the midwestern - summer 2009

Newsmagazine for Alumni and Friends of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and College, SBC

Summer 2009

MidwesternTheMidwesternThe

Midwestern Summer 09:Midwestern 5/22/09 1:11 PM

Summer 2009

Newsmagazine for Alumni and Friends ofMidwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

R. Philip RobertsPresident

Tammi LedbetterInterim Editor

Josh ErismanCharis BucklandCommunications Assistants

Jenny BuehlerDesigner

The Covington GroupPublisher.............................................................ADDRESS CHANGEPOSTMASTER: Send address changes to Communications Office5001 N. Oak TrafficwayKansas City, MO 64118

HOW TO REACH US

Phone:816.414.3700, ext. 709

Fax:816.414.3797

Internet:www.mbts.edu

Mail:5001 N. Oak TrafficwayKansas City, MO 64118

E-mail:[email protected]

The Midwestern is published quarterlyand is distributed free for alumni andfriends of Midwestern Baptist TheologicalSeminary by the Office of InstitutionalAdvancement, 5001 N. Oak Trafficway,Kansas City, MO 64118. Postage paid atKansas City, MO.

The Midwestern highlights the Seminary’smission: Midwestern Baptist TheologicalSeminary serves the church by biblicallyeducating God-called men and women tobe and make disciples of Jesus Christ.MBTS is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

MidwesternThe

MIDWESTERN NEWS: Growth in MBTS enrollment yields ninety-six graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

PRESIDENT’S EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

MIDWESTERN NEWS: Ribbon cut on remodeled LifeWay campus bookstore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

COVER FOCUS: Rawlings Foundation to display antique Bibles at SBC exhibit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: Hearson applies Bible for today . . . . . . . . .10

FACULTY COLUMN: Eliminating counseling confusion . . . . . . . . . .11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Midwestern Alumni Association announces award recipients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: Where the rubber meets the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

KEEPING IN TOUCH: News and updatesfrom alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

CONTENTS

Kansas City Royals Manager Trey Hillman and General Manager Dayton Moore sharedtestimonies of their faith in Christ during an April 28 chapel service.

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2 The Midwestern Summer 2009


MIDWESTERN NEWS

The instruction of the Apostle Paul in the first sevenverses of Romans provided graduates of MidwesternBaptist Theological Seminary with answers to vital

questions for life. MBTS President R. Philip Roberts recalledsimilar advice offered during his high school baccalaureateservice in a message delivered by his father. Preaching fromRom. 1:1-7, Roberts observed that Paul showed he had a stronggrasp on the answers to the questions graduates should askthemselves: Who am I? What is my purpose? Where am Igoing? After expounding the passage, Roberts encouragedgraduates to remember and to live the words that WilliamBorden wrote in his Bible as he poured out his life for the Lordin lieu of enjoying the lifestyle of an heir to his family’s fortune:“No reserves, no retreats, no regrets.”

Ninety-six Midwestern Seminary students received degreesduring the 49th Commencement Exercises held May 16 atPleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo. AcademicDevelopment Vice President Jerry Johnson presented graduateswho were awarded their certificates or degrees by Roberts.

The majority of the students earned Master of Divinitydegrees, while 28 received Master of Arts degrees and 20received bachelor’s degrees. Eight students received the Doctorof Ministry degree while three received the Doctor ofEducational Ministry. Two students received the Associate ofArts degree and one received a diploma forthe ministering wife. Three of the graduatesreceived two degrees, according to RegistrarDave Richards.

Academic awards recognized outstandingscholarly achievement based on therecommendation of faculty. Honors given toundergraduates were: the Diana AndersonScholar’s Award to Darlene Mae Anderson, theJames L. Anderson Dean’s Award to BrandonMichael Fogal, the Loran Anderson PreachingAward to Russell Wayne Savage and the CarlMortenson Aviation Award to Michael D.Wilson.

Awards to students receiving master’sdegrees were: the Zondervan Greek Award toDaniel J. Bradley, the William H. CollierEvangelism Award to Chris Eric Lancaster andDarin C. Smith, the Baker Book House Awardin Theology to Nathan G. Rose, the J. J.Owens Hebrew Award to Russell Len Meek,

the Wornall Road Baptist Church Award in Theological FieldEducation to Garrett O. Trunk, the North American Professors ofChristian Education Award to Cody Don Dowell, the LifeWayPreaching Award to Russell L. Huff, the G. Hugh Wamble Awardin Church History Studies to Layman Charles Pierce, theBroadman & Holman Seminarian Award to Joshua JamesCollins, the Association of Youth Ministry Educators Award toChristopher S. Messenger and the Wanda J. Keatley Award toDaniel J. Bradley.

The Outstanding Doctoral Studies Graduate Award wasgiven to David Lee Smith.

This year’s graduates presented a $1,000 scholarship for a2010 graduate, expressing a desire for one class to bless the next.

Presidential medallions were awarded to Godwin andMargaret Opara in recognition of their service for Christ andgenerous gifts to the Building for the Future! Capital Campaign.The Oparas served on the Board of Regents and CapitalCampaign Council. His father was involved in theestablishment of a church in eastern Nigeria planted bySouthern Baptists. The Oparas launched a successful company,Transtecs Corporation, which became a leader in technology forthe government and aeronautics industry. They have five grownchildren and are active members of Immanuel Baptist Church inWichita, Kan. MW

Growth in MBTSenrollment yieldsninety-six graduates

Summer 2009 The Midwestern 3

by Tammi Ledbetter

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Godwin and Margaret Opara of Wichita, Kan.,received presidential medallions to honor their service

to Christ and generosity to Midwestern Seminary.



It has been my privilege to work with ourfaculty, staff, trustees and students along withthe expert advice and counsel of Dr. Bob Agee,

former president of Oklahoma Baptist University, toproduce an outstanding document that furtherrefines and articulates our mission and assignmentto impact the world with the Gospel. I haveprovided that below for your consideration andpray and trust it will be a great inspiration to you.

The entire scheme of our new core valuesstatement, Veritas, Pietas, Missio—Know, Be, Do—isbased on a thoughtful process of first knowing God’struth, then being and becoming what He would haveus to be in terms of a thoughtful, committed disciple.Part of this process, in terms of devotion, also meansstrengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ andwalking in fellowship and communion with the HolySpirit. Contrary to most seminary experiences, it hasbeen my observation that our students here atMidwestern, when they leave us to go into furthermission work, experience and know a deeper andmore fulfilling relationship with Jesus than whenthey first arrive.

The last key element of the mission statement isto “Do,” and that involves us taking the great truthsthat God has instilled and embedded in our heartsand our lives and putting them into practice for thesake of the Kingdom. For students to be educatedat Midwestern and for them not to be fully involvedin evangelism, missions, discipling and churchplanting would be tragic indeed. The entirepurpose and calling of this institution is to providethe Kingdom of God with its servants for thefurtherance of the Gospel.

Mission Statement: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary serves

the church by biblically educating God-called menand women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Core Values:Veritas / Truth – “Know”We believe that the Bible is the inspired,

authoritative, inerrant Word of God, and thus itinstructs, motivates, and guides us in all areas ofministry. We are committed to helping students tounderstand, communicate, practice, and defendbiblical truth.

Pietas / Devotion – “Be”We seek to model and to instill in the lives of

our students supreme devotion to the Lord. Weseek to provide an atmosphere for students thatcultivates consistent, disciplined, and balancedspiritual growth that validates their call to ministry.We strive to accomplish this through biblically-based teaching and by providing opportunities todevelop a lifestyle of Christian love and integrity.We believe Christ-like relationships with God,

family, church, community, and world are essentialand should be cultivated.

Missio / Evangelism – “Do”We believe it is the duty and privilege of every

follower of Christ and of every church of the LordJesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of allnations. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded thepreaching of the Gospel to all nations. It is the dutyof every Christian to seek constantly to win the lostto Christ by verbal witness undergirded by aChristian lifestyle, and by other methods inharmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We believe in the primacy of the local churchin the work of evangelism. We prepare students toworship God, evangelize the lost, edify believers,and establish biblically-based churches for thepurpose of glorifying God.

We prepare students to be leaders whodemonstrate commitment to ministerial calling,cultural sensitivity, and doctrinal integrity from aSouthern Baptist perspective. We seek to developleaders who exemplify and communicate the GreatCommission in their ministry settings.

Through its exegetical, theological, andpractical educational processes, MBTS will producestudents who:

• believe that the Bible is inspired, authoritativeand inerrant (2 Tim. 3:15-16; 2 Pet. 1:19; Matt.5:17-18);

• understand and apply biblical truth (Rom. 15:3-5; John 17:17);

• exemplify biblical leadership and doctrinalintegrity in ministry (1 Pet. 5:2-4);

• demonstrate Christ-likeness in seeking andcultivating all relationships (Eph. 4:30-32; Col.3:12-13);

• manifest a developing and disciplined Christianlife (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; 1 Tim. 4:7); and

• commit themselves to fulfilling the GreatCommission in worshipping God, evangelizingthe lost, discipling believers, and establishinghealthy biblical churches in culturally-relevantways (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 4:11-14; 1 Cor.9:19-23).Please be much in prayer for us as this is a

daunting task to stay on focus and on target for theKingdom’s sake. As any aeronautical and spaceengineer knows, for a satellite or a space missioneven to be one degree off target means adisastrously flawed and ineffective mission. Ourdesire is to be fully one hundred percent on targetwith no error, imbalance or misdirection in ourassignment to biblically educate God-called menand women to be and make disciples of JesusChrist. “The world is my Parish,” John Wesley said,and for us at Midwestern Baptist Seminary weembrace the awesome and wonderful challenge ofimpacting our world for Jesus Christ.

PRESIDENT’S EDITORIAL

R. Philip RobertsPresident


Shoppers searching for textbooks and other resources areenjoying a more spacious environment for the LifeWayChristian Store operating on the campus of Midwestern

Baptist Theological Seminary. MBTS President R. Philip Robertscut the ribbon May 6 to the newly configured store managed byDebbie Richerson.

With more than twice as much space in the remodeledstore, books are easier to find. “We’ve added a music listeningcenter, plasma TV for children, a section with gifts for familiesand special occasions and a complete square of theologicalbooks with a reading center,” Richerson shared.

The front area features new academic releases and bookswritten by Midwestern faculty members. “We’ve expandedseveral sections such as Christian classics, books for women andmen,” Richerson said, “while still keeping the academic integrityof the store.”

Richerson has been associated with LifeWay for 22 years,having spent the last 10 years at the Midwestern location. “Mycalling is to make sure that students are equipped andencouraged,” she added. “It’s more than just selling books. It’s aministry,” Richerson said, noting the joy she has experienced inpraying for bookstore customers.

LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist

Convention is one of the world’s largest providers of Christianproducts and services, including Bibles, church literature, books,music, audio and video recordings, church supplies and Internetservices through LifeWay.com. The company owns and operates148 LifeWay Christian Stores throughout the United States,including four locations in Missouri. In addition to the campuslocation, LifeWay opened a store at the Tiffany Springs MarketCenter off of I-29 southeast of the Kansas City airport.

Richerson anticipates opening the store on Saturdays nextfall for the convenience of students and others who workthroughout the week. “We’ll also be carrying a larger line ofapparel and campus wear,” she added. Summer hours ofoperation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A number of discount programs are available to customers,including reductions for church libraries and church staffmembers, in addition to rewards for returning customers.Seminary students qualify for a 20 percent discount on mosttextbook purchases. MW

Ribbon cut on remodeledLifeWay campus bookstore


MIDWESTERN NEWSby Tammi Ledbetter

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LifeWay Campus Regional Director Walker Downs joins ManagerDebbie Richerson as she and MBTS President R. Philip Roberts cutthe ribbon on the newly renovated campus bookstore.


MIDWESTERN HIGHLIGHT

Most seminary students have a Bible within easy reachand many more on bookshelves or scatteredthroughout their homes. The same can be said of

the thousands of messengers and guests who will attend theannual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. HaroldRawlings knows how to increase the value of those Bibles thatare often taken for granted.

Midwestern Seminary’s SBC exhibit will feature a collectionof ancient Bibles dating as far back as the 13th century asRawlings shares the story of how a few determined men riskedtheir lives to produce Bibles in everyday, easily understoodEnglish in spite of laws forbidding it.

“It was a costly struggle that resulted in the torture anddeath of hundreds of brave men and women who refused tobuckle under threats of punishment,” Rawlings shares when

presenting his collection of Bibles to schools, churches and otherinstitutions. “We are the privileged recipients of their nobledeeds.”

After retiring from a lifetime of pastoral ministry, Rawlingsbegan thinking of how he might encourage Christian people inareas they know little about. “We all believe the Bible to be themost important book in the world, but few of us know how itcame to us.” By taking his collection of ancient Bibles on theroad, Rawlings offers a visual illustration of the story he shares of“lives lost in trying to get the Bible into English.”

“People have taken the Bible for granted because they’vealways had one or can easily get one if it is lost. Because of itsavailability we’ve lost a sense of its importance,” he added.“That’s what prompted me to gather this collection.”

Among the Bibles to be displayed are:* A Latin Vulgate that was

handwritten on vellum around A.D.1230 and served as the basis for JohnWycliffe’s translation.

* The last of five editions ofErasmus’ Greek New Testament,printed in A.D. 1535.

* William Tyndale’s NewTestament dated 1552 which served asthe basis for all subsequent Englishversions for the next 400 years. Manyof these were confiscated and burned.

* A very rare 1553 edition ofMiles Coverdale’s first complete Biblein the English language. It was thefirst Bible to be licensed by the Kingfor distribution, completing the workof Tyndale who was martyred.

* A first edition of Matthew’s Bibleof 1537 produced by John Rogers, anassociate of Tyndale who adopted apseudonym in order to distribute theBible.

* The Great Bible, a 1562 editionwhich revised Matthew’s Bible.Described as great because of its size,it was produced under the guidance ofCoverdale. It is also called theChained Bible because copies werechained to the lectern or table in everyparish church in England so peoplecould either read it or hear it read.

* A first edition of the Geneva

by Tammi Ledbetter

Rawlings Foundation to displayantique Bibles at SBC exhibit

MIDWESTERN NEWS


Harold Rawlings describes thestruggle endured by those whoproduced a Bible in English.



Bible printed in 1560 was made by William Whittingham andother English exiles in Geneva, Switzerland, during QueenMary’s reign in England. It was the Bible of Shakespeare, thePuritans and the Pilgrim Fathers.

* The Bishop’s Bible, first printed in 1568, was translatedby a committee comprised largely of English bishops butnever replaced the unauthorized Geneva Bible in the hearts ofthe people.

* The third edition of the King James Bible which remainspopular today.

Rawlings is the author of two books, Basic Baptist Beliefswhich addresses the doctrines that distinguish Baptists frommost other religious groups, and Trial by Fire about thestruggle to get the Bible into English. He received a Ph.D.from Louisiana Baptist University

He currently serves on Midwestern’s Board of Regents andhas spoken on several occasions to chapel audiences. TheRawlings Foundation which he directs continues to supportthe school financially.

“One reason I accepted the position of regent was that Ifelt the school’s position on the Bible was very similar to mine.I was pleased that they were using it as the official textbook ofthe seminary, not questioning it, but being judged by theScriptures,” he said.

“Midwestern Seminary is strategically located in ourUnited States and Dr. Roberts is an excellent leader with awonderful staff. I appreciate what he’s doing and am fully inline with them.” MW

Flexible Affordable Biblical

Doctor ofMinistry

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Church Planting Church RevitalizationEvangelism Spanish Language Track

Expository Preaching Leadership- New Concentrations -

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1.800.944.6287 [email protected]

Ph.D inStudiesBiblical Old Testament

New Testamentor

Requires M.Div., MABL, or MABA

New Testament Professor AlanTomlinson listens to Harold Rawlingsdescribe his collection of antique Bibles.


C A P I T A L C A M P A I G N

“Building for the Future!”

Join friends and alumni of Midwestern Baptist TheologicalSeminary to accomplish the final phases of expansion as we

fulfill our role in providing servants for our churches andmission fields all around the world.

“Building for the Future!”

“The opportunities are both challenging and unlimited. Yet we remain committed to train and encourage students asfollowers of Christ to grow together so that we can fulfill our Lord’s command to take the Gospel to the entire world.”

R. Philip Roberts, PresidentMidwestern Baptist Theological Seminary


Strengthening the Endowment will add $2 million infunds to generate income used for academic chairs,missions and campus maintenance.

A new 650-seat Chapel at a cost of $4 million willprovide a place for corporate worship and allowMidwestern to host events, have graduation oncampus, and provide Christian ministry opportunitiesfor students and the community.

Library Expansion and Renovation is essential to meetthe needs of the growing student body and expandingacademic offerings, including the Ph.D. program.Estimated costs for construction and renovations is$1.5 million. Display areas will feature the Morton-Seats Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, thePersonal Library of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and theLavell Seats Mission Artifact Collection.

The first two phases of campus improvements, classroomrenovations and apartment construction are alreadyunderway. Funding of phase three and four will help uscomplete our goal to provide:

Outstanding academic programsAn unparalleled student experienceDistinguished facultyUndisputed leadership in innovative theological

educationState-of-the-art facilitiesSupport for cutting-edge mission endeavorsThe ability to equip leaders for the future, andA strong, well-managed endowment.

Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (816) 414-3720 for more information.


by Tammi Ledbetter

Hearson applies Bible for today

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Aregular part of Blake Hearson’s upbringing in theMidwest involved exposure to both the Word of Godand the world that God created. As the son of a

biologist, Hearson was fascinated with nature, enjoying walksthrough the woods near his hometown of Crawfordsville, Ind.

Equally compelling was the study of God’s Word thatHearson enjoyed through Sunday School and church attendance.“I am privileged to have had two loving Christian parents whointroduced me to Jesus Christ at a very young age and trainedme in what it means to live as a follower of Christ,” Hearsonsaid. “All these opportunities instilled in me a great love andrespect for the Bible as the Word of God.”

The positive experience of attending a Christian school forsecondary education prompted him to enroll in WheatonCollege where he began to find greater joy in biblical studies

than the expected path to a career in biology. He pursued amaster of arts simply for the love of learning the Bible, thendiscovered a growing desire for ministry and teaching that led tohis enrollment at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary inMassachusetts where he earned a master of divinity degree.

“I wanted to make the Bible accessible to those who wantedto apply it to their lives,” he recalled. “I felt particularly drawnto the Old Testament because it contains so much rich materialabout people struggling in their relationship with God and yet itremains largely untapped by many Christians.”

As he began doctoral studies at Hebrew Union College hisdefense of the gospel was tested. “I learned how to be honestabout my belief in the gospel of Jesus without compromise, stilltreating others with different views with respect.” While earninghis Ph.D. and M.Phil., the opportunity for pastoral ministrycame at Crossroads Community Church in Cincinnati where hedeveloped training programs and a support structure for smallgroup leaders.

“I became much more aware of the Holy Spirit within meand the fellowship of the church,” Hearson remembered,appreciating the church’s emphasis on reaching those without apersonal relationship with Jesus Christ. “I had the opportunityboth to be nurtured and nurture others,” he said, adding, “Godknew it was exactly what I needed during my doctoral program.”

Hearson served on the faculty of Columbia EvangelicalSeminary before joining the Midwestern faculty as assistantprofessor of Old Testament and Hebrew in 2006. He teachesundergraduate and master’s level courses and chairs projects forD.Min. students. He has lectured on the Essene communityduring Dead Sea Scrolls programs. He continues to teach severalstudents through the distance learning program at Columbia.

As he teaches Old Testament survey courses, elementaryHebrew and the exegesis of Old Testament themes, Hearsonfinds a way to relate the truth of Scripture to a society that isincreasingly secular and selective in its morality and religioussensibilities, he said. “The revelation of God in the OldTestament comes to a society that is struggling to identify truthand is picking and choosing from competing ideas in theirculture. This has obvious parallels to our own time.”

Having studied much of the rabbinic literature that wascontemporary with the New Testament, Hearson betterunderstood the Gospels and Pauline epistles. “I came to realizethat people in the church were missing a lot of what the NewTestament had to offer because they did not understand the OldTestament ideas that the New Testament was using.”

As he equips seminary students preparing for service inlocal churches, mission settings and other ministryopportunities, Hearson said, “I feel so blessed to be able to shareall of these things with those who will then be able to helpothers in the church.” MW


Old Testament and HebrewAssistant Professor BlakeHearson preaches in chapel.


FACULTY COLUMN

Did the title get your attention? If you are a pastor, I amsure it did. Pastors are often the primary counselingcaregivers whether they are comfortable with

counseling or not. But when the pastor has done all he can do,given all he can give, and there is still more to be done, whatdoes the pastor do?

The answer is to refer to a local counselor. However, thiscan be dangerous and confusing. How does the pastor know towhom to refer? He certainly wants the treatment to be biblical.Should he refer to a Nouthetic counselor? Someone whopractices Christian Counseling? Or to someone who uses anIntegrative approach? At the best, these distinctions areconfusing; at worst they aredangerous since the pastor riskshis credibility and the well-being of his member when herefers.

What does the pastor needto know before he refers?

First, the pastor shouldknow that the counselor treatsfrom biblical authority. Thismeans that guidance for solvinga problem is derived, guidedand controlled by scripture.There can be no compromise oftruth by the counselor. Further,there can be no mixture ofscripture with other forms of socalled “truth.” Paul writes, “Testeverything. Hold onto thegood” (1 Thes. 5:21 NIV).

Second, the pastor needsto be confident that the counselor can accurately diagnose theproblem. Is the counselor skilled at getting at the real cause ofthe problem and not just treating symptoms? Can the counselorformulate the problem accurately? A correct diagnosis is criticalsince a wrong diagnosis means wrong treatment.

Third, the pastor needs to know that the counselorrecognizes that people have different ways of learning andchanging. One modality of treatment does not fit all. Learningcan be cognitive, experiential, intuitive and/or spiritual. Does theclient respond better to a nondirective approach or is the clientmore responsive to a directive approach?

What would this model of treatment look like? How wouldyou describe it? What does a model that prescribes treatmentbased on uncompromised truth, correctly formulates theproblem and matches the client’s learning style with the propertreatment modality look like? Is it the Nouthetic, ChristianCounseling, or Integration model?

In the Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MACO) at

MBTS, we educate our students using the Biblically Prescriptive-Clinically Descriptive Model. This model ensures that the truthof scripture is linked to problems for proper guidance andcontrol. Truth is never compromised. Further, this modelensures a proper description and diagnosis of problems usingmodern clinical systems rooted in scientific research. It alsoidentifies and uses the client’s most efficient learning modality.

What does it look like in practice? How does it work?A counselor using this treatment process would help a client

diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder understand andapply Philippians 4:6 using the client’s primary learningmodality. He helps the client unpack, understand and apply “Do

not be anxious about anything,but in everything, by prayerand petition, withthanksgiving, present yourrequests to the Lord.” Theclient is helped to realize thatanxiety comes from worry,worry comes from insecurity,insecurity from feelingvulnerable and vulnerabilityfrom a lack of trust in theLord. One of the keys totreatment is helping the clientreconnect with the Lord, trustagain and to feel Hisprotection. This can be done invarious ways such asmodifying maladaptivethinking that leads to anxiety,regulating biological systemsthrough diet and exercise,

experiencing anxiety-provoking situations while practicing skillsthat assist the client to cope, as well as prayer.

This is an example of a Biblically Prescriptive-ClinicallyDescriptive treatment protocol. More specifically, this is anexample of a Biblically Prescriptive-Clinically DescriptiveCognitive-Behavioral treatment protocol.

Students in the 62-hour licensure-oriented MACO programat Midwestern are equipped with this model. Recent Midwesterngraduates have become licensed in several states includingMissouri and Texas, and are successfully practicing andimpacting the world for Christ in various settings such asministry positions, private out-patient clinics, hospital in-patientsettings and both religious and secular community-basedagencies. MW

Dr. Larry Cornine, Ed.D., Ph.D. founded Diakonos, Inc, aChristian Counseling Practice. For more information [email protected].

Eliminate counseling confusion

by Larry CornineAssociate professor of pastoral care and counseling

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Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Larry Corninereviews student papers.



ALUMNI AWARDS

Hastings and Kim honoredTwo men who have sought to share the message of Christ in

creative ways are being honored by the Midwestern SeminaryAlumni Association at this year’s June 24 luncheon inconjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern BaptistConvention in Louisville. Recipients include Rich Hastings ofKansas City and Billy Kim of Seoul, South Korea.

G. Richard Hastings leads an 11-hospital health care system with a nationalreputation for service, innovation andsuccess. But his biblical training comesfrom being discipled by Baptists “as farback as the womb,” he told a chapelaudience last fall, recalling the teachersand pastors who had taught himthroughout his childhood and later as anadult.

Vocationally, Hastings has devoted alifetime of service in establishing high

quality health care. First serving as an administrative residentwith Saint Luke’s Hospital in 1976, Hastings became CEO in1995 and transitioned to Saint Luke’s Health System a year later.He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives,a member of the American Hospital Association, teachesadjunctively at Webster University in St. Louis and serves on theadvisory board of the executive MBA program in health servicesmanagement at Washington University in St. Louis.

Hastings served in the U.S. Air Force, receiving a BronzeStar for service in Southeast Asia. In addition to volunteeringwith numerous civic organizations, Hastings’ interest in Jewishstudies led him to serve on the board of the Midwest Center forHolocaust Education. He was the first non-Jew to receive theMordecai Award from the Congregation Beth Israel Abraham &Voliner. His interest in biblical origins led him to endow anacademic chair and institute for such studies at MidwesternSeminary.

“Both Judy and I believe that Christians and our pastors orshepherds need to understand our Christian heritage as part ofthe Judaic background,” Hastings told Midwestern Seminarytrustees last year following the approval of the G. Richard andJudy Hastings Chair and Institute for the Study of Dead SeaScrolls and Christian Origins. The inaugural event was held in

March as scholars discussed thesignificance of the scrolls. “The richnessof Judaism improves our understandingof Christ and His teaching,” Hastingssaid.

Long before Jang Hwan “Billy” Kimtranslated for Billy Graham, founded theSuwon Central Baptist Church, led theFar East Broadcasting Company orpresided over the Baptist World Alliance,his life in a war-torn city was changed bythe kindness of an American solider.

“One man went beyond the call of duty to his country to bea friend to a Korean houseboy, brought him here, gave him aChristian education and sent him back,” Kim related on one ofGraham’s broadcasts.

Over a million people were able to hear the gospel in asingle service when Kim translated for Graham in Korea. Hisministry to the Suwon Central Baptist Church in Seoul extendedto 46 years, shepherding its growth to a membership of over15,000 people. Later he led the Far East Broadcasting Companyof Korea, part of an international ministry to Asia. Kim served asa council member and later president of the Baptist WorldAlliance.

“I believe with all my heart if all of the Christians combinedtogether, if they have conviction and determination, we couldfulfill the Great Commission within our generation with all ofthe technology we have today,” Kim told a chapel audienceearlier this year at Midwestern Seminary. He reminded studentsof Jesus’ promise that God has supplied all of the necessarypower to fulfill the evangelistic mandate.

Catt, Harner, McMurry and Winters namedalumni of the year

Four alumni of Midwestern Seminary are being honored atthis year’s alumni luncheon in recognition of ministry in thelocal church, association and around the world.

When Michael Catt challengedSherwood Baptist Church to reach theworld for Christ from Albany, Ga., hebelieved God would respond to theirfaithful obedience with miraculousresults. One local church’s vision to liveout the Great Commission led to theproduction of movies that have had aworldwide impact—starting withFlywheel, then through Facing the Giantsand most recently, Fireproof.

Decades earlier Catt determined hewould live by the principles outlined in the Bible. “I want to bea man who sees the end results, who hears the inaudible,believes the unbelievable and thinks the unthinkable,” he told aMidwestern Seminary chapel audience.

Catt has been entrusted with other opportunities for serviceto the denomination, including the trustee boards of theInternational Mission Board and Southern Baptist TheologicalSeminary. He led the 2008 gathering of the SBC Pastor'sConference and has served in state convention leadership roles.

Locally, Catt was honored for his work in seeking racialreconciliation in Albany and Dougherty County, Ga. He has ledhis church to be involved in crisis pregnancy ministry, disasterrelief and recovery, hospice ministry and mission trips to severalcontinents. Catt's own pastoral ministry began with thediscipleship of scores of young people through 15 years ofstudent ministry, later pastoring First Baptist Church of Ada,Okla. Catt studied at MBTS from 1975-1976.

Alumni Association presents awards

Michael Catt

Rich Hastings

Billy Kim



Within a year of receiving his M.Div.from Midwestern Seminary in 1970, FredHarner (M.Div.’70) began serving as aSouthern Baptist missionary in Brazil.Over the course of 37 years he focusedon evangelism and church planting,eventually coordinating the strategy forreaching the six states in the AmazonBasin region.

Harner gained pastoral experience atCalvary Baptist Church in Paris, Ill.,Maple Grove Baptist Church in King City,

Mo., and Green Valley Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Mo., beforeheading to Brazil.

In addition to his broader assignment as a missionary,Harner directed a hunger ministry for Southern Baptists thatfunded drilling of 500 deep wells to provide water forcommunities experiencing drought. “Not only was water given,but many doors opened to the water of life,” Harner said. Healso helped in securing land to develop an orphanage that caresfor 80 homeless children who had been living on the streets.

Since retiring last year, Harner continues providing supportfor Southern Baptist work in Brazil through Amazon VisionMinistries of Gainesville, Fla., assisting with transportation andother needs for those ministering to the river people. He alsoorganizes teams to do evangelism, discipleship, medical anddental clinics, as well as construction with the Amazonas StateBaptist Convention in the Upper Amazon Basin.

Harner said the years spent at Midwestern prepared him formany of the situations encountered on the mission field. “Weare thankful to the Lord, Southern Baptists and MBTS for theinstruction and preparation both in the classroom and inexamples of Christian living and leadership.”

Twenty-five years of pastoringchurches of varied sizes gave DonMcMurry (D.Min.’93) the experience heneeded to help pastors in the GreaterDayton Association of Baptists with thechallenges they face. Though he neverimagined serving as a director of missionson the associational level, God redirectedhis vision for the entire Miami Valley area.

“I saw the urban areas as Jesusprobably sees it—like sheep without ashepherd for there is no one to care for

their souls,” he said, recalling Matt. 9:36. “Prior to that time Ihad tunnel vision as a pastor for my church’s community andonly my community.”

In his 14 years with the Ohio association, McMurry hasseen the value of working cooperatively across denominations toreach the most people for Christ. That approach has given himgreater access to reaching the African-American communitywhich comprises half of the city of Dayton. Through the “CityGates Project” he has Anglos from Southern Baptist churchesmeeting with a half dozen African-American pastors to develop astrategy to reach the inner city communities.

After laying a foundation of prayer, the group partneredwith a Youth with a Mission group for a seven-week evangelisticcampaign. “God brought a taste of revival in Miami Valley.”

Continuing to pastor while completing his doctor of ministrydegree at Midwestern helped McMurry budget his time anddevelop latent gifts that he uses today. “The academic stimulationhelped me develop my theological stance as a conservative as I didbattle on a regular basis with the professors and classmates atMidwestern that were there when I matriculated.”

McMurry’s pastoral experience included two Ohiocongregations – Riverview Baptist Church in Franklin and FirstBaptist Church of Fairborn – as well as First Baptist Church ofCentralia, Mo.

Church-planting efforts combine with strengthening the 102existing congregations as McMurry provides leadership,resources and assistance in every possible way. Recalling thevision he gained from missions professor Don Hammer,McMurry said, “I’m a better leader, preacher, administrator andmissiologist for having studied at Midwestern.”

Local church ministry became thelife calling of Fred Winters (M.Div.’91)who gave 22 years of service to anIllinois congregation. A native of KansasCity, Fred Winters sensed a call to full-time ministry during his high schoolyears in Raytown. In 1991 he earnedthe M.Div. from Midwestern Seminary ashis ministry to First Baptist Church ofMaryville, Ill., was growing from itsinitial flock of 32 members.

Although Winters died at the handof a gunman who entered the church March 8 and killed the 45-year-old pastor as he stood in the pulpit, Midwestern SeminaryPresident R. Philip Roberts observed that the ministry of afaithful servant did not end on that day, but was validated.

“He was faithful to the end. Even under the threat of deathhe stood firm and courageous,” Roberts told trustees meetingduring the week following the shooting.

His wife, Cindy, reflected on her husband’s ministry whilespeaking to 1,900 people gathered at his funeral. “Fred lovedbeing a pastor. He had a pastor’s heart. When you hurt, he hurt,and when you were happy, he was happy. He never got tired ofbeing your pastor.”

During the course of Winters’ tenure, the congregation grewto an average attendance of over 1,200, focusing on solid,biblical teaching, an encouraging spirit and prayerful direction.Cooperative Program giving increased from $2,885 to $213,350last year, the second highest amount of all 1,000 churches in thestate convention.

In addition to serving as president of the Illinois BaptistState Association and serving on the SBC Committee onCommittees, Winters provided national leadership toMidwestern’s Alumni Association and taught adjunctively for theseminary. He was also involved in planning for a Billy GrahamCrusade held in St. Louis and participated in Graham’s work inAmsterdam in 1986. MW

ALUMNI AWARDS

Fred Harner

Don McMurry

Fred Winters



It has happened to all of us at one time or another, the flattire! Maybe you didn’t even notice it at first as you pulledaway from the driveway, but something felt different. Then

you jump out of the car, look around and there it is slowingdown the progress of your day.

Great! People are waiting on you. The kids in the car arewhining, “Mom! Dad! I am going to be late.” Open the trunk,drag out the jack and that little donut emergency tire. Next youhave to figure out where the jack is supposed to go, all the whiletrying to save your dignity as you crawl around on thepavement. After a scraped knuckle or two, you have the tirechanged and you limp off down the road. Yes, ithas happened to us all and usually at the mostinopportune time.

You can call on the spare tire for an emergencyand yes, for a little while you can limp on downthe road. However, to really move down the roadas you want to you need all four tires to be theright tires, not three regular tires and theemergency spare. It is an emergency spare for areason and it is designed only to be used for ashort time.

Midwestern Seminary is in the process ofbuilding, renovating and growing. And whileMidwestern does receive Cooperative Program giftsalong with fees and tuition we still need assistancefrom our alumni and friends to make up thedifference. Think of that assistance as the four tiresof a car. The Cooperative Program is one tire, fees and tuitionthe second tire, alumni the third tire and our friends the fourthtire. “Where the rubber meets the road” refers to the tire of avehicle on the surface of a road. You are where the rubber meetsthe road for us at Midwestern. Our alumni and friends reallycount in making it possible for Midwestern to move on downthe road to the future. While it is possible to use a spare itcreates a huge challenge.

Two areas deserve special attention for Midwestern at themoment: the Annual Fund and our “Building for the Future!”capital campaign. The first allows us to meet the daily needs ofour students at seminary and the second will allow us to meettheir needs as well as those students God is in the process ofcalling to Midwestern. Giving to Midwestern is about connectingwith God’s people here and being a conduit betweenMidwestern, God's people and the churches we serve. Givingintroduces you to new experiences and broadens your view ofGod’s world. Giving to Midwestern is helping our students to be

fulfilled in their call – giving them the opportunity to fulfill theirpurpose and meaning and in the process to experiencefulfillment in your own life as you give as the Lord leads.

If you are not currently a regular supporter of Midwestern amonthly gift of $20 to our Annual Fund or a one-time giftwould be a great help as we continue to train God-called menand women to serve the church in ministry. While you arereading this, why not take the envelope in this magazine andsend your gift now? Do not put it off – help our students. Inaddition, please update your contact information and includeyour e-mail address so you can receive the Midwestern updates

and keep in touch with all the wonderful thingshappening on campus.

The “Building for the Future!” capital campaignis another occasion to discover where the rubbermeets the road by providing for the growth ofMidwestern over the past few years and ensuring itcontinues well into the future. Currently four newstudent-housing buildings are almost ready for 16new families to inhabit. In addition, classroomrenovations are allowing students to meet inmodern facilities designed to equip ministers toserve our Lord Jesus and His church. Next, wemust build a new chapel to accommodate theincreased growth and encourage its continuance.This will allow us to expand and renovate theLibrary into the required space needed for ourstudents, the Charles Haddon Spurgeon Collection,

the Ph.D. program and future academic offerings. Yet withoutthe help of our alumni and friends, this undertaking will not bepossible. Your gift to the “Building for the Future!” capitalcampaign will provide opportunities for Midwestern students tobecome equipped in ministry education and a missionsexperience which will result in the changed lives of those whoreceive the Gospel message they share.

Not far from the seminary campus is the Kansas Speedway,“a 1.5 mile tri-oval suitable for all types of racing.” If you haveever watched a race, you know how important tires are to racingvehicles. No tires, no race. You are just as important toMidwestern in our progress and for our students. Giving – it iswhere the rubber meets the road.

May God bless all you do,

Marty HarkeyVice President for

Institutional Advancement(816) 414-3720

[email protected]

Where the rubbermeets the road



Jim Hatley (M.Div.’63), 85, of Grapevine,Tex., died April 22 at his home. He pastoredBaptist churches throughout Missouri in thetowns of Dudley, Gilliam, Orrick andHuntsville. In 1964 he was appointed by theHome Mission Board to serve Spanish-speaking communities, serving congregationsin Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, as well as

serving as assistant chief of chaplains for the VA Hospital inTucson. In Texas he served as director of missions for MagicValley Baptist Association and Austin Baptist Association in RioGrande Valley, and rural-urban missions consultant for theBaptist General Convention of Texas.

In 1986, Hatley was honored as Alumnus of the Year byMidwestern Seminary. Following retirement in 1989, hedirected Hispanic relations for Dallas Baptist University,served as vice president for BGCT, senior adult minister atFirst Baptist Church of Grapevine, chairman of the board forValley Baptist Mission/Education Center in Harlingen andconsultant for BGCT Partnership Missions, leading trips toNorway, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and the Czech Republic.

Lois M. Gould (Cert. C.E.), 89, of Kansas City, Mo., diedApril 18 at North Kansas City Hospital. She was a member ofLenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kan., where she taughtSunday School for many years. She lived most of her life inthe greater Kansas City area and graduated from WyandotteHigh School and Kansas City Junior College before studyingat Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition tobeing employed in accounting at several department stores,

she enjoyed volunteering at the Lenexa Senior Center.Preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Thomas JamesGould Jr., Mrs. Gould is survived by her three children, fivegrandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorialcontributions may be made to Lenexa Baptist Church.

George Flanagan (D.Min’95, M.Div.’86) is now serving as amental health chaplain and Integrated Ethics Program officerat the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center where hebegan service as a clinical chaplain in 1989. His status as aboard-certified chaplain comes from both the Association ofProfessional Chaplains and the National Association ofVeterans Affairs Chaplains.

NAMB appoints Gregory andCheryl Cole to serve in ColoradoThe North American Mission Board hasappointed two alumni of MidwesternBaptist Theological Seminary asmissionaries in Colorado. Gregory Cole(M.R.E.’77) and his wife, Cheryl, areserving in Pueblo, Colo., where Greg hasbeen named as associational missionary.He has also served as associate professor

at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, Calif.Cole served as a minister of youth, minister of outreach,minister of education and pastor at churches in Missouri,Texas and Colorado. Cheryl also attended MBTS. The Coleshave two grown sons.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Let us hear from you. . .Send updated information on your current ministry to [email protected] for publication in The Midwestern magazine.

Gregory and Cheryl Cole

Jim Hatley

The opportunity to study one-on-one with a professor atthe University of Oxford has been extended to a selectgroup of Midwestern Seminary students this summer.

Academic Vice President Jerry Johnson began the OxfordDistinguished Scholar’s Program in 2002 while serving atanother seminary, taking no more than 10 top students toEngland to study with an Oxford professor.

Johnson said most Oxford programs offered by schools inthe United States involve larger groups hearing lectures from aU.S. professor. “Our program takes a smaller group to do one-on-one Oxford-style tutorials,” he said, utilizing Oxfordprofessors teaching in the fields of theology, philosophy andethics. Students from this program have gone on to do master’sdegrees and Ph.D. studies in both the U.S. and the UnitedKingdom.

Serving as distinguished scholar for the program is E. David

Cook, a Fellow of Green-Templeton College at Oxford and theHolmes Professor of Faith & Learning at Wheaton College.Cook will teach and individually critique each student fourtimes in order to sharpen each student’s writing style and teachparticipants to think critically, creatively and Christianly, Johnsonexplained.

“In this two-week period most students will have had moreone-on-one interaction with an Oxford professor than they willhave had with any American professor during their entireeducation,” he added.

This year’s tour is planned for June 27 through July 11 withnine students selected from Midwestern Seminary and CriswellCollege. The group will be housed at Jesus College which wasestablished in 1527. The trip includes a one-day journey toLondon to view artifacts important for biblical backgrounds andChristian history housed at the British Museum. MW

Oxford Distinguished Scholar’s Program offered in summer

Alumni News



NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDKANSAS CITY, MO PERMIT NO.1973

MIDWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY5001 N. Oak Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64118

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Are you interested inlearning more about

Midwestern?

Join us for our Preview Day, Friday, September 4

Preview Day is a mega campus tour that includes learning more aboutour academic programs, financial aid, how to apply, sitting in on a class,

seeing the campus and campus housing, and meeting some staff andfaculty. Come early for our fall picnic on Thursday evening and enjoy a

time of food and fellowship with other students and their families.

To register, please e-mail [email protected] or call 816-414-3733 with thefollowing information: name, address, phone number, e-mail address, degree

you are interested in, and number of people attending with you.


the midwestern - summer 2009

Documents

midwestern alumni association

midwestern seminary

midwestern newsthe instruction

alumni spotlight

updatesfrom alumni

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southern baptist convention