Newsletter 4

Inside GRS Inside GRS is the semiannual newsletter of Geneva Reformed Seminary. Vol. 2, No. 1 President’s Challenge Inside GRS Rather than offering my typical challenge related to seminary issues, I want to bring you up to date on what is happening at GRS. This is a newsletter after all. As you can see from the picture, we have made significant progress since the last issue of Inside GRS. Walls 1 that were stark are now lined with beautifully crafted bookshelves, most of which are filled with books. It is a blessing to have all our resources in one place with room to expand with freestanding bookshelves as needed. I would like to need them soon. Increasing the number of May 2008 volumes will be a constant priority and an ongoing proj- ect. I cannot conceive of ever having enough. The new classrooms were ready for the beginning of the winter term, and thanks to a generous donation we were able to furnish them nicely. The Lord has provided facilities that are both practical and attractive. Seeing the empty chairs and ample space, however, provides a daily reminder that we must see Dr. Barrett in the new GRS library the Lord bring in students to sit in those chairs and to take advantage of what is here. That continues to be the urgent need since training men to be preachers is the only reason we exist. As I’ve done before, I encourage you, therefore, to continue praying that the Lord of the Graduation invitation harvest would call laborers to His service and that He would bring some of them here for their training. We You are invited to the 2008 graduation service want only those the Lord sends, but it is our prayer that of Geneva Reformed Seminary, the theologi- He will send them. And since we exist principally as the cal seminary of the Free Presbyterian Church of educational arm of the presbytery, we need to pray for North America the Lord to call men specifically for service in the Free Presbyterian Church of North America. As I’ve said before, the future of the seminary and the denomination June 6, 2008 are one and the same. This is a constant burden that is never for many moments out of my mind. Perhaps the most significant announcement re- 7:00 P.M. gards our plans to begin an online program of study. The presbytery some time ago gave the green light Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC to pursue a distant learning program, but I have been reluctant due to my technological incompetence and Dr. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed old-school mentality that makes me want to look at Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michi- a student in the eyes. But I attended a conference in gan, will deliver the commencement address. February that actually excited me about the prospect and convinced me that it was rich with potential ministry opportunities. The conference, however, was not able to remedy my incompetence. (Continued on page 3) … appeared to take precedence [over] his commitment to Faculty Jesus Christ and the Word of God.” Even while Mark was a young theologian, “his insight on particular subjects was worthy of consideration.” Profile When he was in college Mark was often teased for being a “member” of “Bachelors Till the Rapture.” How- ever, to his friends it was obvious that he needed a wife Inside GRS to complement his ministry. While yet single, he never mastered the most rudimentary culinary skills. Victuals in the fridge that required even the most incidental prepara- tion routinely languished there. His nutrition depended largely on the kindness friends, and he would gratefully eat almost anything placed before him—except that his “inability to down cranberries he could not conceal.” Not just a meat-and-potatoes-kinda-guy, Mark has a fondness 2 for sweets. Said one who knows him well: “Mark is known for two things: his grasp of justification and his love for desserts.” That theme of justification is the keynote of Mark’s ministry, according to a fellow pastor. “He has seen that May 2008 the heart of the gospel is justification by faith alone in Christ alone.” His comrade of the cloth further notes that Mark is always ready to “take the battle … right to the doorstep of the enemy.” He has preached at anti-abortion rallies and defended the gospel on college campuses. Dr. Mark Allison, Ph.D., Mark was saved in high school in Michigan and began his college pursuits in 1973. While living in Green- Adjunct Professor of Theology ville and attending Faith Free Presbyterian Church, he and Pastoral Theology worked with the youth and in other outreach ministries. He has worked in college campus ministries and youth Since 2000 Dr. Mark Allison has been an adjunct profes- camp ministries, including serving as director of the Free sor of Theology and Pastoral Theology at GRS. From 1986 Presbyterian Youth Camp. He has been a deacon, an elder, to 2000 he also served as Academic Dean and lectured and an assistant minister at FFPC and currently serves as in English Bible, Theology, Church History, Apologetics, chairman of the mission board of the Free Presbyterian and Ancient Languages at Whitefield College of the Bible Church of North America. (later GRS). He studied at Bob Jones University and ac- Dr. Allison and his wife, Charlene, married in 1987 and quired a B.A. (1976) and an M.A. (1978) in Bible, a Mas- have a daughter, Hannah Ruth, who was born in 1989. ter of Divinity (1980), and a Ph.D. in Theology (1985). A colleague mentioned that Mark is a natural for teaching the class on theories and methods of counsel- —Paul Peters is a deacon at Covenant Free Presbyterian ing. In addition to his keen insight into people, Mark has Church in Lexington, South Carolina. demonstrated a gift for dealing with people one on one in counseling, cutting through to the real issues, and direct- ing counselees to the applicable truths in Scripture. Those who have had occasion to work beside him know that Mark is a diligent worker who considers no task beneath him. One co-worker said of Mark: “He would The President’s Itinerary be willing to work at any task if it led to his service to his May 4 Grace FPC, Winston-Salem, NC Saviour.” Mark has pastored the Malvern Free Presbyterian May 12–16 Week of Prayer, Faith FPC, Greenville, SC Church in Malvern, Pennsylvania, for eight years. The men and women who have faithfully filled the pews in Pastor May 26–27 Conference on Christian Conservatism, Minneapolis, MN Allison’s church remark about not only his scholarship and June 6 Geneva Reformed Seminary graduation insight into God’s Word, but his ability to serve meaty truth in an easily digestible fashion. July 17 Free Presbyterian Youth Camp, Rock Mt. Bible Camp, Gibson, PA Mark’s love for the Lord and His Word is inescapable. August 3 &10 Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Canton, MI One friend wrote: “He is always studying, always looking for someone interested in studying the Bible” and “nothing (Continued from page 1) But Mike Simmons, a member of the Greenville congregation, is most competent and has Graduate agreed to set up, monitor, and maintain all the technology. GRS now has its own IT man—that’s impressive! Although I person- ally cannot envision what everything will look like, I know with Interview Mike’s supervision it is going to be a first-class operation. It will require increased work for all involved and some increased expenditures, but it will undoubtedly increase the exposure and Inside GRS influence of GRS as well. From the Inside Out: The increase in labor and expense amounts to a significant investment in the future of the work. Do keep in mind the An interview with GRS inseparable connection between the seminary and the entire church. This venture holds promise for our whole denomina- graduate Aaron Dunlop tion. To that end, I am willing to increase my workload and to commit the rest of the faculty to do the same. As you pray for Inside: When did you the seminary, pray specifically for this new ministry, particularly graduate from GRS? 3 for Mike Simmons as he supervises the system, for the faculty With what degree? as they supply data for the courses, and for the funds to operate AD: I graduated June the program. I believe eventually it can pay for itself, but in the 2006 with a Bachelor meantime we have had to purchase some hi-tech equipment and of Divinity degree. May 2008 there are other upfront and maintenance costs to cover. We hope to have some online offerings by the fall term and then to add to Inside: What is the the curriculum regularly. most important thing The presbytery has also approved a certificate program for (or two things) you laypersons interested in formal biblical studies. Some evening learned in the semi- classes are being offered to accommodate those whose schedules nary? preclude daytime classes, and eventually the online courses will AD: The two most be available for those interested. The seminary is doing what it important things I can to be of service to as many as possible. Continue to pray for learned in GRS were us that the Lord will increase our influence and ministry and the necessity of con- keep us faithful to the mission He has set before us. I thank you centrated study and for your prayers and support.

Load more