The board of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) is pleased to announce the graduating class of 2011. “It is interesting to note that we have had three students from Japan graduate in the last two years. Two students, Yasuko Kanamori (’10) and Kunio Hase (’11) are from the same church in Japan,” said RPTS president, Dr. Jerry O’Neill.

“This is a strong group and a very gifted class of preachers,” said Dr. O’Neill. Five RP students will join 8 other classmates in receiving their master of divinity degree. Three additional students are graduating with a master of theological studies degree. Keith Evans, Jonathan Haney, Adam Kuehner, H. P. McCracken and Kunio Hase, all members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, are among the graduates who will receive their degrees during the commencement service on May 20 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Adam Kuehner

Adam graduated in 2005 from Christ College in Lynchburg, Va., with a bachelor of applied theology. His decision to study at RPTS was affirmed through prayer and meeting Dr. O’Neill. Employed as an insurance agent, Adam works full-time and has completed his master of divinity in 42 months through an extensive use of evening classes and independent study programs offered at RPTS. Upon graduation, Adam plans to seek a full-time pastoral position in the RPCNA.

Adam lives in Gibsonia, Pa., with his wife Maegan and their two sons: Micaiah (4) and Frederick (3). Lord willing, a new child will join the family in July.

The Kuehners are members of Grace RPC in Gibsonia, Pa., where they are Sabbath school teachers for primary students. Adam serves on the buildings and grounds committee. Originally from Lititz, Pa., Adam enjoys reading Puritan and Reformed books along with an occasional cup of tea with Maegan. Wiffleball with his sons is another favorite activity.

Adam senses that the Lord is calling him to shepherd God’s people and to labor to win souls to Christ. During summer 2010, Adam completed a pastoral internship at Covenant RPC in Aurora, Ohio. He fondly recalls lingering after classes at RPTS to share the delight of edifying spiritual conversations with classmates.

Jonathan Yngvi Haney

Jonathan is originally from Ottawa, Kan. He is a graduate of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., with a B.A. in mathematics and a minor in philosophy. Jonathan and his wife, Adrienne, coffee aficionados, volunteered at The Inner Bean, a campus ministry coffee house in Emporia. This appreciation of all things coffee has extended to the famous and frequent evenings of coffee at their apartment for RPTS students. Jonathan enjoys mentoring youth and has a great passion to see young people take an active role in the church.

Jonathan has had quite a variety of experiences during his time of studies at RPTS. In addition to a pastoral internship at Covenant Fellowship RPC in Wilkinsburg, Pa., he has also interned in Australia. He and Adrienne have served as counselors at White Lake Camp in New York and the RP International Conference in Gartmore, Scotland. One of his fondest memories of his time at RPTS is of Shane Sapp, attired in his Boy Scout uniform, demonstrating his prowess in knot-tying skills with Dr. Prutow as a volunteer.

Jonathan knew of the seminary through the denomination but began to sense a call to pastoral ministry while serving on an RP mission trip to Uganda. Lord willing, Jonathan and Adrienne will move to Manhattan, Kan., following graduation to work with students at Kansas State University while seeking to plant an RP church there. Jonathan would say that he senses the Lord calling him to “a ministry that reaches out to the downcast.”

Herbert Paul McCracken

After graduating from Geneva College with a major in history, Herbert Paul (HP) did some substitute teaching while searching for a full-time teaching position. A recommendation from a member of his church directed HP to the seminary. Upon graduation from RPTS, HP is seeking a call to the pastorate in the RPCNA, if it is the Lord’s will.

HP said, “RPTS has given me a passion for and confirmed my calling to the pastorate.” Concerning the faculty, McCracken states, “The professors have not only been great teachers but great examples of shepherds through their deep faith in Christ.” One of the favorite memories of his time at RPTS involves the sharpening of his ping-pong prowess during “hundreds of games during his middler year.” McCracken comes from a long line of men called to the pastorate in the RP Church. His great-grandfather and grandfather were both pastors, along with cousins Tim and Andy who are currently serving the Lord in this important way.

HP and his wife, Carly, make their home in Beaver Falls where they enjoy raising their son, Owen, who is 10 months old. A lifelong member of the College Hill RPC in Beaver Falls, Pa., HP completed an internship there. He also interned at the Columbus, Ind., RPC. When not studying, HP enjoys fishing, traveling, volleyball, soccer, skiing and family time.

Kunio Hase

Kunio is a member of the Mukonoso RPC in Amagasaki, Japan. One of the smaller churches within the denomination, the Mukonoso congregation has nonetheless been very active in providing servants for kingdom work. Another member of this church, Yasuko Kanamori, a 2010 graduate of RPTS, has spent the last year serving at the Biblical Counseling Institute at RPTS. From Kobe, Japan, Kunio is a graduate of Kiuki-Osaka University, where he earned a B.A. in law. He then attended Kobe Theological Hall before coming to RPTS.

Currently under care of the Japan Presbytery of the RPCNA, Kunio was very active as a national leader in the InterVarsity Fellowship while still in Japan. Kunio hopes to do mission work with the Mukonoso RPC upon his return to Japan and to prepare for his presbytery examinations. He also is leading a work in Japan called “Second Level Ministry” which works with Japanese Christians returning to Japan from abroad by providing discipleship and scriptural podcasts.

Kunio, the only Christian in his family, notes several memories from his years at RPTS, especially weekly prayer with fellow graduate Rob Reyes and trips to Kansas and Colorado with the Haneys. Kunio quotes Psalm 119:71 as a key verse. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

Keith A. Evans

Keith, a native of Western Pennsylvania, is married to Melissa. They keep busy raising their daughter, Audrey (1), and are expecting a second daughter, Evangeline, in June, Lord willing. A graduate of Grove City, where he majored in psychology with a double major in Christian thought, Keith has been at RPTS since 2006. In addition to his studies, Keith is also director of admissions and financial aid at the Seminary. The Evanses worship at the North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC, where Keith has served as a pastoral intern.

Evans notes several important relationships during his studies at RPTS. “Working with pastors Harry Metzger and Martin Blocki has been an invaluable experience.” Serving as an administrator and counselor with Theological Foundations for Youth (TFY) at the Seminary has been a tremendous blessing in preparation for future ministry. Keith was a member of another denomination when he was referred to RPTS by his pastor and by a faculty member at Grove City because of how the seminary faithfully handles the Scriptures. Keith specifically remembers Dr. Prutow’s ministry of worship class and the study of the regulative principle of worship. Through a time of study and prayer, Keith and Melissa decided to join the RPCNA. Keith once heard a pastor note that the first thing he learned in seminary was how much he didn’t know. As he looks back on his studies, Evans understands the truth of that pastor’s statement, noting, “By God’s grace, I am a radically different person almost entirely through the means of my time at RPTS and the mentors I have had throughout my studies.”

Keith enjoys any activities involving Frisbees as well as time spent outdoors hunting, camping and hiking. Time with family is treasured. Keith believes he is called to the pastorate and is seeking to serve the Lord in a church within the RPCNA. He sees his interests in biblical counseling and discipleship as key components of his ministry in the future.

The following students also anticipate graduating with a master of divinity degree: Nelson Crispo, Mitchell Haubert, Robert Hindman, Chan Woo Lee, Jacqueline Lewis, Chris Meeker, Roberto Reyes, and Jay Yanak. Graduating with a master of theological studies degree are Matthew Correll, Stanley Holbrook, and Alisha McCombs.

Doctor of Ministry Program at RPTS Several years ago, RPTS launched a doctor of ministry program entitled Strengthening Ministry in the Kingdom of God. The initial graduating class is slated for 2011.

The program is intended for ministry renewal, reinvigoration in biblical and theological studies, and enhancement of the skills needed for effective biblical ministry. Designed by pastors for pastors, this professional degree offers two concentrations, Strengthening Pastoral Ministry and Strengthening Counseling Ministry.

Enrollment in the doctor of ministry program at RPTS has a robust international flavor, with participants from around the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.