Updates, Events, and Publications
ATS ALUM NAMED PROVOST OF MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Clarenda Phillips (M.Div. ’08) was recently named to a position in a new institution. Here is the press release.
Missouri State University has named Dr. Clarenda Phillips as the university’s next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
She will begin on July 1.
Phillips has more than 30 years of higher education experience. She previously served in the same role at two prior universities.
“Dr. Phillips’ deep understanding of higher education and her experience, enthusiasm and vision made her the clear choice for Missouri State,” said MSU President Dr. Richard B. Williams.
“What impressed us most was her commitment to making higher education accessible and valuable for all students, particularly those who started but never finished their degrees. Her strategic vision of leveraging technology while maintaining personal connections with students is exactly what Missouri State needs as we work to demonstrate our value in today’s changing landscape.”
Phillips is the Texas A&M University System lead for Re-Imagining STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Equity Utilizing Postdoctoral Pathways. She previously served for six years as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, as well as the same role at Notre Dame of Maryland University from 2016-18.
“I’m excited to serve at Missouri State because I see tremendous potential for us to redefine the higher education value proposition together,” said Phillips. “This is a university where people continuously learn, grow and evolve –where we can figure it all out and innovate together.
“With the public affairs mission, we can bridge divides among diverse students while investing in faculty, embracing technology and building community partnerships. I’m eager to work to ensure our graduates make a real difference in their communities.”
Before working at Notre Dame of Maryland University, Phillips was associate vice president of academic affairs (2012-16) and department chair of sociology, social work and criminology (2007-12) at Morehead State University. Since 2023, she has worked with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as faculty for the Academy of New Provosts.
She has a bachelor’s in sociology from DePauw University, a master’s and doctorate in sociology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Phillips was one of five finalists considered for the position.
FOURTH BOOK PUBLISHED BY ATS GRADUATE
Rev. Dr. Robert S. Hallett, a 1974 MDiv graduate of ATS, has just published his fourth book: Stories from the Pastor’s Rocking Chair: Teachable Reflections on Real Life Ministry Experiences.
The back cover summary states:
One of the things that cannot be taught in seminary is on-site experience in real-life ministry situations. In addition to his own pastorates, Dr. Hallett has worked with hundreds of other pastors in their own churches helping them to address their local church issues. In this work, he, and his friends, reference hundreds of such instances that are combined into 66 vulnerable real-life stories. Then they draw teachable reflections to help ministers learn from the experiences of other pastors who have already walked in their shoes. These are not academic platitudes, but “life as it really happens” insights that can be transferred from one generation to the next. Every pastor can glean Biblical principles of pastoral ministry from these stories, and lay leaders can gain an unusual glimpse into what their pastors encounter in both their life and ministry.
Biography:
Dr. Robert S. Hallett is a Pastor to Pastors currently serving with Healthy Pastors Ministry, as well as a local hospital Resource Chaplain. His ordination is in The Wesleyan Church, and he has served in ministry since 1962 in Canada, USA, and overseas in many different denominations and independent churches. He has served in 10 different types of ministry, including pastoring 7 churches, serving as a church consultant for 40 years, worked with over 350 pastors, and raised over $350 million in church capital campaigns. His formal studies have been at Liberty University (DMin – 2010), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv – 1974), Anderson (IN) University School of Theology; Indiana Wesleyan University (BA – 1969), and Kingswood University (Ministerial Diploma – 1967). He lives in Indiana with Carol, his partner in marriage and ministry for over 55 years. Check www.TLCMinistries.com; www.TheHealthyPastors.org; and www.40Nutshells.com. His desire is to help equip pastors with solid Biblical and ministry principles so they will know how to address their own real life ministry situations.
Other publications include:
- A Pastor’s Guide to Developing Disciples, Givers, & Stewards – A Pastor’s handbook about addressing discipleship, stewardship, and carnal nature issues from a pastor’s perspective (2014);
- Discipleship in 40 Nutshells – A six week brief and concise daily devotional about many of the different applications of discipleship and stewardship (2019); and
- Discipleship in 40 Nutshells – Leaders Guide – This includes support material for leaders, and turns the devotional book into five small group Bible studies of eight weeks each, plus two extra (2020).
All four books can be found on Amazon.
THE NEW THRIVE WEBSITE AND ASBURY HERALD
We are excited to announce the newly improved and updated Thrive website! This site is the new home to Thrive with Asbury Seminary and Voices, as well as current and past editions of the Herald. Also, check out great free resources for your life and ministry from ThriveU, Women Thriving in Ministry, and Fountain! Visit thrive.asburyseminary.edu.
ELAINE FRIEDRICH, PH.D (M.A.R. ’85) PUBLISHES MAKE EVERY DAY MATTER
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
As we look at the average lifespan, we have about 80 years which translates into 29,200 days. The older we get, the more significant each day becomes!
In Make Every Day Matter: 101 Ways to Live Intentionally with Purpose, Presence, and Peace, Dr. Friedrich takes the idea that believers are stewards of our lives. Taking that a bit further, she looks to be intentional in each area of life and looks at how to make investments in each of these capitals: spiritually, physically, relationally, intellectually, and financially.
The book gives 101 practical ideas to live with intention and to live out our kingdom calling. These small, yet impactful ways invite the reader to make every day count as stewards of the one and only life we have this side of heaven.
- Spiritual Capital: To help us grow in our kingdom calling, by investing in ways that help us grow in our relationship with God.
- Physical Capital: To honor our body as a temple of the Holy Spirit by taking care of our health and fitness to experience a vibrant and impactful life.
- Relational Capital: To establish and cultivate relationships to show the love and compassion of Christ in all our connections.
- Intellectual Capital: To develop our mind and talents by learning, seeking wisdom, and using our abilities to serve others in a way that pleases God.
- Financial Capital: To manage our resources well by being a good steward of the blessings God has given, give generously and use finances to further God’s kingdom.
Make Every Day Matter is a useful reference for Christians who want to know how to live a purposeful, intentional life with 101 practical ways how to make capital investments in each area of life that will last for eternity.
Here is the link to order the book on Amazon. Elaine’s passion is to help Christians discover their kingdom calling through speaking and training. Contact her to speak at your church at elaine@schoolofintentionalliving.com or go to www.schoolofintentionalliving.com.
DISTINGUISHED ALUM OF THE YEAR TO BE HONORED IN CHAPEL
Dr. James Heidinger, ATS ’67, ’01, was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2024. In recognition of this achievement, he will be honored in chapel at ATS on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. If you can attend in Wilmore, feel free to do so. Otherwise, follow THIS LINK and tune in online at 11:00am.
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