Fall 2008 connection Vol. 14-3 7 10 15 Celtic Tour Launch Moments Student Reflections Tyndale Launches Public Phase of $58 million Uncommon Ground Capital Campaign Cabinet calls for participation in this historic opportunity During its quiet phase, the campaign raised $37 million. President Brian C. Stiller commented, n Saturday, May 31, 2008, “We are thrilled with the generosity of those who friends and supporters gathered have contributed to the first phase of the at Morrow Park, the home of campaign. It’s a strong beginning as we reach to Tyndale’s new campus, to mark achieve the goal of $58 million that will allow us Othe official public launch of Uncommon to implement our vision for future expansion. Ground: Tyndale’s Campaign for the Future. That expansion means that we will graduate It is believed to be one of the largest more and more students who will inspire, effect fundraising campaigns undertaken by a Christian transformation, instill justice and serve humanity organization in Canadian history. The objectives as leaders – in Canada and the world.” of the $58 million campaign are to underwrite the Dignitaries, faculty, alumni, staff and cost of the Morrow Park property; to refurbish volunteers shared in the celebratory service and the new campus and existing Ballyconnor attendees said they were inspired and campus and to provide seed funds for new and challenged by the encouraging words. growing university and seminary programs. Campaign Chair Tim Hearn, recently retired This event marked an historic moment for Chairman and CEO of Imperial Oil Limited, Tyndale as it signified a literal move ‘from the remarked “My dedication to this project comes cul-de-sac to the main street.’ Campaign leaders from my understanding of the needs for our talked about Tyndale’s vision for expanding the children and our coming generations. In a secular university and seminary and outlined how the age, who will help our young people to campaign will support this vision. —continued on page 5 Pastoral and Chinese Ministry Program Celebrates 20 years of Service ay 4, 2008 was as memorable as At the banquet, the keynote speaker, Dr. Rod Association of Theological Schools and Dr. Carver it was historic. On that day the Wilson, President of Regent College (Vancouver), Yu, President of China Graduate School of Pastoral and Chinese Ministry brought a motion of solidarity that was formally Theology brought greetings on behalf of their (PCM) Program celebrated its passed by its faculty. The motion expressed a institutions, as well. As a research and ministry M20th Anniversary. A gala banquet featured the shared, “deep love for China and its peoples” and arm of PCM, the Hudson Taylor Centre was theme, Thanksgiving for a Pioneering Ministry— congratulated the Chinese Ministry program on established in 2001. The centre’s mandate has been Visioning for a New Century of Challenges. this milestone of excellent ministry. Wilson to advance Chinese ministries in North America About 450 persons were in attendance. This encouraged attendees to become conduits of and the world. It is focused on conducting and included members of the Chinese Ministry and God’s loving purposes and so provide meaningful facilitating scholarly research on Chinese ministries Tyndale faculty, staff, alumni, donors and also support to the administrative team: Dr. Barbara and appropriating such findings into frontline friends. It is estimated that a significant majority Leung Lai, Director of PCM and Nelly Chau, ministries. Annually there are many opportunities of pastors in the Greater Toronto Area from the PCM Administrator and Ministry Coordinator. for professional development in the form of Chinese community are Tyndale graduates. Dr. Daniel Aleshire, Executive Director of the training, seminars, and consultations. To Educate and Equip Christians to Serve the World with Passion for Jesus Christ Message from the President 2 Brian C. Stiller a Vision Growing Editor’s Note Great things are happening at Tyndale and Excerpted from President Brian C. Stiller’s OUR CALLING just in time for the fall semester. Our Address at the Uncommon Ground In this secular and pluralistic world, there are institution continues to tread on uncommon Campaign Launch, May 31, 2008 various options on how we might see our calling. ground and rewrite history. The public launch First the Christendom model, in which of Tyndale’s Capital Campaign signifies a A COMPELLING VISION Christians insist on dominating by way of major milestone in our rich tradition. It My heart is full today. For today we laws, rulings and preferential treatment. How declares the transition to making Christian announce publicly our commitment to build unbiblical. How unworkable. higher education more attainable to a in this community an outstanding centre of Second is the accommodation model. multitude of students. Christian higher education. Why today? Preferred by some who insist on the As Tyndale progresses, it is exciting to see In our time we wrestle with day-to-day “freedom from religion” it is not unlike the the creation of many programs as we welcome market-driven issues that influence family, school teacher who asked the children what the new cohort of students. It is evident our community and nation. However, there are game they wanted to play at recess. Some institution will reach great heights as we deeper, profound realities that do more than wanted hopscotch, others volleyball and continue to launch new and exciting programs alter driving habits or modify the collection some dodge ball. “Well, class,” the teacher such as the Bachelor of Education and the of garbage. They fundamentally affect our responded, “since we can’t agree on one Doctor of Ministry programs. sense of self, family, personal and community game, we won’t play any game.” This issue of Connection will highlight responsibility and who we are in this Our calling is neither of the above. many great things that are occurring at expanding cosmos. Instead we are captured by the engagement Tyndale such as the induction of new faculty, The cultural sands dramatically shifted in model. Life is not “our way or the highway.” the celebration of the Pastoral and Chinese the late 1960s. Canada began to lose its It is to walk the roads of our world, living Ministry and Leading Edge Programs and also Christian presence in the world of public out the life and presence of Jesus. the reintroduction of Homecoming. endeavors. That loss came by way of three So what would best characterize a Tyndale It is evident this semester will bring a Christian communities. The Roman Catholic graduate? If people said, “They so loved us season of great faith and optimism. community, beginning dramatically in that nothing was too much for them to give —Natasha Carr is the Acting Managing Quebec, suffered an enormous loss of up, in the honour of the Christ they follow or Editor of Connection and also Corporate influence and presence. And given Canada is for the well-being of those they serve.” Communications Assistant at Tyndale 47% Catholic, when she shifts, the entire Our commitment is this: to prepare University College & Seminary. culture feels it. Mainline Protestantism lost graduates who are marked by the life and presence in numbers and moral and spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ, who inspire hope, influence. The evangelical community trapped who effect transformation, who seek justice in a sectarian mind-set had neither capacity and lift humanity, in service as leaders to Corrections nor understanding of what it meant to engage Canada and the world. On page five of Volume 14-2, Dr. Mariano in public square ideas or to exert influence. And where will those engagements take Di Gangi’s name and date of birth were As a result, the space of religious influence place? In the dark and lonely places which a misstated. The correct spelling of his name is was left rather empty. narcissistic generation avoids. In the words of Di Gangi not DiGangi and his date of birth is And yet we live in a surprising age. What German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, July 25, 1923 not July 2, 1923. seems to be counter-intuitive, is strong and “When Christ calls you, he calls you to die.” On page 12 two people are incorrectly vibrant—an undercurrent of interest in the identified. The photo caption should have Christian faith. CONCLUSION read, Mel Finlay; Ron and Ann Mainse, So as a Christian community, very much So today we move forward. This is a hosts of 100 Huntley Street, engaged in a rooted in the historic evangelical church, we beginning. Today, we give thanks to God for lively discussion. believe it is time to take this Christian faith— his provision and enablement. We celebrate The editorial team of Connection regrets vibrant in its beliefs and transformative in its with gratitude the enormous gifting already these errors. potential—mainstream. It is time to go from made by some of you here today. We ask you a cul-de-sac to the main street. to join us in completing the task. Contents Tyndale University College & Seminary Capital Campaign Launch ..............................1 Connection Fall 2008 Vol.14-3 25 Ballyconnor Court, Toronto, ON M2M 4B3 Canada Pastoral and Chinese Ministry Program (Published September 2008) Tel: 416-226-6380 ext 2784 Fax: 416-226-6746 Celebrates 20 years ..................................1 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tyndale.ca Acting Managing Editor: Natasha Carr, [email protected] Grads receive message on the first deadly sin ....3 Historic launch of the BEd program ................4 Graphic Design and Layout: Eyetoeye Design Tyndale University College & Seminary’s Connection is Photography: Sam Chang, Kevin Gonsalves published three times per year by the Corporate Paul Bramer and Don Posterski appointed ......5 Copy Editing: Rick Doust, Arnold Neufeldt-Fast Communications Office for alumni, donors and friends.