Updates, Events, and Publications

LEARNING CHRIST 101 WITH DR. FRED LONG

ATS Professor Fred Long is offering an interesting course called “Learning Christ 101.” He is editing the video for each class as he goes. The topics covered in each session are:

• Session 1—Will the Real Jesus stand up? My Jesus & the Real Jesus 

• Session 2—Jesus, John the Baptist, the Messiah’s Purpose

• Session 3—Jesus and the Spirit vs. the Evil One’s Temptations

• Session 4—Jesus, the Disciples, & the Crowds

• Session 5—Jesus Loves and Calls People to Repentance

• Session 6—Jesus Weeps, Conflict, & Hatred

• Session 7—Jesus’s Messiahship Directs our Discipleship

The video for the first session is available above.

ASSOCIATE PROVOST PUBLISHES IN FIREBRAND

Dr. Scott Kisker, the associate provost at Asbury Theological Seminary, recently published an article called “Order and Holy Orders: A Scriptural and Wesleyan Reflection on Ordination, Part 1” in Firebrand magazine. This is an informative and timely read – check it out HERE!

ATS ALUM NAMED CHAIRPERSON OF THE KOREAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Original article by Gim Han-s00

Chungsuk Kim, head of the Christian Methodist Church of Korea, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Korean Council of Churches (KCC), the largest Protestant coalition in South Korea. The newly appointed chairperson assumed office on the morning of the 4th at the Korean Church Centennial Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, during the KCC’s regular general assembly. The KCC is an organization comprising 39 major Protestant denominations and over 46,700 churches. The chairperson’s term lasts one year.

Chairperson Kim graduated from Gevang High School, Seoul Theological University, and the Graduate School of Methodist Theological University. He earned a master’s and doctoral degree in pastoral studies from Asbury Theological Seminary (’94) in the United States. Since 2001, he has served as the senior pastor of Kwanglim Church in Seoul, following in the footsteps of his late father, Reverend Sundo Kim. Since October of last year, he has held the position of superintendent (a four-year term) of the Christian Methodist Church of Korea.

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BISHOP MARK TANNER (D.MIN ’24) NOW SERVING IN PARLIAMENT

Rt Revd Mark Tanner, the Bishop of Chester and a recent ATS Doctor of Ministry graduate, is now also serving in Parliament as a “Lord Spiritual.” In his first speech before Parliament, he was quoted as saying, “The question with which I come to this House is not so much how we make Britain great again, but how we make Britain kind again.”

Bishop Tanner also serves the ATS community as a D.Min. coach.

He brings a deep passion for discipleship and a strong background in youth ministry leadership. He holds a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Louisiana State University. Most recently, he served as Associate Pastor at Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky, where he led children’s, youth and family ministries and oversaw broader discipleship programs. His ministry has been marked by both spiritual and numerical growth across diverse congregations.

Rev. James Williams and Rev. Taylor Bacon (’23).

At Grace Resurrection, Bacon will focus on youth, family and discipleship ministries, helping people of all ages grow as followers of Jesus through Scripture, community and worship.

“Our leadership prayed faithfully throughout this process,” Williams said. “We believe God has clearly led Taylor and his family to Grace Resurrection for this next season of ministry.”

Williams stepped into his senior pastor role a year ago and has seen an extraordinary expansion of the church’s ministry, membership and mission initiatives during that time.

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ATS ALUM PUBLISHES BOOK DETAILING SCHOOL-DAY ADVENTURES

Rev. David J. Powless (M.Div. ’83) recently published The Incredible Journey: A Hitchhiker’s 113,000 Mile Odyssey. Here is the description from the blurb on the back cover:

A former high school chemistry teacher and coach, David then attended Asbury Theological Seminary before serving as a full time pastor for over thirty-three years. Throughout his college and graduate days he hitchhiked over 113,000 miles. His travels took hm south into Mexico, north to the Arctic Circle, and east to Prince Edward Island, crossing over the Northumberland Strait by Ferry. You will hear of God’s protection from life-threatening dangers, heartwarming encounters with generous and wonderful people, and thrilling trips that shaped his life. Mostly, you will get a glimpse of the great people he met along the way.

David embarked on an unforgettable journey, crossing highways, backroads, and detours along the way of exhilarating adventure. With each trip he found himself in experiences that ranged from heartwarming to downright bizarre, proving that the adventure was often found  in people rather than destinations. This adventure captures the raw essence of the open road and the unpredictability of life along the way. Part memoir and part testament of human connection, he takes readers through the highs and lows of traveling the road and the lessons learned by the generosity of strangers. Whether you are a former traveler or simply curious about the untamed spirit of hitchhiking, the journey is sure to captivate and inspire.

You can find more information or purchase the book HERE. If you would like to hear more about the author and read an additional sample of his writing, see HERE.

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