Inside GRS

Inside GRS is the semiannual newsletter of Geneva Reformed Seminary.

Vol. 2, No. 1 President’s

Challenge GRS Inside

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 signifi- cant progress since the last issue of Inside GRS. Walls  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 2008 May 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 Inside 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

 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 May 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 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, . 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 Inside GRS  May 2008 - - - -

- - Graduate Interview

AD: At present I am seeking to establish a Free Pres byterian church in the city ofVictoria onVancouver Island. Inside: howBriefly, did the Lord leadyou to this place? WhileAD: I was studying in Vancouver and attend ing the Free Presbyterian church in Cloverdale, there was a request from radio listenersLTBS onVancouver learned in the semi nary? The AD: two most important things I learned in GRS were the necessity of con centrated study and the importance of a good library. Inside:What was your favorite class? AD: I would have to say my favorite classes were the languages, Greek Studying and Hebrew. the original languages and seeing the application of them in ex egesis and then in homiletics is most satisfying. Inside:What was your least favorite class? AD: My least favorite class had to be homiletics, because to be done right it required the most time and effort but always got the least, due to time constraints. Inside:Where did you do your internship? AD: I did my internship inVictoria, British Colum bia. Inside:What are you doing now? Inside:When did you graduate from GRS? With what degree? AD: I graduated June 2006 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Inside:What is the most important thing (or two things) you From theFrom Inside Out: interviewAn with GRS graduate Aaron Dunlop

-

- - But Mike Simmons, a mem a Simmons, Mike But —Michael P. V. Barrett, PresidentV. —Michael P. The presbytery has also approved a certificate program for program certificate a approved also has presbytery The The increase in labor and expense amounts to a significant significant a to amounts expense and labor in increase The library resources, equipment, more the salaries, seminary and can student raise have aidtoto supportdepend(the on itself presbytery the denominational less aid, it freeing will projects up funds and for needs) other • Men gifted and called by goGod to tolabor train in inthe the harvest seminary and to • Funds for all the ongoing operations of the seminary, including • Rev. Reggie Kimbro as he atecontinues and Dr. toCharles work towardBarrett studieshis as doctor- he begins some post-doctoral them faithful to their calling • The next generation of faculty • This year’s graduates—Vicente Winston—as Alcivar, they Jason enter Boyle, the &next Richard stage of preparation• All the graduates, that ofthe ministry, Lord would enflame direct their thempassion to afor place the ministry, and keep Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids,• Success Michigan for the new distance-learning program Matters for Prayer • Graduation service on June 6 with Dr. Joel Beeke from Puritan can to be of service to as many as possible. Continue to pray for for pray to Continue possible. as many as to and service of ministry be and to can influence our you increase thank I will Lord us. the before that us set has He mission the to faithful us keep support. and prayers your for classes are being offered to accommodate those whose schedules schedules whose those accommodate to will offered courses being are online the classes eventually and it what classes, doing is daytime seminary preclude The interested. those for available be the curriculum regularly. regularly. curriculum the evening Some studies. biblical formal in interested laypersons meantime we have had to purchase some hi-tech equipment and and equipment hi-tech some hope purchase to We had have we cover. to meantime costs maintenance to and add upfront to then other and are term there fall the by offerings online some have to for Mike Simmons as he supervises the system, for the faculty faculty the for system, the supervises he operate as to funds Simmons the Mike for for and the courses, in the but for data itself, supply for they pay as can it eventually believe I program. the church. This venture holds promise for our whole denomina whole our for promise to and holds venture workload my This increase to church. willing am I for end, pray that you To As same. tion. the do to faculty particularly the of rest ministry, the new commit this for specifically pray seminary, the investment in the future of the work. Do keep in mind the the mind in keep Do work. the of future the in entire the and investment seminary the between connection inseparable will require increased work for all involved and some increased increased some and involved all for work and increased exposure the require will increase undoubtedly will it but expenditures, well. as GRS of influence now has its own IT man—that’s impressive! Although I person I Although impressive! with man—that’s IT know I own its like, has now look will everything It what envision operation. cannot ally first-class a be to going is it supervision Mike’s ber of the Greenville congregation, is most competent and has has and competent most (Continuedis GRS congregation, from technology. pagethe Greenville all the 1)of ber maintain and monitor, up, set to agreed - - 207 Hay 1 5. 1

Alumni News: GRS alumni are(weddings, invited births,to send relocations,in theirnews newsto etc.)[email protected] for publication.wood Rd.,Send Greenville,or GRS, SC 296 Inside: How, specifically,Inside: How, doyou want people to pray foryou and for the work? AD: Pray for our outreach programs, that the Lord would prosper and build them up: the vacation Bible school each summer and particularly our new Internet thinkgos ministry, pel.com. Inside: Are there other ways people can help you? are tryingWe AD: to promote thinkgospel.com beyond the bounds of our own ministry here inVictoria and encourage people to use our thinkgospel.com business cards in personal evangelism. I have mailed cards to different parts of the world for individuals toSee use. the“Support” page on thinkgospel. com for further information. Victoria Free Presbyterian Church is located at 733Vanalman Ave.,Victoria, British Columbia V8Z 3B6. Phone: 250-383- www.victoriafpc.org;2785.Websites: www.thinkgospel.com.

- - - and his wife, Sharon, rejoiced in the safe arrival of their son, David Gresham. welcomed their son, Robert James Ian, on July 16, 2007.They are calling him James.

is completing Th.M.his program at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and will begin pursuing a CraigVosekalns Dunlop

is published semiannually at no charge by Geneva Reformed Seminary, the theological seminary of the Free Presbyterian Church of North Church America. the theological seminary Presbyterian Seminary, Reformed Geneva by of the Free no charge at semiannually is published 5 and the Lord exercised my heart regarding a

Tell us aboutTell your family. 1

and Grace Inside GRS

Micah McCormick doctorate in the fall. Alumni News Class of 2002 On March 4, 2008, Class of 2006 Aaron strongly dislike application forms and bureaucracy! Inside: AD: I am married to Grace Goligher from our Clo verdale congregation and have one James, who son, is 9 months old. fulltime position there. Inside:What do you find most challenging about church planting? AD: In general I would say probably the instabil ity and uncertainty of a pioneer Specifically, I work. find the legal documentation difficult and I tedious. Island to begin a Free Presbyterian church. At that time I began assisting Ian Goligher Rev. in this satel lite work Publication data: Simmons & Cathy Judy Brown Production: Barrett; V. Michael P. Editor: Barrett; V. Michael P. President: www.genevareformed.org address: Web or 864-268-7071 Phone: 800-477-7058 SC 29615 Greenville, E-mail: [email protected] Rd., Haywood 1207 Seminary, Reformed Geneva

Inside GRS  May 2008 207 Haywood Road 1 Greenville, SC 296