From Interim President, Dr. Gene Mayhew
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- Our largest graduating class (40) and highest student enrollment (269) in MTS history.
- Professor Raju Kunjummen presenting academic papers at the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in Providence, RI and later this summer in Rome, Italy.
- Faculty member Brian Tucker successfully defending his doctoral dissertation at the University of Wales.
- Steady growth of our Counseling Clinic under the direction of Dr. John Restum and Dr. James Wood, and supported by over a dozen MACP graduates and student interns.
- Increase of our library collection to over 75,000 volumes.
- MTS students working on the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation and also with the University of North Carolina on the Mount Zion Dig.
- MTS graduate Scott Kennaugh serving with the 82nd Airborne as a military chaplain in Afghanistan with four other MTS graduates and students also working towards the goal of being military chaplains.
- Dr. Gene Mayhew’s publication of his Encyclopedia of Messianic Candidates in Judaism, Samaritanism and Islam (2009).
- Advancement of scholarship programs, including the launch of the Diamond Scholarship.
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June, 2009
Dear Friend of MTS,
As Interim President of MTS, I want to urge you to participate in the continuing and growing mission of MTS as we serve our community here in Southeast Michigan and beyond.
During economic times like these, it is good to remember that the vast majority of evangelical churches and seminaries made it through the Great Depression era. They survived and flourished because, during those tough financial years, God's people remembered and honored His commands and mission for the Church.
The first Christian seminary mentioned in history was the School of Tyrannus in Acts 19:8-10. It was located in Ephesus, and the Apostle Paul taught there for two years. What stands out is not just the fact that there was a seminary and Paul was one of the professors, but the passage informs us that as a result of the seminary’s instruction, the Roman province of Asia Minor (western Turkey) heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Michigan Theological Seminary exists today to carry out the mission that Paul started with the School of Tyrannus.
On May 16, MTS had a tremendous commencement ceremony. Pastor Bob Johnson of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville challenged the graduates to minister to others through servanthood and service (John 13:5-11). Then, nearly 40 MTS graduates received a white towel (symbolizing their desire to serve others) along with their degree. The commencement ended with the large crowd giving the graduates a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. At one point during the ovation, I glanced back over my shoulder and saw several of the graduates crying and overwhelmed with joy over the challenge of the message and the encouragement from family and friends who joined them for this special ceremony.
The commencement was a time to reflect on their years of instruction and to look forward to a lifetime of service for our Savior Jesus Christ. Our hope and continuing mission is to ensure that our region and beyond will hear the Gospel and learn the Scriptures because of the time our graduates spent at MTS.
That is why I’m writing you today. While not all of us are called to be preachers, pastors, teachers or missionaries, all of us are called to serve. And a vital service you can perform today is to help MTS with your financial gifts and prayer. This form of service is so important to enable the work of MTS to train and equip leaders who are on the frontlines of ministry every day.
We need your help, especially now at a time when we know that you have many opportunities and requests for support.
We are in difficult times that are not only challenging in terms of the economy, but also troubling with respect to the assault on Christian teachings. Today, more than ever, we cannot afford to lose students who are gifted to serve, but no longer have the financial means to attend seminary. Your gift no matter the size will help a student in need continue the training they have already begun. So please be generous and know your gifts and prayers are a huge encouragement.
I will end this letter with the same sentiment in which it was begun. I have complete confidence in our Lord, Jesus Christ knowing evangelical churches and seminaries will make it through these difficult times because God's people like you remember and honor His commands by supporting the work done in His name.
Sincerely in Him,
Dr. Eugene J. Mayhew
Interim President