It was a delightful spring evening. The sun gently warmed the soil as plants and trees exploded in a broad spectrum of colors. The harsh winter, now a distant memory, was gone as new life burst forth. The gospel, too, was in full bloom on that May evening as another group of harvesters was preparing for the next steps in their service in His kingdom. In what was a large and very diverse graduating class, 23 men and women from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh completed this stage of their journey of faith.

From a student body representing every continent except Antarctica, RPTS graduated another class of Christ’s servants. More so than in other years, this group would spread out around the country and around the globe, proclaiming the truth of His Word.

Thirteen men graduated with a master of divinity (M.Div.) degree. Five men, the seminary’s largest graduating class to date, received their doctor of ministry (D.Min.) degrees. Four students were awarded a master of theological studies (M.T.S.) degree, and one person received RPTS’ first biblical counseling certificate.

Into All the World

Two M.Div. graduates now serve in an Asian nation that has been dear to Reformed Presbyterians for more than a century. Peter and Daniel are ministering with their families. Peter reflects, “The theological training and spiritual development will transform the direction of my ministry.” Daniel regularly focuses on how his studies helped him to appreciate Greek and Hebrew and to practice Christ-centered preaching.

Other international RPs who graduated with M.Div.s include Stephen McCollum and Namsik Yang. Stephen, originally from Culleybackey, Northern Ireland, is in Scotland where he is teaching at Sunrise Christian School in Glasgow. He and his wife, Brenda, live in Airdrie and hope to continue ministry in Scotland as the Lord leads. Reflecting on his favorite classroom subject, missions (taught by Rev. Steven Miller, pastor of First RPC in Beaver Falls) McCollum notes, “Missions class demonstrates the real need for the church to be praying for the Lord to use His preached Word to bring conversions.”

Namsik Yang, a native of Seoul, South Korea, and his wife, Eun Kim, have a one-year-old daughter, Yeasol. Since graduating, Namsik has interned at the Los Angeles, Calif., RPC. He seeks to minister to Koreans domestically or abroad. Eun is a 2013 graduate of RPTS with an M.T.S. and an emphasis in biblical counseling. “For me,” Namsik states, “RPTS is the place where I learned God’s Word, experienced God’s community, and painted God’s buildings.” He refers to his gifts in the handyman trade, which were put to good use during the time of his studies.

Domestic Service

While not another country, Wyoming is far from Sam McCracken’s native Beaver Falls, Pa. Sam has been ordained and installed as pastor of Casper RP Fellowship in Casper, Wyo. Sam, his wife, Julia, and their two sons, Wade and Moses, moved from their home in Pittsburgh this past summer to begin ministry in a new work of the Midwest Presbytery. Sam notes the influence of several men in his life directing him toward pastoral ministry. These include his late grandfather, Paul McCracken, as well as Anthony Selvaggio, Titus Martin, Shane Sapp, and David Hanson.

Joe Allyn is serving as stated pulpit supply for Trinity RPC in Wichita, Kan. Joe, an avid psalm singer, organized a program of singing through the Psalms in the mornings before classes at the Seminary. “The faculty at RPTS has taught me not only that I should look to God’s Word for everything, but practical ways to do so,” comments Joe. “This place is not just a seminary, it is a place of growth for men and women looking to minister in His kingdom.” Joe, his wife, Maggie, and their two sons, Judah and Levi, are deeply in love with the newest member of their family, Beth.

Other M.Div. graduates included Phil Amaismeier, John Hartline, Jared Havener, Nate Keisel, Jonathan Kuciemba, Scott Moreland, and Chuck Nelson.

M.T.S. Graduates

Roy Grau, a member of Grace RPC in Gibsonia, Pa., earned a master of theological studies degree. Roy is employed in the mining engineering industry and studied theology to gain “a more complete understanding of what God tells us in the Bible.” Roy is extremely grateful for the support, prayers, patience, and encouragement of his wife, Sandy, and their three adult daughters during his time of study.

Other M.T.S. graduates included Marge Coker, Charlene Cunningham, and Ron Garland, Jr.

Biblical Counseling Graduate

Sharon Sampson earned the very first biblical counseling certificate at RPTS. Sharon, an employee of the seminary, has oversight of the daily operations at the Biblical Counseling Institute (BCI) at RPTS. At the BCI, seminary students receive practical training with real people dealing with real-life struggles. Unique in the world of seminaries, this level of training provides much-needed experience in biblical discipleship and shepherding. In addition to keeping track of the many schedules of counselees, students, and faculty, Sharon is certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and finds time to counsel others. She comments, “The greatest impact on my life has come through my studies in biblical counseling and systematic theology and the friendship, counsel, and mentoring of Dr. George Scipione,” who is director of the BCI.

D.Min. Graduates

Nathan Eshelman and Joel Wood, both ministers in the RPCNA, were joined by David Barker, Scott Graubard, and Lewis Payne as recipients of the doctor of ministry degree.

Pastor Eshelman is originally from Corry, Pa., north of Pittsburgh. Nathan is the pastor of the Los Angeles, Calif., RPC, serves on the Home Mission Board and the Education & Publication Board, and is clerk of Pacific Coast Presbytery. Nathan’s wife, Lydia, and their children, Anna Grace, Owen Justice, Watson Truth, Calvin Wisdom, and Ruth Mercy, were patient and encouraging during Nathan’s many hours of study and travel. Nathan’s doctoral project is titled, Embassies of the King: The Mediatorial Kingship of Christ and the Planting of Churches: A Systematic, Biblical, and Practical Theological Encouragement towards Church Planting. Joel Wood is pastor of the Sterling, Kan., RPC. A native of Dunkirk, Ohio, Joel spent most of his early years in California. He received a D.Min. in biblical counseling and was certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. His doctoral project is titled, The Counselor’s Counselor: Biblical/Nouthetic Counseling and Job. Joel’s wife, Emily, and their children, Emma, L.J., Esther, Jonathan, and Effie, are his biggest fans. “The Lord gave us more than a seminary to attend,” say Pastor Wood. “He gave us a family in some of the most difficult seasons of my life.”

In what has become an exquisite blending of Christ’s servants, the student body of the seminary is as diverse as the spice aisle in your grocery store. RPTS trains men from many different denominations, including the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in America, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian Church in the USA, along with many others from Baptist, independent, and nondenominational backgrounds.

Students at RPTS come from many different states, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Many nations are represented too, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, Japan, India, Korea, Malawi, Pakistan, Panama, and Singapore.

In the gospel of Matthew (28:18-20), Jesus provides some very clear directions for His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The Lord is bringing the nations to Western Pennsylvania to study His Word. Glorious is His name!

—Mark Samspon

Mark Sampson is director of development at RPTS in Pittsburgh, Pa. A seminary feature appears semiannually in the Witness.