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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.

WHO WE ARE

A COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Western Theological Seminary is an evangelical and ecumenical community of faith and learning in the Reformed tradition that serves the church of Jesus Christ. WTS equips women and men for Christ-centered, biblically-based, theologically integrated, culturally competent, and mission-oriented Christian leadership.

Who WE ARE

COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE CALL OF WOMEN

Throughout Scripture, we see God calling and appointing women to teach, preach, and lead God’s people. We uphold the biblical witness as we prepare women and men to lead the church in mission.

WHO WE ARE

RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY AT WTS

At Western Theological Seminary we long to embody more fully that to which the gospel calls us, and of which our standards remind us, with regard to racial and ethnic diversity.

READ Our Statement on RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY

WHO WE ARE

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR FACULTY, STAFF & TEACHING MENTORS

It is the purpose of this Code to call forth our best practices and to assure that our community of faith reflects the Spirit of Christ. 

READ THE CODE OF CONDUCT

GET TO KNOW WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

REFORMED

CHRIST CENTERED

BIBLICAL

BIBLICALLY GROUNDED

SACRAMENTAL

THEOLOGICALLY SHAPED

MISSIONAL

CULTURALLY ENGAGED

CONTEXTUAL

CONTEXTUALLY ALERT

FORMATIONAL

FULLY EGALITARIAN

History of WTS

In 1866, seven of the eight members of Hope College’s inaugural graduating class wished to become ministers and petitioned the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, asking that “arrangements be made for them to continue their theological studies at that college.”

Seminary Initiatives

Cultivating Our Call Campaign

As you are aware, the Church is facing headwinds. That’s why WTS has launched the Cultivating Our Call campaign – an initiative designed to meet the pressing needs of ministry today by: 
  • Expanding Mental Health Resources through a new counseling program
  • Increasing Scholarships to support students pursuing ministry
  • Growing Initiatives & Centers that serve the Church and community
  • Strengthening Global & Intercultural Engagement to prepare leaders for today’s world

Meet Western Theological Seminary

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees provides oversight and governance for Western Theological Seminary. Members also share about WTS in their respective spheres of influence.

Steve Spoelhof

Chairperson, Holland, MI

Dr. Tite Tiénou

Vice-Chairperson, Gurnee, IL

Becky Renner Anderson

Treasurer, Grand Rapids, MI

Richard G. Lyons, Jr

Secretary, Holland, MI

Vicki Dykstra

Tulare, CA

Gail Ebersole

Aurora, CO

Dr. Percy V. Gilbert

Driftwood, TX

Matthew Haworth

Holland, MI

Alden Highstreet

Tulare, CA

Timothy Hillegonds

Ada, MI

Jonathan Hoff

Denair, CA

Rev. Dave Izenbart

Glenwood, IL

Dr. Fred L. Johnson, III

Holland, MI

Rev. Marcia Pratt

Grandville, MI

Steve Roesner

Orange City, IA

Rev. Rudy Rubio

Lynwood, CA

Aaron Van Andel

Grand Rapids, MI

Evan Vermeer

Sioux Center, IA

Jill VerSteeg

Zeeland, MI

Rev. Emilie Prince Wierda

Holland, MI

Board of Reference

The Board of Reference provides wisdom and counsel to various projects and initiatives that are under consideration by the seminary. They also share about WTS in their respective spheres of influence.

Rev. Watson Jones III

Chairperson, Holland, MI

Phil Miller

Holland, MI

Jessica Min Chang

Chicago, Illinois

Adam Paarlberg

Alto, MI

Dennae Pierre

Phoenix, AZ

Rev. Eric Peterson

Colbert, WA

Drew Yamamoto

San Francisco, CA

Administrative Leadership Team

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Drew Brown

Director of Admissions

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Jonathan Dockery

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance

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Brent LaVigne

Vice President of Development

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Lindsay Porter

Executive Assistant

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Anne Schmidt

Director of Marketing and Communications

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Dr. Keith Starkenburg

Interim Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Learn more about Dr. Keith Starkenburg

MEET OUR

PARTNERS

 Western Theological Seminary partners with many institutions and organizations. Click the images to learn more about these partnerships or visit our Beyond the Classroom page to see a full list of our partnerships and initatives. 

Hope college

Hope college

Vita Scholars Accelerated Degree Program

Words of Hope

Words of Hope

The Persian Ministry Program

Community Action House

Hope College

Hope Western Prison Education Program

The Bridge

The Bridge

Fair trade store in Holland, MI