SPRING 2026 Volume 14 Issue 1
BUILDING ON A FAITHFUL FOUNDATION 02 THOMAS WHITE | Cedarville's president reflects on the rich legacy of biblical education at the institution and shares more about how Cedarville Theological Seminary will shape the future of graduate theological education. SBTS PROFILE: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH 06 Explore the people, programs, and milestones that define Cedarville’s School of Biblical and Theological Studies. FROM MANUSCRIPT TO MINISTRY 16 What happens when academic writing is driven by ministry-minded purpose? Dr. Trent Rogers discusses how publishing shapes Cedarville students and supports the mission of the local church. His perspective reframes writing as an act of ministry. DAUGHTERS OF THE KING 24 ALYSON (SCHROLL) PUNZI ’19 | How does Cedarville celebrate and encourage women’s unique roles in ministry? Biblical studies alumna and MDiv student Alyson Punzi shares the robust experiences of the faithful women preparing to lead and serve wherever God calls. A LIFETIME OF HOLY MOMENTS 26 Dr. Dan Estes shares his story, prayer advice, and passion for students in this interview honoring his continued faithful service at Cedarville across more than 40 years. 02 24 18 EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK 18 MARK LEEDS | Graduates of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies are stepping into a wide range of callings, from global missions to church plants to local churches. Their personal stories reveal how a Cedarville degree equips graduates for effective ministry. READY FOR THE WORK. ROOTED in the WORD. In this issue of Cedarville Magazine, we announce an exciting new chapter for the School of Biblical and Theological Studies: Cedarville Theological Seminary. From its earliest days, Cedarville has faithfully equipped pastors, missionaries, church planters, and ministry leaders to serve the Church with biblical conviction and Christlike character. As you read these pages, we pray you are encouraged that the Lord continues to grow His Kingdom here — one student and one heart at a time. “ Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37–38
Editor Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Managing Editor Rachel (Rathbun) Benefiel ’23 Creative Director Chad Jackson ’05 Photographer Scott Huck Art Director and Graphic Designer Craig Salisbury ADMINISTRATION President Thomas White Senior Advisor to the President Loren Reno ’70 Chief of Staff Zach Bowden Vice President for Academics Tom Mach ’88 Vice President for Advancement Will Smallwood Vice President for Athletics Chris Cross Vice President for Business and Chief Financial Officer Chris Sohn Vice President for Enrollment Management Scott Van Loo ’98 Vice President for Marketing and Communications Janice (Warren) Supplee ’86 Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Bob Lutz ’01 Vice President for Student Life and Christian Ministries Jon Wood OUR MISSION Cedarville University transforms lives through excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority. OUR VISION For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ Cedarville Magazine is published spring, summer, and fall and mailed free of charge to alumni and supporters of Cedarville University. 1-800-CEDARVILLE • cedarville.edu Direct inquiries and address changes to: Cedarville Magazine Cedarville University 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314 cedarville.edu/magazine magazine@cedarville.edu 1-800-CEDARVILLE READ ONLINE! Visit cedarville.edu/magazineSP26 on your computer or mobile device. CHAPEL NOTES 30 Chapel is the heartbeat of Cedarville and one of our students' favorite campus experiences. Here's a glance at what our class of 2026 experienced in chapel during their 1000 Days at Cedarville! ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 32 The need for solid shepherds and faithful ministry leaders has never been greater — and Cedarville is dedicated to meeting the need. How can your giving shape the Church in the decades to come? JACKETS FOR LIFE 34 Explore involvement opportunities, community updates, and a unique opportunity to encourage Cedarville alumni in missions around the world. IN EVERY ISSUE YELLOW JACKET SPORTS 38 From Tajikistan to the Yellow Jacket tennis team, biblical studies major Diana Ivanikhina’s journey is only possible through the Lord’s providence. Hear her story and catch up on Yellow Jacket news in this sports update. CAMPUS NEWS 40 New programs and partnerships are just part of the news you’ll find in this issue! Plus, you’ll see a snapshot of campus through our Bolthouse building update and winter play spotlight. BETWEEN THE LINES 46 Get your pencils ready — how much do you know about the history of the Bible? Test your knowledge in this issue’s Between the Lines. IN CLOSING: FOCUSED ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION 48 TRENT ROGERS | The Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies shares his continued commitment to equipping students through the Word for effective Kingdom work. 30 38 1
Local churches across the country are asking a sobering question: Who will shepherd the next generation? Recent research highlights a real challenge in the leadership pipeline: § Barna reports that 71% of senior pastors agree they are concerned about the quality of future Christian leaders. § Barna also notes there are now more full-time senior pastors over age 65 than under age 40. § Christianity Today reports that about one in four pastors hopes to retire before 2030. Christ has promised to build His Church, and He will remain faithful to that promise. Yet Scripture also teaches that God ordinarily works through calling, affirmation by local churches, and careful preparation for ministry. God has already been using Cedarville to help meet the need. Since the 1953 merger with the Baptist Bible Institute, Cedarville has offered undergraduate Bible education. In 2014, we began a Master of Ministry degree, and in 2016, we launched a Master of Divinity degree. This fall, of the 390 students in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies, we had 211 students in graduate theological programs. To date, we have graduated 186 students with graduate ministry degrees and thousands with undergraduate Bible degrees. Continuing our long-time commitment to serve the local church and enhancing our efforts to meet growing needs, we enthusiastically announce the launch of Cedarville Theological Seminary. BY THOMAS WHITE BUILDING ON A FAITHFUL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCING CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 2
Our aim is simple and unapologetic: to train men and women who are mastered by the Word of God and prepared to serve Christ’s Church with conviction, humility, and joy. 3
Our aim is simple and unapologetic: to train men and women who are mastered by the Word of God and prepared to serve Christ’s Church with conviction, humility, and joy. This is not a departure from our mission but a natural extension of what we have done for decades. A FOUNDATION THAT SHAPES EVERY CEDARVILLE GRADUATE For decades, Cedarville’s School of Biblical and Theological Studies has anchored the University in biblical authority and theological clarity. One of the most distinctive expressions of this commitment is our Bible minor. Every undergraduate student — regardless of major — completes five Bible and theology courses, including Bible and the Gospel, Old Testament Literature, New Testament Literature, and Theology I and II. This shared foundation shapes nurses, engineers, teachers, scientists, business leaders, and artists to be producers rather than just consumers in their local churches. We expect students to be actively involved in local congregations during their time at Cedarville, and we gather five days each week for chapel as a community shaped by worship, preaching, and Scripture. Our Student Life and Christian Ministries team brings a discipleship mindset to residence life and every aspect of a student's experience outside the classroom. These rhythms reinforce the message that Christian formation is embodied, communal, and oriented toward the church. My expectation is that every faculty member in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies teaches at least one course in the Bible minor. Teaching thousands of undergraduate students requires more Bible scholars than most Christian universities our size, providing the breadth and depth that make the launch of a seminary both possible and responsible. The Bible minor will always remain at the core of what we do, and its quality and impact will only increase as we continue to attract and retain faithful, world-class faculty. Many students discover a deep love for God’s Word through these courses. Some sense God’s call to vocational ministry and either transfer into the Master of Divinity program or return after graduation to pursue further theological training. A robust, passionate Bible minor serves our students, the local church, and ultimately the Kingdom of God well. ESSENTIAL TO A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY History teaches that Christian institutions do not remain faithful by accident. Many of America’s most prominent universities began as schools for theological training and pastoral preparation. Over time, most drifted from their founding commitments and abandoned “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Their hallways now echo with the assumptions of liberalism and postmodernism, and their theological education often prioritizes human wisdom over the Word of God. This drift does not happen suddenly. It occurs when institutions loosen their grip on core doctrines: the authority of Scripture, penal substitutionary atonement, and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It happens when general revelation or tradition is considered equally as authoritative as special revelation and when academic respectability is prized more highly than doctrinal fidelity. In a fallen world, institutions naturally drift left; it takes conviction, courage, and intentionality to remain anchored by the cross. The primary human means God uses to prevent such drift is a strong and faithful Bible faculty. Approximately ten percent of Cedarville’s faculty serve in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. These are men and women of deep piety and serious scholarship — trained in the biblical languages, attentive to theological nuance, and committed to living lives shaped by the Gospel. They serve in local churches, participate in missions, disciple students, and model postures of obedience worthy of imitating. We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to train students who submit humbly and joyfully to God’s Word and who love Christ’s Church. We will train text-driven preachers and leaders who will proclaim Christ and serve His people well. 4
Beyond their teaching, our Bible faculty help the entire campus think biblically about its task. Through the Center for Biblical Integration, faculty across disciplines are equipped to reflect on how God’s Word informs their academic fields. Every tenured faculty member must articulate a biblical worldview and demonstrate how that worldview interacts with their discipline, documenting areas they must reject, redeem, or affirm based on the foundation of Scripture. Truth is not compartmentalized at Cedarville; it is applied across every field of study. THE VISION FOR CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Cedarville Theological Seminary grows directly out of these convictions. We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to train students who submit humbly and joyfully to God’s Word and who love Christ’s Church. We will train textdriven preachers and leaders who will proclaim Christ and serve His people well. We are intentionally evangelical and firmly rooted in the historic Christian faith. We affirm the Bible as God-breathed, authoritative, and sufficient. We hold to the historical truthfulness of Genesis, including a literal six-day creation, the reality of Adam and Eve, and marriage as one man and one woman in a complementary covenant relationship. We affirm humanity’s fall into sin and our universal need for redemption. We proclaim Christ crucified and risen: salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, grounded in His penal substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection. We confess the blessed hope of His return as King, when He will reign and make all things new. We do not apologize for God, dilute the Gospel, or seek to make Christianity more acceptable to the spirit of the age. This message is precisely what our world, our nation, and our churches need. LOOKING AHEAD God’s Kingdom is vast, and Cedarville University is only one small part of it. We are grateful for faithful men and women serving Christ across denominations, institutions, and contexts. We count it a privilege to serve alongside them. Cedarville Theological Seminary represents the next faithful step in our mission to transform lives through academic excellence and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority. We desire to train generations of students who will stand firmly for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ, serving His Church as faithful stewards until King Jesus returns. Thomas White is President of Cedarville University. He earned his PhD in systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ask The President: HOW ARE CEDARVILLE’S SEMINARY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO SERVE THE LOCAL CHURCH? The Master of Divinity is our most rigorous degree and will remain residential. Pastoral formation is more than the transfer of information; it’s benefited by mentorship, worship, community life, and supervised ministry alongside academic rigor. The master's-level curriculum includes intermediate Greek and Greek syntax, nine credits of Hebrew, and two years of Old Testament, New Testament, and systematic theology courses. This demanding program equips students with the tools necessary for a lifetime of faithful, Word-centered ministry. For those called to ministry later in life or already serving in local churches, relocation for residential study may not be feasible. The online Master of Theological Studies provides accessible theological training for pastors, elders, missionaries, staff members, and lay leaders who need biblical depth without stepping away from current responsibilities. The program combines academic instruction alongside partnerships with local churches to ensure theology remains connected to ministry practice with emphases in biblical counseling, biblical leadership, ministry, and worship and theology. 5
RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES 6
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP DR. TRENT ROGERS, PhD Dean, Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek JONATHAN ARNOLD, DPhil Associate Dean, Professor of Theological Studies JEREMY OLIVER, MDiv Director of MTS Programs, Assistant Professor of Applied Theology BILLY MARSH, PhD Director of MDiv Programs, Professor of Theology FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS 27 FIRST GRADUATING CLASS 1954 390 TOTAL SCHOOL ENROLLMENT NUMBER OF ALUMNI 2,412 MISSION The School of Biblical and Theological Studies (SBTS) trains students in the Scriptures for Christian life and ministry. of 2025 biblical and theological studies graduates were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. CAREER PLACEMENT RATE 100% 7
PROGRAMS OF STUDY THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES OUR THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION For the School of Biblical and Theological Studies and new Cedarville Theological Seminary, theology is not theoretical — it is the foundation for faithful ministry. Cedarville's doctrinal statement and the affirmation of three historic biblical declarations reflect our unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture and the central truths of the Christian faith. These convictions shape our teaching, guide our scholarship, and prepare graduates to serve the Church with clarity, courage, and conviction. §Cedarville University Doctrinal Statement - view at cedarville.edu/doctrinalstatement §Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy §Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood §Nashville Statement on Sexuality UNDERGRADUATE: § BA in Biblical Studies § Biblical Counseling § Biblical Languages § Biblical Literature § Historical Theology § Missions § Philosophy and Theology § Teaching Ministry § Theology § Women’s Ministry § Worship § Youth and Family Ministry §Accelerated BA in Biblical Studies + MDiv §BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (online) §BA in Biblical and Theological Studies + MTS (online) §Minor in Bible (required for all undergraduate majors) GRADUATE: §Master of Divinity (MDiv) § Bible Translation § Biblical and Theological Studies Research § Biblical Care and Counseling § Church Planting and Revitalization § Ministry Leadership § Missions § Pastoral Leadership (male students only) § Women’s Ministry (female students only) § Worship and Theology § Youth and Family Ministry §Advanced Master of Divinity §Master of Theological Studies (MTS) (online) § Biblical Counseling § Biblical Leadership § Ministry § Worship and Theology §Graduate Certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies §Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling §Graduate Certificate in Leadership §Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership 8
BIBLE MINOR PROGRAM DETAILS: §Program Level: Undergraduate §Program Delivery: In person and online §Credit Hours: 15 §Completion Time: Four years alongside every undergraduate major from Cedarville. COURSES: §Bible and the Gospel §Old Testament Literature §New Testament Literature §Theology I §Theology II FACULTY SPOTLIGHT DR. CHRIS MILLER Senior Professor of Biblical Studies Dr. Chris Miller has served at Cedarville since 1991 and is well-loved by students across campus as a professor of one of the Bible minor’s foundational courses: Old Testament Literature. In this foundational course, students learn to see God’s redemption story in every book and page from Genesis to Malachi. Dr. Miller’s engaging teaching style and careful approach to biblical exposition have triggered eye-opening moments for more than three decades of students. Cedarville University's conviction is that God has spoken in the Bible, and that fact should radically affect every facet of our lives. This is the passion behind how we teach all courses in our Bible minor — the required foundation of every undergraduate major. In the Bible minor, Cedarville students learn what God says in the Bible and how each word changes the way they should live their Christian lives. The Bible minor is the vital core of the SBTS and the University as a whole, helping each student read God’s Word rightly and respond joyfully, becoming both hearers and doers of the Word. ACCESS BIBLE MINOR CONTENT FREE ONLINE Looking for resources for your Bible study or small group? Hoping to refresh your own study of the Word? Cedarville’s Bible minor course videos and resources are available free and on-demand through the online Bible Minor Project! Start your studies today at cedarville.edu/BibleMinorProject. GET TO KNOW OUR BIBLE AND THEOLOGY PROGRAMS 9 CEDARVILLE.EDU/BIBLEMINOR
BA IN BIBLICAL STUDIES The SBTS delights in equipping students for ministry. For decades, Cedarville has offered four-year undergraduate degrees that prepare students to serve Christ well in their local churches and parachurch ministries. All residential biblical studies students build on a core of foundational Bible and theology courses. Then, they have the chance to prepare for their unique calling through a concentration tailored to any of 11 ministry areas. Cedarville’s biblical studies majors may graduate in four years, prepared to be producers for Christ’s Kingdom and serve Him all their lives. Many undergraduate students choose to pursue the biblical studies accelerated program, which leads directly into the MDiv. This eliminates the overlap that has historically existed between undergraduate and graduate Bible and theology degrees, saving students time and money. In five years, students graduate from Cedarville with both their BA and MDiv. PROGRAM DETAILS: §Program Level: Undergraduate §Program Delivery: In person §Credit Hours: 128 §Completion Time: Four years (or five years with the Accelerated BA+MDiv program) CONCENTRATIONS: §Biblical Counseling §Biblical Languages §Biblical Literature §Historical Theology §Missions §Philosophy and Theology §Teaching Ministry §Theology §Women’s Ministry §Worship §Youth and Family Ministry FACULTY SPOTLIGHT DR. JEREMY KIMBLE Professor of Systematic and Applied Theology Dr. Jeremy Kimble teaches theology and preaching courses, helping his students understand how the Word shapes their lives and ministry. With a strong commitment to preaching and the believer’s role in the local church, he emboldens his students to become passionate producers in their churches after graduation. Along with his classroom work, Dr. Kimble founded The Synergy Initiative, a program designed to help Cedarville students pursue church planting and revitalization ministry after graduation. THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES 10 CEDARVILLE.EDU/BIBLICALSTUDIES
ONLINE BA IN BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES PROGRAM DETAILS: §Program Level: Undergraduate §Program Delivery: Online §Credit Hours: 126 §Completion Time: Four years FACULTY SPOTLIGHT J.R. GILHOOLY, PhD Professor of Philosophy and Theology Dr. J.R. Gilhooly serves as professor of philosophy and theology and director of the honors program. As the architect of Introduction to Christian Thought — a foundational course that equips students with the tools to think in a Christian perspective — Dr. Gilhooly brings depth, clarity, and theological rigor to the student experience. Always among students' favorites in the classroom or when he speaks in chapel, Dr. Gilhooly's teaching challenges students to think carefully and faithfully, grounding their studies in the Bible. Through his leadership and course design, Dr. Gilhooly has helped extend Cedarville’s commitment to thoughtful, biblically faithful education to students beyond campus. A life of faithful ministry starts with knowing and loving God’s Word. In the fully online Bachelor of Arts in biblical and theological studies, students explore the whole story of Scripture, build a strong theological foundation, and learn practical skills they will use in ministry. This fully online degree program — the newest offering from the SBTS — is ideal for anyone who wants to grow spiritually and make an eternal impact, whether they feel called to vocational ministry, missions, Christian education, biblical counseling, or simply a deeper understanding of the Bible. The University also offers an accelerated pathway from the online BA in biblical and theological studies directly to the online Master of Theological Studies, allowing for completion of both degrees in five years or less. CEDARVILLE.EDU/BABTS 11
CEDARVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Continuing a history of faithfulness in biblical education, Cedarville Theological Seminary (CTS) is dedicated to advancing God's mission in the world by serving the local church. Students will benefit from theological depth and practical ministry experience in every program and graduate ready to serve with conviction, humility, and joy. Q&A: Why is now the right time to launch Cedarville Theological Seminary? The launch of a seminary continues the consistent and sustained history of faithfulness in biblical education that has been a hallmark of Cedarville going all the way back to when the college was chartered in 1887. Our ministryfocused graduate programs have seen growth, and a seminary education is recognized as the standard for ministry preparation. Does this change mean Cedarville is changing its vision for theological education? Not at all! In fact, this change helps our naming align with our vision! Seminaries primarily train pastors and church leaders — they are focused on ministry, not just academics. Transitioning to a seminary in our name helps us communicate more clearly that our priority is and always has been about serving the local church by equipping Christian men and women to know, teach, and live God’s Word. How will the seminary be organized within the University? Cedarville Theological Seminary will be housed under the umbrella of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies with Dr. Trent Rogers serving as dean. Which programs will fall under the seminary? Only Cedarville's graduate ministry programs will be a part of Cedarville Theological Seminary. Currently, that includes a residential Master of Divinity (MDiv) with 11 concentration options and an online Master of Theological Studies (MTS) with focused studies in biblical counseling, biblical leadership, ministry, and worship and theology. Will the new seminary take focus away from the Bible minor and other Bible programs? Absolutely not! The Bible minor is a distinctive of a Cedarville education and is central to our commitment to strengthening churches by training committed church members. All SBTS faculty members will continue to teach in the Bible minor with a pastoral heart. Will there be seminary-specific faculty? No. All seminary faculty will be part of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies and will continue to teach at the undergraduate level. We value excellence in teaching the Bible, whether it's in introductory coursework or advanced study. THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES THE NEXT CHAPTER IN BIBLICAL EDUCATION Cedarville has taught students to understand and share the Word of God since its founding in 1887. § 1894: Cedarville begins instructing students in Bible and theology § 1953: All students are required to take the Bible minor § 2014: Cedarville launches Master of Ministry (MMin) § 2016: Cedarville launches Master of Divinity (MDiv). First graduate ministry program offered online (MMin) § 2019: Bible Minor Project makes Bible courses available for free online § 2025: Graduate Master of Theological Studies founded § 2025: Online undergraduate Bible program launched to serve students worldwide § 2026: Cedarville Theological Seminary announced 12
13 Pursue your calling at cedarville.edu/seminary Choose the kind of biblically centered preparation that equips you for a lifetime of faithful ministry.
MASTER OF DIVINITY (MDiv) PROGRAM DETAILS: §Program Level: Graduate §Program Delivery: In person §Credit Hours: 61–79 §Completion Time: Two to three years, depending on MDiv pathway. CONCENTRATIONS: §Bible Translation §Biblical and Theological Studies Research §Biblical Care and Counseling §Church Planting and Revitalization §Ministry Leadership (MDiv+MBA Pathway) §Philosophy and Theology §Missions §Pastoral Leadership §Women’s Ministry §Youth and Family Ministry FACULTY SPOTLIGHT DR. WILLIAM (BILLY) M. MARSH Associate Professor of Theology; Director of MDiv Programs As director of the MDiv, Dr. Billy Marsh teaches several classes within the program and oversees students’ ministry internships. He has made significant contributions to Reformation studies and Martin Luther studies. Dr. Marsh is a lifelong student of the Word who passes on a deep passion for theology to his students, preparing them to rightly interpret, share, and treasure the Word of God. Ten years ago, we launched the Master of Divinity, and it has quickly become the SBTS's flagship program. Each MDiv student is equipped with a thorough understanding of the Bible, skills to teach effectively, and a disposition to be shaped by the Bible. We prepare each student to be a minister of the Word with over 40 hours of practical ministry training, including a concentration that matches their calling. THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES PATHWAYS: §BA+MDiv Accelerated Pathway: Earn both your BA in biblical studies and your MDiv in just five years. §Advanced MDiv: Transfer up to 30 credits of undergraduate coursework to your MDiv so you can complete your MDiv from any undergraduate major. §Traditional MDiv: Complete in-depth theological study and practical ministry training in this three-year program. CEDARVILLE.EDU/MDIV 14
ONLINE MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (MTS) PROGRAM DETAILS: §Program Level: Graduate §Program Delivery: Online §Credit Hours: 36 §Completion Time: One to two years CONCENTRATIONS: §Biblical Counseling §Biblical Leadership §Ministry §Worship and Theology FACULTY SPOTLIGHT PROFESSOR JEREMY OLIVER Assistant Professor of Applied Theology, Director of the MTS Program Professor Jeremy Oliver brings a diverse background in history, pastoral ministry, secondary and higher education, and biblical counseling to his role as director of the MTS program. He serves as a council member for the Biblical Counseling Coalition and a board member for Soul Care Consulting. Within the biblical counseling concentration, Professor Oliver teaches several specialized courses, imparting his love for others and historical perspective on soul care to his students. The Master of Theological Studies provides our online graduate students with exceptional preparation for their ministries of choice. Every student takes 15 hours of classes in Bible and theology, then branches out for specialized ministry training in biblical counseling, biblical leadership, ministry, or worship and theology. The MTS is built on Cedarville’s decade-long history of offering the Master of Ministry and helps our students follow clear pathways to specific fields of ministry. CEDARVILLE.EDU/MTS 15
CLOUD OF WITNESSES Dr. Jonathan Arnold and Zachariah M. Carter Learn from the wisdom of believers throughout history in this carefully compiled collection of prayers and petitions throughout Church history. BEFORE YOU GO Drs. Matthew Bennett and Josh Bowman (men’s edition) Emily Bennett (women’s edition) These collections of essays from missionaries serving around the world will prepare, embolden, and encourage men and women seeking to serve God through global missions. 40 QUESTIONS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE Dr. Jeremy Kimble Enrich your understanding of your role within the church through this insightful teaching on some of the most common questions about church membership and discipline. ANGELS AND DEMONS Dr. J.R. Gilhooly Separate popular belief from biblical truth on a topic rarely discussed from the pulpit: angels, demons, and spiritual beings. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 16
their fields because they want to teach with excellence and shape their classrooms' scholarly conversations toward honoring Christ. Students benefit by learning from professors who are faithfully advancing their disciplines. When you look at the books our faculty have written, what common message or theme do you see running through them? The underlying theme of their books is that God has spoken through the Bible and that it is our job to listen and obey. Their writing is dedicated to helping others comprehend the Bible, live in submission to the Bible, and understand how others have interpreted the Bible. How can readers use these books to grow in their own faith or ministry? SBTS faculty members write enough to keep the printing presses busy. Their writing ranges from very technical academic projects to more popular-level books. The scope of their writing includes a variety of topics: Bible commentaries, missions, historical theology, and practical theology, to name a few. Whatever a reader’s background, these books offer tools to understand Scripture more deeply and to serve Christ and His Church more faithfully. A CONVERSATION WITH DR. TRENT ROGERS FROM MANUSCRIPT TO MINISTRY What does it mean to do research that builds up the church, not just the classroom? Faculty write with multiple audiences in mind. Some books serve the pews, directly encouraging and instructing church members. Others serve the pulpit, equipping pastors and ministry leaders. Still others serve the lectern, shaping academic discussions that ultimately influence churches. Together, these works strengthen the church at every level. Why is it important for professors to be both scholars and people who care deeply about the church? Those who are training others for ministry must model personal commitment to their local churches. Our School of Biblical and Theological Studies (SBTS) professors are committed not only to their students and their academic disciplines but even more so to ministering within their local churches. All of our faculty serve in their local churches in a variety of ways. How does the writing and research of our professors strengthen the student experience within the School of Biblical and Theological Studies? Research sharpens a teacher’s knowledge of the field, and writing sharpens a teacher’s ability to communicate. The SBTS faculty value publication in RAISED IN SPLENDOR Dr. Jason Alligood In this encouraging work, Dr. Jason Alligood shows believers how the hope of glorification transcends the trials they face today. THE QU’RAN AND THE CHRISTIAN Dr. Matthew Bennett This work combines insights from Muslim-background believers, secular scholars, and missionaries to Muslims to help the modern believer understand Islam’s key text and reach Muslim friends and neighbors. HANDBOOK ON THE WISDOM BOOKS AND PSALMS Dr. Daniel Estes Dig deeper into the context, structure, and flow of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs — and grow in both your knowledge and delight in Scripture. 5 6 7 17
18 BY MARK LEEDS EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK
19 Every passage of Scripture is marvelous, but there are some passages we marvel at most of all. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 is one such passage for me, especially the end of that text, where God tells us that it is His inspired Word that equips us for every good work.
Do we want to share the Gospel with a lost family member? His Word equips us for that. Prepare to become a pastor? Serve our families? Rejoice with those who rejoice? Weep with those who weep? Endure persecution? Give up our very lives for the Gospel? His Word equips us for all of that and so much more. What amazes me about that text is how many different types of good works the Bible is sufficient to equip us for. Do we want to share the Gospel with a lost family member? His Word equips us for that. Prepare to become a pastor? Serve our families? Rejoice with those who rejoice? Weep with those who weep? Endure persecution? Give up our very lives for the Gospel? His Word equips us for all of that and so much more. One of my joys in serving at Cedarville is seeing God’s Word prepare our students for so many good works that they cannot all be named. We take that assignment as a high calling in the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. Attend any lecture on the doctrine of special revelation, and 2 Timothy 3:16–17 will be at the heart of the presentation. It is impossible to write about all the good works Cedarville students are prepared for and are now carrying out across the world. But I reached out to a handful of current students, faculty, and alumni to learn how time at Cedarville equips students for every good work. Here are just a few of the stories they told. KNOW, GROW, AND GO When the pastoral staff of Grace Baptist Church in Troy, Ohio, led the church through the development of a new logo, they knew from the start it had to prominently feature the Bible. That’s how Grace Baptist does everything. Drop in on a Sunday morning for worship, and you’ll find the songs are Wordcentric. Listen in to the sermon or attend Sunday School week after week, and you’ll hear whole books of the Bible covered from start to finish. So in the end, they decided on a logo that shows a flourishing tree rooted in the Bible with the words, “know. grow. go.” “It’s the Word of God that transforms lives, not our human strength,” say pastors Chuck Pausley (MMin ’24), Jeff Kliewer (MMin ’22), and Luke Brittan (BA and MDiv ’21). Although their educational journeys differed, each one was equipped at Cedarville for ministry through the Bible. For Brittan, the text-driven curriculum had the greatest impact. For Kliewer, it was learning about the sufficiency of Scripture for counseling, and for Pausley, seeing how God empowers the leaders of His church made the biggest difference. All three find strength for the challenges of ministry in 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” THE WORD DOES THE WORK Right across the street from Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, is a place where many have found true liberty: Gospel Grace Church. Believers and unbelievers alike are drawn to the church as a beacon of light in a dark place. “Christians deeply feel the need for fellow believers in underreached areas,” says Chris Hile (BA and BS ’21, MDiv ’24). “The initial excitement of being a part of a church plant can soon wear off, and we desperately need each other so we don’t grow weary in doing good.” 20
When believers turn to Hile for hope in ministry, he turns to Scripture. “There can be a lot of pressure to perform when you’re surrounded by so many lost people, but God has taken the pressure off of us because the Word does the work." When believers turn to Hile for hope in ministry, he turns to Scripture. “There can be a lot of pressure to perform when you’re surrounded by so many lost people, but God has taken the pressure off of us because the Word does the work.” Hile identifies this focus on the Word as a hallmark of Cedarville’s MDiv program. He fondly remembers his time in class with Dr. Michael Shepherd, Professor of Biblical Studies, who taught him to cherish the Bible, properly interpret it, and teach it faithfully to others. When Hile thinks of his role as a minister of the Gospel, he often reflects on 2 Corinthians 3:6, where the Scripture tells us that it is God alone who makes us “sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant.” A HIKE UP ENSIGN PEAK Taking a hike up Ensign Peak might not be the first thing you’d think to do on a missions trip to Salt Lake City. But if you ever go on a summer youth trip with Josh Taylor (BA ’17 and MDiv ’24), that’s exactly what you’ll do. “I want the students to catch a sense of the need for the Gospel in Utah,” says Taylor. “From the very top, you can see Temple Square, downtown Salt Lake City, and a population of several hundred thousand people who need the Lord.” For many of the students who hail from Cedarville, Ohio, this trip is their first time encountering a multitude who’ve never heard the Gospel. That overlook reminds Taylor of the scope of Jonah’s missionary work. “The population of Nineveh was approximately the same size as the population of this valley in Utah. Just as God had a heart for the people of Nineveh, I want our students to see that God has a heart for Salt Lake City too.” Taylor’s time in Cedarville’s Master of Divinity program cultivated his passion for missionary endeavors. Multiple classes with Drs. Matt Bennett and Josh Bowman, both professors of missions and theology, helped Taylor to trace God’s mission for the nations throughout Scripture. He reminds his own students that when they share the Gospel, they are a part of God’s greater plan revealed in His promise to Abraham: that all nations would be blessed through him — a promise fulfilled in the Great Commission. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? Cedarville students often talk about putting their “yes” on the table before the Lord. But if that willingness to be obedient is to come to fruition, it 21
has to meet intentional conversations about specific opportunities. That’s where the Synergy Initiative and its coordinator, Will Galkin (BA ’25 and current MDiv student), come in. “Students participating in The Synergy Initiative meet every other week in small groups all across campus to ask one simple question of the Lord: ‘What do You want me to do about the lost in cities like Boston and Salt Lake City, where only 2% of the population is saved?’” But Galkin doesn’t just pose that question; he leads students to learn the hard facts about what it takes to serve in a church plant. Students consider a future in church plants through virtual meetings with church planting pastors and recent Cedarville graduates now serving in church plants. Through those conversations, many Synergy Initiative participants choose to go on missions trips to largely unreached cities with the hope of relocating there after graduation. Galkin’s passion for church planting began with his own family’s church planting efforts, but it only intensified during his time at Cedarville. Collaborating with Dr. Steve Dye and Dr. Jeremy Kimble has instilled in Galkin a desire to walk in the footsteps of Paul, who says in Ephesians 3:7, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace.” OVERWHELMED BY THE GREATNESS OF OUR GOD Somewhere on the other side of the globe, a mother leads her young daughter to the local temple for the first time. There, the girl learns just how to hold her hands and just what words to say as she worships the idol before her. This scene has played out across the millennia all over the world, but Cedarville students on missions trips to South Asia see it for the first time when traveling with Dr. Josh Bowman, Associate Professor of Missions and Theology. “I want my students to be overwhelmed by the lostness in the world,” says Bowman. “But I also want them to be overwhelmed by the greatness of our God, the power of His Gospel to save, and the way He equips us for ministry through Scripture.” Students don’t just encounter the lost on these trips but also faithful and persecuted local believers who are willing to sacrifice everything for the Gospel. Bowman reminds his students of Jesus’ heart for the nations by “ I want my students to be overwhelmed by the lostness in the world,” says Bowman. “But I also want them to be overwhelmed by the greatness of our God, the power of His Gospel to save, and the way He equips us for ministry through Scripture.” 22
Mark Leeds serves as Associate Professor of Theology. He earned his PhD in theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. turning to John 17:21, where Jesus prays for the unity of believers “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” CORRECTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH By the time students reach the fifth week of their missions trips to the Middle East, the harsh reality of life in the field sets in. And that’s exactly what Dr. Matt Bennett, Associate Professor of Missions and Theology, is hoping for. “I want them to get past the ‘I could eat this food for the rest of my life’ phase and into a little microcosm of the challenges faced by missionaries,” says Bennett. He highlights things like the difficulty of learning a new language, starting Gospel conversations in hostile environments, and correctly handling the Word of truth in cross-cultural settings. Bennett’s heart is for students to see both the magnitude of the missionary task and what it takes to prepare well for a lifetime of service. “I want them to realize that if you’re going to be sent by a local church and receive the donations from lots of people who want the Gospel to be proclaimed, you have to be equipped for that good work.” THE WORD IS FOR US Cedarville is well known for its vision statement: “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” And just as Cedarville is for the Word, we also recognize that the Word is for us to equip us for every good work. Whether those works are found in the local church by pastors and lay leaders, in church plants all around the country, or even across the international mission field, the works may be many, but the equipping is singular: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, emphasis added). Cedarville is well known for its Vision Statement: “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” And just as Cedarville is for the Word, we also recognize that the Word is for us, to equip us for every good work. 23
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING HOW CEDARVILLE PREPARES WOMEN FOR MINISTRY BY ALYSON (SCHROLL) PUNZI ’19 24
Alyson (Schroll) Punzi ’19, a biblical studies alumna and current MDiv student, serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Advancement. Cedarville’s women’s ministry students share a passion and a goal. Each student desires a deeper knowledge of God’s Word that she can share with those around her. And each will be a vital part of the discipleship of the church described in Titus 2. It wasn’t until Dr. Erin Shaw attended seminary that she fully learned — and lived — the Bible’s beautiful role for women in Gospel proclamation. Now, Shaw shares her enthusiasm with classrooms of students from across campus as an Associate Professor of Women’s Ministry. Shaw and fellow women's ministry faculty members Joy White and Rachel Kimble show these students the beauty of complementarian theology and prepare them for vocational ministry roles and faithful service in their local churches. Some of the young women they teach are earning their undergraduate degrees in biblical studies or studying in the MDiv program. Others are minoring in women’s ministry or adding electives to their non-Bible majors to prepare for faithful service in their local churches. Whatever their majors and career goals, Cedarville’s women’s ministry students share a passion and a goal. Each student desires a deeper knowledge of God’s Word that she can share with those around her. And each will be a vital part of the discipleship of the church described in Titus 2. Shaw is dedicated to equipping these students to serve the church in a plethora of ways. PREPARING FOR KINGDOM CALLING Female Bible alumnae could face practical challenges when they graduate and look for their first non-pastoral ministry roles. But Cedarville’s School of Biblical and Theological Studies (SBTS) helps female students connect with their future churches even before graduation day. Each year, the SBTS asks area churches and ministries attending their Ministry Fair to offer jobs and paid internship opportunities specifically for women. Cedarville's Women in Bible program encourages and equips female Bible students by inviting outside speakers, hosting events, and coordinating prayer partners. Approximately 50 students each year receive one-on-one discipleship and professional mentorship from a faculty member, staff member, or spouse through a mentorship program. Women in Bible surrounds these students in community so they know that they are not alone in their studies or ministries post-graduation. Cedarville alumnae are working in incredibly diverse areas in local church and parachurch ministries. These women teach other women the Word, lead small groups and Bible studies, provide counseling, develop curricula, write books, teach ESL, and work with at-risk youth. Some lead women’s ministries, children's ministries, or missions ministries. Others work for pregnancy resource centers, prison ministries, or publishing companies. Many are preparing to join church planting teams, serve in Bible translation, or continue their education as PhD candidates. Cedarville’s goal for these alumnae is that they may each live out their callings in their homes, churches, and communities for the glory of God alone. NO GREATER JOY Looking to the future, Shaw can’t help but be excited at the growth she’s seen. Two years ago, there were only eight female MDiv students; today, there are 22. Not only is enrollment growing, but alumnae are coming back to share about the inspiring ways that they are serving the Kingdom of God with the students who will soon follow in their footsteps. When Shaw sees what God is doing through the faithful ministry of her students and alumnae, she is filled with joy. She resonates with what John described in 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.” 25
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A LIFETIME OF HOLY MOMENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. DAN ESTES For more than 40 years, Dr. Dan Estes ’74, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, has faithfully taught and prayed for students at Cedarville University. As one of the longest-serving professors at the institution, Estes sat down with Cedarville Magazine to reflect on the lessons God has taught him and his students through decades of ministry. What first led you to transition from the pastorate to becoming a professor? One day, my senior pastor was speaking in Cedarville’s chapel. I came with him, and after chapel, Dr. Gromacki came up to me and said, “We've just received a new position, and I'd really like to have you come and join us now.” When I came back to campus for the official interview, I was really trying to seek the Lord's direction. There were two things that particularly stood out. First, I had a meeting with Dr. Dixon, and he laid out for me the ministry of discipleship that I could have in working with my students and sending them out literally all over the world. That really got my attention. A few hours after that, I had to teach a class. It was the first time I’d ever taught a formal college class, and it just was so natural; it was so delightful. I just felt the pleasure of the Lord as I was doing it, and I thought, “Yes, this is such a perfect fit.” What about your work has sustained your long teaching ministry? Teaching undergraduate students is the niche that the Lord has for me. This period of time is when all of the biggest life questions are right there on the table. I get to see a student come in as an 18-year-old and then see them when they graduate — they have made this transition in their lives, morally, intellectually, spiritually. I love that age group. And then I have the chance to do my research and writing, which is focused on Psalms and wisdom literature. I'm able to write resources here that are literally going all over the world, and it's my students who have been the first to receive it. 27
What do you enjoy about teaching students from all different majors? My Psalms and wisdom lit courses are mainly juniors and seniors. And these are non-Bible majors. This semester, I've got all different majors, and so it's fun, because God's Word is intended for the people of God, not just for the “Theo Bros.” It's a joy to prepare them for life and have the Bible speak to their interests and concerns and questions as an accountant or as someone in communications or athletic training. They live in very different worlds, and yet the Bible speaks to all of those things well. What differences do you notice between the freshmen and upperclassmen you teach? The freshmen are starting to clarify what needs to happen, and we see some progress through the Bible and the Gospel semester, but it takes time for maturity to take place. By the time they get to be juniors and seniors, you see things starting to really come together in their thinking and in their life. And you can't speed that process up. It just takes time for the Holy Spirit to help them to really process it. But it is exciting to see a student I had as a first-semester freshman, and then I see them spring semester of their senior year, and it's like, “Wow, you've grown up so much.” It is just a delight. Do you see your Bible and the Gospel students coming to faith or developing their faith in significant ways? What I see is coming to Christlikeness. A lot of students have gotten the idea that, “Oh, I asked Jesus into my heart when I was seven, and I'm going to go to heaven when I die. And that's the whole story.” They are missing out. And so I really challenge them to become complete in Christ and talk about what God is doing to accomplish that and what we need to do in response to what God is doing. To see them making those steps in that direction is really rewarding. How did you begin your ministry of prayer for your students? Well, there are probably three steps to that, the first back when I was in seminary. One Sunday night, I went with my mom to visit an old woman in my home church. She showed me a map of the world with a whole bunch of pins stuck in it, and she said, “These are the people I pray for each day.” Well, that planted a seed in my mind about praying for other people. I took the second step about 20 years ago when I started asking my students the first day of class to write me a letter just describing their lives. And as I did that, it just helped me to understand them better. The third step was probably a little over 10 years ago, where I said, “Okay, could I help my students better if I also write them a note every so often just to tell them I'm praying for them that day?” It's just a little thing, but it's like the proverb that says a good word does good like medicine. I try to write those notes of encouragement so that the student reads it and realizes, “Oh, hey, my profs are praying for me here,” and that can just encourage them to keep at it. As you equip your students to be future church members, what advice would you give them about establishing a discipline of faithful prayer? We tend to think of prayer as what you do when someone has cancer or someone is facing an operation. But praying for one another in a routine can really draw us close together, heart to heart. God has called us in Ephesians 6 to have the opportunity to pray for all the saints. I think it's an untapped resource that we have in the Church. What could it do to revolutionize a unit in a college dorm or a class or a small group or a church? Just really praying intentionally for one another on a daily basis. The bond of Christian brotherhood or sisterhood that you get is just really profound. And if we could get a web of interlocking prayer for one another, that would just provide such strength within the Church. It's a joy to prepare them for life and have the Bible speak to their interests and concerns and questions as an accountant or as someone in communications or athletic training. They live in very different worlds, and yet the Bible speaks to all of those things well. 28
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