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
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