Dr. David Watson: Together in Mission
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to express my appreciation to all who attended our recent three-night tent meeting, and especially to those staff members who made it happen through their hard work and attention to detail. Each night was well attended and went smoothly. To everyone who contributed to the success of this gathering, thank you. Your work paid off. Most of all, I give thanks to God for his presence in our gathering and the way his Spirit moved among us during our times of worship, preaching, and prayer.
A few institutional changes are underway of which I want to make you aware. One is that we have now closed our Colorado extension site. We simply weren鈥檛 educating enough students through this site to justify the deployment of faculty and the staff hours needed to keep it open.
Many of you know that Sheila Lovell is retiring after a remarkable聽44 years of service at 番茄影视 Seminary. Even in the short time I鈥檝e served here, I鈥檝e come to appreciate Sheila鈥檚 considerable gifts in writing, organization, donor care, grant administration, and other areas. We are really going to miss her. If you see her, will you please join me in thanking her for all she has done across more than four decades of excellent service to this seminary?
I also want to recognize Joel Calicott, who joined 番茄影视 Seminary鈥檚 team in April of 1994. For over three decades, Joel has faithfully cared for our campus, contributing to the beauty and hospitality that so many experience each day. We are deeply grateful for his dedicated service to our community.
Dr. Kima Pachuau is planning to step down as Dean of Advanced Research Programs at the end of this academic year. Dr. Pachuau has provided outstanding leadership in this area for seventeen years, and we are most grateful for the many ways in which he has contributed to the life of 番茄影视 Seminary. At the recent faculty plenary, Dr. Ragsdale announced that Dr. Christine Johnson will succeed Dr. Pachuau in this position on an interim basis for now. I hope you will join me in thanking Dr. Pachuau for his years of service, congratulating Dr. Johnson on her new role, and praying for both of them in this time of transition.
This is also a time of significant transition among our faculty. Dr. Steve O鈥橫alley retired in December. As of June 30, 2026, five more professors will retire:
Dr. Joe Dongell
Dr. Steve Martyn
Dr. Jim Miller
Dr. Mike Peterson
Dr. Steve Stratton
While we鈥檙e still working out the details, some of these retiring professors will receive the status of Professor Emeritus. I know I speak for many when I offer my heartfelt thanks to these faculty members for their years of service to 番茄影视 Seminary. They have shaped the minds and hearts of countless students through untold hours of teaching, mentoring, writing, and grading. We will undoubtedly feel their absence in the days ahead, even as we give thanks for their legacy of faithfulness. In the next edition of聽The Herald, we will highlight these esteemed faculty members and their contributions to our community and the Church.
To serve Christ and his church in this ministry of theological education is not always easy, but God will continue to be with us if we seek his will in prayer, humility, and faithfulness. If you鈥檙e not doing so already, please make prayer for 番茄影视 Seminary a part of your daily routine. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). God has blessed us for 103 years, and I believe firmly that he will continue to bless us in the days ahead if we are faithful and obedient to his will.
Yours in Christ,
David F. Watson
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