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Archive for the ‘Meet A Rockbridge Seminary Online Student’ Category
Meet Rockbridge Seminary student Kyle Bueermann as he talks about moving from a traditional seminary seated experience to online seminary.
Read more about Kyle and his experience at Rockbridge.
Rockbridge Seminary student Nils Smith (twitter) talks about his Rockbridge experience and being able to continue to serve in his ministry at San Antonio while going to seminary.
Dr. Hopelyn M. Brown earned the Bachelor of Social Work degree at Oral Roberts University, the Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Strategic Leadership degrees at Regent University. She teaches “Developing the Focused Life.”
My Hometown: Born in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, Jamaica; currently live in Maple Ridge, BC (Vancouver Area) Canada.
My Family: Married to Audley, parent to 3 grown boys (16, 22, 24)
My Church: Christian Life Assembly, Maple Ridge, BC.
My Ministry: Life Purpose Coaching/Training – Coaching and instructing Christian women in leadership. CBWN – Christian Business Women Network – Helping Christian business women to connect and network within their communities.
One word that describes me: Faithful
In my spare time: Read, go for walks, spontaneous adventure drives, play scrabble with family
My favourite Bible verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
My spiritual hero: Deborah
My vision: Transforming Lives into purposeful living
What I like most about Rockbridge Seminary: The learner-directed approach and its interactive community of learners
Rockbridge Seminary Graduate Scott Mills talks about his favorite part of seminary being how he immediately applied what he learned from his projects and mentors to his ministry.
Rockbridge Seminary student Chris Tripputi defines a true “Rock’r” and how he has applied what he learns immediately to his ministry.
Decide which degree is best for you.
Check out the demo course to get a feel for online learning.
Name: PJ Holmertz
Hometown: West Des Moines Iowa
Academic Program: MDiv
My family: Drop dead gorgeous, supportive and part-time proof reader wife Emily, the blond tornado of talk – Sarah (3 yrs), our jolly bump on the carpet – Aiden (10 months)
My church: Valley Church – West Des Moines Iowa, not a perfect church but as close as they come
My ministry: My job description lists me as a Ministry Associate of Care and Counseling. I help to facilitate congregational care through our Stephen Ministry, Marriage Matters and midsized group care structure. I also do the bulk of our premarital counseling. Along with this I am working with the men’s ministry and African ministry. There are plenty of other things that come to us as assigned.
One word that describes me: Disciple
In my spare time: Seriously, spare time?
Favorite Bible verse: Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”
Spiritual hero: Martin Luther
Vision: To encourage and equip the body of Christ for effective ministry internally and externally.
Why I applied to Rockbridge Seminary: After achieving my undergraduate degree in Bible Theology I knew that I wanted to work towards my Masters degree. I also knew that I wanted to begin developing my skills in the context of the local church. I was able to find a ministry position that was a dream come true but I wasn’t able to find a seminary nearby that I could attend to attain my Masters degree. When I found Rockbridge I knew that it would fit my needs perfectly and it would give me practical training along with a solid biblical foundation for my ministry.
What I like most about Rockbridge Seminary: I have found that every course at Rockbridge has been immediately applicable to my ministry. In college I often found myself learning great theory but forgetting it as soon as the class was over because I didn’t have opportunities to use that information. At Rockbridge the information I have learned has stayed with me because I am acting on that information as I learn it. I can not only look back at a particular course but at the effects that that course had on my ministry at that time. With every course I become a more effective minister of the gospel.
Name: Randy Millwood
Hometown: Owings Mills, MD (From ATL, GA, originally – long, circular route to find ‘home’ in the Mid-Atlantic)
What I teach at Rockbridge Seminary: Students! [Seriously, I work with our 'fellowship' department courses, and lead the small groups course]
My family: Adele (my administrative assistant, ministry partner, high school sweetheart, best friend and wife of 33+ years); 2 adult sons (Josh and Caleb) – both married to our ‘daughters-in-life’ (Josh to Elena and Caleb to Abigail). Caleb and Abigail are the parents of our first grandchild (a boy named Axel) and Josh and Elena are expecting our 2nd (a girl to be named KayLee… at least for now). We also cater to the needs of one old, spoiled Corgi.
My church: Horizon Church… a 7 year old congregation reaching, largely, 20 and 30-somethings in the burbs of Baltimore.
My ministry: In addition to working with RS, I am a coach/friend to leaders of churches in the ‘Baptist’ tradition, affiliated with the Baptist Convention of Maryland & Delaware. I work with those pastors/staffers in areas such as the nurture and care of their own souls, the development of ‘team’ strategies/equipping those teams, and continuing education. I also come alongside of their churches to encourage and offer assistance with relational spiritual formation designs and small group (off-campus) ministries. In my Church, Adele/I have been serving as small group leaders.
One word that describes me: oxymoron
In my spare time: I watch/follow major league baseball, count the days from taking down Christmas decorations until I can put them back up again, love a good wooden roller coaster, and dance around the house to virtually all forms of music. I am learning ways to use Twitter these days, and am a plodder when it comes to reading… but I plod along!
Favorite Bible verse: That is very dynamic, but right now I’m spending lots of time around the implications of John 14:26 — “But when the Father sends the Advocate (counselor) as my representative — that is, the Holy Spirit, HE will teach you everything and HE will remind you of everything I have told you.”
Spiritual hero: Barnabas (hands down)
Vision: I want to help… to help pastoral leaders find rhythm that recognizes the Voice of God, and courage to follow Him… to help churches think more organically and missionally rather than always ‘counting’ and ‘gathering’… I want to help.
Why I teach for Rockbridge Seminary: The RS strategy builds indigenous leaders for local churches… it provides a way for people who submit life to God in Christ to rise up through a local churches discipling strategies to own the vision of that Church – to equip their friends, neighbors, work associates and family members. I like that! The strategy is also built around solid adult learning pathways (the focus of my own personal study has been in adult learning and so few schools equip men/women for ministry informed by such). Third, mentorship and practice are weaved into every course… that means holistic growth rather than one sided growth. Finally, the peer learning community, born out of common reading and dynamic dialog, meets the Holy Spirit in His role as ‘Teacher’. Fantastic! Who wouldn’t want to be part of something like that?!
What I like most about Rockbridge Seminary: I am constantly surprised with the depth of relationships that are formed in these online courses and the power of lessons discovered (rather than ‘told’) through the dialogs. Students from all over the world wade out into confessional living and challenging learning dialogs and then carry those practices into their congregations. This cannot help but impact the health of those local churches. Anything that is so ‘Bride-building’ is a good way to invest life.
Name: Mark Lake
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/marklake
Hometown: Orange Park, FL
Academic Program: Master of Ministry Leadership
My family: Wife Jennifer, daughter Gwyneth (6), sons Evan (3) and Wyatt (2)
My church: Celebration Church
My ministry: I am a volunteer at Celebration Church. My regular job is as an aerospace engineer for F-18 aircraft. I serve as an usher, group leader, pastoral care giver, recovery group leader, and church life strategist. I love to serve in the local church and see people set free!
One word that describes me: busy!
In my spare time: I love to learn and read. Reading gives us access to such great minds that we would never have the chance to converse with personally. I love the outdoors, spending time with my family, and playing guitar.
Favorite Bible verse: Among many, I especially like Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (I recommend looking up “condemn” in the dictionary. It’s great to know that none of those things apply to us when we are “in Christ”!)
Spiritual hero: AW Tozer
Vision: I have a vision to plant a church here in Orange Park, FL. I am praying and preparing for when God appoints the proper time. In the meantime I am enjoying where I am at and learning from a great church and great people.
Why I applied to Rockbridge Seminary: I felt God calling me to learn more so that I could better serve Him. I have found that not only do I need to learn more to serve Him better, but I need to know Him deeply, experience Him daily, and understand that my true identity is found in my relationship with Jesus.
What I like most about Rockbridge Seminary: I love the interaction with other students. I think the forums actually require more communication than I have ever experienced in a traditional classroom. I have learned so much from other students here at RS. I love that the professors are more than just teachers in an institution; they are engaged in ministry positions in the real world and offer practical wisdom from their experience. I love that what I learn is practical and can be immediately implemented into my life and ministry. I love that it is online because I am not able to move away or quit working in order to attend seminary.
Name: Burl Spears
Hometown: Poteau, OK
Academic Program: MDiv
My family: Sarah (wife), three daughters
My church: Immanuel Baptist Church
My ministry: Worship leader, 101-301 Instructor, Bible Teacher (just starting a Precepts course)
One word that describes me: Bassman
In my spare time: Take Rockbridge courses. Play in an oldies rock band with old friends from high school
Favorite Bible verse: Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had disciplined himself to study the law of the Lord, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
Spiritual hero: Jesus – David
Vision: I want to see the church I grew up in become the church God intended it to be. I desire to be a part of a ‘make-over’ that will see the church centering on making disciples and sending them out into their lives to bring others to Jesus.
Why I applied to Rockbridge Seminary: I like the Purpose Driven format even though five purposes seem hard to remember for most people. But it looked to me like Rockbridge was trying to make a real difference in church life and not just maintain the status quo.
What I like most about Rockbridge Seminary: ON-LINE!! I do miss classroom face to face and relationship building face to face. The forums allow for that somewhat. But to get the quality of education that I am with Rockbridge is worth the long hours typing at the keyboard.
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