Phoenix Seminary Historic Milestone Events (March 26, 2020) 1985 Early initiatives to try to get a Phoenix based satellite campuses from Talbot and Dallas Theological Seminaries failed. Talks continued with Western Seminary. 1987 “In August 12 Pastors and Christian leaders from Arizona gathered to discuss the need for a Phoenix-based seminary. There was a strong sense that God had blessed the Phoenix area with a vital, growing Christian Community in need of residential seminary…For years the Christian community in Phoenix has sent it’s brightest and best to Portland, Dallas, Denver or Southern Ca. for seminary training…serving God in a new location…their home church suffers the loss of their leaving. These students also give up a substantial base of support as they relocate…” A Steering committee later formed and made a formal request October 28th to the Western Seminary Board to consider offering seminary in Phoenix. Committee members were: David Michelson (Grace Community Church), Sandy Mason (Camelback Bible Church), John Lynch (Open Door Fellowship), Steve Johnson (Scottsdale Bible Church), Dr. Rick Efird (Desert Springs Bible Church), Jerry Leatherwood (Scottsdale Bible Church), Keith Thompson, (Scottsdale Baptist Church), Bill Thrall (Open Door Fellowship), Dr. Bill Yarger (Scottsdale Bible church), Lou Lawton (Bethany Bible Church), Dr. Mike Tucker (Bethany Community Church), John Peterson (Palmcroft Baptist Church), Don Ekstrand (Mentor/Author), Dr. Leonard Fleming (Arizona College of the Bible), Wesley Olson (Southwestern College). On November 4th, Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon entered into partnership with the churches of Phoenix to establish an extension site. Below is a meeting of both Steering committee members, future faculty and administrators of Western Seminary, Phoenix. Back Row (left to right): Jerry Leatherwood (steering com.), Dr. Grant Howard (faculty), David Michelson (steering com.), Dr. Bill Yarger (steering com./faculty), Dr. Rick Efird (steering com./admin.), Rock Stewart , Unknown, Dr. Earl Radmacher (faculty). Front Row (left to right): Sandy Mason (steering com.), Lou Lawton (steering com.), Mabel Pittman (admin.), Ed Mitchell (unknown). 1988 In September orientation and registration began and 82 students signed up for classes. 17 registered for Masters in Christian Leadership (MCL) the rest being Master of Divinity and continuing education classes. The Budget for the first year was $214,000. Drs. Earl Ra dmacher & Bill Yarger Dr. Bill two of our Yarger first faculty stands at the pose next to Western Seminary the Western Seminary Phoenix Phoenix sign display and seminary during an office at the orientation SBC youth for the first building at classes. 7601 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ. A new Perspective student students (possibly discuss Mitch seminary life Miller—a after an initial 2010 orientation graduate), meetings at registers Western for new Seminary classes the Phoenix. fall of 1988. 10 original D r. Earl students Ra dmacher, pose for a taught an photo… original Doug Western Childress, Seminary Jodi Phoenix Humber, class with a and Dale green chalk Micetic are board. No st the 1 three high tech in front left on 1988. the front row. Mitch Miller, 2nd from the left, back row poses with other original fall 1988 students. Mitch has been part of the library staff since August 1999. Fall 1989 140 students enrolled Jan. 1990 The seminary held its 1st fund raising banquet, with Larry Wright as the key note speaker. Larry was in radio broadcasting for 26 years and became Arizona's leading disc jockey in the 1960s under the name Lucky Lawrence. After giving his life to Jesus, he started, Abundant Life, a non-denominational outreach directed primarily to unchurched businessmen was formed. From the original 18 that attended at the Phoenix Country Club Bible study, Abundant Life grew to multiple Bible studies throughout the Valley…Having a deep desire to be used to save and enhance marriages through God's plan, Larry and his wife Sue spoke often at marriage seminars both locally and nationally. Larry passed away in 2001. Mar. 1990 Drs. Yarger and Radmacher fly to Portland to submit proposal for greater autonomy for Western Seminary, Phoenix. A proposal for eventual organizational independence was unanimously approved by Western’s administration. Apr. 1990 Bill Stewart (Youth leadership), Dr. Kem Oberholtzer (Bible Survey) joined the resident faculty and Dr. Don Sunukjian (Homiletics) and Dr. Dennis Wretlind (Hebrew/Greek) became adjunct faculty. Oct. 1990 171 were enrolled with 116 being credit and the rest enrichment. Phoenix Seminary wanted to seek independence from Western but were told to wait until a new Western President was selected. Mar. 1991 When Dr. Norm Wakefield was added to the faculty, credit students had risen to about 128 but enrichment dropped to 32 totaling approximately 160 students. Apr. 27, 1991 Western Seminary, Phoenix put on its first Picnic. May 5, 1991 Western Seminary, Phoenix’s first Graduation The first and only graduate in 1991, Paul Madson stands with his wife Lisa and Dr. Earl Rodmacher. Paul was a local pastor in Phoenix for 25 years and then founded the Global Training Network. “He and his wife Lisa felt God’s compelling call to help equip and encourage the younger generation of pastors and leaders in those parts of the world that have the least access to biblical and theological training”—photo and quote from web page at: https://globaltrainingnetwork.org/who/paul-and-lisa-madson In June 2019 Paul donated some 3100 volumes of his personal collection of books (in new condition) to Phoenix Seminary. More than 1/3 of these volumes have been added to library while the remainder were given to the students of the seminary. Fall 1991 Western had enrolled 217 students: 100 were Master of Divinity; 28 were Master of Christian Leadership; 15 were Doctor of Ministry, 25 were non-degree and 70 were non-credit. Dec. 1991 The new President, Dr. John Vawter asks Phoenix to wait on pursuing independence and schedules meetings for January 1992 to discuss combined ministry of the seminary. Jan. 1992 Dr. Vawter concludes that it was in the best interest of Western and Phoenix for Phoenix to become independent. Dr. Vawter encouraged Phoenix to make such a request to the board. Feb. 1992 Dennis Wretlind was added as full-time faculty. Apr. 1992 Dr. Vawter informed Phoenix that the financial crisis in Portland threatened the future of the Phoenix campus. Phoenix submitted a letter to Western requesting independence. May 1992 The Phoenix council unanimously requested independence. The board of Western Seminary approved independence for Phoenix by July 1, 1993. Dec. 1992 The board of Western Seminary voted to extend the timetable for independence to July 1, 1994. Jan. 1993 Don Baugher (very bottom left 1994 photo) joined Western Seminary, Phoenix as Director of Church Services and Administration. Andy Neillie (in 2003 graduation photo below) became the Director of Student Services and Public Relations. Andy Neillie, his wife and Scottsdale Bible Church Senior Pastor Darryl DelHousaye celebrate Andy’s Doctorate in Ministry. Also pictured is key note speaker for the graduation event was Chuck Colson, once Special Counsel to President Nixon also Prison Fellowship Ministries founder and daily Christian radio commentator for “Breakpoint.” Aug. 1993 The board of Western Seminary voted unanimously to affirm its support of Phoenix in achieving accreditation and independence. Oct. 1993 Dr. Radmacher asked the faculty and council to reconsider independence, however the faculty and council reaffirmed their desire for independence. July 1994 After several years of a growing ministry, the local leadership of Western Seminary, Phoenix saw the benefits of becoming a fully independent, nondenominational seminary. With the approval of the board of Western Seminary, Phoenix Seminary became independent on July 1, 1994 and Rick Efird became the Interim President (below right). Far left photo, Don Baugher, sporting a tie, Roger Fankhauser (Admin./c. ’95) and fellow students, Ted Wueste (c. ’03) & Joe Page (c. ’96) yuk it up in front of pink partitions that will become the location of the very first library. Inside 10 oak shelves will house approx. 500 books & two desks. Jan. 1995 Doug Olbert, a retired Air Force flight and staff officer begins a work study program with the newly independent Phoenix Seminary. He will begin his MDiv program and begin researching how to build a fully accredited library. July 1995 Dr. John Vawter, the past President of Western Seminary becomes Phoenix Seminary’s first official President on July 1st, but resigns June 30th 1997 to become the senior pastor of Bethany Community Church. Fall 1995 As a small seminary, regularly the staff and faculty would send out signed prayer cards indicating they would be praying for the students. The prayer card was an initiative borrowed from Bethany Community Church and reinstituted at Phoenix Seminary by interim President Dr. Rick Efird during his one year term. As a new student, and on a work-study program (receiving credit for hours worked) Doug Olbert, the Library Director received this prayer card, which in the mind of many was a very welcomed message of sincere loving care. May 1996 Scottsdale Bible Church leased the 4,500 sq. ft. property near the SBC Chapel to Phoenix Seminary as offices and additional space for a new 1000 sq. ft. library with built-in shelving. Student Asst. Robbie Brooks, Accountant Kevin Royer, Director of Student Services Roma Royer, Admin. Assistant Kay Dubois, Registrar Stephanie Johnson, appear amongst the office cubicles in the new Phoenix Seminary administrative building adjacent to the Chapel. The new Vice President (and previous Western Seminary Graduate) Doug Childress appears with student, John DelHousaye in the new seminary library. Phoenix Seminary was allowed to share the Scottsdale Bible Church Chapel from May 1996 to April 2000. During that time the seminary enjoy both worship and orientation events in the chapel.