Updates, Events, and Publications
HELLO, HOUSTON: A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR MINISTRY FORMATION
The harvest is here, and God is moving in Texas.
Asbury Theological Seminary is excited to expand its reach through a new partnership in The Woodlands, offering students the opportunity to pursue a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry in a dynamic, local church setting. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to form Spirit-filled leaders who are equipped to serve the Church in a changing world.
Designed with accessibility and real-world ministry in mind, courses will be offered at The Woodlands Methodist Church, creating a space where theological education and active ministry intersect. This model allows students to remain rooted in their communities while engaging deeply in Wesleyan theological formation.
This opportunity is especially meaningful for those connected to the Global Methodist Church, as well as others who sense a call to ministry and desire to be shaped by Asbury’s commitment to Scripture, holiness, and mission.
This new site is an extension of Asbury’s mission to prepare men and women to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. From Wilmore to Houston and beyond, we are witnessing the Lord open doors for formation, connection, and Kingdom impact.
If you or someone you know is discerning a call to ministry in the Texas region, we invite you to explore this new pathway.
Applications are now open for Fall enrollment.
Learn more and apply:
https://asburyseminary.edu/
ATS ALUM, PROFESSOR, AND WRITER’S SECOND EDITION IS PUBLISHED
Dr. Bill T. Arnold (M.Div. ’80), a current professor at Asbury, recently published The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Testmament, Second Edition. The blurb describes the book in this way:
This textbook offers students who have no prior background in biblical studies an understanding of the lasting contribution of Israel’s scriptures. Bringing a literary approach to the topic, it strikes a balance between historical reconstructions, comparative religions, and theology. Among several distinctive features, it traces the legacy of monotheism first emerging in the pages of Israel’s scriptures as an enduring contribution for twenty-first century readers. Monotheism gives the volume an immediate relevance because the so-called Abrahamic religions are rooted in this concept. Whether one is Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or secularist, students will gain a new understanding of the origins of monotheism as their common heritage. The Second Edition of this textbook includes expanded discussions within the text and in sidebars, notably on the history of biblical scholarship, modern methods of interpretation, and wisdom literature.
For more information, or to purchase the book, see HERE.
ALUM PUBLISHES HIS FOURTH BOOK
Last year, Rev. Dr. Robert Hallett (M.Div. ’74), published his fourth book, Stories from the Pastor’s Rocking Chair. In his words:
It is sort of a biographical book that recounts hundreds of the author’s (and some others) real life ministry experiences from over 6 decades of ministry, and gleans principles from these stories to serve as a teaching opportunity for the various facets of ministry. While especially helpful for new pastors, the more experienced pastors will find practical insights in here for themselves as well. It makes a great gift for seminary students and road weary pastors alike.
It uses encouragement, guidance, and vulnerability as it addresses how these situations were handled, when mistakes were made, and even how they should have been handled better. It also exposes many of the troubling situations that pastors, as well as other ministers, encounter in their ministry settings. It can save many headaches and heartaches when ministers can learn from the experiences and mistakes of others instead of having to repeat those same mistakes themselves.
For further description, visit the author’s website: www.40Nutshells.com. You can purchase the book HERE.
ATS PRESIDENT AND PROFESSOR COLLUDE ON A METHODIST MANIFESTO
Dr. David Watson and Professor Kevin Watson (brothers in Christ, not by blood) recently published Faith and Fire: Methodism as a Move of God.
Here’s a brief excerpt from the introduction:
The same Spirit who empowered the apostles is available for us today. In fact, the Holy Spirit is moving all around the world. We are in a time of unprecedented growth in Christianity globally. And while we don’t see this trend yet in the U.S. and Western Europe, there are pockets of renewal, places where God is changing lives and moving with signs and wonders. Wesley’s heart was to bring people into a relationship with the living God who would make them into the people they were always meant to be. He wanted to see the image of God shine through in every person, and he knew only the Holy Spirit could make this happen.
To reclaim this vision today will mean relinquishing our attempts to control the church, to conform her to our agendas, and to make her inoffensive. It will require us to place ourselves in the hands of a living God in faith and obedience. Our attempts to attract an unbelieving world by becoming like an unbelieving world haven’t worked. Now is the time for self-examination, repentance, and humility. God wants to move in our midst. His desire is to draw all people to himself through Christ. Yet he will not force us to conform to his will.
Thus we are not simply passive recipients of the Spirit’s work. Early Methodism was clearly a move of God, but God worked in and through human beings as Methodism spread. John Wesley had a clear organizational vision for Methodism, but within that structure, it was God who changed the hearts of those who sought him in sincerity and repentance. Class leaders held class members to standards of faithfulness and growth in holiness. Wesley insisted upon the “ordinances of God,” such as prayer, the reading of scripture, worship, fasting, and holy communion because he believed God would work through them to lead sinful humans into salvation. Behind the organizational program of the Wesleyan revival was a conviction that God would move among the people who earnestly sought him in repentance. The power and work of the Holy Spirit was the driving force behind the revival in his day, and it will be the driving force in any true renewal of the church that happens in ours.
If you’re interested, you can order it directly from Seedbed here or through Amazon here.
MAKE AN IMPACT ON AN INCOMING STUDENT!
To our devoted alumni,
Thank you for the many ways you continue to engage with the Asbury Seminary community. We are deeply grateful for your faithfulness and for your partnership in our shared mission of spreading the whole Bible for the whole world.
This year, we are placing a renewed emphasis on personalized communication with prospective and newly admitted students. Our desire is that each student would sense the care, prayerful support, and Christ-centered community that define life at Asbury as they discern God’s call through theological education. One meaningful way we hope to do this is by sharing letters from alumni with students after they register for their first semester in May.
We would be honored if you would consider contributing a brief letter that includes the following:
- A word of congratulations to a student who has just registered for their first semester of classes
- A short reflection on your own journey—how you came to Asbury and the ways your experience shaped your life, faith, and calling
- A closing word of encouragement or wisdom, along with an assurance of prayer as they begin this new season of formation
Please sign your letter with your name, the degree you earned at Asbury, and your year of completion. If you would like, you are also welcome to include a photo of yourself to help make the connection even more personal.
Thank you for investing in the next generation of Asbury students and for walking alongside them through your words and prayers. If you are willing to participate, please email your letter to the Director of Strategic Events and Alumni Engagement, Rev. Tammy Cessna (tammy.cessna@asburyseminary.edu), as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, Tammy would be glad to assist you.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Tammy L. Cessna, D.Min.
Director of Strategic Events and Alumni Engagement
COME JOIN A CELEBRATION OF BIBLE MEMORIZATION!
Bible memory missionary Phil Walker, the son of Dr. Dale Walker, former adjunct professor at Asbury Seminary, will be, Lord willing, quoting 2,000+ verses from memory downstairs at Wilmore United Methodist Church Monday, April 13th from 8:00am – 8:00pm. All who like to memorize the Bible are invited to join this Bible Memory Day at whatever time is most convenient to you and quote as many verses as you can, or as you would like to, or have time to. Or you can come be encouraged by listening to Phil and others quote God’s Word.
Phil Walker lives with his family in Manila, Philippines where his wife Jacky is from, with his main Bible memory outreach being in Indonesia, where he was born and grew up and where the family lived for 11 years as missionaries. You can contact him by email using philjohn1558@yahoo.com or by WhatsApp +639507676585 or call him at (818)307-8714 if you have any questions about the Bible Memory Day opportunity or about his ministry in Indonesia.
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