Forming women and men for ministry

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MISSION & PURPOSE

The Mission of Western Theological Seminary

By God’s grace, Western Theological Seminary forms women and men for faithful Christian ministry and participation in the Triune God’s ongoing redemptive work in the world.

Average Class Size

Student to Faculty Ratio

Degree Programs

Denominations Served

“Regardless of where God has called you, you will be ready to go”

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President Felix Theonugraha

President of Western Theological Seminary

The Commons Online

News, stories, and resources from the WTS community to the Church. 

Formation at WTS

Formation at WTS

Written by Dr. Tim Basselin, Director of Field Education and Student Life at Western Theological...

From the Commons

DO WE STILL NEED SEMINARY?

In the age of Google, where seemingly endless content is at our fingertips, why is formal theological education still important?

WHY SEMINARY?

The Commons Online

WHO WE ARE

MEET THE FACULTY

WTS faculty are always available to guide and support students as they pursue their education.  As importantly, our professors are deeply involved in congregational ministry and several offer the unique perspectives of having served as pastors.

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Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson

Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs
G.W. and Edna Haworth Professor of Educational Ministries and Leadership

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Dr. Alberto La Rosa Rojas

Interim Director of the Hispanic Ministry Program

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Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

Professor of Practical Theology, Director of the Center for Disability and Ministry

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Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality

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Dr. David Komline

Professor of Church History

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Dr. David L. Stubbs

Professor of Ethics and Theology, Co-Director of the Hope-Western Prison Education Program

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Dr. Elizabeth Pennock

Director of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Associate Professor of Counseling

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Dr. Han-Luen Kantzer Komline

Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Theology and Church History

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Dr. J. Todd Billings

Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology

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Dr. John Brogan

Associate Academic Dean, Professor of New Testament, Director of the MDiv and MA Programs, Director of the GPCE

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Dr. Keith Starkenburg

Director of the Vita Scholars Program
Interim Associate Dean

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Dr. L.S. Carlos A. Thompson

Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and Disability Theology and Director of the Friendship House, and Student Accessibility Coordinator

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Dr. Madison N. Pierce

Associate Professor of New Testament

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Dr. Ron Rienstra

Professor of Preaching and Worship Arts, Director of Worship Life

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Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity

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Dr. Sue A. Rozeboom

Professor of Liturgical Theology

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Dr. Suzanne McDonald

Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology

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Dr. Tim Basselin

Director of Field Education and Student Life

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Dr. Travis West

Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament

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Dr. Wesley Hill

Associate Professor of New Testament

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Dr. Winn Collier

Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination, Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination

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Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel

Professor of the Old Testament

@WesternTheologicalSeminary

We’re starting to feel the Christmas spirit here at WTS! 🎄✨ ...

We’re so grateful for the gift of generosity from our WTS community on #GivingTuesday! Because of your contribution, we raised over $20,000 towards supporting our students as they are formed for faithful Christian ministry. We couldn’t have done it without you! ...

Join us in our mission to equip students with sound theological education and practical ministry training on this #GivingTuesday.

When you give to WTS today, a generous supporter from the class of 1966 will automatically match the first $4,240 in gifts–representing $10 for each student enrolled in classes this academic year.

Visit the link in our bio to give now!
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Today is #GivingTuesday! When you give to Western Theological Seminary, your support enables our students to pursue their calling into ministry. Join us on this day of generosity by visiting the link in our bio. ...

Have you considered applying for the new three-year Doctor of Ministry cohort titled “Holy Presence: Eugene Peterson and the Pastoral Imagination?” Applications are being accepted through Friday, December 1.

This Doctor of Ministry track will nurture experienced pastors more deeply into the slow, holy work required to be faithful to their pastoral call. Centered on Eugene Peterson’s pastoral theology, this cohort will include diverse voices that allow Peterson’s expansive vision to roam wide and far.

To start your application today, head to the link in our bio.
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Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Western Theological Seminary! ...

This #GivingTuesday, we invite you to give towards supporting our students as they are formed for faithful Christian ministry. Because of your support, pastors and ministry leaders graduate from WTS every year, ready to serve the church wherever God leads them.

It’s not too early to make a gift today! Visit wtsem.info/give or head to the link in our bio.
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Happy Thanksgiving break! We`re praying for a restful and relaxing week for our students. ...

A new three-year Doctor of Ministry cohort titled “Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience” is now accepting applications!

The Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience cohort will foster transformation in the spiritual lives of students and help them gain the resources to help the transformation of others.

Focused on nurturing a secure attachment with God as a means for integrating relational neuroscience and spiritual formation, this cohort will prepare students to minister to a culture that is both suffering within a mental health crisis while also having deep spiritual longings for connection.

Applications are being accepted through March 1, 2024. To learn more about the cohort or to start your application today, visit the link in our bio.
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