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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

The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination

Through nurturing circles of friendship, contemplative retreats, theological reflection, art-filled spaces, and public conversations—and as caretakers of Eugene’s letters, journals, and manuscripts—the Peterson Center hopes to bear witness to the God Eugene loved and pointed toward his entire life.

We do not aim to mimic Eugene (a foolish effort that would betray the spirit of his work), but rather to continue the conversation he encouraged, pondering the questions that shaped Eugene’s Christian imagination over a lifetime.

Seminary Initiatives

Center for Disability and Ministry

The Center for Disability and Ministry at Western Theological Seminary exists to support ministry leaders of all abilities in nurturing and receiving the gifts and contributions of persons with disabilities through formational opportunities, including theological education, consultation, forums, and publications.

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

Meet Western Theological Seminary

FACULTY

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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

Learn more about Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson
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Dr. Alberto La Rosa Rojas

Interim Director of the Hispanic Ministry Program, Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics

Learn more about Dr. Alberto La Rosa Rojas
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Dr. Benjamin T. Conner

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

Learn more about Dr. Benjamin T. Conner
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Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality, Interim Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Learn more about Dr. Chuck DeGroat
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Dr. David Komline

Professor of Church History, Coordinator for Strategic International Initiatives, Director of the Masters of Theology (ThM) Program

Learn more about Dr. David Komline
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Dr. David L. Stubbs

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

Learn more about Dr. David L. Stubbs
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Dr. Elizabeth Pennock

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

Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Pennock
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Dr. Han-Luen Kantzer Komline

Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Professor of Theology and Church History

Learn more about Dr. Han-Luen Kantzer Komline
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Dr. J. Todd Billings

Gordon H. Girod Research Professor of Reformed Theology

Learn more about Dr. J. Todd Billings
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Dr. John Brogan

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

Learn more about Dr. John Brogan
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Dr. Keith Starkenburg

Director of the Vita Scholars Program
Interim Associate Dean

Learn more about Dr. Keith Starkenburg
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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

Learn more about Dr. L.S. Carlos A. Thompson
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Dr. Ron Rienstra

Professor of Preaching and Worship Arts, Director of Worship Life

Learn more about Dr. Ron Rienstra
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Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity

Learn more about Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst
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Dr. Suzanne McDonald

Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology

Learn more about Dr. Suzanne McDonald
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Dr. Tim Basselin

Director of Field Education and Student Life

Learn more about Dr. Tim Basselin
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Dr. Travis West

Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament

Learn more about Dr. Travis West
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Dr. Wesley Hill

Associate Professor of New Testament

Learn more about Dr. Wesley Hill
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Dr. Winn Collier

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

Learn more about Dr. Winn Collier

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

Rev. Cora W. Taitt

Vice-Chairperson, Bronx, NY

Becky Renner Anderson

Treasurer, Grand Rapids, MI

Dr. Tite Tiénou

Secratary, Gurnee, IL

Kate Bolt

Holland, MI

Vicki Dykstra

Tulare, CA

Dr. Percy V. Gilbert

Drftwood, TX

Rev. Dr. Andrea Godwin-Stremler

Krum, TX

Matthew Haworth

Holland, MI

Alden Highstreet

Tulare, CA

Timothy Hillegonds

Ada, MI

Rev. Dave Izenbart

Glenwood, IL

Dr. Fred L. Johnson, III

Holland, MI

Richard G. Lyons, Jr

Holland, MI

Beth Snyder

Holland, MI

Carol Van Andel

Ada, MI

Lisa VanderWal

Niskayuna, NY

Evan Vermeer

Sioux Center, IA

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.

Jonathan Hoff

Denair, CA

Rev. Watson Jones III

Chairperson, Holland, MI

Phil Miller

Holland, MI

Jessica Min Chang

Chicago, Illinois

Adam Paarlberg

Alto, MI

Rev. Eric Peterson

Colbert, WA

Dennae Pierre

Phoenix, AZ

Administrative Leadership Team

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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

Learn more about Dr. Kristen Deede Johnson
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Andy Bast

Director of Development

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Anne Chanski

Director of Marketing and Communications

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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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Lindsay Porter

Executive Assistant

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Rayetta Perez

Director of Administration and Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator