Twenty-four students currently at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) are either in the RPCNA or are in the process of entering the denomination. The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary would like to share highlights of each of these students and their experiences, so that you may better know them and pray for them during their training.

Noah Bailey and his family attend First RPC in Beaver Falls, Pa., where he serves as a deacon. Noah began full-time study in fall 2006 and should receive his M.Div. in 2009. He says the professors “teach students to think, to worship, and to serve as men after God’s own heart, because they know from their own experience that nothing less will suffice.”

Daniel Drost, who came from Massachusetts to enter the M.Div. program in 2006, attends Providence RPC in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was impressed with the Seminary’s thoroughly Reformed theology applied to every area of life, including worship and civil government. “The lectures are like preaching, which is very edifying.” The Seminary, along with Daniel’s wife, Abigail, influenced his joining the RPCNA. He aims to begin pastoral work after graduating in 2009.

Keith Evans and his wife, Melissa, attend North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC, where they work with the youth ministries program. At the time of entering Seminary, they were searching for a different denomination, and, becoming convinced of the distinctives in worship through Dr. Dennis Prutow’s worship class and the influence of President Jerry O’Neill, they joined the RPCNA. Keith should graduate in May 2009.

Lindsey Gamble, eldest daughter of Dr. Richard Gamble, attends Grace RPC in Gibsonia, Pa., where she helps with the nursery and Sabbath school. She began at RPTS this fall to grow in her knowledge of God and to witness to those around her. She says the training she receives will help her to properly “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me the reason for the hope that I have.”

Ryan Hemphill came to the Seminary by way of Shawnee, Kan., in 2006, and attends Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. He hopes to be a pastor after graduation in 2009. Ryan delights in the diversity of student denominational backgrounds at RPTS: “It means that our Seminary is having an effect on the broader church. Reformed doctrines are going out to denominations and congregations that are in desperate need of the truth.”

Liesl Kail attends College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC with her husband, Zack, a senior M.Div. student. She has been studying off and on the last few years, and will use her seminary training in the church and in the home as a wife and mother. Her father, Dr. Richard Gamble, was the chief influence for her studying at RPTS; her most meaningful experience was meeting her husband.

Zachary Kail teaches senior high Sabbath school class. While looking for a seminary in Pittsburgh, he heard the RPTS radio commercials. Dr. Dennis Prutow’s class on worship convinced him of the distinctives the RPCNA upholds, which led to his joining. He hopes to teach or pastor after graduating next spring.

Yasuko Kanamori attended Mukonoso, Japan, RPC before taking up seminary studies in spring 2007. She attends Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC while in seminary. She’s building a firm theological foundation in preparation to go into counseling back in Japan and to effectively translate what she is learning into her native cultural context. She should graduate with her M.T.S. degree in spring 2009.

Jill Klaassen is a member of Sterling, Kan., RPC. Jill enrolled this fall in the M.T.S. program to prepare for Ph.D. studies to later teach philosophy at the college level. Her experience with the Seminary’s professors and classes through the Theological Foundations for Youth program attracted her to RPTS, along with financial support from the Seminary and her congregation. She plans to graduate in 2009.

Patrick Marx is coordinator of outreach and foreign missions for Covenant Fellowship (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC, where he also helps with the church’s KidZone ministry. He began studying in 1998, received his M.T.S. degree in 2005, and is now working toward graduating with an M.Div. degree in 2009. He also serves with the Allegheny County Jail Ministry, and co-founded and coordinates the Reformation Society of Pittsburgh.

Bill Matthess and his family worship at Rose Point (New Castle, Pa.) RPC. They relocated to Pennsylvania last year from Northern Ireland, where they were members of Carrickfergus Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship. Bill enrolled in the M.Div. program this September, and has been encouraged to see the spirit of unity among those from different cultural and theological backgrounds. He expects to graduate in 2010.

Tim McClain is a ruling elder at First RPC of Beaver Falls, Pa., and has been a part-time student at RPTS since 1999. Among many personal influences to go to Seminary, he emphasizes that the catalog was “packed full of courses that really looked exciting to me!” Tim aims to graduate in 2008 with his M.Div. and hopes to pastor a church.

Teresa Pegors attends Covenant Fellowship (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC and participates in a Bible study at Carnegie Mellon University led by Pastor Rut Etheridge (’05 alum). She began studying at RPTS to prepare for later Ph.D. studies in the cognitive sciences and to be a scientist to the best of her ability, approaching her field of study as a Christian. She expects to graduate with her M.T.S. in 2009.

James Samreny graduated from Geneva College, where he played football and majored in history. He coaches football at Keystone Oaks High School. James’s goal at RPTS is “to come away with a deeper understanding of God’s Word to have clarity in Christ’s calling for my life as I work out my role as pastor in my home.” He and his family attend Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC.

Shane Sapp and his family (above) came from Springs (Colorado Springs, Colo.) RPC. His most meaningful experience was an internship this summer in Airdrie, Scotland, where he and his family experienced the life of a pastor. Slated to graduate in 2009, he comments on the classroom experience: “One moment you are in awe of the wonderful doctrines of the Bible, and the next moment your heart is pricked as the professor transforms into a preacher.”

Kelly Sapp, wife of student Shane Sapp, participates in the monthly Seminary Women fellowship time, and began auditing classes this fall in order to learn more about Scripture and Reformed theology, which she is using in her personal devotions and interactions with nonbelievers. “I’m very happy that wives of students can audit classes for free!”

Beverly Simpson began to take courses part-time at the Seminary a year ago: “Instruction in the faith once delivered is precious and delightful!” Over the last several years, she came to know people in the RP Church both at the Seminary and in some of the congregations, which led to her beginning to worship at Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC.

Alex Tabaka attends Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. He came to the Seminary this fall by way of Rochester, N.Y., RPC, where Pastor Bill Chellis influenced him to become Reformed Presbyterian while he was earning his jazz saxophone performance degree from the renowned Eastman School of Music. He says, “The professors have exemplified approaching theology on your knees before a holy God.” Alex anticipates receiving his M.Div. degree in 2010.

Kihei Takiura lives on the Seminary campus and attends North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. He was part of Okamoto Keiyaku, Japan, RPC before coming to RPTS. His most meaningful lesson so far is “to fear God and to preach Christ.” He believes the professors’ pastoral experience helps their teaching to be balanced, real, and universal. He plans to return to Japan after graduation in 2010.

Jeremy Vogel began attending Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC after being convinced in Seminary of the worship distinctives upheld by the RPCNA. He volunteers for Compassion International and is studying to be “fully equipped spiritually and academically to be a minister seasoned in the Word and grounded in Christ in order that the kingdom of God will advance.” Jeremy began study in the M.Div. program in 2006.

Toby Warner attends Covenant Fellowship (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. He attended College Hill (Beaver Falls, Pa.) RPC while a student at Geneva College, where he was introduced to the RPCNA. He credits a summer trip with RP Missions the summer before he enrolled in Seminary as what confirmed his call. Particularly enjoying learning about Reformed eschatology in the classroom, Toby aims to graduate with an M.Div. in 2009.

Michael Weathers came most recently from Second RPC in Indianapolis, Ind. His most meaningful experience is the strong sense of community with other Reformed thinkers, and the one-on-one times with professors. He feels called to pastoral ministry after graduating in 2009, and shares: “What I have gained here through all the professors is invaluable and has shaped my thinking and my life.”

Connie Weathers attends Rose Point (New Castle, Pa.) RPC with her husband, Michael (see above), and their children, and teaches kindergarten Sabbath school. She currently audits the spiritual development class. “I’m excited to see how God is preparing to use me in the future through the things I’m learning now—the extreme importance of His children coming to a true realization and internalization of who they are in Christ.”

David Whitla and his family attend Providence (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC. A member of Southside (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC, he is originally from Ireland. He began at RPTS in 2000 through the influence of his wife, June, and Dr. Jerry O’Neill. He appreciates the emphasis on preaching by seasoned pastors, and lauds the good sense of community at RPTS. David feels called to the ministry—confirmed at RPTS—after graduating next spring.