March 2020 began a long season of unusual happenings around the world. With the shutdown of much of the world’s economy, we all experienced shortages and empty store shelves. Trying to buy a car has been frustrating. Building materials have been hard to find and very expensive. Finding common grocery items could be a quest in proportion to King Arthur’s search for the holy grail.

But we Covenanters are quite used to shortages, at least when it comes to pastors.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) had a pastoral shortage long before the days of Covid-19. Due to retirements, church planting, and pastor burnout, many congregations have had long-term vacancies, some congregations waiting years for a new minister.

Aggravating this situation is a lack of men seeking the call of a minister. Much has been written about the need for men to take up seminary studies. For some time, there have been seasons of prayer, and church leaders have directly asked young men to consider the pastorate. The Lord has blessed these efforts, and much work remains.

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) graduating class in May helped to replenish the pastoral shelves, as it were. One of the largest graduating classes in recent years, the 2022 group brought forth a fair number of men for RPCNA pulpits. Often, RPTS has a fair number of master of divinity graduates (the traditional educational track to the pastorate). Many are trained for other denominations such as PCA, OPC, Baptist, and nondenominational congregations. So, while a large graduating class produces many workers for the great harvest of souls, often our own pulpits continue in seasons of waiting.

Where have some of this year’s graduates ended up?

Matthew Bates

Matthew is a member of North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. He will teach history, Bible, and lead chapel full-time at Robinson Township Christian School, where he has previously taught. He is continuing work on the final three examinations for licensure within Presbytery of the Alleghenies.

Seminary has provided a solid theological and practical foundation for teaching in a Christian school. “By promoting and requiring a relationship with the local church,” reflects Bates, “RPTS has prepared me to face the challenging theological issues and interpersonal discipleship found in Christian ministry.”

Bates resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., with his wife, Katrina, and their two daughters.

Allen Blackwood

Allen is the pastor-elect of Laramie, Wyo., RPC. Allen and his wife, Eleni, and their three children were members of Lafayette, Ind., RPC. He passed his ordination examinations during a meeting of Midwest Presbytery in mid-September. An ordination and installation service are not yet scheduled at the time of the writing of this article. After spending time preaching in Australia this summer, his family moved to Laramie in the middle of September.

Relationships formed a strong foundation for Allen’s understanding of ministry. His time spent with students, faculty, staff, and Pittsburgh-area RP Church leaders helped to build a network of support. The RPTS faculty regularly stated that students could call with questions once they began their ministries.

Colin Doyle

Colin, a Japanese citizen, works with St. Lawrence Presbytery in Fulton, N.Y. Under the tutelage of Pastor Kit Swartz, a retired minister from Oswego, N.Y., RPC, Colin is completing a year-long Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

Colin, his wife Hitomi, and their two sons enjoy upstate New York and are honored to serve the church in this way.

Noah

Noah (full name withheld) is a member of North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. As he continues preparing and taking various presbytery examinations, Noah will complete an OPT at his church. RPTS helped Noah, an international student, establish a framework of Reformed theology and expository preaching, which should serve him well as he proclaims the gospel.

Edgar Ibarra

Edgar currently serves as pastor of Las Vegas, Nev., RPC. RPTS helped develop his character as a Christian, helping him become more disciplined and careful in his Christian walk. He states that RPTS has also exposed his weaknesses so that he can recognize them and work on those areas of his spiritual walk. Edgar’s favorite memory at RPTS is going door-to-door and evangelizing in the community.

Edgar is also involved with spreading the Reformed faith in Latin America, a ministry he has shared within the denomination for years. He has established many relationships worldwide with those seeking to learn more about the denomination.

Robert Kelbe

Robert was ordained and installed as the minister of Manhattan, Kan., RPC on Sept. 9. Robert and his family attended Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC during his seminary studies. After a season of transience, the Kelbes are looking forward to planting roots and serving Christ for many years.

Kelbe grew tremendously during each year of his time at RPTS. He would note that he is intimidated by the work of a pastor demanding his total reliance upon the Lord. His studies affirmed this regularly through wonderfully honest and encouraging feedback from his professors and members of Presbytery of the Alleghenies.

Johnathan Kruis

Johnathan received an early call to Fresno, Calif., RPC. As members of the Los Angeles, Calif., RPC, Jonathan and Evelyn and their children welcome a return to California. They arrived in Fresno at the end of June, after a month in Canada visiting Evelyn’s family.

Johnathan passed a series of presbytery exams in October, and, Lord willing, an ordination and installation service will be scheduled before the end of 2022.

Johnathan notes how strange it is to not be on campus for the usual fall events or the assumption of another year of study. “RPTS equipped me well for the pastorate, though I don’t have all of the answers,” states Kruis. “I have the foundation to continue learning and working in this ministry.”

Paul Hemphill, a ruling elder from the Fresno congregation, reflects on how appreciative everyone is about Johnathan. “First,” says Elder Hemphill, “Johnathan boldly proclaims the Word of God from the pulpit. He has the heart of a shepherd, seeking to know all Fresno congregants truly.” Also appreciated is Johnathan’s heart for Pacific Coast Presbytery.

Aaron Murray

Aaron was ordained and installed as pastor of Marion, Ind., RPC on Oct. 6. Jason Camery, the current pastor, will stay as an associate pastor focusing on community outreach and prison ministry. Staying within Great Lakes-Gulf Presbytery, Aaron, his wife, Mary, and the rest of the family are looking forward to serving the saints in Marion.

Aaron thinks of three ways RPTS has prepared him for this time. First, the seminary has helped him to grow his love for God. Second, an outworking of the first is a love for the lost. Aaron looks forward to bringing the news of salvation to the unsaved in this part of Indiana. Finally, Aaron grew in his love for God’s people and their need for a shepherd.

Ministry is exciting, he says. The weekly schedule of sermon prep and shepherding is a great joy. At the same time, ministry is overwhelming if one tries to do it independently. “The Holy Spirit must be at work to bring about fruitful ministry,” notes Aaron.

Joe Smith and Josh Smith

In a humorous turn, two men named Smith are serving congregations called Westminster. Joe Smith was ordained and installed as pastor at Westminster, Colo., RPC. Joshua Smith was ordained and installed as pastor of Westminster (Prairie View, Ill.) RPC. It is fitting that the Lord called these two friends with a similar name to similarly named congregations.

Joe Smith, his wife, Ally, and their four children were members of Southside (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC. Joshua Smith, his wife, Brooke, and their three children were members of Grace (Gibsonia, Pa.) RPC.

Richard Truss

Richard Truss is the pastor of Zion Baptist Church in McKeesport, Pa. Richard began his studies at RPTS in 2015 on a part-time basis.

Richard notes, “I was able to incorporate what I learned in my teaching, preaching, and counseling. In terms of gaining beneficial educational and spiritual experience, I am wealthy! I thank God that RPTS has been an excellent opportunity and experience for me, even at my age. I was stretched, challenged, and encouraged by the coursework, the professors, and faculty. I shall always treasure what the Lord has provided me through RPTS.”

David Witmer

David has accepted a call to Seattle, Wash., RPC pending his passing of ordination examinations, which are yet to be scheduled. Should he pass these exams, Pacific Coast Presbytery will oversee an ordination and installation service. A member of the North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC, David, his wife, Crystal, and their son are preparing for the move west at a future date.

David notes that the seminary’s emphasis on personal piety, undergirded by a strong foundation in theology, has helped him grow significantly in his love for Christ and especially in applying the Scriptures to his life. He also appreciated how he was able to grow in his preaching abilities.

A common theme among most graduates is missing RPTS routines such as daily chapel service, fellowship with the seminary community, and the honor of studying in such a wonderful building.

That building, Rutherford Hall, will mark a special occasion next year.

In November 2023, RPTS will celebrate 100 years in its home on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pa. Many special activities are planned, such as musical events, lecture series, and other social gatherings. Plans are also in the works for a campaign to continue to prepare for the next century of ministry. Many gables have been reconstructed, so more of that is planned. General upkeep items such as replacing the flat roof over the Willson Center and significant parking lot repairs are in view. Other projects are being considered as well. Stay tuned for more information.

A unique plan for this centennial celebration is planting some new trees. The Horne family planted many majestic European-styled beech trees around the campus. Several of those have fallen to insect infestation and root issues. A careful plan is being prepared to plant appropriate trees to replace those lost.

RPTS, the fourth oldest seminary in the United States, has been preparing pastors and others in the church for kingdom service since 1810. Degrees include the master of divinity, master of theological studies, doctor of ministry, and a graduate theological studies diploma. Courses are available online (with some limitations). Auditors are encouraged and appreciated.