership & Management:

The Pauline Perspective

Rev. Ray Birch

Pastor, Grace Church

Monmouth Oregon

Dr. Rene Chanco

ATS Pastoral Studies Professor

This course focuses on the heart of the

Christian leader, based on the understanding

that what you do (your outward effectiveness

as a leader) comes out of what you are at heart.

After looking at techniques, it will examine

Biblical character traits of leadership, based

primarily on the example and writings of the

apostle Paul.

April 19-21 and May 10-12

(8am-5pm)

Educational Center Development

Prof. Chona Domingo

This course will address the development of

an educational program as integral to urban

poor church planting activity. The course

provides an overview of the field of early

childhood education and its organization and

operation.

22

SUMMER COURSES AND MINISTRY TRAININGS2012

A S I A N T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A R Y

May 24-25 (Thurs-Fri)

(8am-12nn)

Leadership Development:

Preparing Workers for the Harvest (Seminar)

Bishop Manny Carlos

Overseer, Victory Christian Fellowship

One of the most innovative churches in the

Philippines is Victory Christian Fellowship.

Learn leadership development lessons from a

key leader and ministry practitioner within the

movement.

May 21 to June 1

(8am-12nn)

Introduction to the Bible

Prof. Noli Mendoza

Taken within the first year of seminary

studies, this prerequisite course provides the

students with a broad overview of the content,

theological themes, and historical and literary

context of both the Old and New Testaments,

providing a foundation for subsequent biblical

courses.

May 21 to June 1

(6-9pm)

Theology 1: God, Revelation and the Bible

Prof. Lorenzo Bautista

Theology 1: Introduction, Theological Method,

Basis of Faith, God

The first part helps students to imagine the

many sides of theology as a Christian spiritual

discipline. The second part studies how God is

presented in the Bible, tracing the different and

developing portrayals of God. The integrating

role of theology in spirituality remains always

a concern of the entire course.

23

Asian Theological SeminaryFor more information, please contact us at:

54 Sct. Madriñan, Quezon City 1103 Philippines

QCCPO Box 1454-1154

Quezon City 1100, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 928-6717; 923-0669 Fax: (632) 928-5114

(local nos. 120-Admissions, 112-Registrar, 108-Business Office)

Email: info@mail.ats.ph

www.ats.ph facebook.com/ats.ph twitter.com/atsph

Excellent international faculty and students

Global curriculum with global outreach and impact

Demonstrates the inter-cultural character of the body of Christ

Encourages students to serve God in their home country, thus

helping impact Asia and the world

Equips students while remaining in ministry, thus learning is

relevant and contextualized

Encourages students to reflect critically and dynamically in

the midst of an active ministry

Bible-based framework

Integrates personal holiness, evangelism and social

responsibility

Engages students in social issues and the development of

one’s community and nation

Trans-denominational, enriched by different traditions

Allows freedom to express personal beliefs

Various denominations represented in the ATS student body

are all committed to the Bible as the Word of God, and yet

recognize diversity as an expression of their freedom in Christ

EQ U I P.L E A D .

T R A N S F O R M .

GLOBAL

C

ONNECTEDC D

HOLISTICC

UNIFYINGUNI G

Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) is an evangelical,

interdenominational, multicultural theological institution that

honors God and serves the needs of the Asian church and

beyond by training and equipping Christian men and

women to be competent, Spirit-filled servant-leaders who

will, by the Spirit of God, effect Biblical transformation

in society and the world.

I t e q u i p s s t u d e nt s w i t h t h e u n d e r l y i n g co re va l u e s of b e i n g :