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Hello everyone, I am very excited to start here at Northeastern Seminary! I feel like this is a long time coming. I previously attended Elim Bible College, nearby in Lima, NY, and after that I didn't really think about returning to school after that to study the bible or theology because I had an interest in a career in filmmaking. But God changed that all around as He led me to seek after what He wanted for my life. Once I was in a place where I let Him lead, I felt more open to getting a faith-based graduate degree. I would love to teach others the bible through opportunities on the mission field, at my church, or even in a small group, and I believe getting the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree will help me do just that.

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Greetings everyone!

I am thrilled to be here with you all and embark on this exciting journey. My goal in taking this Theological certificate program is to serve as a bridge to my DMin program next year. As a spiritual life coach working with women survivors of domestic abuse as well as women in transition, my coaching practice has evolved unexpectedly into a ministry to the troubled and broken-hearted women I serve. It is an honor to serve these women, and it is work near and dear to my heart. I anticipate an intellectually as well as spiritually stimulating year as we journey in this wonderful calling of ours. Grace and peace.

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Hi All, I'm Philip. I am excited to be starting my journey as a D.Min. student here at NES. I am looking forward to participating in the community and learning as much as I can. I'm grateful to be here with you all.

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I am so pleased to be joining you all from Portland, Oregon. After a long career as a writer and visual artist, I felt called during the pandemic to start training as a hospital chaplain. My husband and I had a small farm in rural Utah, and the silver lining of that sad and difficult time was that programs came online and I was able to earn my Masters of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling, Buddhist track, through New York Theological Seminary and the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. I did my first two units of CPE as summer intensives at Level I trauma hospitals in Colorado and Portland, and in 2024, when I was accepted into residency at another large hospital in Portland, my husband and I decided to sell our farm and move there permanently. After two more years in hospital chaplaincy, I have just accepted a job in hospice. I am continually humbled and inspired by the beauty of this work.  I need a few more hours of graduate credit for board certification, and I am excited to join the Northeastern Seminary community and deepen my understanding of the Bible.

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Christian Service Reflection

My calling to Christian service has been shaped over the course of my entire adult life, often through hardship, distance, and unexpected moments of grace. After graduating from high school in 1991, I entered the United States Marine Corps, where I approached faith passively. I went to church when life felt heavy, when I needed reassurance, or when I hoped God might steady the ground beneath me. But I did not yet understand discipleship, nor did I grasp how deeply God was pursuing me.

In 1999, after leaving active duty, I became a police officer in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and joined the Arkansas National Guard. The next several years were spiritually inconsistent. Work, trauma, and constant commitments pulled me further from Christ. Yet even in that distance, God kept breaking through. Being run over in the line of duty in 2004 and later deploying to Iraq reminded me that I was seen, protected, and loved by God even when I wasn’t walking closely with Him.

After returning from Iraq in 2009, my mental health collapsed, and I entered a long season of darkness. My wife, Shawna, continued taking our children to church and prayed faithfully for my return, but I could not bring myself to go. Eventually, treatment helped me begin to see light again, and I returned to church for a short time. Unfortunately, the environment was overwhelmingly dark, loud, and spiritually unsafe. I left the church, though not Christ. I held onto Him even when I could not hold onto the institution.

Everything changed in 2025 when I found myself in a VA hospital ICU. A chaplain visited me for three days, listening, praying, and offering spiritual care without judgment. He gave me books that I continued reading after discharge, and through that daily time in Scripture and reflection, the Holy Spirit met me with a peace I had not felt in decades. I returned to church with a renewed heart, and it was in that season that God made His call unmistakably clear.

God has called me to chaplaincy not in a hospital setting, but as a community, street, first‑responder, or school chaplain. My journey, my relationships, my trauma, and my healing have all shaped this call. I have lived the darkness that so many people face, and I have experienced the grace that pulls a person out. Now, God is asking me to carry that same light to others.

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I am Mcvin Simkoko from Malawi. It is a privilege for me to join the community.

I got saved in 2008. I have walked with Jesus Christ from 2008 and I am still pressing on to the promise awaits for the saints. In 2017 I received a call to pastoral ministry and before I could enter this holistic work, l went to Teen Missions International from which l did study Missions and l graduated in 2015 with a diploma in the Bible. After this, in 2017 I was sent to Bolero, Rumphi west in the Northern Malawi to establish a local church under the umbrella of PHA Malawi, that is Pentecostal Holiness Association. In 2018 l applied for undergraduate studies at the Baptist College of Malawi. I graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Theology.

Since I understand the importance of presenting sound Theology to the church, l passionately seek to advance my studies and that led to apply to Northeastern Seminary for graduate studies. I have been accepted to the program of the Master of Arts in Theological studies focusing on Biblical studies. It is my joy to be part of the students who are going to be sharpened for holistic work. I anticipate to learn from my fellow students and professors.

I am an author of two books, the first one is "The Slow Growth of the Pentecostal Holiness Association 1932-2018 in Malawi" and "The Biography of Adams Lwesya." And currently I am working on a book titled, "Zenith Pathways into a Blissful and Fulfilled Marriage: The Marriage that honors God."

Greetings!

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Evelyn Matthews-Master of Arts, Spiritual Formation

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Evelyn Matthews-Master of Arts, Spiritual Formation

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Hello everyone,

My name is Evelyn Matthews, and I am honored to begin this journey with all of you. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation program.

I am a Woman of God, mother of three grown children, Nana of nine, author, motivational speaker, faith-based transformational life coach, and founder of Evelution ReBirth, a ministry devoted to helping individuals move from pain to purpose through biblical truth, healing, and transformation.

After much prayer, reflection, and wise counsel, I have come to recognize God's calling on my life as a Minister of Teaching and Transformational Preaching. I believe God has given me a dual grace: the ability to teach His Word with clarity so people can understand and apply Scripture to their everyday lives, and the ability to preach in a way that inspires transformation, healing, and action.

I chose to pursue the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation because I desire to deepen my relationship with Christ while becoming more firmly grounded in Scripture, spiritual disciplines, and biblical theology. I believe that before I can effectively help others grow spiritually, I must continually allow God to shape and transform me first. Seminary is an opportunity for me to be further equipped to serve His people with greater wisdom, humility, and faithfulness.

My passion is to help people not only hear God's Word but live it. I especially have a heart for helping women embrace truth, experience healing, and walk confidently in the purpose God has for their lives. My prayer is that everything I learn throughout this program will strengthen my ministry and prepare me to teach, preach, disciple, and serve others with excellence for God's glory.

I look forward to learning alongside each of you, growing together in faith, and seeing how God works in and through us during this season.

Blessings,

Evelyn Matthews

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Hello to you all! My name is Latoria Hairston and I am excited about joining the Advanced Certificate in Scripture, Theology, and Ministry program this fall. I cannot wait to see how God will lead me, transform me, use me and where he will take me in these next seasons of life!

A little about me:

I am a child of God, I am caring, compassionate, fun-loving, creative, inquisitive, giving, and loving. Additionally, I am a wife (for 30 years and excitedly counting each year to come), a Mom (to 2 compassionate young adults), a daughter, a sister, a friend and much more. Being amongst God's creations (of most kinds) is such a rewarding blessing to me. I love life!

Why I have started seminary:

I have worked as a counselor in communities, schools, and private practice settings. Throughout this work, I have consistently seen how counseling and ministry complement one another. Many individuals and families seek not only emotional support, but also spiritual guidance, healing, and hope. These experiences have strengthened my understanding that ministry extends beyond the walls of the church and includes meeting people in the midst of their struggles and life challenges.

My current ministry involvement continues through both youth leadership and counseling, where I seek to demonstrate Christ’s love through discipleship, encouragement, and compassionate care. Through these experiences, I have become increasingly aware of the need for deeper theological understanding and advanced ministry preparation to better serve individuals, families, and the church community.

Pursuing seminary education and a Doctor of Ministry degree represent the next step in both my spiritual and professional development. Seminary will provide the theological foundation, leadership development, and spiritual formation necessary to strengthen my effectiveness in ministry and counseling. It will also equip me to integrate biblical truths more deeply into my work and expand opportunities for leadership and service.

My long-term goal is to continue serving through both ministry and counseling, using the training gained through seminary to support individuals and families spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Through my counseling and ministry experience, I have recognized the importance of mental health healing within the church through the truth of God’s Word, compassionate care, and Christ-centered support. Seminary will deepen my relationship with Christ and better equip me to integrate biblical truth with counseling practices so I can serve others more faithfully and effectively in the calling God has placed on my life.

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Greetings, brothers and sisters!

My name is Georges Ducame ALY, and I reside in Mount Vernon, NY. Building houses and solving complex equations has been my life's work as a civil engineer and mathematical professor, and I am truly blessed and overjoyed to join the Seminary to bring this analytical foundation to my studies, seeking to understand the beautiful intersection of structure, logic, and faith.

I have been married for 24 years and am the father of two boys who are currently in college. We serve the Lord together and desire to grow deeper in our daily commitment to His service and according to His will. I currently serve with deep love and devotion as a preacher at the French-Speaking Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York, and I am also deeply passionate about Biblical counseling and study.

I decided to join Northeastern Seminary to grow deeper in my theological understanding and to be better equipped for the calling God has placed on my life.

A verse that has been giving me so much stability recently is Psalm 33:11:<< The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations>>. When I am not studying or working, I love watching worship videos, or to listening to gospel music, reading a book, and spending time with my family.

I look forward to learning with you, connecting with fellow students, and being further equipped to carry out the work the Lord has entrusted to my care. As the Bible says in Philippians 1:6(NKV):<< being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

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Hello friends! My name is Libby Harrison and I am very much looking forward to starting at NES this fall. I will be starting into the MA in Spiritual Formation program.

I have lived in North Africa for the past seventeen years, engaging in cross-cultural ministry along with my husband and three amazing daughters. While we work in the area of language development and translation, my specific role at this point is in the spiritual and emotional care of cross-cultural workers. This work is deeply connected to my deeper passion - seeing the love of God made accessible to the least reached Bibleless peoples of the world. Convinced that the health of the messenger profoundly shapes the impact of the message (in beautiful and dangerous ways) I believe that investing in the holistic well-being of cross-cultural workers is one of the best ways I can serve the communities they live and work among. While I'm a touch intimidated to start into a graduate program online from a far-off time zone (insert nervous face here!), I am hopeful and trusting that seminary will equip me and form me in rich ways. Looking forward to meeting many of you!

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Hello, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

My name is Joshua Smith, and it is truly an honor to be joining Roberts Wesleyan University/Seminary as I continue the journey the Lord has graciously set before me. This fall, I will be pursuing a Master of Theological Studies with an emphasis in Chaplaincy. I am excited to see how God will continue to lead and open doors as I seek to serve Him faithfully.

A little about myself—I grew up in a small town in western Nebraska. I also spent many years living in the Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, area before moving to New York, where I have lived for the past 21 years. During the last four years, I have traveled back and forth between New York and South Dakota to help care for my mother. I often say that God has blessed me with the best of both worlds: the opportunities of city life and the peace of country living.

From an early age, I have felt a deep longing and calling to know God, grow in my relationship with Him, and walk in the footsteps of Christ. My journey has not always been easy, and there are seasons of my life that I wish I could do over. Yet I am continually reminded of God’s grace and that Christ died for our sins. I believe the storms we face strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence on the Lord, and prepare us to minister to others.

My desire is to use the experiences God has brought me through as a testimony to encourage those who are hurting, searching, or have lost hope. I believe God has called me to share His love, point people to Christ, and remind them of His unfailing promises. One verse that has continually encouraged me is Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That promise gives me hope each day, and I pray that God will use me to bring that same hope to others.

I look forward to getting to know each of you, learning alongside you, and growing together as we prepare to serve Christ wherever He leads. May God richly bless each of you throughout this semester!

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Greetings! I am excited to start the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program this fall. My motivation to attend seminary is to better equip myself to use my gifts and experiences to serve God as I contemplate the transition out of my current professional role. I trained as a Pediatric General Surgeon, practicing in academic medical centers for 30 years before transitioning to a full-time administrative role as a Chief Wellness Officer. In this role, I spend a lot of time focusing on how to help people flourish at work and much of that effort centers on using organizational psychology theories. However, I am convinced by my own experience that authentic flourishing can only truly be attained by being a follower of Christ. I hope to have the opportunity to consider how theological concepts and scriptural teachings can inform how to help people thrive. Perhaps, the possibility of flourishing should be a part of our outreach to a struggling world where there is such hopelessness and despair. I will be helping with a church plant this year and will likely take on a teaching role. I teach as part of my current professional role and would like to acquire the knowledge and tools from the seminary experience to improve my effectiveness in teaching in church. Being an effective teacher, includes role modeling what I am teaching. Therefore, I am also attending seminary as a part of my journey to be a better follower of Christ.

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Hello Everyone!

I'm delighted to meet you all and look forward to joining this vibrant and wholesome community of devoted scholars of God's Word. I reside on the South Shore of Long Island in Suffolk County where I look forward to taking in my reading while overlooking the Atlantic Shores. For 22 years I have pastored in the adjoining County (Nassau), a heartwarming family-oriented, Pentecostal congregation. Northwestern Seminary seems to have so much to offer, tailored to my specific passion: Systematic Theology. To delve as deeply as the Holy Spirit will empower me, into a consideration of concrete facts concerning God's relationship with mankind is one of the most engrossing components of my life, purpose and ministry. I'm very excited and pray that this journey will be altogether fulfilling for us all.

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Hello All! I'm pursuing a Certificate in Spiritual Direction starting Summer of 2026. About me: I was born in Maine. I attended schools there, graduating from Morse High School in Bath, Maine in 1987.

In 1986 I joined the U.S. Army Reserves, becoming an infantryman and graduating from U.S. Army Airborne School. Gaining an ROTC scholarship, in 1989 I attended the University of Southern Maine. In 1991, I graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Geography and History.

After college, I accepted a commission in the United States Army Reserve as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps. I worked as a commercial diver and fisherman on the coast of Maine.

Four years later, I received a call to ministry and left fishing to attend Andover Newton Theological School and the Swedenborg School of Religion in Newton, Massachusetts. In 2000 I graduated with a Completion Diploma for Ordination, Master of Arts in Swedenborgian Studies and a Master of Divinity degree. I continued to serve in the Army Reserve, being promoted to Captain in the Transportation Corps.

Ordained in the Swedenborgian Church in 1999, I accepted a call to the Elmwood New Church in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts and became a Chaplain in the Army Reserve.

In June of 2002, I was called to active duty with the Army in Fort Eustis, Virginia and served for 4 years ministering to mobilized reserve Soldiers and Department of Army Civilians.

Upon leaving active duty in 2006 I accepted a call to the Church of the Holy City in Washington, DC. I was then elected to denominational leadership as the Chair of the Council of Ministers, mentoring candidates for ordination, presiding over ordinations and leading the ordained clergy of the Swedenborgian Church of North America. I left Washington, DC in November of 2007, returning to Maine and accepting the position as the Head of Pastoral Care and Hospice Chaplain for Pen Bay Hospital in Rockland, Maine.

In 2010, I was promoted to the rank of Major and mobilized with the Army again, this time with the 804th Medical Brigade serving in Baghdad, Iraq. As the Senior Medical Chaplain in Iraq, I spent from January to November of 2011 with the last medical Brigade in the country.

Upon returning to Maine, I found a new religious home and accepted a call at Second Congregational Church of Warren Maine, serving as their Pastor for 6 years. In 2013, on my birthday, I retired from the Army Reserve after 28 years of service.

In 2015, I married the former Kristin Murphy and am pretty crazy about her. I have two sons, Derek 35 and Ryan 18, and three grandchildren. I am cursed with a love of sailing, and my other hobbies include reading, finding great podcasts, gaming, shooting, tending my mustache, and breaking bread with friends.

In 2018, my family and I accepted the call as the 19th settled pastor of the First Congregational Church of Fall River where I presently serve as the Senior Pastor.

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Hey everyone, I'm Rev Meiko Seymour. I live in St. Petersburg, Florida with my wife Simone and our daughter Portlynn.

I'm starting the MA in Theology and Social Justice, fresh off finishing my Certificate in Theology and Leadership at Aldersgate this May.

A little about me. I'm the Lead Pioneer and co-founder of Uncommon City, a contemplative church plant Simone and I launched in downtown St. Pete in early 2025. I've been in full-time ministry since 2003. Worship, youth, communications, executive pastoral roles, and now planting.

Over the years it became clear that the work I'm called to lives at the seam where pastoral formation and public justice meet. You can't shepherd people in a neighborhood without paying attention to the conditions of their lives. And you can't do justice work for long without a grounded interior life.That's what brought me here.

I grew up under a single mom of Caribbean and Anglican background. I came to faith for myself at the end of high school and felt a strange, persistent call to raise up a generation. Twenty-something years in, I'm still chasing that thread.

Outside of all this I love specialty coffee, vegan cooking, the desert mothers, and anything by Howard Thurman or Eugene Peterson.

Looking forward to learning with you.

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Hi everyone! I'm Rev. Miranda E. Hammer, Associate Pastor at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in West Seneca, just outside of Buffalo, NY. It has been a gift to be ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and to receive my M.Div through United Lutheran Seminary. When I graduated in 2020, I told my husband that if I ever discerned going back to seminary for my D.Min to remind me of how difficult it was. When I brought it up to him this year, he said "of course you should go!"

I feel called to serve on the various paths that God has put before me, including as a wife, mother, and minister, and look forward to utilizing all I learn here in the D.Min program to grow as a leader in Christ's Church. I love to learn and am grateful to continue here with all of you.

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I'm looking forward to studying at NES beginning this fall! As a pastor, my desire is to walk along side people in their journey of faith. My heart is for spiritual formation and Biblical literacy. My gifts are teaching and pastoring. I love studying God’s word and communing with God through the ancient practices of the church. I want to equip people to be Christ followers who look like Jesus and bear much fruit. I want to help guide people as they discover new ways of encountering the spirit of Christ through spiritual practices, especially study of God’s word and prayer. I want to help people live their everyday lives more fully aware of the Kingdom of God that is among us and that is coming in its wholeness.

At Northeastern Seminary, I desire to grow in further knowledge, understanding and wisdom of the Bible, theology and spiritual formation. While I have studied these greatly on my own, I have received little feedback or opportunities for discussion. In seminary, I look forward to receiving feedback from professors, and discussion with other students who are on the same journey. I look forward to the practical aspect of the program and the opportunity to use what I am learning in my day to day ministry in the church. I am especially interested in the opportunity for a certificate in Spiritual Direction alongside the MA in Spiritual Formation.

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Hey there, my name is Sean. I attended Roberts for my undergraduate degree, and now, almost a decade later, I’m returning to pursue a degree at Northeastern Seminary. For a long time, I’ve felt a clear calling on my life, and I’ve finally chosen to step into it with intention. I’ll be entering the Spiritual Formation program, with a desire to grow deeper in my faith and better serve others. I currently work at a small Christian school, and my hope is to continue investing in people, strengthening my community, and doing my part to build the Kingdom in whatever ways God leads.

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I desire to further my education at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University through the Doctor of Ministry program because I am committed to deepening my spiritual leadership, theological understanding, and practical ministry impact.

With my background in ministry and service, I have developed a passion for guiding individuals and communities toward spiritual growth, healing, and purpose. However, I recognise that the complexity of today’s world requires leaders who are not only spiritually grounded but also academically equipped to address contemporary challenges in ministry.

The Doctor of Ministry program offers a unique opportunity to integrate biblical knowledge, leadership development, and real-world ministry practice. I am particularly drawn to the seminary’s emphasis on transformational leadership, community engagement, and applied theology, which aligns with my calling to serve both the church and wider society.

Furthermore, I am motivated to enhance my ability to:

Provide effective pastoral care and counselling

Lead with integrity and cultural awareness

Develop impactful ministry strategies

Mentor and empower others in their spiritual journey

This program will not only strengthen my personal faith and leadership capacity but also position me to make a greater contribution to my community and beyond. My goal is to use the knowledge and skills gained to bring positive transformation, inspire hope, and advance God’s work in practical and meaningful ways.

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Pastor A.L. Hayes, M.Div. (DMIN student)

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Pastor A.L. Hayes, M.Div. (DMIN student)

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Greetings to you all. Pleased to make your acquaintance and to be on this journey with you. Feel free to reach out/connect.

~Pastor ALH

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My name is Marissa Saunders, and I live in Syracuse, NY by way of Oakland, Ca. I am entering seminary with a deep sense of calling, discernment, and gratitude. I am currently working toward a Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership which aligns with what I currently do as a Principal Consultant and Founder of Essential Conceptions Consulting. I am an ordained Elder at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse and for the past eight years traveled to Uganda, Africa alone to minister in the various villages and districts around the country.

My journey toward theological education has been shaped by lived ministry, community engagement, and a growing desire to serve God’s people with wisdom, humility, and integrity. I am particularly interested in the intersection of faith, justice, healing, and leadership, and I see seminary as a sacred space to deepen my biblical grounding, sharpen my theological voice, and be further formed for service in both church, community and non-profit contexts.

I come ready to learn, to be challenged, and to grow alongside others who are also answering God’s call.

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Excited to be joining the NES family. Working toward a Chaplaincy certificate and possibly a Chaplaincy Master's. I've had the privilege to serve the Lord with my husband through my local church body. For the past 30 years, our ministries have included Foster Care, couples' counseling, mentoring, and, most recently, serving the unhoused population. I hope to use my studies to better understand the Scriptures and learn to walk more effectively with others in their faith journey.

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Peace everybody! I’m Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr., proud pastor of the historic Antioch Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York.

Most people know me as Council Member Wingo and Pastor Wingo now, but these were not my initial introduction to my community work. Before the pulpit, music was my language. Decades of being a minister of music trained my ear for rhythm, harmony, and timing, and funny enough, those same skills actually show up in ministry every week. God just took what was in my hands and redirected it to what was in my heart.

Along the way, public service became a major chapter too. Leading in government taught me how to serve people in real life, deal with real problems, and still keep your integrity when the pressure is loud. That commitment to service didn’t stop when I left elected office; it just shifted. Today, I keep serving through executive leadership, leading organizations to run well, stay accountable, and actually deliver for the community.

I am enrolling in seminary because I can’t ask my church to take Christian education seriously if I’m not willing to go first. I’m here because I want to lead by example, grow my depth, strengthen my teaching, and build real authority that comes from disciplined study, not just gifted speaking. Long-term, I’m pursuing a terminal degree because my calling deserves that level of investment, and my people deserve a pastor who stays sharpening the blade.

I'm glad to be on this journey with you all.

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Hello everyone! My name is Amer, and I’m from Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, very excited to be part of this learning community at Northeastern Seminary, where I am beginning my Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program.

I currently serve as a volunteer Lead Pastor of a multicultural church in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, which my wife and I planted 10 years ago. By God’s grace, it has been a meaningful journey of faith, service, and community building among people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

I was raised as a pastor’s kid and have been involved in ministry for most of my life. While I have served faithfully in various ministry roles over the years, completing seminary was something I deeply desired but was never able to pursue until now. Starting the M.Div. program feels like an answer to long-awaited prayers, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

My heart for entering seminary is to develop a stronger biblical and theological foundation, deepen my understanding of God’s Word, and grow in wisdom for effective and faithful ministry. I desire to serve God and His people with greater clarity, humility, and spiritual depth, grounded firmly in Scripture.

I’m truly looking forward to learning alongside each of you, growing together in faith, and being shaped for lifelong ministry. Thank you for welcoming me into this journey. God bless you all!

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I am extremely excited to begin my theological studies! I have always been drawn to God with an fascination in His creation and His connection to humanity. I am now at a point in life where I can pursue my passion! While I do not know how God will use this knowledge, I know I am exactly where He wants me to be. I've overcome and adapted to many obstacles in life that have formed me into the man I am today. I am constantly in pursuit of wisdom and truth. While I understand we're not meant to understand everything, I do know that those who seek will find. I enjoy learning from various traditions of our faith, remembering that we're all connected by a single believe in Jesus, the Messiah. I also enjoy learning about other religions and cultures, which allow me to better understand and connect with all of God's creation. I am an animal lover, with two cats and one dog. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my four nieces and nephews. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams, always providing a way. I am employed by and recruit for a company that has provided me opportunities to develop professionally and personally. I work with tremendously talented leaders, but my favorite part of my job is connecting with new people from all walks of life. I reside in the Finger Lakes near Canandaigua. I also have connections in Charlotte, NC, where I was raised until 16. My family and I joined a Baptist Church in NC, but I have recently returned to the United Methodist Church where I have found community and belonging.

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Hi everyone.

My name is Steven, and I'm from Brockport, NY. I currently work as the homeless outreach coordinator for the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern.

I'm attending NES for my Mdiv, and persuing chaplaincy and/or pastoral work.

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Hi,

My name is Billy K. Simbo. I live in Philadelphia, PA. from where I serve as Pastor of New Life of Hope Christian Church. Ours is an online congregation, our services are broadcast on Facebook and over a designated phone line every week.

I was born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and emigrated to the Us in 1983. My background is in Theological education. I taught at The Evangelical College of Theology in Sierra Leone and was Principal of the college for 5 years prior to coming to the USA.

After a 40-year break, I have decided to enroll in the D. Min program in the Spring of 2026, with a zeal for learning more. During my stay here in America, I followed a passion for church-planting amongst African immigrants, and by God’s empowerment I have started 3 churches in NJ and being a part of starting 2 congregations in Pennsylvania.

I come to Northeastern with a long career of doing ministry for over 50 years, and I am looking forward to learning more, and being a part of the Northeastern Seminary community.

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Hello All.

I am Leslie Fife, and I will begin the DMin program in Fall 2026.

I am completing my MDiv at Regent University in a few months. I also have an MA in Human Services Counseling from Liberty U, and a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Oklahoma.

I work in cybersecurity, which is how I pay the bills. I serve as an auxiliary chaplain for the U.S. Air Force and a part-time chaplain at the Utah State Prison. That is how I feed my soul.

My wife and I have 8 children and 14 grandchildren. I play the piano, cello, harmonica, and bagpipes. I was born in upstate New York and raised in Oklahoma. I served in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician on ballistic missile submarines. I once wrote software for the F-16.

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Blessings!

My name is Tonya, and I am a retired High School teacher from New York City. I am the pastor in the A.M.E. Zion denomination, and I’m excited to be starting the D.Min. program this spring.

Attending seminary is an important part of honoring my “yes” to the Lord, and I look forward to seeing where He leads me along this journey.

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Greeting and salutations in the name of the Lord Jesus the Christ. My name is Joseph, I have been wanting to complete my Doctorate at Robert for several years. By God providence admissions reached out to me after I had started the process back in November and the rest is to the glory of God. I have spent 28 years in the military 22 years on active duty, I am currently a Chaplain with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in New York and Senior Pastor of the installation Gospel service. That just means a mix of African American denominations with a jubilant style of worship. My passion is teaching and exegetical preaching that results in transformational discipleship experiences. This year I will have been married 20 years to my lovely and anointed wife who just began seminary.

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Greetings everyone,

My name is Jackie Ormsby, and I am excited to begin the MA in Spiritual Formation program here at Northeastern Seminary.

I was born and raised in Rochester, NY. After six major moves, including time in New Jersey, South Carolina, and over 20 years in Jacksonville, Florida.  I am happy to be back home in New York. I currently live in Avoca in the Southern Tier, where my husband Adam (a Roberts Wesleyan Alum) and I share a cabin in the woods with our 2 cats and nature all around us. It is a beautiful setting, second only to our camp on Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks. We are also blessed with seven adult children, ranging in age from 18 to 28.

Ministry and service have always been close to my heart. I have been involved in Family Faith Formation and Youth Ministry for over 20 years, and my husband and I currently volunteer at our church and serve as coordinators for The Ramp Guys in Steuben County. Professionally, I am a seamstress specializing in bridal and special occasion attire, though I have also worked as a medical receptionist, office manager, and within a school district for over 12 years. Additionally, I served as a longtime church volunteer and worked on a parish staff for over three years.

Although it has been 35 years since I was last in a college classroom, my goal of earning a master's degree began in 1990. In 2018, I considered starting a theology program in Boston, but God had other plans. This time, His call was loud and clear; I recognize that call and answered YES! Now is the right time because it's on God’s time.

I look forward to learning, studying, and growing in faith with all of you.

In Christ’s love & service

Jackie Ormsby

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Hello all, my name is Bryce Karafa, and I have been a youth pastor for the last six years. I currently live just outside Detroit, Michigan in a town called Royal Oak. I am taking a break from vocational ministry to seek some personal growth. I am really passionate about how God has used His transforming love throughout history and continues to transform us today. I am excited to start in the Theology and Social Justice program. I hope to use my education to be an example to others, specifically teenagers, of what it means to be made right with God and to fully buy in to His transforming love and grace.

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I am a technologist, pastor, and Bible teacher born and raised in Hyderabad, India, where I served as Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor until 1997. Since moving to the U.S. in 1997, I have ministered at several small, primarily South Asian congregations, and now serve as an Elder at Trinity International Christian Church in Philadelphia, contributing to outreach, fundraising, and biblical counseling for multicultural diaspora communities. I am pursuing a D.Min. at Northeastern Seminary to study and explore a spiritual formation framework addressing honor-shame dynamics and mental health stigma among South Asian Christians

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Stoked to be joining all of you here at Northeastern Seminary! I'm working toward the completion of my Master's Certificate to move on toward my DMin. I have spent 30 years in ministry, teaching and preaching through God's word. I've also spent three decades in publishing as an author, editor, book designer and publishing consultant. I serve on the teaching team at my church in San Diego, and also teach weekly over Zoom to a church in Uganda, where I also travel to help in church planting, church planter assessments, teaching and other ministry endeavors. I've been married for 32 years, and have three grown children. My wife, Karla, is wrapping up her Master's in Art History, so there are now officially 5 college students at home!

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I am eddie greyfox Burgess and  a Chaplain at the local VA in Maine.  As I like to learn through lecture I am hoping this will be challenging of the mind so i can share more with folks !

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Hey y'all! My name is Amy Rogers, and I live in Eastern NC (born and raised!). I have a bachelor's degree in Business Management as well as a master's degree in Sociology, both from East Carolina University. Seminary was never a thought in my mind until a few months ago, when one of my non-Christian friends randomly told me she could see me in seminary (God can use anyone, right!?). I have worked for 9 years with the local Department of Social Services in Medicaid eligibility, and being an advocate for the less fortunate in my community has always been my heart, I just never realized that there was something that could combine my love for God and social justice until I found this program. I am excited about what is to come, and I look forward to meeting each of you soon!

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Hello everyone! Please forgive my glasses - my eyes are extremely light-sensitive. It’s a pleasure to meet you all! Because my history in ministry has consistently focused on the intersection of faith and doubt, equipping believers to share Jesus with their unsaved friends and drawing skeptics towards confident trust in Christ, the ministry organization Reasons to Believe (RTB) offered me a position on their staff. Prior to this role, I spent twenty years as a pastor of evangelism before accepting the offer at RTB a little over two and a half years ago. This position calls for someone who is strong theologically, culturally, and is intrinsically driven to engage the skeptical demographic with truth and compassion. To most faithfully steward the team God has entrusted to me, a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is my next step towards growing as a pastor, leader, and evangelist. My goal is to be better equipped to support RTB’s evangelism teams, to strengthen the local church’s efforts to engage skeptics, and to become more effective personally by doing my part to open hearts to the gospel.

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Peace and Joy! Nice to e-meet you all. I am honored to be a part of the Northeastern legacy (DMin). My name is Jamella, and I am from Rochester, NY. I graduated from SUNY Buffalo Law School, and serve as a deaconess at the historic Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. Like all of you, I am in pursuit of knowledge and understanding. I believe the Most High God has put me on this path to continue my education in Him and His Law. I remain humble and grateful for all of the wonderful things He has done in my life and for my family. I am excited to see what unfolds from this journey of spirituality and obedience.

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Hi! My name is Anyah Lewis, born and raised in Detroit Michigan! I'm super excited to be merging both ministry and social justice together this fall! Both are my passions, and I'm grateful to God for this opportunity! Just two years ago I graduated with my bachelors degree ins Sociology, and I thought the next degree would be in Public Administration, however God had other plans.

I'm super excited to be here and to be on this journey with all of you. Whether we cross paths in classes, or we continue to interact on here, I'm praying for each of us as we further our education but, most importantly, as we continue to advance the kingdom!

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Hello everyone! My name is Eve, and I'm so excited to be joining you on this journey! I am a hybrid student and Rochester native living close to campus as I work towards my Masters in Divinity. An animal and nature lover, my journey to Christ has been deeply personal, and I hope to someday be a chaplain at a women's shelter and to also write a book. I look forward to taking this next step with all of you and getting to know you better!

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Hello friends! My name is Josh Brooker and I'm very excited to begin my journey at Northeastern Seminary. I pastor a church in rural Middle Tennessee and have felt a nudging from the Holy Spirit for several years to go back to school in order to pursue more theological training and guided spiritual formation for my next season of ministry.

I'm very grateful and eager to see what the Lord has for me in the days ahead in my time at Northeastern. I'm looking forward to meeting you all and learning together with you in the classroom. Blessings!

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Hey everyone! My name is Elle Emmert, and I am so grateful to begin my journey pursuing a MA in Spiritual Formation here at Northeastern. I am a Pastor's wife, the mom of (almost) three littles, and much of my life revolves around our family and church home. Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of serving alongside my husband in ministry, and walking with others through the many different seasons life has to offer. Those experiences have really deepened my love for helping people encounter God in the everyday moments, while recognizing the privilege it is to be a safe space for others.

After transitioning from my career in HR, and focusing on raising our daughters, I am so excited for this journey and to hear more about the ways God is moving in each of your lives!

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Hi, my name is Sharon Douglas. I live in Chester County, PA. I am entering the DMIN program to prepare for my next level of my calling. I am excited about reentering the DMIN program.

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Hi Everyone,

My name is Carline (pronounced Car-Leen). After a recent two-year mission stint in Montreal, Canada, my husband Brian and I now live in New York City.

We both sense God is leading us to be trained, refined, and prepared for the next season of ministry.

Entering seminary side by side is a personal and shared calling that will allow us to grow together in biblical training, discipleship, and preparation for future ministry.

Blessings to All

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Hi

My name is Brian Ansari and I am pictured here with my wife and fellow Northeastern Seminary student, Carline Ansari.

This is the current leg on our journey with the Lord, which has taken us many places geographically on mission trips and personal travels as well as spiritually as the Lord has grown us as followers of Christ together, as parents of six, grandparents of 12, leaders in our church, serving missionally in Turkey, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Phoenix Arizona, Montreal Canada and now in NYC, my place of birth.

We currently own BrianAnsari and Associates Inc. a management consulting firm focused on supporting the operational maturity of organizations, systems and processes. Last week we completed our 7 years anniversary in business and we have watched the Lord transform us on our business and ministry journey.

We are returning to school ,for me its been 32 years, and im getting reacclimated to not just school but the online classes and participation. We are in the certificate program, The The Advanced Certificate in Scripture, Theology, & Ministry, as a prelude to the DMin program.

We are embarking on this journey in full trust and confidence that this is where the Lord has led us and that this instrument he is putting in our hands will be used to bring him glory. We currently are attending two churches in NYC, SoulCry Church, in Astoria Queens and Bethel NYC in NYC.

We are enjoying the bounty of churches here in NYC and trusting the Lord in all things. We look forward to meeting all of you and bearing witness to the wonderful work God does with a submitted heart.

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Blessings! My name is Melodie Soto. I am excited to start this journey at Northeastern Seminary. It is an answered prayer, and I can't wait to see what God does through it. In this season, he has been stretching me and shaping me into the Woman of God I have been called to be. It has not been easy, but I am grateful for it all.

I live in Rochester, NY. I am married with 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy. Our oldest just graduated from High School and currently attends Roberts. The two younger ones are still in grade school.

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Hi y'all! You guys are awesome, loved reading everyone's unique God-written story and push to be here. Well, peoples of God, I'm here because I got a call from God to ministry, and how beautiful it is to say yes to God! I also have a passion for the truth and Christ transforming lives especially the youth, so the opportunity to deeply study the Word of God is so exciting.

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Hello everyone, I am a volunteer hospice chaplain at a hospice facility in California. I am both excited and nervous about returning to school after so many years. My goal is to become a full-time chaplain after retirement. I am praying for God's grace as I embark upon this journey as a new student.

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Hello all, I am auditing Biblical Worldview in the fall. Attended Roberts Wesleyan for undergrad, and SUNY Brockport for my Masters. I have always had a joy for learning, so the idea of going to class but wriggling out of any term papers sounds like heaven! Cannot wait to chat with you all.

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Excited, albeit a little apprehensive, to be back in the classroom after working for so many years. My goal is to obtain an MDiv and serve as a military chaplain. I have been in the military in other capacities for the past 14 years. My fulltime job is as an operational consultant for an expeditionary healthcare company. My wife of 25 years and I live in a beautiful New Hampshire town called Lebanon. We have 6 kids. Two of whom are out of the house, one is serving a two year mission in Europe for our church, and the three younger ones are still in grade school. We belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My wife Katie owns and operates a successful cookie bakery in town. So grateful for her support as I jump headfirst into this program.

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My name is Ellen Brauza. I am auditing Dr. Middleton’s course, because he was one of my professors years ago at CRCDS in Rochester, and his subject matter is particularly applicable to these times.

I am a priest in the Episcopal Church; technically retired, but still active in parish ministry. I live in Buffalo, NY.

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Hello, my name is Dan Sheldon, and I live in Roscoe NY. I am married with 4 children. I am employed as a high school history teacher, where I currently teach Global History and Geography 1, and 2. I am extremally excited be be in the Masters of Arts in Theological studies program. I am interested in learning more deeply about the Bible not only to give me a better understanding, but as a teacher I want to be able to convey this knowledge to other people. I feel the the foundation of our Christian faith in first and foremost in Jesus Christ our Lord, and Savor. It is also to go out and make disciples of people bringing them the good news of the Lord. I believe this program will help me on my journey to bring people to the Holy Spirt.

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Hello my name is Kevin Stewart and I live in the Bronx, NYC. I am married for 34 years with 2 children. I am an assistant pastor and I’m employed as a Child Protection Specialist for NYC. I am always trying to learn as much as I can about God and Jesus Christ. I want to be as sure as I can about what a good Christian walk entails. If I can get closer to the Father and be able to lead others to him accurately I think that is worth spending time to accomplish. I’m excited to be joining you all. 

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Hello my name is Kevin Stewart and I live in the Bronx, NYC. I am married for 34 years with 2 children. I am an assistant pastor and I’m employed as a Child Protection Specialist for NYC. I am always trying to learn as much as I can about God and Jesus Christ. I want to be as sure as I can about what a good Christian walk entails. If I can get closer to the Father and be able to lead others to him accurately I think that is worth spending time to accomplish. I’m excited to be joining you all. 

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My name is Sandy-Ann Robs, and I live in Rochester, NY. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Grenada ( a small island in the Caribbean). I have one daughter, she is almost 28 years old, and recently graduated from Brooklyn Law School.

I am a Certified Financial Planner, and I work at Fidelity Investments as a Financial Consultant.

One of the things I'm passionate about is teaching women the Word of God. In 2012, I established a 501 (C) (3) organization, Essential Women, Inc., whose mission centers around elevating the quality of women's lives by teaching them God's Word. I'm here to earn my Master's Degree in Theology to be better equipped to teach women.

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Hello Everyone! I’m honored to begin this journey in the Advanced Certificate in Scripture, Theology, & Ministry—the first step toward the Doctor of Ministry program here at Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan University.

This next chapter represents both a personal and professional milestone. I’m pursuing this certificate to deepen my theological insight, strengthen my leadership capacity, and ultimately empower others through culturally relevant teaching, mental health advocacy, and restorative ministry.

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Hello everyone, my name is Mark Frink. Im a Student with the 3+2 program between Roberts and NES. Thus, I am starting my first semester of Master's work. By the end of the program, I will have both my Bachelor's of Biblical Studies and my Master's of Divinity. I greatly enjoy Learning about God and his word and have a strong calling towards ministry.

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Hello everyone! 👋 My name is Michele and I’m from Singapore. I’m excited to be starting my Doctor of Ministry (DMin) journey, and I look forward to growing in my understanding of God and of myself. I also hope to get to know more friends here as we share in this journey of growing and learning together.

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Hello, fellow travelers. My name is Tim. I live in sunny Arizona. I received a final resounding call from the Lord to be of service to others. I decided to listen to the call, this time, and venture out into the wilderness to learn the path that I’ve been asked to walk. While financial analysis is my career, service to our human community is my commission. There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. I look forward to being with you on this journey.

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Hello everyone,

My name is Toby and I am from Hawaii. I was recruited to Roberts to play soccer and I graduated this past May. During my time at Roberts I was drawn into the heart of the Christian tradition. Although I was not raised in the church, I began to spiritually seek while I was at a community college in Oregon. Through all the people at Roberts, I began to from a deeper relationship with Christ. The approach that the theology department provided gave me the freedom to explore different ideas which drastically helped me on my faith journey.

I am pursing a master’s degree in theological studies to continue to navigate the mystery of God. I believe that my education here will provide me with a strong foundation as I live my life. I’m not completely sure what I want to do after I graduate, but I’m sure that during this process I will be able to discern where God is calling me next. I’m excited to start this journey with all of you!

God Bless!

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Hi everyone! I'm excited to begin the Theology & Social Justice program this fall. I received a dual degree in Marketing and Management from Roberts in 2013 and worked in the healthcare field until 2020 when I became a mom. Since then, I've been the full time stay at home mom of my two little ones. With one off to kindergarten this fall and the other starting preschool, I'm looking forward to also being "back to school" :)

I've had the tug in my heart to pursue a seminary education since graduating with my bachelors degree, but it never felt like quite the right time. A few months ago, I felt the tug again and decided to listen. While I don't have any specific career goals associated with pursuing this degree, I do have the goals of learning for the joy of learning, diving deeper into scripture in a more structured way, and exploring how God can use me to serve populations in my community that typically get overlooked by the Church. I can't wait to get started this fall!

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Hi Everyone,

It’s been a while since I’ve joined a classroom but am looking forward to the experience of learning about God’s love for humanity and his creation in Richard Middleton’s Biblical Worldview online course.

I’m a part time pastor with the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada for the past four years in Elmira, Ontario, Canada.

I love meeting with new people who have a similar passion for studying theology/philosophy, and look forward to engaging in some interesting discussions about how to apply our knowledge practically in church ministry or elsewhere.

My hobbies are reading, hiking, crocheting, and spending time with my family.

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Greetings, my name is Jacob Yeary. I have decided to come to the seminary after several years of suicidal thoughts after leaving the military. I have tried to lead my own life over the years with applying positive affirmations, journaling, fitness, going to therapy, gaining an associate’s degree, and believing in myself by trusting my own thoughts.

Near the end of march of this year I decided to plan out how I was just going to end it all for myself and leave my family and everything behind. In April I started to distract myself by watching a movie but came across a show called The Chosen.

It pricked my heart and brought me to seeking Christ. I soon found a minister who has taught me the importance of applying scripture daily.

Ever since then my heart posture has changed and I have gained more peace by accepting Jesus Christ as my lord and savior.

I now volunteer at the church that I attend on the production and first impression team.

What I learned is that all the earthly accomplishments and things that I was chasing is not the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus Christ is. John 14 verse 6.

I don’t have a specific detailed end goal far as a degree plan but I would like to share the Gospel contextually with those who are still broken in spirit.

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Hey everybody! The Lord has brought me to this point in countless miraculous ways. I grew up as a Pastor's Kid and the youngest of 5 girls and a twin. Although I relished in this divine calling to be in relationship with my Creator since before I can remember, the enemy manifested in many traumatic experiences throughout my life. After a violent NDE, the Spirit of God swooped in and took over my dreams, my thoughts, and desires to be pointed to Jesus Christ alone. The Lord began healing my PTSD through hours of worship, and a Spirit-led journey back to piano after 25 years off. Now, I lead worship on Tuesday nights at our church and lead a church service at a local assisted living. My local church has been the example of encouragement and edification that Paul describes; the church should be.

I am quite honored to be among all of you, studying this amazing God to give our utmost for his highest.

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Hello my name is Rashid Williams and I live in Jacksonville, FL with my beautiful wife and two daughters. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing & Real Estate from Florida State College. I was in the real estate field for four years after graduating from FSU. During that time I accepted a call to ministry and was licensed and ordained. I attended seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA and earned my Master’s of Divinity. I went into the field of Education after graduating from seminary and taught middle school history for three years. From there I served in various school leadership roles. I currently work for a community health and wellbeing project as the School’s Lead where I have the privilege of working with school leaders to optimize the school environment to improve the health and wellbeing of students. This is year twenty-three for me in ministry and I currently serve as an Associate Minister at Higher Definition Church. I am pursuing the Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction because I have felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to become a Spiritual Director. Looking forward to the journey!

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Hi all,

I'm not in a degree program but auditing Dr. Middleton's worldview class in the fall. My educational background is in engineering/computer science, and I live and work in Southeast Virginia. My real love is theology and philosophy, so I am excited about my first formal theology class minus the papers. :)

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Greetings! I currently serve as a conference pastor with the Wabash Conference Free Methodist Movement from Illinois. I am an Assistant. Pastor at Mt.Carmel FMC. Married 36 years, 5 adult children, 7.5 grandchildren

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Hello! I am Sarah; I am auditing a course this fall. It is actually one I took as an undergraduate student nearly 20 years ago, and I am excited and curious to see how I've grown and changed since then. I earned my Master's degree from NES 9 years ago, and just like to keep my toes in the classroom water so I don't lose my passion for learning.

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Joe Cleaves, M.A. Theology and Social Justice 

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Joe Cleaves, M.A. Theology and Social Justice 

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Hello everyone! My name is Joe Cleaves and this my daughter Palin. This was taken right before gameday. We are season ticket holders to our favorite team, the St. Louis Battlehawks. My wife Jane, Palin, and I live in Illinois. I go to Harvest Bible Church in Hannibal, Missouri. I am going to NES this fall and pursue my M.A. in Theolgy and Social Justice. I am a graduate of Lincoln Christian University. I got my B.A. in Christian Ministry. I work at a non-profit organization in my hometown, that helps the less fortunate. I try to help people find jobs so that they can get back on their feet. My organization provides clothes for interviews, gas cards, car repair, and rent assistance. We also help in a lot of other ways. This is where I feel like I am being called. I want to advocate for the less fortunate and share the good news of the Gospel. I am excited to start this fall at Northeastern Seminary!

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I came to Northeastern because I felt a deep calling in my life to care for others. Initially, I was skeptical about committing more time to my education, but God called me anyway. I am now fully immersed in the world of chaplaincy.

Currently, I am involved in the youth ministry at my church in Lake Elsinore, CA. When I’m not serving the next generation, you can find me homeschooling my five kids and sharing life with my husband of 12 years.

As many of the youth ministry leaders say, I am mothering (or ministering) to anyone God places in my path who needs a maternal touch in their life.

I’m eager to gain knowledge and experience alongside all my peers here!

HIS KINGDOM COME!! AMEN

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I currently work in the IT department at a hospital. But I would love to do more. I want to be able to pray for people when they go to the hospital. I want to sit with them as they wait for the test results. I want to be ther when they have no one else there. I want to be that person who sits with a grieving mother as she see the loss of her son in a horrible accident. I want to be the person who greets the person who is coming into hospice for their loved one. Oops, I have already done that. But, I lack the training. I want to be the best person for that moment. I believe that this training will help me be able to do all that better.

I work in the IT department of the hospital. I go over charts but I want to be able to see the people instead of looking at data. Hence I am on a path to become a chaplain.

Helen

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Hello all! My name is Hannah Ratliff. I work in higher education at University of the Cumberlands (Williamsburg, KY) as a Student Success Coordinator (advisor) and an adjunct professor. I am returning to seminary for a DMin degree to be better equipped for working in collegiate ministry and classrooms. I earned BS, MAEd, and Ed.S. degrees in Education and School Counseling from UC, and a MA in Biblical and Theological Foundations from Asbury Theological Seminary.

My husband, Rev. Dr. Jacob Ratliff, is the campus minister here at UC, and we work together to provide discipleship and spiritual community for our campus. We have been married for 10 years (this October!) and have been in ministry together for that entire time. We also serve with our local church - Cornerstone Community Church - in worship and discipleship ministries.

I am excited to take on this new adventure with the help of the Holy Spirit and God's people. Blessings to each of you!

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My name is Saundra, and I am from New York. I am married with children and grandchildren. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, and I am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Theology. After retiring from law enforcement, I have always dreamed of furthering my education in this field. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to fulfill this dream. I am pursuing a degree in Theology for my personal and spiritual enrichment, driven by a burning desire to learn more about my Lord and Savior. I was raised in the Baptist faith and have attended a Baptist church most of my life. However, I still yearn for a greater understanding of God's word from all the books in the Holy Bible. This is how I ended up here at Northeastern Seminary.

As I continue on this path, I trust God to provide me with deeper spiritual insight and direction for my life.

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My name is Lizette and we are from Arizona 🌵 We live in the country and I homeschool our two boys. I am also an artist and a gardener. Since 2015 the Lord has been working on my heart and creating in me a heart for His Word and His people. I was raised SDA but we attend a local messianic congregation and have been part of Messianic home fellowships since 2016. I have a BA in anthropology and worked as a speech language therapist before I had kids. Now I am a stay at home mom and auditing a course through NES. Looking forward to learning much this fall!

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Hi everyone,

My name is Keith Tatum. I'm from Topeka, Kansas, where I live with my wife and youngest daughter. After decades of nonprofit and state government work, God has called me into active ministry. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Washburn University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. I am absolutely thrilled to begin pursuing my M.A. within the Theology & Social Justice tract and ultimately plan to pursue a D.Min, also from Northeastern Seminary.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you along this journey together!

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Raymond (Ray) Graham, PsyD Candidate at RWU

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Raymond (Ray) Graham, PsyD Candidate at RWU

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Hey! I’m Ray Graham, and I have just completed my third year in the clinical/school PsyD program at Roberts Wesleyan University, with two more years to go! Getting there! While I have always been interested in religion and spirituality, it has been a while since I have actively explored that area. Given my future career as a psychologist, I believe that deepening my understanding of religion from a multicultural perspective—one that is often overlooked in society—will greatly enrich both my professional and personal life.

Additionally, spirituality runs in my family; several of my relatives were reverends, including my grandfather’s four brothers, while my grandfather himself was an MD in Rochester. This background has naturally influenced my interests and fueled my curiosity.

Overall, find myself excited about this opportunity to broaden my horizons and take a break from the usual program material during our summer break. It is undoubtedly a refreshing chance to gain valuable insights that will complement my future work and personal growth. Much love!

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Hi everyone!

My name is Irene Ramirez. I was born in El Paso, Texas, but I was raised in Southern California. I’m an Ordained Elder in the Free Methodist Church, and I currently serve as the Executive Pastor at Chapel of Change, a vibrant and growing church in the greater Los Angeles area.

My husband and I have been married for 20 years, and we’re blessed with four sons Raymond Jr. (19), Ricardo (12), Roberto (10), and Rodolfo (7). I also part-time homeschool my boys, which keeps life both full and fulfilling!

I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of my seminary journey. I believe God is continuing to shape and stretch me for His purposes, and I look forward to growing alongside each of you. See you in class!

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Hello! My name is Andrew Durso. I originally received my Bachelors Degree from Roberts Wesleyan in 2019 and am now an employee of the University! I am a Resident Director on campus overseeing mostly incoming first-year students. I am starting the Transformational Leadership Program this Fall! My father was a pastor my entire life and I always said that I was never going to get into the ministry, but God had other ideas. I am really excited to get started on this journey and see where I end up.

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Hello Everyone,

My name is Mathew Leis and I have just finished my third year in the PsyD program at Roberts Wesleyan University, studying clinical and school psychology. I am taking this course to enhance my multicultural awareness in the context of religion and to deepen my understanding of diverse belief systems, practices, and values. By exploring different religious traditions, I aim to develop greater empathy and respect for perspectives that differ from my own, which is essential in our increasingly interconnected world. This knowledge will help me engage more thoughtfully with people from various cultural backgrounds and foster inclusive environments in both personal and professional settings.

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Hi everyone,
I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I now live with my husband Derrin of 20 years and our two amazing teens, Jett (17) and Georgia (15).

In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which led to several years of intense treatment. By God’s grace, I am now cancer-free. During that season, I encountered the peace, love, and healing of Christ in the most tangible ways. It was through that valley that the Lord drew me into deeper intimacy and a hunger for spiritual formation. I began seeking to center my life around the disciplines of faith and sensed a clear invitation to walk even closer with Him.

I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of the Dallas Willard Institute’s School of Kingdom Living as well as Northeastern Seminary, where I’m pursuing a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of a local non-profit breast cancer center in Fairbanks that provides screening mammograms regardless of insurance or income. We operate both a clinic and a mobile mammography unit that travels throughout Alaska, including rural villages—ensuring access to care.

While I feel a growing pull toward full-time ministry, I know the Lord has me exactly where He wants me right now, serving the women of my community. I’m looking forward to learning, growing, and walking alongside all of you in this sacred season.

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My name is Brian Warth from Los Angeles/Long Beach CA. I've been married to my wife, Laura, for 27 years. We have 3 kids - Nathaniel 16, Sarah 14, Sofia 11. We co-pastor Chapel of Change in Los Angeles/Long Beach. We are both Free Methodist elders. I've been blessed to represent the Free Methodist Church in a number of nations: Guatemala, El Salvador, Egypt, Kenya, Philippines and England. I can't wait to go to New York to see where Bishop BT Roberts ministered.

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Hello yall! I am from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Near Tulsa! I have a Masters in Biblical Studies. I pastor a house church alongside my husband (3 years strong). We were children's pastors for 5 years in a non-denominational church. We have a 7 year old spunky red-headed kiddo. I work in supplement sales and I am a holistic health practitioner. I love to garden organically (creation care is my jam). I love Biblical context and original language and learning the Bible on its own terms. I have scoliosis that i've been working to heal without surgery (my largest curve was a 66, its now a 50). Going for walks fills my soul.

I am pursuing my 2nd masters, specifically a MDiv because I want diversity. My last degree came from a university that had very strict views that I mostly did not agree with (read the Bible literally, women cannot be in leadership positions, etc.) and I wanted to pursue the opposite thought of that university to create a wholeness for the members of my house church and to expand my own thoughts and belief systems. Though I did not fully agree with my last university I learned a great deal and had wonderful professors who impacted me for life! I'll be forever thankful for that experience. I am looking forward to this new experience and the growth that will take place in community!

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I am beginning an MA Theological Studies with a Chaplaincy focus!

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Nancy Richmond                                   M.A. Spiritual Formation

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Nancy Richmond                                   M.A. Spiritual Formation

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Hi from Lake Tahoe, CA. It's a privilege to join this community at Northeastern Seminary. I am a retired Spec. Ed. teacher of 24 years and a professional horse trainer. My husband and I enjoy ranch life with our beautiful animals, travel and adventure. This past year offered me the opportunity to enroll in the Dallas Willard School of Kingdom Living that works in conjunction with Northeastern Seminary. Spiritual Formation is currently my interest of study in both schools. It has been over 40 years since taking a college course and the new "on line" learning curve is quite interesting but with the Lord's grace, we will master this! The journey of faith offers many new and interesting roads, this being one of them. Never in my wildest dreams did seminary seem a reality.....But God!

I welcome the journey with curiosity, gratitude and great enthusiasm.

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Hello everyone! Very happy to be here. My name is Blake Costa, and I'm presently a software engineer for NYS.

Pursuing my M.Div. has been something that's been weighing on my mind for a long time. As you may infer, I come from a technical background; but I have worked lots of different roles. From a Farm Hand, to a Corrections Officer, to Head of Technology.

I've witnessed and done many different things. But after feeling lost for a number of years, it became abundantly clear that serving a greater vision through our Lord Jesus Christ was a major part of my path. I hope to leverage my M.Div. for a prospective military chaplaincy, and to use my M.Div. as the foundation for my own business/ministry initiatives. I plan on eventually making a lateral transfer towards cybersecurity to focus on cybercrime, trafficking & privacy concerns.

We need more Christ centered leadership within cybersecurity, AI, QIS (Quantum Information Science), and other autonomous agent systems. I'm a hidden logistician at my core, but I love the lord and I love people. I just hope to serve just a small part in this greater ideal.

My wife and I live in the rural Catskill Mountains, with lots of chickens, turkeys, pigs and animals to boot. Feel free to reach out to me, as I love talking with new people and learning their journey's.

Be strong, be courageous, and God bless.

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My wife and I are associate pastors at Chapel of Change, a Free Methodist church in Southern California, as well as assistant directors at the men and women’s homes affiliated with the church.

We were both homeless and addicted before Jesus saved our souls. Today we are praying and fighting for building His Kingdom in churches and movements of God in Southern California and all over the world.

We are looking forward to gaining the wisdom and guidance that Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan has to offer and are eager to build the Kingdom with you!

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Hi there! I'm Jared Fischer a 40-year-old husband, father of two daughters, and retired Navy veteran. After my military career, I answered the call to ministry, earning my Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Luther Seminary. I have a passion for sharing the gospel and pastoral care. I serve as pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lockhart, Texas, committed to proclaiming God’s word, fostering community, and guiding others in their walk of faith.

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Dennis Nichols, Advance Certificate in Spiritual Direction

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Dennis Nichols, Advance Certificate in Spiritual Direction

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Hello Everyone,

I am returning to seminary after a completing my Ed.D in Organizational Leadership in 2016. Currently I work as a Chaplain and CPE educator candidate for Sutter Health in Northern California. Sue and I have been together for 46 years; raise two daughters; and enjoy our granddaughters whenever possible. Having served in the military, pastoral ministry, and higher education, we decided this certificate would be a great augment to my current work and calling. I look forward to this next chapter.

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I earned a Master's in Leadership and Management from Seminary and was a guest lecturer at Christian post-secondary institutions. Additionally, I have served in various ministry positions and worked with both church and parachurch ministry organizations over the past 25 years. I also have a Master's degree in Strength and Conditioning and have coached amateur, collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes. I am a board gaming enthusiast and have competed in board game tournaments at the local, regional, national, and international levels for 20 years. Lastly, I am interested in transformational leadership as my DMin focus.

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Hey there! My name is Kaye Genin, and I am church planting in Madison, WI with my husband and three boys. It's a scary, yet exciting time following Jesus into the unknown! I am the co-senior pastor alongside another awesome woman in ministry. I decided to go on to seminary because I wanted a broader and deeper view of theology, and I believe education is so important for ministers as we endeavor to lead people well. I always tell my kiddos that God could use Daniel because he was well-educated, and worldly kingdoms looked on him with favor. I am excited to continue in the model of Daniel here!

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Hello, I am Andrew Bauer. I live in Bathurst, New Brunswick Canada with my wife Pam. We have 3 kids and 3 grandkids. We have been married and in pastoral ministry for 31 years and it has been an amazing journey of trusting God through many adventures. In 2018 I finished a Masters of Ministry in Theology and Culture from a small Canadian university and thoroughly enjoyed doing studies at a graduate level. I love investing in the lives of young leaders in formal and informal ways. Before the war started, I spent time in Ukraine teaching emerging leaders in a seminary there. I am beginning the DMin program because I believe that in whatever years I have left on this planet I want to do what I can, both in my country and around the world, to contribute to healthy, strong leaders being raised up for the kingdom of Jesus to advance!

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Hello! My name is Lana Varela. Continuing my education at NES is a life long dream come true. I am currently serving as a pastor of women's ministry and want to expand my education to help in my current and future roles. I live in Southern California and am a mom to 5. My husband and I work together to juggle our careers and homeschool for our three youngest kids. It's humbling and fun to be back at school at the same time as my two oldest children are attending college. Education is such a gift and I'm excited for what God has ahead here at NES.

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Kristin Gilmore, Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy 

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Kristin Gilmore, Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy 

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Hello! I am Kristin Gilmore, and I am cautiously, optimistically, excited about continuing my educational journey with Northeastern Seminary. I am currently a co-vocational pastor, chaplain, and mother of three. My husband and I are co-lead pastors of a church plant in Wichita, Kansas where I also serve as a hospital chaplain at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I coach club soccer, avidly support a theater kid, serve as a taxi cab for extra curricular activities of all kinds, and teach pastors-in-training across Kansas for the Church of the Nazarene. To say I am busy is an understatement. But when the Lord calls... So here I am, continuing my education in order to pursue Board Certification through the APC. I enter this season with much trepidation, and yet I know that the learning and experience will be life-changing and invaluable to the journey ahead! I look forward to getting to know you all!

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Hello, my name is Kevin Sizer. The Lord blessed me with 21 great years to serve and protect as an police officer with the Rochester Police Department, NY. I was blessed to retired earlier this year. The Lord allowed me to learn more about myself as well as the community that I served in. The past four years the Lord has been doing some amazing things within my heart, causing a fire within me that I've never felt before. This year I have been a transformed inside and out. When I first gave my life over to Christ, back in the late 90's I felt a call to do something, but being a baby in Christ I wasn't sure. Now since, I have matured in life and spiritually, I have accepted the call and have truly surrender my all to Him. I know it's not going to be a easy journey, but I am looking forward to what He has in stored for me.

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Hello, I'm Zach Thorp, I am excited to continue my education here at NES. From a young age, I have always been interested in learning and growing. I have a personal motto: Grow daily or die gradually. I apply this to all aspects of my life. I am a husband, a father of soon to be 4 boys and a full time pastor. I went to UVF and received my under grad in Pastoral ministry. I then went not to get my masters in Organizational leadership from Crown College. And now I desire to continue to grow deeper in my understanding of the Word of God and my faith as I grow with Jesus.

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James D'Angelo, Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy

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James D'Angelo, Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy

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Hello fellow servants of the Most High God! I felt the call to ministry when I was younger, ignored it, and as the Lord is oft to do, He got my attention through a series of significant changes and challenges in my life. About four years ago I completed my undergraduate studies in Organizational Leadership and Christian Ministries at Bethel University in Minnesota. Now I'm blessed to minister to the broken, homeless, and addicted as an advisor, instructor, and case manager for a Gospel Mission. To personally grow and be better at what I've been called to do requires that I drill the well deeper, refresh my soul, and gain the knowledge and skills to minister more effectively, more compassionately. This is the why behind my pursuit of the Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy, with the desire to continue towards a Masters in Theology and Social Justice. I currently reside in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

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Hello everyone! My name is Steven C. Woodcock and I am very excited to be joining the Northeastern Seminary community this Spring. I have been serving as a Chaplain with palliative care and hospice patients for the past 8 years in Detroit, Michigan, and have been thankful to God for this ministry opportunity. I thought I’d serve for a year or two and now it’s been almost a decade and I’ve enjoyed every challenging minute of it. I have been happily married to my wife Haley for 7 years, and we have a sweet little puppy named Tilly who is our whole world. I have always wanted to go to seminary after graduating from Spring Arbor University in 2016, but work, marriage, and ministry put that dream on pause. It was about a year ago when I really felt a pull to go back to school and pursue seminary. After lots of prayer, speaking with my wife, and some great conversations with a former professor and current mentor of mine from Spring Arbor University (he went to Roberts for his undergrad), he recommended checking out NES and after reading through the website, watching the faculty/staff testimonials, and after some more prayer I knew this is where God was calling me. I look forward not only to deepening my theological understanding, but am incredibly excited for the spiritual formation that will occur as well as this qprogram highlighted both the academic and personal formation beautifully. All that I want to gain from this experience is a deeper knowing of the Lord. I don’t want to just know more about God, but I want to know him more deeply and intimately. I will be taking just one class this Spring to get my feet wet again, but plan I starting full time in the summer and further on with the Masters of Arts in Theological Studies. Looking forward to getting to chat, learn, and grow in peace and love in Christ with you all.

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Hi everyone. I'm joining the NES community with a vision for deepening my spiritual formation and creating a structure for a not-for-profit I'm creating (Christian Community Experiments (CCX)) focused on mission, prayer, and justice issues in the context of Christian Community. I left my role as CEO of a mental health non-profit (I'm also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) to focus on creating CCX but I also created a mental health for-profit organization designed to both provide innovative therapy and to fund the CCX (I'm not a big fan of fund raising). I'm currently in the midst of completing the Dallas Willard School of Kingdom Living (with which NES has a partnership). I did my psychology graduate work at California Baptist University, which I followed with an internship focused on family therapy in a juvenile hall facility. I focused much of my clinical career on Wraparound Children's Services, an innovative set of strategies for serving severely challenged kiddos in their family/community settings. I live in Cedarpines Park, a resort community suburb in the San Bernardino Mountains (Southern California). In 2023, I took vows with the Order of the Mustard Seed which allows both connection with an amazing global community of Christ followers and opportunity for intensive apprentice experiences in prayer, justice, and mission. Finn is a therapeutic adjunct, as well as being a great social connector.

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Hi everyone! My name is Justin. I graduated from Alliance Theological Seminary with my Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. That in and of itself was a testimony of following the Lord in faith. As an undergraduate student, I can admit that I wasn't the best student and vowed that I would never go back to school. Much to my surprise, in the year 2019, I sensed the Lord calling me to go to seminary. With this, I started at ATS in the beginning of 2021. I graduated there in 2023, but wouldn't have imagined that I would now be starting my D.Min degree. I am beyond grateful to following the Lord's lead to education so that I can better serve Him and His people. I have been an associate minister for the past 11 years. I currently serve as the Minister to Young Adults and Congregational Care. I sense God also calling me into further ministry as a lead pastor. I am grateful for my seminary education at ATS and now, the opportunity to go deeper here at NES. I live in Easton, Pennsylvania with my wife Lydia.

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Hello from Henderson, North Carolina! What a joy it is to join you all on this journey. I work for The Salvation Army, managing its Social Services department at my local Corps while also attending weekly Holiness Meetings. I made the jump from Catholicism to the Wesleyan-Holiness movement a little over a year ago. When I am not participating in Salvation Army events, I am most often found on a hiking trail, or at home enjoying a mug of coffee with my favorite felines, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Cat Stevens. Admittedly, the last year has presented challenges, including a family suicide, along with dementia-related challenges with aging family members. At times I have felt a bit selfish pursuing any form of study as I navigate this phase of life with my family. I am heavily leaning on the Lord as I take this leap of faith. I have long sought a theological education, and I am grateful for the patience and support I have found in the team at Northeastern Seminary. I look forward to joining with you in classroom discussions, as we learn and grow more deeply in our faith together!

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Nathan Nedopak - MA Transformational Leadership

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Nathan Nedopak - MA Transformational Leadership

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Hello! I have been desiring for many years to go back to school for my master's degree. I believe this program will equip me with the tools needed for the current and upcoming seasons of life and ministry.