Annual Report 2016-17

Dear Friends,

2016-17 was a year of preparation. I love the photo spread on pages 16-17 that shows our people at work making things ready. I don’t know if you can see them, but the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist are both in there, preparing the way. All the preparation of the past school year is a metaphor for every school year: that’s what we do—we prepare Christians called by God to lead the church in mission.

How do we do it? I’m sure you noticed the picture on the left and wondered, “Why is that student on the floor and why is there a piece of gauzy blue fabric next to him?” The blue fabric is the Jordan River, and the person on the floor is Naaman the Syrian, who is going into the river to heal his leprosy at the instruction of the prophet Elisha. (2 Kings 5) The photograph was taken during a Hebrew enactment of the story during chapel.

This photo means so much to me because a couple of years ago when we were diligently working to find major gifts for our building project, we invited some dear friends to have dinner here one night. Our evening’s entertainment was a Hebrew enactment of the healing of Naaman. After the enactment, the students spoke about how learning the scriptures in this way had helped them fall in love with God’s Word on incredibly deep levels. The friends of the seminary were so moved that they decided to make the lead gift to the building project.

I’m profoundly grateful for that gift, and I’m profoundly grateful for you and your partnership preparing the next generation of leaders for the church. Above all, I am so grateful that students fall in love with God’s Word here. The best thing we can do to prepare leaders is help them fall more in love with our Lord and his Word.

Thanks for helping do that!

Grace and Peace

Dr. Timothy BrownPresident and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching

EQUIPPING LEADERS, CHANGING LIVES101 Eas t 13th Street , Holland MI 49423 -3622

ph 8 0 0.392 .8554 616 .392 .8555 fax 616 .392 .7717 wes ternsem.edu

A Word from the President

Dr. Timothy Brown

Cover photo: Semelink Hall

Trenton J. SouthM.Div.

Zeeland, MI

Dr. Holly TeitsmaM.Div.

Houston, TX

Gretchen Avila Torres

GCUPMBayamón,

Puerto Rico

Steven MannM.Div.

Wyoming, MI

Jenna MaresM.S.W.-M.Div.

Aurelia, IA

Mark MaresM.Div.

Holland, MI

Elizabeth AhoM.Div.

East Lansing, MI

Jeremy BorkM.Div.

Rock Rapids, IA

Rev. Pam BushD.Min.

Holland, MI

Rev. Kathryn Campbell

D.Min.Greensboro, NC

Rawee Bunupuradah

M.Div.New York City, NY

Stacey DuensingM.Div.

Deshler, NE

Dr. D. Randall Gabrielse

GCUPM Dec ‘16Byron Center, MI

Jedidiah GrootersM.Div. Dec ‘16Holland, MI

Michael Ehrenfried, Jr.

M.A.Denver, CO

Emily Scatterday Holehan

M.Div.Geneva, IL

Rev. Kurt JensenD.Min.

Story City, IA

Jan JohnsonM.Div.

Muskegon, MI

Rev. Brian KeepersD.Min.

Holland, MI

Rev. Denise Kingdom Grier

D.Min.Holland, MI

Amy KlandermanM.Div.

Hamilton, MI

Julie MyersM.Div., GCDM

Holland, MI

Chad MeeuwseM.A.

Berkeley, CA

Weizhen (Rayman) Chen

Th.M.Wenzhou, China

Jeffrey HoosM.Div.

Arlington Heights, IL

Rev. Kent Landhuis

D.Min.Cedar Rapids, IA

Brady NemmersM.Div.

Grand Rapids, MI

Shawn CramerM.A.

Denver, CO

Rev. Carson CulpD.Min.

Welland, Ontario, Canada

Mark DeYoungeM.Div.

Sioux Center, IA

Wilford DilbertM.Div.

Holland, MI

Jennifer DeJongM.A.

Grand Rapids, MI

Sarah Kim HoosM.Div.

Chicago, IL

Kyle NesbittM.Div. Dec ‘16

Wawarsing, NY

Rev. Mara NordenD.Min.

Ada, MI

András PaczáriTh.M.

Debrecen, Hungary

Erin DrewsM.A.

Elkhart, IN

Brandon HustonM.Div.

Hamilton, OH

Class verse:“May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!”

I Thessalonians 5:23-24 (The Message)

Kyle LakeM.Div.

Grand Rapids, MI

Matthew LeeM.Div.

Elk Rapids, MI

Susan LevyM.Div. Dec ‘16Clermont, FL

Marcy RudinsM.Div.

Glen Ellyn, IL

Chelsea Axford Reynhout

M.Div.Holland, MI

Margaret RustM.Div.

Athens, TN

THE CLASS OF 2017we celebrate

M.Div. = Master of Divinity M.Div.-M.S.W. = Dual Track Master of Divinity - Master of Social Work M.A. = Master of Arts Th.M. = Master of Theology D.Min. = Doctor of Ministry GCUPM = Graduate Certificate in Urban Pastoral Ministry 2 3

Matthew Warfield, Jr.

M.Div.Muskegon, MI

Lubna d/o Younas Dewan

Th.M.Mardan, Pakistan

Karen Vande Bunte

M.Div.Zeeland, MI

David Vander Woude

M.Div.Grand Rapids, MI

Adam Van Der Stoep

M.Div.Ellsworth, MN

Photos by Carmel Brown of deVries Photography, Zeeland, MI and Megan Rice of WTS

Luis Torres-AvilaM.A.

Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Michael TubergenM.Div.

Hudsonville, MI

Michelle VanDenBerg

M.Div.Holland, MI

Jacob Van Steenwyk

M.Div. Dec ‘16Pella, IA

Matthew VeenstraM.A.

Zeeland, MI

Christopher WalkerM.Div.

Grand Haven, MI

Erin ZoutendamTh.M.

Grand Rapids, MI

THE CLASS OF 2017, cont. Student debt falls 40%!Four years ago Western became one of 67 seminaries to receive a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to address the economic challenges facing people entering ministry. Chief among the concerns was the high levels of student debt new pastors were carrying into their ministries.

Since that time we added a required financial literacy workshop to the in-residence curriculum, offered online and DVD financial training to distance-learning students, held debt repayment and clergy tax seminars, and created an online tool for prospective and current students to precisely

4 5

determine their income vs. expenses for the year. The topic of money management is now part of seminary conversations.

The Class of 2017 was the first to graduate under this new culture, and we are pleased to

report that significant progress has been made. Debt incurred in seminary has gone down, and more people have no educational debt at all.

The Lilly grant ended at the close of 2016, but the seminary received a sustaining grant for three years to continue our work toward financial literacy and securing a positive economic future for ministry leaders.

$36,396Average seminary debt for 2012 grad*:

$22,541Average seminary debtfor 2017 grad*:

* Debt among borrowers only. Note: The average debt for 2017 borrowers does not include undergrad debt.

For only the second time in 40 years,

the scheduled commencement speaker

had to cancel at the last minute.

Dr. Fred L. Johnson III of Hope College

graciously filled in for Dr. Miroslav Volf

and gave a rousing commencement

address on the topic “Q & A.” Watch it

online at vimeo.com/218944621.

Faculty kudos

Although their greatest passion is teaching the students of WTS, our faculty continue to participate in work far beyond the scope of the classroom. From teaching in local congregations to sharing expertise at events held across the country, our professors are engaged with the concerns of the greater church. Across the page we high-light just a few of the many accomplishments celebrated this year.

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Carol BechtelProfessor of Old Testament J. Todd Billings Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology Dawn Boelkins Associate Professor of Biblical Languages Thomas A. Boogaart Dennis & Betty Voskuil Professor of Old Testament John BroganAssociate Academic Dean Timothy L. Brown Henry Bast Professor of Preaching James V. Brownson James & Jean Cook Professor of New Testament Benjamin Conner Associate Professor of Christian Discipleship Chuck DeGroat Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Kristen Deede Johnson Associate Professor of Theology and Christian Formation Han-luen Kantzer Komline Assistant Professor of Church History and Theology David Komline Assistant Professor of Church History Theresa F. Latini Associate Dean of Diversity and Cultural Competency and Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care Duane Loynes Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology

Suzanne McDonald Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology Alvin Padilla Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs Ronald Rienstra Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship Arts Sue Rozeboom Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology Kyle J. A. SmallDean of Formation for Ministry and Associate Professor of Church Leadership David L. Stubbs Professor of Ethics and Theology Robert E. Van Voorst Professor of New Testament Travis West Assistant Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament

22faculty

286students

13 to1student to faculty ratio in 2016-17

Suzanne McDonaldProfessor of Historical and

Systematic Theology

Chuck DeGroatAssociate Professor of

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Kristen Deede JohnsonAssociate Professor of Theology

and Christian Formation

J. Todd BillingsGordon H. Girod Research Professor

of Reformed Theology

2016-2017 Dr. Johnson’s book, The Justice Calling, won Christianity Today’s 2017 Book Award in Politics and Public Life. It was also recognized as Social Justice Resource of the Year by Outreach Magazine. Over the past year, Dr. Johnson delivered over a dozen talks on the subject at colleges, conferences, and churches.

Dr. Billings continued his helpful work on “Resurrection Hope in a Medicalized Age,” organizing and leading a series of colloquies for pastors, as well as publishing articles on lament and speaking widely on hope in the midst of pain and suffering. He also developed a video series for congregations to discuss how to interpret scripture in the Reformed tradition. (see rca.org “Light to My Path”)

Based upon his book, Wholeheartedness: busyness, exhaustion, and healing the divided self, Dr. DeGroat led five retreats around the country and preached in many churches. Dr. DeGroat also led retreats on the Enneagram, Seven Pathways to Transformation, and Compassionate Caregivers.

After studying the topic of dementia for 20 years, Dr. McDonald created and began teaching a course for the Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry program called “Ministry, Aging, and Dementia.” She also developed a 2-part class for churches called “Dealing Faithfully with Dementia.” Her year was filled with over a dozen adult education sessions for various churches on topics ranging from dementia, the Reformation, creation care, and salvation.

westernsem.edu/contact/adult-education/

“I have a heart for worship design, for telling the story of God at work in the world and in the lives of his people (especially through scripture performance), and for loving broken people well. I believe these are my callings as a leader in the church.”

Meet some of our students!They come from many walks of life.

“As a speech-language pathologist, I enjoy working with children and families with special needs. I have seen these families struggle with finding an inclusive church. A lot of churches have the desire to include families with special needs, but they do not know where to start. I’m hoping the coursework at Western will help better prepare me to educate and empower churches to welcome and include families of all abilities in their congregations.”

Sarah BurtonGraduate Certificate

in Disability and Ministry

Harrisonburg, VA

“I am the minister of youth and young adults at Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. This will be my fourth year in that role. I am passionate about helping teenagers learn who God is and supporting them in their faith walk. The training that I am receiving from Western benefits not only me, but them as well.”

Bryce Vander SteltDistance Learning Master of Divinity

Holland, MI

All-seminary lunch Christmas 2016

“I was called to enter seminary later in life (I am 53), and this is my first year at Western. I have been in the education field for 28 years, formerly as a math teacher and now as a curriculum specialist. My hope is to eventually work in the hospice field supporting the dying as they transition from our earthly home to their eternal home with our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Melinda PlankGraduate Program for Christian Educators

Coopersville, MI

Hannah Barker-NickolayIn-residence Master of Divinity

Holland, MI

“After completing my M.Div., I was ordained as a deacon and later a presbyter. I have worked with English and Urdu congregations. Since last year I have been the chaplain of students at Lahore College of Theology. It is very hard for Pakistani Christians to get quality theological training, so it is a dream fulfilled for me to study at WTS. I am thankful to you.”

Rev. Zeeshan ShafiqueMaster of Theology

Lahore, Pakistan

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Holland/Zeeland area:Calvary Christian Reformed Church

Central Park Reformed Church

Christ Memorial Church

Community Reformed Church

Faith Christian Reformed Church

Faith Community Church

Fellowship Reformed Church

First Presbyterian Church

First Reformed Church

14th St Christian Reformed Church

Haven Christian Reformed Church

Hope Church

Hope College

Maplewood Reformed Church

North Holland Reformed Church

Ottagan Addictions Recovery

Park Christian Reformed Church

Pillar Church

Providence Christian Reformed Church

Real Life Fellowship

Second Reformed Church

Templo Jerusalén

Trinity Reformed Church

Victory Point Ministries

Washington Neighbors

Thank you to our “teaching church” sites!West Michigan area:Central Reformed Church, Grand Rapids

Christ Lutheran Church, Wyoming

Corinth Reformed Church, Byron Center

Covenant Community Church, Hudsonville

Forest Grove Reformed Church, Hudsonville

First Lutheran Church, North Muskegon

Front Line Community Church,

Grand Rapids

Grand Valley State University Campus

Ministries, Allendale

Hagar Park Reformed Church, Jenison

Harbor Life (Harbor Churches), Grandville

Orchard Hill Reformed Church, Grand

Rapids

South Harbor (Harbor Churches), Byron

Center

Spring Valley Church, Allendale

Trinity Reformed Church, Grand Rapids

Zion Reformed Church, Grandville

Ministries throughout the country:Bethel Reformed Church, Lester, IA

Cedar Hills Community Church,

Cedar Rapids, IA

CenterPoint Church, Lewis Center, OH

Christ’s Family Church, Davenport, IA

Eastern State Hospital, Medical Lake, WA

Faith Church—Highland Campus,

Highland, IN

First Federated Church, Peoria, IL

First Presbyterian Church,

Harbor Springs, MI

First Reformed Church, Sioux Center, IA

Northern Lighthouse Church, Lincoln, NE

Sammamish Presbyterian Church,

Sammamish, WA

Western Presbyterian Church, Palmyra, NY

10 11

Launching of Hispanic Ministry Programs GCUPM cohorts

Teaching Church mentor Marv Hoffman of 14th Street CRC works on an assignment

at the yearly mentor training.

Western’s strategic plan calls us to “participate in Latino/a theological education.” Our new academic dean, Dr. Alvin Padilla, quickly worked over the 2016-17 school year to make that goal a reality.

The first priority was to hire a director of Hispanic ministry programs, and on May 4, Rev. Joseph Ocasio arrived on campus to begin that role. Previously, Rev. Ocasio launched the Hispanic Leadership Center at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.

Led by Rev. Ocasio, we began our first initiative immediately. We contextualized our existing Graduate Certificate in Urban Pastoral Ministry (GCUPM) into a program specifically aimed at preparing and empowering Hispanic women and men to lead the church.

In June, Western launched the first GCUPM cohort of over 25 pastors and leaders, meeting in Delaware for a week-long intensive course on leadership taught by Bishop Hector Ortiz, D.Min., Ph.D. of the Church of God of Prophecy.

These students will continue as a cohort throughout the four semester program, taking courses in leadership, biblical studies, church history, theology, urban ministry, and the ecclesial concerns of the Hispanic Church. Some classes are taught in a distance learning format; others are on site in locations around the country.

Another cohort is launching in partnership with the RCA’s Classis of the Americas at Emmanual Reformed Church in Paramount, CA with 27 students. The GCUPM will provide the necessary professional, personal, spiritual and academic preparation for individuals seeking an appointment as Commissioned Pastor of the RCA.

The seminary community is enthused about these new developments and looks forward to sharing news of other aspects of the Hispanic Ministry Programs in future publications.

Alvin PadillaAcademic Dean and Vice

President of Academic Affairs

Joseph OcasioDirector of Hispanic Ministry Programs

Kyle J.A. SmallDean of Formation for Ministry and Associate Professor of Church Leadership

Seminary receives important grantDisability and ministry

In November of 2016, WTS received a generous $425,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to further the seminary’s work in the area of disability and ministry. Established by Henry R. Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Luce Foundation offers grants in five areas, one of which is theology. WTS was among six institutions selected from a large field of competitors.

Dr. Benjamin Conner, an experienced scholar and leader in theology and disability, spearheads the grant, entitled, “Enabling Theological Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Christian Leaders—Presence, Intention, and Dimension for Ministry to, with, and by People with Disabilities.” It will be disbursed over academic years 2017-2020.

The Luce Grant Implementation Team has begun an accessibility audit of the seminary’s physical and educational environment, such as looking at ways that all videos and distance learning resources can be captioned for the hearing impaired.

The grant will allow the seminary to hire our first “Nouwen Fellow,” named after the internationally renowned priest, author, professor and pastor Henri Nouwen. The Nouwen Fellow program will bring to campus a Ph.D. candidate or established scholar with an academic focus on an aspect of disability studies.

During the academic year 2017-18, Lennard J. Davis, author and professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, will present an all-day training to staff and faculty on “Disability as an Aspect of Diversity,” as well as provide a public lecture.

Finally, the grant will provide funding to establish an annual Lectureship and Symposium on Disability and Ministry. Scottish theologian John Swinton will be the first lecturer of that series in April of 2019.

We look forward to reporting more next year on how this generous grant has expanded Western’s pioneering work in disability and ministry.

Friendship House Director Melissa Conner with Dr. Ben Conner and three of the Friends (Amanda, Megan, and Seth) at the WTS Spring Banquet.

12 13

Benjamin T. ConnerAssociate Professor of Christian Discipleship

Friendship House celebrates 10 years!

The seminary’s efforts in disability and ministry began a decade ago with the addition of the

Ralph & Cheryl Schregardus Friendship House, the on-campus residence where seminary students live with young adults from the

community who have cognitive impairments. est. 2007

Residents and Friends in 2009

The LuxcastSometimes “strategic” things happen serendipitously.

12 13

In 2014, the seminary identified “Create a public voice for WTS through a publication” as a goal in our strategic plan. We knew we needed to do a better job of sharing our unique Reformed, evangelical, and ecumenical worldview, but no one was quite sure how to do that. The world of publishing was changing rapidly, and academic publications didn’t have very large audiences.

During the 2015-16 academic year, we hosted Marilyn McEntyre as a writer-in-residence. Marilyn has won several awards for spiritual writing and has published about a dozen books. While she was here, Vice President Jeff Munroe filmed an interview with her talking about poetry for a writing course he teaches as an adjunct professor. Afterward, Jeff mentioned to Dr. Kyle Small that the content was very rich and he was disappointed that only the students who took his class would ever see it. Kyle replied, “Make it into a podcast.”

The idea stuck. Although Jeff had absolutely no idea what making a podcast involved, before long The Luxcast was born, primarily through the tireless efforts of Communications Coordinator Megan Rice, along with ideas and inspiration from Andy Bast of the Development office and Dr. Chuck DeGroat.

The popularity of The Luxcast has soared, and tens of thousands of people have viewed different episodes. There’s always something interesting going on in the world of The Luxcast, and our goal to create a publication has turned into a combination videocast/podcast that shares delight, wonder, and great conversations with a curious world.

14 15

Available via podcast or video: Seasons 1, 2 and 3.

Timothy Brown on why scripture memorization matters

Anne Zaki on the Church in the East and the West

Frank Thomas on clergy burnout

Daniel Castelo on the “problem” of evil

Rachel Held Evans on being the spiritual voice of a collective

theluxcast.org

The Building Project—a $15 million goal

• Replace the library with a 21st century learning center

• Build a new front entrance and administrative office space

• 21,100 sq. ft. of renovation to existing buildings

• 16,865 sq. ft. of new construction

• Renovate classrooms

• Renovate 60 year old kitchen and Commons area for Community Kitchen and seminary events

• Bring facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Endowment Project—a $10 million goal

• Increase funding for more student scholarships

• Strengthen scholarship funds specifically to support racial-ethnic students

• Endow the faculty fellow program that brings racial-ethnic scholars to WTS

• Build up the endowment of nine existing chairs to meet current costs

• Provide funds for ongoing faculty development

• Establish a fund to maintain existing and new facilities

Almost there! • $14.5 million pledged toward the Building Project ($7.2 million received)

• $10.3 million pledged toward the Endowment Project ($3 million received and $7.3 million pledged in future gifts)

$500,000 to go!

Years of preparationA four year process and massive coordination effort prepares for construction

Groundbreaking, May 9, 201716

It takes a lot of planning and adjusting to renovate 21,100 sq. ft. and build 16,865 sq. ft. of new construction, all with the goal of holding classes and maintaining business “as usual as possible” for the duration of the project.

To do this, Beardslee Library needed to carefully analyze its collection to prepare for the new learning center that will be built and to make room for an entire floor of temporary staff offices.

In addition, every room in the 1950s portion of the seminary had to be cleared out completely, and 47 employees had to purge and downsize their offices to move to temporary quarters for 18 months.

By the end of June, the seminary was ready.

2014

Beardslee Library staff begin the deaccession process.

2,444 books removed with alternative access (such as e-books)

2015

7,928 books removed with alternative access

300 volumes moved to Special Collections

3,552 bound volumes of print periodicals removed

2016

4,260 books removed

At this point, 20,358 items have been evaluated and 27% of them retained by the library.

2017

6,200 books along with bound periodicals, the curriculum collection, and the Japanese collection are sent to storage.

1,848 boxes packed up

42 pallets stacked and wrapped

70,000 books are shifted to fit on floors 2-4 of the library.

de·ac·ces·sion - n. the removal of (an item) from the listed holdings of a library, museum, or art gallery.

The last book is packed up!

The student work crew moves 47 offices. President Brown moves into his new office on the mezzanine level of the library.

2,400 linear feet

of materials sent to storage

1,345 linear feet

deselected from collection

17

Financial ReportOperational Fund

Revenue:

Draw on endowment .........$2,406,723

Gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, and churches ...2,672,067

Tuition ..................................2,007,094

Auxiliary enterprises & other ....147,685

Total: ................................$7,233,949

28%

37%

33%

2%Tuition

Endowment

Gifts

Auxiliary

Expenses:

Instructional ........................$3,524,073

Admin./Institution ...............2,250,693

Advancement ..........................708,229

Student Services ......................579,655

Admissions ..............................405,036

Total: ................................$7,467,686 47%Instructional

30%

Administration/InstitutionAdvancement

9.5%

8%5.5%

AdmissionsStudentServices

Origin of gifts to operating fund:

Individuals ..........................$1,307,041

Foundations/Corporations .......775,520

RCA Assessments ....................286,794

Churches ................................193,446

Alumni/ae ...............................109,266

Total: ................................$2,672,067

Gifts to all funds:

Our New Day campaign ......$4,256,590

Seminary Fund (operating) ....2,672,067

Endowment /Restrict. Funds...1,303,800

Donor-advised student aid .......402,971

Annuity funds* ..........................61,830

Total: ................................$8,697,258

It was a marvelous year in terms of donor support and market returns, but

it was also a year of challenge. We received cash gifts of $8,697,258, of which

$6,025,091 was directed toward non-operating funds, outlined in the second

graph below. Our investments did very well, returning over 14%. However,

partially because donors turned their enthusiasm to the building campaign, the

operating fund closed the year in deficit. We are deeply grateful for the funds

we have received from our faithful donors and from new friends interested in

the work the seminary is doing.

* This reflects the gift portion of the annuity contract.

18 19

IDENTITYWestern Theological Seminary is an evangelical and ecumenical community of faith

and learning in the Reformed tradition that serves the church of Jesus Christ.

In covenant with the Reformed Church in America, Western equips men and women

for Christ-centered, biblically based, theologically integrated,

culturally competent, and mission-oriented Christian leadership.

MISSIONIt is the purpose of Western Theological Seminary

to prepare Christians called by God to lead the church in mission.

VISIONBy 2020, Western Theological Seminary will be a nationally recognized center

forming leaders to empower, renew, and plant congregations and ministries that

participate in God’s ongoing redemptive work in the world.

Programs Offered:

Graduate Program for Christian Educators

Graduate Certificate in Urban Pastoral Ministry

Graduate Certificate in Disability and Ministry

Master of Arts

Groundbreaking, May 9, 2017 The progress by September

Master of Divinity (in-residence and distance learning)

Dual Track Master of Divinity - Master of Social Work

Master of Theology

Doctor of Ministry

Carol Ann BaileyLaurie Baron Andy BastDavid BeckerBen BossTamara Buikema Pam BushCarla CapotostoGrace Miguel Cipriano Melissa Conner Dana DanielsChris DeVos

Norman Donkersloot Pat DykhuisKathy Ehmann Jill English Kerry Eshenaur C.J. Kingdom-GrierTheresa Hamm Doug HonholtRob Housman

Shanna HousmanMary Huisman Stephen Michaels

Jeff MunroeAnn NieuwkoopTiffany Nordé Jan NyhofJoseph Ocasio Amanda Palomino Libby PearsonRayetta PerezMark PoppenMegan RiceSara RussellJeanette Schipper

2016-17 WTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Mr. Kris DePreemoderator

Rev. Dr. James Poit vice-moderator

Ms. Karen Barker secretary

Ms. Chris Crawfordtreasurer

Rev. Dr. Tom DeVriesex-officio

Rev. Eddy AlemanRev. Abram BlaakMr. Kermit CampbellDr. Sandra DeYoungRev. Gail EbersoleRev. Newton FairweatherRev. Dr. Andrea Godwin- StremlerMr. Wilbert HamstraRev. Dr. Kenneth HarrisMr. Robert HilaridesMr. Philip MillerRev. Cora TaittMs. Carol Van AndelRev. Lisa Vander WalMr. James VeldRev. Brian VriesmanMrs. Carol Wagner

THE 2016-17 STAFF OF WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Beth SmithLee Ann SotokKaty SundararajanGlenn SwierGretchen TorresAllison Van LiereSteve VanderMolenJames Vlisides Evonne WernlundCherri WesthouseMuhammad Illyas ZadranLannette Zylman-TenHave

ALUMNI/AE ADVISORY BOARD

Jonathan Elgersma ‘01Faith Reformed ChurchZeeland, MI

Joe Graham ‘14Harbor ChurchesHudsonville, MI

Elizabeth Hardeman ‘04American Reformed ChurchOrange City, IA

Taylor Holbrook ‘86Hopewell Reformed ChurchHopewell Junction, NY

Marcus Roskamp ‘09Faith Reformed ChurchLynden, WA

Jess Shults ‘04Standale Reformed ChurchGrand Rapids, MI

Brett VanderBerg ‘11First Reformed ChurchAplington, IA

Jill VerSteeg ‘03Reformed Church in AmericaGrand Rapids, MI

Matt Waterstone ’08, ‘13First Reformed ChurchSouth Holland, IL

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EQUIPPING LEADERS, CHANGING LIVES101 East 13th Street, Holland MI 49423-3622

ph 800.392.8554 westernsem.edu

Published by the Advancement Department of Western Theological Seminary, October 2017