the bridge, fall 2013

COVER: Pastor Tyler Williams speaks followinghis official installation as senior pastor at Greenfield Baptist Church.

Alumni ProfileAndrew Eising (’08) serving in Asia, pg. 10-11

From Prof to PastorTyler Williams Reflects on the Shift

from Classroom to Pulpit, pg. 3

Upcoming EventsWahl Lectures, onWORD, and more, pg. 11

4, No 5 . 2l. o - FV all 2013

learning togetherpublished by Taylor College and Seminarypublished by Taylor College and Seminary

Taylor Audio ArchivesRecordings of Taylor Events now Online, pg. 7

This fall has been a very eventful This semester has been additionally rich for me because semester at Taylor. We sponsored I have been able to return to the classroom to teach our three powerful Wahl Centre Christian Ethics course. Taylor students are deeply events, the Taylor Board committed to the ministry of the local church. Many of continued to make strategic them are already in vocational ministry even as they decisions as to our preferred study at Taylor. They love being able to make future, and we successfully connections between what happens in the classroom completed our ATS reaccreditation and what happens in the lives of the people whom they site visit. There is so much to be are called to serve and to journey with.thankful for as we move forward In my class we had both lay people and clergy; we had

into the future to which God is calling us. those working in cross cultural ministry, prison ministry, We are pleased with the ATS reaccreditation team's educational ministry, and pastoral ministry. Such diverse recommendations to the Commission on Accreditation. back-grounds and callings provided for rich This November visit culminated 2 years of research and conversations about what God is doing in a variety of analysis by Taylor of the overall institution and our contexts. I look forward with great anticipation to see seminary programs. We are very pleased that the team's what God does in the near future in the lives and recommendations echoed our conclusions indicating ministries of these students.that they essentially concurred with our self- Taylor has a rich heritage of students and alumni who assessment. The Commission on Accreditation will take are leaders who make a difference in the world. We are up the visiting team's recommendation in their February privileged to be part of their development. We are 2014 meetings. excited to see what God is doing in and through them. One of the privileges of being president at Taylor is the We hope that you will be encouraged by the stories, opportunity to interact with our students. I am always articles, and updates you read in this edition of The taken with not only the quality of people who choose to Bridge.study at Taylor, but also with their commitment to and Shalom!deep passion for serving God and making a difference in the world. This is true of the attendees at our Wahl Centre events such as the Living Generously conference, the onWORD Bible Conference, our #JusticeYEG event as David Williams, Ph.D.well as our seminarians. There is so much hope, so President, Taylor College and Seminarymuch excitement, so much anticipation of the reality

Director, E P Wahl Centre that God is making a difference in the world and that they have been called to join in that work. The energy and enthusiasm is contagious!

A Note from the President

On one hand, it feels like we just started the school year; on the other hand, we have already had one of our “Graduand Chapels”, featuring a graduate from the Class of 2014 – and that makes me feel like the end of the school year is already approaching!

The chapel speaker was Laura Russell, a missionary to Argentina who first enrolled at Taylor 8 years ago. In the course of her work, she has taken courses online and has been able to spend the occasional semester with us.

Through grateful tears, Laura recounted how her studies have informed and shaped her ministry, and how the mentoring of the Taylor faculty have enriched her.

Humbling, isn’t it, to think that with your help and prayerful support, Taylor is able to shape a new generation of leaders in places that we may never visit? God bless Laura, and God bless Argentina.

And may God bless you this Christmas season, and into a new year of opportunity.

Tim WillsonCommunications and Marketing DirectorEditor, The Bridge

P.S. A surprising number of artists can be found among the Taylor community. If you are such an artist, would you consider letting us share your work on the back cover? Email me directly at [email protected]

Vol. 54, No. 2, Fall 2013

Published by

Taylor College and Seminary

to communicate with students, alumni,

friends and supporters.

Editor: Tim [email protected]

Taylor College and Seminary11525 - 23 Avenue NWEdmonton, AB T6J 4T3

Cover Photo by Tim Willson

Come and learn with us!1.780.431.5200 | www.Taylor-Edu.ca | www.TaylorSeminary.ca

For Tyler, one of the things that means is that here are some similarities between the role of Greenfield is very supportive of his volunteer work a professor and a pastor, in terms of teaching Tas a football and hockey coach in the community. He and mentoring, but there are also a number of says it is so important to be involved with our differences. No one knows that better than Tyler neighbours and work associates.Williams, the Old Testament professor (NABC/Taylor

University College) who is now serving as the lead “The church has to continue to look outward, to be pastor at Greenfield Baptist Church in Edmonton. God's people scattered among the people where we Tyler stepped into the new role this fall after live. The purpose of gathering is to equip us and to spending 16 years in the classroom at Taylor and (for energize us (if I can use that term) so that we can be the past few years) at the King's University College. scattered to be that witness.”“The transition has been great,” Tyler says, and it's As much as he is loving his new role, Tyler says the obvious that he is enjoying his new role. “I've been rhythm of church life has been an adjustment – pleasantly surprised at how well it's gone, because I especially the relentless nature of sermon prep. He thought there might be a few bumps in the road. says he has a whole new respect for pastors.But the people at Greenfield

“As an academic who taught biblical have been wonderful and the studies and interpretation, I have to staff and leadership here are admit that one of the biggest truly amazing.”challenges of church life in the past (before being a pastor – and maybe still) are the sermons,” he says. “I've Founded in 1968, Greenfield is a really had to deal with being too church of roughly 250, with a critical of sermons, where maybe staff of 7. Tyler says it's a very there is something historically healthy environment, and the inaccurate, or the interpretation vision of the church resonated

didn't do justice to the text. with his own theological convictions about the importance of missional living, of being a witness in “So you're listening to these sermons and it's very word and in deed. When he dreams about the hard to turn off my academic side, the part that future of Greenfield, Tyler says the current direction wants to assign of the church is something to build on. a grade at the

end of it. Now “Our vision for the future is still taking shape, but I that I'm on the would like us not just to play church, but to be other side of church,” he says. “The church is the people, but so the often we get so focused on our own lives, on the pulpit—preach'holy huddle' with other Christians that we forget ing week-in what we are really supposed to be doing: loving our and week-neighbours, getting involved in the community. out—that's a Rather than putting on all these programs and trying lot tougher to attract people to a service that is held once a than people week – let's equip people and train them, prepare realize.” them, release them, so they can go into their

neighbourhoods and get to know their neighbours, Tyler says that and have block parties, mow their lawns and shovel most senior their walks, get involved in their lives. Let those pastors good works shine before our neighbours so that our probably neighbours can see those good deeds and praise preach about God who is in heaven.” three-quarters

MISSIONAL LIVING

From Prof to PastorTyler Williams (’88), alumni and former Taylor prof, accepts a new roleby Tim Willson

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“

” -Pastor Tyler Williams

The church has to continue to look outward, to be God's people scattered among the people where we live.

Come and learn with us!1.780.431.5200 | www.Taylor-Edu.ca

Pastor Tyler Williams (’88) of Greenfield Baptist Church, Edmonton AB. Tyler was an Old Testament prof at NABC/Taylor from 1997-2009. Photo Credit: Greg Campbell, © 2013

surprise, excitement and curiosity over his move into pastoral ministry, and some have attended Greenfield to see him in his new role. But Tyler says it has been a great blessing to now have former students as colleagues.

“I've been teaching for quite a while, and some of those first students that I had, some of them went into ministry and have been at it for quite some time and have far more pastoral experience than I have,” he says. “It has been great to meet with people who were my students, but now I'm learning from them. I'm picking their brains and saying, 'What do you do about this issue?', trying to learn from their experience.”

Asked to reflect on the task of Christian education, Tyler says there continues to be a bit of tension between the academy and the church.

“As a professor, I always tried to help bridge that gap from the side of the academy. Now that I'm in the church, I can try to help bridge that gap from this side.”

Tyler says that it isn't best to train people who are of the time, or roughly about 40 weeks per year. He interested in vocational ministry by taking them out says there is some strain involved in that, and the of their context in the church and placing them in weekly rhythm is relentless.classrooms. On the other hand, he recognizes that a

“I love it,” he says “I really enjoy preaching. But you lot of churches don't have the resources and the

say 'Amen' to close one sermon, and your mind is people equipped and trained to do the teaching that

already working on the next, or maybe two ahead.”people need. He thinks there are things that

Another surprising transition has been the churches and schools can learn from each other, and adjustment to a different work schedule, one where he likes a training/discipleship model that feels a bit the needs and demands can come at all hours of the like apprenticeship.day. While the expectations at Greenfield have not

“There is a sense where the seminary and the been onerous, he still feels a traditional and cultural

college perhaps focus too much on (to borrow a expectation that pastors should always be available.

cliché) ‘head-knowledge.’ Some of that is definitely “As a professor, there is always a lecture to prepare, needed – the theological and historical background, endless grading, committee meetings, and more,” the ability to think as a Christian, but I think it can be he says. “But one of the biggest life skills you need done somehow in concert with practical ministry, as a pastor is the ability to set boundaries. I'm still with people in the church living it and doing it, and learning that. I can understand why pastors burn that will only strengthen both. Is that through out, why their families can suffer, because there are distance education and modular courses? Those are endless needs.” some of the things Taylor Seminary is already doing

– those are the things that need to be looked at.”Just like a good OT prof, Tyler points to the example of Moses, whose father-in-law cautioned him about Tyler will continue to be active as an academic. trying to do all of the work himself, and says he is

“I’ve accepted a three-year appointment as adjunct learning the value of setting up other people to

professor of theology at the King's University College shepherd others and to deal with issues.

in Edmonton, teaching a few courses every couple of Many of the students at Taylor/NABC took classes years,” he says, “so I’ll still be in the classroom. I'm from Tyler during his time at the school, and Tyler very grateful that Greenfield sees the value in that; continues to enjoy good relationships with many of it's nice to keep a couple fingers in that pie – it's part them, including through email and social media. He of who I am, and it will make my ministry and my says some of his former students have expressed preaching and teaching all the stronger.”

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ABOVE: Old Testament professor Dr. Jerry Shepherd, who preached at the installation service, is thanked by Tyler Williams. Tyler and Jerry Old Testament colleagues for a number of years – Jerry at Taylor Seminary and Tyler at Taylor University College. The next transition for Greenfield is a merger with Renaissance Community Church this winter.

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t was a weekend of family celebration for the Dewey family in June – a family wedding which, in a large family, is also a kind of Ifamily reunion. What's more, the outdoor wedding of her great-

granddaughter was taking place on Betty Dewey's 89th birthday.

The weekend ended tragically, though, as Betty was killed in a car accident the next day while returning home to Ellinwood, Kansas. The car was driven by Betty's son, former Taylor president Dr. Marvin Dewey. The accident took place in rural Kansas when the vehicle left the highway and rolled in the ditch.

Betty Dewey had close ties to Taylor through two of her children: Glenn (’74) and Marvin (’76) were both alumni, and Marvin was president of Taylor University College and Seminary from 1997-2007.

Dr. Dewey's daughter Rachel, age 21, was flown to hospital in Denver. She suffered internal injuries requiring surgery, and suffered a ruptured eardrum and broken eye socket. Rachel has since made a remarkable recovery, able to begin her teaching career in August – and able to keep up with twenty-eight Grade 3 students.

“The first year of teaching is always a challenge,” Marvin says, “but Rachel is enjoying her career and has been able to handle everything so far.”

Lingering double vision continues to affect Rachel, but Marvin is hopeful that further treatment will help.

Betty Dewey generally made annual visits to Edmonton while the Dewey’s lived here.

“She developed some good friendships in Edmonton,” Marvin recalls. “She would always want to have tea with Verda Schalm and Tabby Walters and Trudy Schatz.”

Marvin’s injuries from the accident were relatively minor, and he continues his work as an Associate Vice President with Sterling College, a Christian 4-year college in Sterling, Kansas.

“You’d like to be able to go back and erase the day,” he says, “but that’s not how these life works. It’s difficult... a father seeing a daughter hurt, a mother dying because of her injuries. But we are just grateful that Rachel was not injured worse than she was.”

He pauses. “Every day is a wonderful gift. We have a lot to be grateful for. Our mom was 89; we miss her hugs and prayers, but we are grateful for the legacy she left.”

Marvin deeply appreciated the prayers and support of the Taylor family over the summer, saying he clearly felt that.

“Our thoughts and prayers for the well-being of Taylor continue,” he adds. “Rachel still calls Edmonton ‘home’, and we are so grateful that our lives intersected with Taylor when and for as long as they did.” TB

Tragic Loss for Dewey Familyby Tim Willson


Tyler’s eyes light up as he talks about one of the changes between his roles as a professor and a pastor – the issue of intergenerational ministry.

“I love spending time with students. They are at a critical age where they are figuring out their identity, what they want to do: it's a very formative age. But I’m now in a church setting, and I'm dealing with an intergenerational group. It's different, but it has its own excitement. You have the youth, but you also have young adults, middle-aged, seniors – all together in a congregation. That's something I have a new apprecia-tion for: the intergenerational character of ministry AND the importance of intergenerational ministry for discipleship.

“In our society we sequester people into age groups – young people, homebuilders, 55+. But there is something about the Body of Christ, the church, that is multi-generational, inter-generational. And discipleship, I think, can happen when you have the younger and older together – the give and take that happens when you have the older and younger together in a worship service where you are trying to express praise and adoration of God through all of the various tastes and 'heart languages' of those present.

“Our whole society de-values the elderly,” Tyler continues. “It's the youth that drive everything – media, entertainment, the economy. But in the church, we should be a group that values the elderly, sees their wisdom, what they have gone through in their faith story which stretches over decades and decades. There's something rich about that.”

Tyler says all ages have one thing in common: we are all still trying to figure out what it means to follow Christ.

“I don't think anyone would say they have it all figured out, so discipleship and what that means at all these different ages is a common quest that we all have.” TB

Betty Dewey,June 8, 1924 - June 9, 2013

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6Indonesian Sabbatical: Joost Pikkert

Syd and Faith Page in CameroonProfessor Emeritus Syd Page is keeping busy in daily African life. retirement. Dr. Page, who left his full-time position That included as Professor of New Testament at Taylor Seminary in lively local 2012, continues to teach part-time, and this church services. summer he and his wife Faith traveled to Cameroon On July 10th, to support the Cameroon Baptist Theological the couple’s Seminary in Ndu. This was the second time the blog contained couple have spent time at CBTS. the following:

The Pages spent two months in Africa. Syd taught a “We’ve been class on Romans – four hours a day for two weeks. here six Sundays

and have been “I haven’t worked this hard for some time, but it has to five 3-hour been very enjoyable” he wrote on the last day of long services! The fourth Sunday we gave into the classes. “I have had a class of 39 students, who were allure of ‘bedside Baptist’ and stayed at home on an engaged and eager to learn. It was especially unusually cold, monstrously wet day. We felt rather gratifying to have in my class one of the instructors humbled when one of the outside workers told us he from the Mambilla Seminary in Nigeria.”had trekked that day for an hour in the rain to get to

Assignments continued to arrive long after the his church.teaching ended, and Syd was able to finish marking

“There is always so much joy (and movement!) in assignments after returning to Edmonton.the singing. Even when you can’t understand the

Following his course, Syd moved into an words, the message is infectious. We also usually all administrative support role. He helped prepare an go forward to give the offering, and there is plenty application on behalf of the seminary for Affiliate of dancing and shuffling involved.status with the African accrediting association. He

“It is also common to have an auction during the also put together a syllabi file, prepared a thesis service. People will sometimes bring produce writing guide, wrote up a report on the instead of cash for their offering, and the produce is accreditation process, and put together some then auctioned off. It really is a wonderful way in material to orient visiting professors for the which people who have little cash can be generous academic dean. givers.”

While in Cameroon, Syd and Faith were immersed in TB

oost Pikkert loves teaching, adventure and missions (not necessarily in that order). So when he was invited by the Indonesian government to J

develop an educational strategic plan for one of their provinces – just as he was due for a sabbatical – Joost and his family eagerly accepted. As it turned out, the sabbatical and the complex research project it included went even better than expected.

“By the time our six month sabbatical was over God had orchestrated some astounding changes,” Joost says. “The government changed its longstanding ‘Indonesian only’ language policy to support multilingualism for poor, isolated illiterate communities, and I was invited to sit on the province’s educational advisory team.”

What’s more, the Pikkerts were invited back to Indonesia by SIL (a Christian NGO) and the Indonesian government to carry the work forward.

Multilingual education needs to be developed for more than 100 language groups, and Joost says this literacy work will meet both physical and spiritual needs. Literacy opens many opportunities for the poor, and will allow people to read the Bible in their mother tongue. TB


ABOVE: Students at Cameroon Baptist Theological School in a class on Romans taught by Dr. Syd Page, June 2013.

ABOVE: Charlotte, Joost, Cheryl and Quinn Pikkert. Dr. Joost Pikkert recently returned to Canada with his family after a 6-month sabbatical in Indonesia. Joost is an Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies at Taylor Seminary.

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astor, author and professor Mark Buchanan Centre. The Bleeding Heart Art Space and First was the featured speaker at the 2013 Baptist Church also contributed significantly.PonWORD Conference. This fourth annual event These events, including many of the workshops,

saw attendance rise for the third straight year, and it were recorded and are now being made available marked the first time that Taylor co-presented the online. President Dr. David Williams says that conference with a local church. Taylor’s library of Steele Heights Baptist Church, under the leadership recordings represent of Pastor Darren Platt (’04), helped organize and a rich resource, and run the conference, and contributed significantly to offering them online

its success. This is a great way for collaboration, Taylor to share the which has rich theological increasingly education that takes become a model place through our for Taylor, will be faculty and various repeated next guest speakers.year: Greenfield “There have been dozens, maybe hundreds, of Community important and interesting messages delivered at Church is co- Taylor events over the years,” says Dr. Williams. presenting the “Quite a few of them have been recorded, and it is a 2014 onWORD joy to make them publicly available through our Conference, website. We believe that these teachings have the featuring biblical potential to encourage and train new audiences scholar Dr. Peter around the world.”Enns. The theme

Visitors to the Taylor website will find dozens of will be ‘From recordings of messages and events that range from Creation to New Creation.’student reflections to preaching and lectures – even

Taylor also worked cooperatively to stage two other some formal events like graduation services, and conferences this fall. Living Generously was an more recordings will be added in the months ahead. exploration of biblical stewardship, presented by five

The audio archives will feature the conferences cooperating institutions: Terwillegar Community described earlier (onWORD, Living Generously and Church, The NAB Foundation, the Alberta Baptist #JusticeYEG). TAssociation, TPB Strategic Counsel and the Wahl

Centre. Featured speaker Dr. Scott Rodin offered rich insights into the implications of a biblical view of

You will also find faithful management of our gifts.recordings from some who are very familiar to the

A third event this fall has been in the works for over Taylor community: Dr. Benno Przybylski, Dr. Willy two years. #JusticeYEG brought together people Muller, Dr. Randal Rauser, and others.concerned with living out God’s mission of justice --

To access these resources, simply visit www.Taylor-a theme that runs powerfully through scripture. Rick Edu.ca/AudioArchives; no password is needed.Tobias of Yonge Street Mission in Toronto offered a

series of messages that were both challenging and “The history of Taylor and those who have built and hope-filled. supported this institution over 69 years is one of

generosity, as well as a commitment to the task of #JusticeYEG grew out of a pastor’s advisory group theological education,” says Dr. Williams. “We are meeting held by the Wahl Centre in mid-2011. It has excited to see how the investment in past events been taking shape since then, and was made better can be put to fresh use, serving new audiences in by the participation of Urban Bridge Church, the new places around the world.”Edmonton Do Likewise Society with the Wahl

he complete recordings of the most recent E.P. Wahl Lectures are also being added to this archive, including such presenters as Dr. Os Guinness and Dr. John Stackhouse.

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Successful Events, Recordings AvailableAfter a busy fall, the Wahl Centre puts a treasure trove of resources onlineby Tim Willson


Visitors to the Taylor website can now hear some of the educational resources that we have enjoyed over the years. A selection of messages is now available at www.Taylor-Edu.ca/AudioArchives.

ABOVE: three indispensable elements of what it means to follow Jesus: Holy, Dangerous, One. His messages are available for you to hear online - see pg. 7 for details on the new Taylor Audio Archives. | 2. Jon Bauer (’98) and his band, leading worship at the 2013 onWORD Conference. Jon also presented a workshop titled ‘The Heart of a Worshipper.’

BELOW: 3. Volunteer Alfred Krinke marks a bed in preparation for shipping to Cameroon -- see the wall of hospital beds behind him, all headed for Africa. The shipment was on behalf of White Cross Canada, a humanitarian ministry that operates as part of the Wahl Centre.| 4. Taylor faculty meet with the visiting team of the ATS as part of the seminary’s reaccreditation process. (You can read more about this process on pg. 2.) | 5. Dr. Scott Rodin, speaking at the 2013 Living Generously conference (see pg. 7). | 6. While loading medical supplies for Cameroon, White Cross Canada Director Dr. Keir Hammer spotted an inflated globe and chats with volunteers about where the shipping container is headed in Cameroon. | 7. Rick Tobias of Yonge Street Mission in Toronto was the featured speaker at the 2013 #JusticeYEG conference. | 8. Seminary student Laura Russell, speaking at a chapel service in November 2013. Laura is the first of the Class of 2014 to speak during a series of “Graduand Chapels”, in which graduating students reflect on their ministry preparation experience at the school. A missionary to Argentina, Laura has been studying part-time with us for eight years (including a number of courses online). She says Taylor has been a very important and meaningful part of her ministry journey and says leaving Taylor will be hard. (You can listen to Laura’s chapel message online at www.Taylor-Edu.ca/AudioArchives.)

1. Pastor, author and professor Mark Buchanan, speaking at the 2013 onWORD Conference in Edmonton, AB. He spoke about

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in pictures | Summer and Fall 20138

4. 5.

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headed the Burden Bearer’s office in Drayton Valley.Melinda Elgot (’97), a former student and

In Sympathy colleague, and her husband Ruby Schindler passed away on September 11, Victor suffered the loss of 2013. Dean of Women from 1951-1957, Ruby left their 8 year old daughter, CTI at age 41 to become a psychiatric nurse and Naomi, who had been served in that field for 24 years. When the school battling cancer. Melinda moved to our present location, the women’s dorm described their journey online, at was named Schindler Hall in her honor. In an article http://naomiourlight.blogspot.ca. Daily reality was for the 1951 CTI Promoter (accompanied by the “peppered with joy and sorrow,” she wrote. “Deep photo below), Ruby wrote: “We delight in our fine breath, silent prayer, dig deep into the faith that has ‘God-given’ school...” She been tested and tried, and another step forward.” described working in the kitchen Melinda is now blogging at melgot.wordpress.com and dispensing heating pads, Norman Kern of Millet, AB, whose sons Greg (’73), aspirin, hot chocolate—and Graham (’84) and Jeff (’82) were alumni of the attention: “We try to encourage school, passed away in September.the downhearted, give advice to Edith Prier (nee Nitschke) of Leduc, AB passed the perplexed, help to the needy, away in at age 89. Edith was a CTI alum, and the besides admonishing and mother of four NABC alumni: Lyle, Sharon Onciul, correcting where it is necessary Beverly Mathis, and Clifford.for the student welfare, the good of the school, and Grace Hall (nee Faszer, ’80) of St. Catharines, ON the Glory of God.” passed away on July 22, 2013. Her husband David Edna Elsie Leischner (nee Brust) died of congestive Hall ('80) says "Grace never complained about heart failure, just shy of her 84th birthday. Born in having cancer... She was firm in her faith and an AB, Edna grew up in Swan River, MB and attended example of a life well lived trusting God every day. CTI for two years ('46 and '48). She and Henry She was aptly named Grace. I was blessed to have Leischner were married for 58 years, ministering in her as my wife, friend and lover. She is deeply 11 communities in four provinces during that time. missed by her daughters, Megan and Chelsey.Evelyn Rapske of Calgary passed away on May 9,

Alumni News2013 at the age of 85 years. Evelyn was

Congratulations to Sheralyn McNalley (nee Grenier, predeceased by her husband, Arnold ('48), who was ‘05) and her husband Ty, who are celebrating the one of the longest-serving employees of the school birth of their son Zachary, born Sept. 18th. in our history: 35 years in total at CTI/NABC (17 Faculty and Staff Newsyears teaching and 18 in library management).

Heather Peterson, wife of Art Peterson ('07), Congratulations to Dr. Randal Rauser passed away in October. on the publication of another book. Heather often took part in What on Earth Do We Know About the activities at the Heaven was published in October by seminary while Art was Baker. Blogger and actor George studying here, and became Sarris calls it “fascinating” and friends with many of the “intriguing.”students and faculty. Before The blogosphere has two new her death, Art wrote a deeply personal account of writers you may want to discover. OT their journey through illness which you can read at prof Dr. Jerry Shepherd is blogging at www.thrive.ca (search for "Peterson" to find the http://www.therecapitulator.com. And former article "Broken Rocks and Bare Feet"). Art has been theology prof Dr. David Priestly is blogging at serving as a Salvation Army chaplain in Edmonton http://davidtpriestley.wordpress.com/.for the past few years.Neil White (’99) of Winfield, AB was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident on November 5, 2013. Following his studies at Taylor Seminary, Neil built a retreat on a farm near Rimbey, AB, and spear-

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News and Notes

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Alumni Updates


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Alumni Profile - Andrew EisingStudent: Taylor University College, ‘08 (BA, Psych.)Current Hometown: (traveling in Asia)Email: [email protected]: http://andrewgoeslogos.weebly.com“ Life is so full of opportunities...”

ABOVE: Andrew Eising (’08) in Japan, with Mount Fuji standing in the background. RIGHT: Andrew heads up the crew gangway behind a colleague during a stop in Thailand as below them stand locals lining up to visit the shipboard bookfair.

and visit the massive onboard bookstore are ndrew Eising has spent 2013 with Operation invariably long. Since 2009, local visitors at 74 ports Mobilization's Logos Hope, one of the ships Aof call have purchased a total of 4,033,692 books used by OM “to bring knowledge, help and hope” to and 431,364 have attended the on-board programs.the port cities of the world. For seven months, he

traveled through Asia, spending weeks at a time in “I have had the pleasure of coordinating a variety of countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia. This on-board programs, from youth events to pastors' fall, he stepped into a new role as part of the conferences to Cultural Cafés – evenings of cultural advance team that travels ahead of the ship, performances, coffee, and fellowship between securing a port berth and other legal permissions, visitors and the crew,” Andrew says. advertising and planning events (both on-board and

“Cultural Cafés are my favourite programmes, and ashore). He each one has impacted me in a different way. They was recently are designed to encourage visitors to think about in Bahrain, why 400 people from around the world would and at this come to their city. Traveling is nice, but why would writing he is these crazy foreigners give up jobs and salaries to in Sri Lanka serve as volunteers for up to 2 years at a time?preparing for

two visits of “At one of these Cultural Cafés, 120 tourism the Logos students from a local (Filipino) university came and Hope. interacted with various crew members. Friendships

were formed, prayers were shared and people “This new dedicated and re-dedicated their lives to Christ.”role really

excites me,” Andrew says that his education at Taylor left a big Andrew says. impact on him. “It is a multi- “For starters,” he says, “coming from a Calvinistic faceted role that gives the team an opportunity to background, I really appreciated studying through really get to know a community, to meet with the Armenian thought. Studying alongside fellow people, to learn of their needs and vision for their brothers- and sisters-in-Christ from various country/city and to try and see how the ship, its denominational backgrounds, and visiting different personnel (~400 people from ~50 different nations) churches with them as well. I also really enjoyed and physical features (2 conference rooms, book studying about the various religions of the world shop) can meet these needs and vision.” and visiting their places of worship in Edmonton This is two-year volunteer assignment with OM, and with classmates who were willing to do so it has already yielded a lifetime of memorable respectfully. These experiences have been a great experiences. For example, during just one week in preparation for me working with a multinational port in Puerto Princesa (Philippines), the crew crew from many different denominations. They welcomed 47,000 local visitors to the ship have helped me to sit back and reflect, asking (including the ship's 3-millionth visitor). The 12,519 myself: Why do I do, what I do? Do I do these things tonne ship often visits communities where because my parents taught me? Or my church, or resources are scarce, so the lineups to tour the ship school, or friends, etc. Or do I do what I do because

ABOVE: Logos Hope berthed in Mina Salman Port, Oct 29, 2013; Manama, Bahrain. Andrew Eising (’08) traveled ahead of the ship to make preparations for the visit. Photo Credit: www.omships.org

TB

I believe it truly is the right way to do it? Of course, sometimes there is no true, right way. Living on the ship with 50+ other nationalities, sharing a room with 3 other nationalities, I see things done differently than I would do them daily, but that doesn't mean that the other person is wrong. Of course the variety of psychology and sociology classes that I took at Taylor have helped me to reflect on personal choices and the decisions we make and how they are effected by various situations, be it physical, social, spiritual, as well. As I learned at Taylor as well as on the Logos Hope, I'm not observing others to judge them, but to learn from them. Lord-willing I'll be somewhat wiser for it, and Lord-willing others will be too.”

Andrew is a blogger, staying in touch with friends and supporters. His writing reflects his musings on faith and cross-cultural ministry, and in this update he was reflective about his education:

“We all play a role in many other people's lives. Sometimes we don't find out until much later... I know that I still remember and reflect on how previous teachers taught the classes I was in and related to the variety of students they had. They have left a lasting impression in my life and for the majority of them, I haven't told them (yet).”

“Life is so full of opportunities, good ones, better ones, and some bad ones too... how do we choose... Do we have a vision for our lives? A purpose to follow? I know for me, my general purpose is to glorify God, more specifically at the moment it is to share the love God has shown me with all the people I meet, to have a teachable spirit and to learn from all these people (from different backgrounds and perspectives), to respect them, love them and to continually mature in my understanding and awareness of this world we live in. To do this I need to stay connected to the source of my purpose, to God, and chapter 15 from the book of John (Bible) has been a great reminder of that for me. Also, to do this I need to stay connected in community. Humans are relational beings, we long to be loved and to love, to be valued and appreciated, to perceive a reason in valuing and appreciating others, too. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, 'Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.' I know this verse is often used to reflect on the marital relationship, but it is applicable to community in general. We can strengthen and encourage one another, as we cry with those who cry and laugh with those who laugh.” TB

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Upcoming EventsE.P. Wahl Lecturesfeaturing Dr. James K.A. SmithMarch 14, 2014 | @ TaylorTaylor’s annual Wahl Lectureship will feature scholar and author Dr. James K.A. Smith of Calvin College. Dr. Smith is the author of Desiring the Kingdom, Imagining the Kingdom, and Thinking in Tongues.

Healthy Pastors: Sabbatical Preparation Workshopfeaturing Dr. Ray Seutter and Pastor Sam NikkelMay 9, 2014 | @ TaylorThis event for pastors and spouses is designed to make the best use of a planned ministry sabbatical.

CAPS (Church AdministrativeProfessionals Symposium)October 22, 2014 | @ TaylorAdministrative staff from churches and non-profits will gather for another day of workshops and training sessions designed to equip, inspire and refresh.

onWORD 2014October 24-25, 2014 | @ Greenfield ChurchDr. Peter Enns will be joined by a number of other speakers who will help us experience, learn and enjoy the Scriptures. Theme: Creation/New Creation.

For details, visit www.Taylor-Edu.ca/Events

LEFT: Andrew Eising (’08) speaks at a church event in Thailand in connection with a visit of the Logos Hope to that country in February 2013. Andrew says: “I thought I wouldn't need to take too many dress clothes, as we would be serving in 'poorer' areas... I wasn't really thinking... People dress more formally for church here in Asia. I've borrowed ties and dress shoes 4 times already, lol. Although I bought a pair of dress shoes for $15 in a street market this week.”

Andrew was co-valedictorian of the Class of 2008 at Taylor University College, along with Sarah Holmström (’08).

Taylor alumni are invited to submit photographs, paintings and other visual art projects for publication or display on campus. Learn more at www.Taylor-Edu.ca/creative

Untitled (2013), Anne Bellamy)Quilted Fabric Banner, 58” x 37”

11525 - 23 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T6J 4T3

ABOUT THIS BANNERAnne Bellamy, a former member of the Taylor Board of Trustees and a resident of Edmonton, was commissioned by the graduating Class of 2013 to create this banner, which commemorates the gift of the Holy Spirit. As it turned out, Anne chose to donate her time (she called it “a labour of love”), and the funds set aside by the students were able to be put towards another project. The banner was a team project, as Anne described in an email:

“My niece Carolyn Cook did the redesign of the bird and the drawing for quilting his face. My sister Judy Cook provided consultation at numerous stages. I did all the sewing.”

The banner now hangs in the Taylor Commons, forming a backdrop for weekly chapel services. The artwork is based on a design posted on Pinterest by Jan Thompson, and it is labeled on the back with this blessing from Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

the bridge, fall 2013

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