Asbury is a Family Affair: The Legacy of the Van Valin Family
THANK YOU, ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
It began in the fall of 1951 when Clyde Van Valin entered Asbury Theological Seminary as a junior student, the first of the Van Valin tribe to enroll. He and his wife Bea lived in a tiny trailer by a small stream near where the current Sherman-Thomas Student Center sits. Bea now resides in Wesley Village, Wilmore. Clyde’s brother, sister-in-law, son, and son-in-law are all alums.
Three years ago, Jackson Moore arrived on the same campus and on May 19 he received his MDiv from ATS and will soon pastor a Free Methodist Church in Kokomo, IN along with his wife and children. Jackson’s grandfather, granduncle, uncle and cousin are all ATS grads.
In between the first and most recent grads, 12 others of the extended family have passed through the halls of Asbury “the logical” Seminary. They have included pastors, missionaries, a bishop, Christian education workers, chaplains, world-wide gospel workers, creative ministry leaders, Free Methodist college-church pastors, inner city pastors, and denominational leaders. Somewhere north of 400 cumulative years of ministry comprise their devotion to Christ’s Kingdom.
Here are their names: Clyde E. Van Valin, H. Frank Van Valin, Forrest Van Valin, Harry Winslow, Rodney Jones, Ann K. Van Valin, John E. Van Valin, Richard Chase, John Mark Van Valin, Wendel C. Van Valin, Steve Pavey, Keith Winslow, John David Van Valin, Jackson Moore.
Ann Van Valin celebrated her ATS Golden Grads festivities this past May and her husband John’s is coming in 2019. They are the only Van Valin married couple to both have graduated from ATS.
In reflecting on this story, John states: “This family owes a deep debt of gratitude to Asbury Theological Seminary; for godly modeling of qualified professors, the inspiring fellowship of students committed to Jesus, the establishment of solid theological and biblical foundations and for instilling a life-long commitment to ministry and learning…all received at this beloved institution. It is indeed humbling to reflect on the story of our family and ATS. May there be many similar and greater stories of God’s blessing in the future. For us, the title ‘And Can It Be?’ also carries an earthly meaning.”
John E. Van Valin
Our favorite is John Mark VanValin! – an amazing gift of God to Spring Arbor for 15 years.
– and though his wife, Linda, did not graduate from.ATS, she has been a model for many as a strong Christian disciple-example, and great compliment to ministry.
Ditto Dottie Miller! John Mark Van Valin’s authentic walk with and devotion to the Lord Jesus has fueled his passion for preaching with contagious disciplines that his congregation, in turn, share missionally. Completely, trustworthy and biblical is the highest praise I can think of. Big smile and hugs for the John Mark Van Valin family!
The Legacy of the Van Valin Family and the Winslow Family will multiply with profound blessings as per guidance from the Holy Spirit……………