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Let’s Celebrate the Saints Who Have Paved the Way!

Published Date: April 4, 2018

What does it really mean to walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us?

So often, we think of legacies in terms of the people who have passed on into glory already. We honor these saints because of the work they accomplished and the kingdom impact it has made. But, what about those who are still on this side of glory, watching us now?

Did you know that every year at graduation, Asbury Theological Seminary invites the 50-year graduating class back to campus, gives them a big pampering weekend, and honors their lives and contributions to the family of God?

This year, we welcome back class of 1968! This year is a record-making year, as we have more than double the normal number of attendees. Here are some of the names and faces who will be honored this year:

Rev. Howard Biddulph
Wilmore, Kentucky
Master of Divinity

After graduating from Asbury, Rev. Biddulph with his wife, Jan, and two preschool daughters left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in December of 1970 after two years of missionary internship and fundraising.  Howard and Jan attended language school in San Jose, Costa Rica during 1971. Rev. Biddulph and his family spent thirty-two years in Bogota, Colombia, evangelizing and church planting, which looked like nine years in university Bible studies, three years as field director for One Mission Society in Colombia, South America, and twenty years as founding pastors of Christian Fellowship Church, which has reproduced into pastoral teams establishing and leading a total of seven churches in Colombia and Uruguay. Having accomplished their mission of founding the Christian Fellowship Church, and feeling that the three dozen seminary trained leaders were being hampered by our missionary presence, Rev. and Mrs. Biddulph returned to the United States in order to live close to our parents in Fort Myers, Florida. There Rev. Biddulph became the Pastor of Spiritual Formation of New Hope Presbyterian Church, which broke off from the PCUSA becoming a congregation under the Evangelical Presbyterian Church USA denomination. Since June 2013 Rev. Biddulph and Jan have lived in Wilmore, Kentucky where they do mentoring at Asbury Seminary and University. They have two children, Lisa and Christy, and six grandchildren. Howard enjoys golfing, biking, and mentoring.  

Joyce A. Bowerman
Bronson, Michigan
Master of Religious Education

After graduating from Asbury, Miss Bowerman served by teaching and ministering.  She taught Art, Athletics, and Academics in public and private schools in Michigan, Indiana, and Kansas.  Miss Bowerman was the Administrator of Riverwood Ranch, a group home for delinquent teenage boys where their lives were changed.  She taught adult education classes including swim lessons, aerobics, drawing, pastels, and calligraphy at a local university and senior center.  Miss Bowerman served the American Red Cross in Michigan, Indiana, and Kansas as an Instructor Trainer for CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training, and swim classes.  Some creative and unusual methods of ministry that Miss Bowerman employed throughout the years are chalk art, ventriloquism, clowning, musical saw, and comfort dogs. Miss Bowerman currently resides in Bronson, Michigan, and enjoys walking a couple miles a day with her dog, swimming at the local YMCA, utilizing her hydroponic system in order to experiment with eating healthy, whitetail deer hunting using a muzzleloader and crossbow as well as field, dress, process, can and freeze deer on her old homestead since 1988.  She also has a 3000 book collection of many how-to-do-it, inspirational, and prophecy books. Miss Bowerman appreciates the Bible-centered instruction she received at Asbury fifty years ago that gave her a foundation for ministering to all kinds of people young and old.  Two of her favorite courses that built her confidence for ministry were voice lessons with Dr. Hallman and healing class with Dr. Stanger

Rev. Clarence G. Dishman
Bristol, Virginia
Master of Divinity

Upon graduation, Rev. Dishman was assigned Associate Pastor of Central Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Following this, he served as a pastor in Blountville, Tennessee; Floyd, Virginia; Richlands, Virginia; Abingdon, Virginia; and retired from the Grove UMC at Radford, Virginia, in 1998. After retirement, Rev. Dishman served as a part-time pastor at four United Methodist congregations. Rev. Dishman and his wife, Betty, currently reside in Bristol, Virginia.  They have three children, Ellen, Nancy, and C. Michael, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. At age eighty-six, Clarence currently serves as a part-time beef cattle farmer and fills pulpits when needed by pastors when they are away. Since graduation Rev. Dishman has returned to Asbury’s campus for minister’s conferences, the President’s Retreat, and other short visits. He affirms his love and appreciation for Asbury Seminary and the excellent training he received her from 1965-68. He states, “Praise God for Asbury Theological Seminary!”  

Dr. Roger J. Green
Danvers, Massachusetts
Master of Divinity

After graduating from Asbury, Dr. Roger Green went on to get this M.Th. from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. from Boston College.  Dr. Green is Professor Emeritus of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. He retired after forty-six years of teaching, and while at Gordon College he was Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies and held the Terrelle B. Crum Chair of Humanities.  He served for twenty-six years as Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries. Roger is a layperson in The Salvation Army, a member of the Army’s International Spiritual Life Commission, and the first layperson appointed to the Army’s International Doctrine Council.  Much of his scholarship has been devoted to the history and theology of The Salvation Army, and he has written many articles for journals, books, and encyclopedias. Dr. Green’s books include War on Two Fronts: The Redemptive Theology of William Booth; Catherine Booth: a Biography of the Co-Founder of the Salvation Army; and The Life and Ministry of William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, and he co-edited Boundless Salvation: The Shorter Writings of Catherine Booth; Settled Views: The Shorter Writings of Catherine Booth; and Word & Deed: A Journal of Salvation Army Theology and Ministry. Dr. Green was awarded the D.D. (honorary) from William and Catherine Booth College, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Gordon College, and is a member of several scholarly societies and boards.  Dr. Green serves as a research fellow to the Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research and represents The Salvation Army on the board and the steering committee of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. Dr. Green is married to his wife, Karen, and they currently live in Danvers, Massachusetts.  They enjoy travelling to Israel and travelling internationally for speaking engagements for the Salvation Army.

Rev. John B. Hawbaker
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Master of Divinity

Rev. Hawbaker spent all of his ministry in the Brethren in Christ Church. He served for forty years as a pastor or bishop. He is now completing ten years as the Regional Administrator for Brethren in Christ U.S. World Missions. Rev. Hawbaker enjoys assisting in teaching ESL classes at his local church and cultivating friendship with local Pakistani Muslim families.  He is passionate about clear biblical preaching and holiness camp meetings. His hobbies include birding and monitoring a trail of bluebird nest boxes as well as dabbling in languages. Rev. Hawbaker is married to his wife, Jolene. They have two children, Sheryl Bernot and Melanie Avila, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Mike Henderson
Wilmore, Kentucky
Master of Divinity

Dr. Henderson is married to his wife, Martha, and they have three children, Joe, Kathy, and Laura, as well as eight grandchildren. They currently reside in Wilmore, Kentucky. Both Mike and Martha have worked in pastoral ministries and higher education since graduation from Asbury. For the past thirty years Dr. and Mrs. Henderson have managed a mission called Heart of Africa through which they help their African friends accomplish their visions for ministry.

Rev. Robert Hinkle
Groveland, Florida
Master of Divinity

Rev. Hinkle joined the Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1968.  He pastored nine local parishes over thirty-nine years as well as two years with World Gospel Mission. Rev. Hinkle is married to his wife, Patricia, they have three children, Paul Robert, David John, and Mary Patricia, as well as five grandchildren. They retired to a home in Slovan, Pennsylvania in 2008, and in 2017 they moved to a new home in Groveland, Central Florida. Rev. Hinkle plans to continue as a Volunteer Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, and Ham Radio Operator WA3TWJ. He enjoys caring for their new home and property in Florida as well as assisting young United Methodist pastors.

Dr. David Housholder
Marietta, Georgia
Master of Divinity, Master of Theology (‘72)

Dr. Housholder married his wife, Linda, and they have two children, Paul and Rebecca, as well as six grandchildren. They currently reside in Marietta, Georgia, and David currently serves as the Communications Manager for the Ethnic America Network. He also enjoys bird watching, puppetry, ventriloquism, and digital ministry. After graduating from Asbury, David and Linda moved to India with Operation Mobilization until 1974. They then joined Interserve USA serving in India, Nepal, and Thailand. Dr. Housholder directed Ethnoserve, the Interserve USA ministry to the diaspora in the United States as well as served as the Senior Administrative Pastor of the first Asian Indian Baptist Church. He also taught at several schools in India including Woodstock School, Union Biblical Seminary and South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies.

Rev. Roger K. Keller
Kreamer, Pennsylvania
Master of Divinity

Rev. Keller pastored for thirty-nine years in North Dakota, Washington, and Oregon after graduating from Asbury.  He served as the Superintendent of the Oregon Conference for six years, on the Board of Trustees of Seattle Pacific University for thirteen years, on the Board of Trustees of Western Evangelical Seminary for six years, and also sold real estate and served as a Real Estate Broker for a retirement community developed and managed by college friends for six years. Rev. Keller is married to Monika, and they have two children, Steve and Brian, as well as four grandchildren. They currently reside in Kreamer, Pennsylvania, and are active in singing on worship team and teaching Sunday School in the Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Keller is the chair of the Small Group Task Force for their church, leads a small group, and assists in their Senior Adult Ministry. Roger enjoys working out at the local YMCA, playing with his electric toy train, doing word puzzles, and reading. He is passionate about seeing people come to Christ and growing in their walk with Him.

Rev. Isaac Kim
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Master of Divinity

After graduating from Asbury, Rev. Kim was ordained as an Elder of the Free Methodist Church.  He ministered at the local Korean Church in Chicagoland. He enjoys studying the Bible and World Church History as well as writing and publishing Christian columns in Korean. Rev. Kim currently lives in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. His wife has gone on to be with the Lord, and they had three children, Peter, Elizabeth, and Sung-In, as well as one grandchild. This April he is scheduled to visit several churches in Korea for the whole month as a guest preacher. He plans on speaking in order to incite a “wake-up” call to believers toward the study of the Bible and living a life filled with the Spirit of God. Rev. Kim says that by God’s power, he is currently reading and studying the Bible every two weeks and memorizing a score of key chapters and countless key verses from the Scriptures.

Kent E. Kroehler
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Master of Divinity

Rev. Kroehler served Christ through his ministry in the United Methodist Church.  He most recently served as the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Rev. Kroehler is now retired, but he continues to passionately serve on several Boards and Committees with attention to generosity development (teaching and coaching), education for South Sudanese children, the ministry of “Lost Boy” Jacob Guot (ATS ‘16), local church buildings, improving criminal justice for inmates of our county jail, and mentoring clergy (church finance, generosity development, and leadership). Rev. Kroehler’s wife is Joy, and they have three children, Timothy Kroehler, Kristin Newman, and Matthew Kroehler as well as seven grandchildren. Just last year, Kent and Joy sold their Lancaster home, downsized, and moved 3 miles to their new home at Woodcrest Villa in Lancaster.Kent and Joy are blessed to have very good health, connections with their children and grandchildren, friendships from Asbury University, ATS, and churches, and the privilege of global travel. They enjoy singing weekly in their church’s Chancel Choir, and Kent in the Wesley Singers (60-voice male chorus).  

Dr. Richard E. Maurer
Johnstown, Colorado
Master of Divinity

Throughout his ministry, Dr. Maurer pastored Free Methodist churches in Indiana, California, and Colorado from 1961-1992, and he served the Rocky Mountain Conference as Superintendent from 1992-2001. Dr. Maurer was a college professor and college trustee as well as a member of many denominational boards. Dr. Maurer retired in 2001; since then he has actively served as a volunteer minister in several churches and in his home church, Greeley Wesleyan Church, in Greeley, Colorado. Dr. Maurer and his wife, Judith, currently reside in Johnstown, Colorado. They have four children, Daniel (ATS 1988 grad), Pamela, Nancy, and Jonathan as well as thirteen grandchildren.  Dr. Maurer enjoys Bible teaching, golfing, hunting, fishing, being a visiting minister at mountain churches, and playing softball; he has a senior softball career of twenty-four years.

Rev. Herbert R. Osborne
Lexington, Kentucky
Master of Divinity

After he graduated from Asbury, Rev. Herbert Osborne pastored in United Methodist Churches across Kentucky in Oakland, Lancaster, Burnside, Covington, Pulaski County, and Anderson County.  Rev. Osborne moved to Lexington in 1976 and worked for three years for Kentucky Point Manufacturing Company, Jolar Suede Corporation, and JC Penney Company as a customer service representative.  Herbert became a certified chaplain and served at St. Joseph Hospital as a chaplain for ten years and as the Director of Chaplains for eight more years. Rev. Osborne retired from St. Joseph in 2003 and went to work for Hospice of the Bluegrass for four years before retiring in 2007. Rev. Osborne has been married to his wife, Fran, for fifty-two years, and they have two children, David and Brian. Herbert and Fran enjoy serving their Lord and Savior and being together.  They currently reside in Lexington, Kentucky, and are involved in the Church of the Savior in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Rev. Osborne also enjoys playing the piano, reading a lot, and attending a church home group on Friday nights.  

Chaplain John I. Owen
Syracuse, New York
Master of Divinity

After graduating from Asbury, Chaplain John Owen served as an elder in the Free Methodist church.  He served as pastor and police chaplain in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1968-1977; pastor, police chaplain, and board member for Olive Branch Mission in Chicago, Illinois, from 1977-1979; senior pastor in Rockville, Maryland from 1979-1981; associate pastor in Seattle, Washington, from 1981-1982; founder and executive director with the Washington State Patrol for the Crisis Chaplain Corps in Seattle, Washington, from 1982-1987; pastor in Salamanca, New York, on Senena National Indian Reserve from 1987-1988; senior pastor and police chaplain in Buffalo, New York, from 1988-1997; police and crisis chaplain as well as executive director for The Crisis Chaplain Corps in Washington, D. C., ministering to law enforcement personnel and their families, victims of crime and accident in cooperation with over forty agencies from 1997-2003; police/crisis chaplain and executive director of The Crisis Chaplain Corps in New York State in cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies and First Responders in many cities including Albany, Buffalo, Elmira, Corning, Rochester, and Syracuse from 2003 until the present. Chaplain Owen also served as the Co-founder and Treasurer of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, police chaplain for the United States Supreme Court Police Department, and Co-founder of Mission Minneapolis Ministries, Continental Urban Exchange, and International Conference of Police Chaplains.  John was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1975 and received awards of merit and outstanding service from the City of Minneapolis as well as the Minneapolis Police Department. Chaplain Owen has been married to his wife, Belva, for fifty-four years.  They have two children, Christopher and Tamara, as well as seven grandchildren and one grand-dog.  They currently reside in Syracuse, New York, and enjoy travelling together, ministering in crisis, caring for their grandchildren and their grand-dog in New York and South Carolina, and riding trains, especially Amtrak.  His passion is Jesus, and his mission is “communicating Christ-like compassion in crisis and in all circumstances.”

Fred Van Tatenhove
Reno, Nevada
Master of Divinity, Master of Theology

Dr. Van Tatenhove and his wife, Connie, currently live in Reno, Nevada.  Fred enjoys golfing, reading, travelling, and occasionally preaching at several congregations in California.  They have three children, Greg, Jana, and Larissa as well as seven grandchildren. Since graduating from Asbury, Rev. Van Tatenhove served as a Senior Chaplain and Alcohol Treatment Director at the Kentucky State Hospital (1968-70), pastor within the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church (1970-75), Asbury Seminary Faculty in the Department of Coordinating Counselling as Department and Divisional Chair (1975-2000), Interim Director of Supervised Ministry Department (2001-02), and Extended Learning Faculty (2001-17).

Ann (Kennison) Van Valin
New Palestine, Indiana
Master of Religious Education

Upon graduation, Mrs. Ann Van Valin opened and managed Light and Life Bookshop in Indianapolis for the Free Methodist denomination from 1977 to 1983, and within three years it was in the top five percent of Christian bookstores in the nation.  From 1983 to 1989 Mrs. Van Valin wrote Bible studies for the spouses of pastors in the Free Methodist churches in Kansas and Nebraska, and she toured doing Christian education worships, women’s retreats, and Christian women’s club speaking engagements in various places.  Ann directed the International Child Care Ministries, a child sponsorship program of the Free Methodist Church, with 21,000 children in thirty countries and sponsors in seven countries; they educated, fed, clothed, and provided medical care in the name of Jesus with each child being in a Free Methodist Church.  Mrs. Van Valin and her husband, John, live in New Palestine, Indiana, which is a suburb of Indianapolis. In 2007 John and Ann started a Sunday morning church for blue collar Chinese workers in Indianapolis.  In addition to their Sunday morning congregation, in 2009 they started a Saturday night house church in their home for the very educated Chinese at Indiana University and Purdue University who are in Indianapolis to do high level research.  Ann is passionate about telling people about Jesus who have never heard the gospel.

Rev. Lonzie H. Wester
Waycross, Georgia
Master of Divinity

Rev. Wester and his wife, Susan, live in Waycross, Georgia. Lonzie and Susan have five children: Bevan, Bromtley, Valerie, Casey, and Deanna. They also have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren! In his spare time, Lonzie enjoys reading and traveling. Lonzie retired from Martha Memorial UMC after 50 years in the pastorate, but he didn’t stop serving there! He currently leads Early Morning Prayer at both Taylor County Holiness Camp Meeting and Avon Park Holiness Camp. He has served in that capacity for the past 22 years.

Ron Womack
Frisco, Texas
Master of Divinity

Following his Asbury graduation, Mr. Womack served as pastor or on staff of United Methodist Churches in East Texas for fourteen years.  He then served as manager of a small business in Dallas, Texas, for nine years. Next, Mr. Womack served as the Facilities Manager for Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, for ten years and as the Facilities Manager for First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for five years. He served as the Executive Director of the National Association of Church Design Builders for one year, and most recently served as the Facilities Manager for a retirement community in Dallas, which was related to the Disciples of Christ for five years. Ron and his wife, Anne, are currently retired in Frisco, Texas. They have five children, Candy, Kim, Tracy, Valerie, and Paul, as well as thirteen grandchildren. Mr. Womack leads small group development in large churches and enjoys golf, bridge, reading, chess, and travel.

Rev. Dr. David C. Wu 
Cary, North Carolina
Master of Divinity

After graduating from Asbury Seminary, Rev. Dr. Wu studied for a year in New College, Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1984 he also graduated from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, with a Doctor of Theology degree in 1984. From 1968 to 1976, Rev. Dr. Wu served churches in the North Dakota Conference of The United Methodist Church. From 1976-1996 David was commissioned as a missionary faculty to Trinity Theological College in Singapore by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Wu served as the Acting Principal and later as the Dean of Studies of the seminary. From 2006-2016 David served as Assistant General Secretary in charge of New Mission Initiatives with the General Board of Global Ministries in New York, New York, headquarter. During this period, the Mission Agency of The United Methodist Church opened new mission works in six countries in Asia: Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Nepal, and Mongolia. Missionaries were sent and worshiping congregations were established. New Mission work was also initiated in Cameroon, Senegal (West Africa) and Honduras (South America). Rev. Dr. Wu and his wife, Shirley, retired in Cary, North Carolina.  They have two children, Sonya and Edward, as well as four grandchildren.  David enjoys reading, travelling, and short-term teaching.

We also honor and remember these saints from the class of 1968 who have gone on before us:

Grace E. Bokma
Myerstown, PA
Master of Religious Education
7-5-1942 to 3-20-2008

W. Brimner
Saskatoon, SK
Master of Divinity
1-14-1937 to 12-28-2016

Doyle C. Dennings
Montrose, MI
Master of Divinity
4-14-1943 to 4-24-2016

Edgar H. Gaines
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Master of Divinity
10-24-1937 to 1-5-2015

Glenn J. Harness
Marion, IN
Master of Divinity
1-29-1931 to 11-16-2010

Jack H. Harris
Indianapolis, IN
Master of Divinity
9-2-1927 to 7-23-2011

Robert C. Langdon
Lower Burell, PA
Master of Divinity
— to 11-1-1994

Roman J. Miller
Kosciusco, MS
Master of Divinity
12-27-1930 to 5/26/2017

Garry O. Parker
Easton, MD
Master of Divinity
9-13-1942 to 12-17-2016

William J. Pickup
Castro Valley, CA
Master of Divinity
— to 5-6-1996

Wayne A. Sparks
Paintsville, KY
Master of Divinity
3-18-1939 to 6-4-2008

Anand E. Swarup
Bedford, IN
1-20-1931 to 12-15-2004

Rosalind E. Swarup
Bedford, IN
Master of Religious Education
11-16-1931 to 11-7-2009

John H. Weaver
Wernersville, PA
Master of Divinity
— to 4-13-1999

Irvin L. Williamson
McAllen, TX
Master of Divinity
— to 1-1-1998

Frank Zink
South Bend, IN
Master of Divinity
— to 1-15-2014

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4 responses to “Let’s Celebrate the Saints Who Have Paved the Way!”

  1. Ron Womack says:

    Thanks for the recognition, especially of those who have passed on ahead. Small correction: daughter’s name is Candy, rather than Cindy.
    –Ron Womack

    • Patricia Taylor says:

      Our apologies! This correction has been made. Thank you for pointing it out. We are so looking forward to our time together next month!

  2. JOHN I. Owen says:

    What a delight to learn of our colleagues in Christ have done and are doing for Him, His Church and The Kingdom of God both in the church and in the world! Belva and I are anticipating being together with these other Soldiers of The Cross. We are currently in Indiana, having come from NY last week to the Universuty of Michigan, to be with Medical Center where Belva’s only sibling who went to be with our Lord on Sunday last, April 8. A graduate of ATS Rev. William Cryderman and his wife, Sharon in Spring Arbor and (Marian Giles Byrnes), with her husband, caring for us in Goshen, IN while we await the funeral for her brother tomorrow, April 12 in Western Michigan. How we thank God for people who, like Jesus, The Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief can be such Christ-like Communicatirs of Compassion for those in crisis! PTL!

  3. JOHN I. Owen says:

    Please forgive the typos in our preceding attempt to text.

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