intouch vol 1 2012
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INTOUCHT h e O ff i c i a l N e ws l e t te r of t h e
A s i a n T h e o l o g i c a l S e m i n a r y
Transforming Leadersfor the Church and the World
Enroll. Pray. Give.
Vol.1 .2012p 4
I N TO U C H W I T HA M A N DA S H AO TA NA n I n t e r v i e w
p 1 0
PA STO R S ’ T R A I N I N G I N . . .B O R AC AY ?A R e p o r t
p 1 4
G R A D UAT E S ’H E A RTS B E ATF O R T H E WO R L DM u s i n g s
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...aaatttttssss...pppphhh
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O N E T H I N GA D e v o t i o n
I n To u c h w i t h A m a n d a S h ao Ta n A n I n t e r v i e w b y
L e s l i e L o f r a n c o -
B e r b a n o
S p o n s o r ATS St u d e nt s N owb y Va c h n a Va
T h e o Fo r u m H i g h l i g h t s b y
L e s l i e L o f r a n c o -
B e r b a n o
Pa s to rs ’ Tra i n i n gi n . . . B o rac ay ?B y D r. F e r L u a
M BA at ATS
ATS G rad s ’H e a r t s B e atfo r t h e Wo r l d
O n e T h i n gD e v o t i o n
b y D r. T i m D . G e n e r
On March 30 Asian Theological
Seminary will graduate its 2012 batch,
and a few of them share their encouraging
stories of transformation on page 14 —how
God changed their lives and approach to
ministry. Another graduation happened in
Boracay Island, believe it or not, this time
among pastors and church workers from
Panay Island.
After 30 years of teaching at ATS,
Dr. Amanda Shao Tan decided to obey
God’s calling, and will be missed by our
community. She does not know yet where
this will lead, but her heart is at rest. Read
more about her experience as faculty on
page 4.
Read about the highlights of our
recently held Theological Forum on
Walking with God: Christian Spirituality in
the Asian Context, page 8.
The Center for Biblical Stewardship
reopened its MBA Program last January,
and its course offerings are too interesting
not to be considered by all of us. So plan
your calendar to include attending their
courses, page 14.
ATS is excited to welcome many more
students for School Year 2012-2013. Pray
about enrolling in its different programs.
We cannot wait to welcome you in our
seminary halls and in our hearts.
Ammi Belle Armas
Head, ATS Communication & Development Office
D e s i g n & l a y o u t b y
K y l e e n S a y a s
k y l e e n . s a y a s @ g m a i l . c o m
C o n t r i b u t o r
L e s l i e L o f r a n c o - B e r b a n o
G l e v y B a y b a y o n
M e l M e d i n a
E s t h e r O n g
A b i g a i l S a n t o s
S t a f fINTOUCHP h o t o g r a p h e r s
G l e v y B a y b a y o n
R e d y S t e v a n u s
J a y - r Ya n g a
S u n s h i n e Yu
4
7
8
10
12
14
20
C o v e r p h o t o b y
Va c h n a Va
2
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Officers of the Board:
Efraim M. Tendero
Chairman
Vicente Y. Sia
Vice Chairman
Erlinda G. Tan
Secretary
Cecilio K. Pedro
Treasurer
ATS B OA R D O F T R U ST E E S
Members:
Rev. James Aberin
Atty. Fred B. Bravo
Atty. Francis M. Egenias
Dr. Anastacio A. Escosar, Jr.
Rev. Nicky Joya
Dr. David T. Nichols
Mr. Noel P. Pabiona
Bishop Cesar Vicente P. Punzalan III
Rev. Russel E. Simons
Rev. Dwayne F. Thielke
Schedule of Admissions Test
First Semester 2012-2013
February 27, March 26
April 28 and 30
May 26 and 28
(9 am to 12 noon)
A c c re d i t a t i o n s : A s s o c i a t i o n f o r T h e o l o g i c a l E d u c a t i o n i n S o u t h E a s t A s i a ( AT E S E A )
A s i a T h e o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n ( ATA ) , a n d t h e C o m m i s s i o n o n H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n ( C H E D )
Enrollment
June 7 and 8 (9 am to 7 pm)
CLASSES START
June 11
Come to our
O P E N C A M P U S on
J u n e 1 8 to 2 2 , 2 0 1 2 .
Coffee. Fellowship. Class sit-ins. And more.
3ANNOUNCEMENTS
Now that she’s putting 30
years of fulltime teaching behind,
students will miss out on the
challenges of her class. Before
she is sorely and truly missed,
here she is—up close and
personal in a candid interview.
Amanda Shao Tan was 16
when she heard the call of God on
her life. Seated in the back pew
during a sermon by the Chinese
evangelist Stephen Tong, she
was jolted by a voice urging her
to “come to the front” for the
altar call. Looking around, she
found no one had said anything
to her. She realized then it was
God speaking. Six months later,
after a period of soul-searching,
she stood up and heeded the call
for fulltime ministry. Since then,
she has never looked back on the
commitment she made to God nor
has she ever regretted it.
Shortly after graduation from
college, she finished her MDiv.
and ThM and taught at the ATS,
later capping her academic
achievements with a PhD in
Hermeneutics and Biblical
Interpretation from Westminster
Theological Seminary in the U.S.
Ministry runs in her blood. Hers
is a devout, closely-knit Chinese
family that traces its Christian
lineage four generations back.
Her maternal great-grandparents
suffered persecution in China as
the first believers in their clan.
Her great-grandparents on both
her paternal and maternal sides
Fair and fine-boned, Dr. Amanda
Shao Tan, ATS professor of
Hermeneutics, New Testament,
and Greek, can lull you into
thinking she’s all honey and peach
blossom. But students of hers will
swear that beneath this sweet and
delicate exterior lies a “tiger” lady
who will demand only the best
from you—and get it, too.
b y L e s l i e
L o f r a n c o - B e r b a n o
COVERSTORY4
b y L e s l i e
STORORYY
IN TOUCHWITH
AMANDA
TAN
were ministers. Her parents taught at Chinese schools in Manila,
thus exposing her early to the teaching life.
Amanda’s love for teaching and mentoring has grown with
years of knowing God. “Survivor” is what she calls herself,
having weathered the rigors of academia while hammering the
principles of hermeneutics into her students. Reputed to be a
“terror” teacher, she finds the epithet amusing and admits she
was surprised to learn about it. She makes no bones about her
strict ethos and exacting ways. She finds that when students are
pushed to do their best, they rise to the challenge and shine. She
especially enjoys the interaction of students as this contributes
to the never-ending adventure of discovery that characterizes a
teacher’s life. Occasions like this make all the effort worthwhile.
While at ATS she was appointed Academic Dean, twice. It was
an assignment she resisted until God made it clear that it was
from Him. Looking back now, she describes it as a most difficult
time, when she had to unlearn old ways and re-learn God’s
ways. “Initially I thought God put me there to help ATS,” she
confesses with a wry smile, “but then God warned me He would
use the position to change me. And He did!” Born and bred in the
Chinese ways of discipline and hard work, she thought her prime
duty was to ensure that tasks were accomplished. Not so, she
found out. Her greatest lesson was realizing that “Leadership is
not getting things done; it’s relationship. It’s loving people first,
and then getting things done.”
She has also had to come to grips with the reality of her
disability. Born with spina bifida, a congenital spinal disorder
that at that time claimed 9 out of 10 babies’ lives and which
has left her on crutches, Amanda found that she had never
grieved about her condition. A beloved youngest child, she had
“Leadership is ...
loving people first,
and then getting things done.”
5
experienced only acceptance and affection from
her family and community. The fact that she was
different was something she had learned to ignore—
until ten years ago when God had to reach into the
cesspool of her heart and bring out the festering
grief and lament of her soul.
Since then real healing has taken place. Her
experience has deepened her desire to help people
with disabilities (PWDs) turn their shame around
into a means of grace and growth. As her advocacy,
she teaches that Christ Himself suffered shame on
the cross, and PWDs are privileged to identify with
Christ, emulate His response and find healing in
God’s love.
Up close and personal, Amanda Shao Tan is
a woman of surprises. She tends to be shy and
reticent but blooms in intimate conversations. She
claims to have no gift of leadership but God has time
and again thrust her into leadership positions. She
was born with a disability that has caused her pain
and shame, yet because of God, she has arrived at
wholeness far greater than she ever expected.
At this point, she is leaving fulltime teaching
in obedience to God’s call. Where God is leading
her she has no idea. But she is not disturbed. She
knows that just around the corner, God Himself
would meet her, wonders in hand.
“PWDs
are
privileged
to
identify
with
Christ...
and find
healing
in God’s
love”
COVERSTORY6
“She is one great model of a
transformational teacher for
all of us,” says ATS President
Dr. Tim D. Gener of Amanda
Each school
year, ATS gives
scholarships
to deserving
students,
Vachna Va is
one of them.
Read how your
SPONSOR ATSSTUDENTS NOW
REACH THE WORLD
TOMORROW
My country Cambodia is 80% Buddhist
and less than 2% Christian. If one
converts to Christianity or other
religions, he and his family is often
shamed. I heard the Gospel when
missionaries from Phnom Penh came
to share the good news in my city. Their
music class and soccer team made me
go to church every weekend. I did not
understand the Scripture but I wanted
to know more about Jesus. As I was
taught the foundation of the Christian
faith, I prayed to receive Jesus and
got baptized when I was 17 years old.
I committed myself to receive Him as
God, my Lord and Savior, risking great
rejection from my relatives, friends,
and other people in my village.
I began to have a vision to be a
pastor, but I asked God to confirm this
by working in the lives of my family
members to become Christians, too.
One by one from my father to my
siblings, they converted to Christianity.
Praise God for showing His might and
confirming my call to serve Him.
I needed training to become a pastor
so I decided to check on Asian
Theological Seminary. When I just
arrived at ATS in November of 2009,
I became so sure it was to be the
seminary I would enroll in. I felt very
peaceful with the warm reception given
me. What I have learned at ATS were
not just the academic and ministry
lessons but especially life lessons.
Faculty and staff are very kind and
approachable--- their life testimonies
have encouraged me to move on and
trust God more.
In June I will be a third year student
of MDiv Pastoral Studies and by
God’s grace I will graduate in 2013.
My commitment has always been to
work full time as pastor in my church
back home----the Christian Fellowship
Church of Neak Loeung. I also plan to
teach at a seminary and to establish
a training center to equip Christian
leaders and pastors. I believe God will
sustain me to be His faithful servant.
Without the generous financial support
for my scholarship, I would not have
been able to study this far. Please help
me and other ATS students reach the
world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
donations to our scholarship
program can touch one life that
can reach the world for God’s
sake.
7
Dr. Capaque noted that
the Filipino expression
of being, or Pagkataong
Pilipino, consisted of
terms such as loob,
katawan, or kaluluwa that
were meant to refer to
the total person, never
to a divided self. Filipino
spirituality is relational,
symbolic, celebratory,
spirit world-oriented,
and mindful of justice in
the face of poverty and
suffering.
Nineteen topics for
breakout seminars
ranged across various
disciplines and interests.
In “The ‘Dark Night of
the Soul’ and Filipino
Spirituality,” Dr. Rico
Villanueva proposed that
Filipino spirituality, by
virtue of its history and
experience, is rooted in
lament, made evident in
the concept of damay.
First plenary speaker Dr. John Goldingay,
Professor of Old Testament at Fuller, opened
the conference with his talk on the Book of
Psalms’ invitation to a “spiral” relationship
with God. Systematic Theology professor
Dr. Simon Chan and Dr. George Capaque,
Dean of Discipleship Training Centre in
Singapore, explored specific aspects of
Asian and Filipino spirituality. Capping the
conference was psychologist and spiritual
director Dr. Irene Alexander, who stressed
relational knowing (humans as spiritual
beings) as the basis for understanding God,
oneself and others.
Spirituality was seen as a totality of
self (feeling, thinking, being) and attitudes
attuned to God’s will. Several points on
Asian and Filipino spirituality drew most
of the questions at the open forum. Dr.
Chan noted the theological richness of
folk Christianity, as seen primarily in Third
World Pentecostal-charismatic movements.
He challenged evangelicals to reconsider
those features of folk Christianity that
invigorate Asian Christian spirituality, such
as an engagement with the spiritual world,
and an incarnational or sacramental view of
life.
Now on its eighth year, the ATS Theological Forum held
February 9 and 10 at the Union Church of Manila once more
brought together 500-strong delegates from the academe, faith-
based organizations, local churches and the general public to
explore the theme, “Walking With God: Christian Spirituality in the
Asian Context.”
8FEATURE STORY
In “Styling a Spirituality for the ‘Creative
Class’” ATS professor Lorenzo Bautista
described the profile of creative Christians
as a class and limned the contours of a
spirituality best suited for them.
In his talk “The Voice from the Whirlwind:
Suffering, God, and Natural Disasters,” Dr.
Noli Mendoza brought an eco-theological
reading to Job’s encounter with God and
showed a timely topic in light of current
events.
Dr. Amanda Shao Tan, in her session
on “Spirituality for the Shamed Disabled,”
shared the Tsinoy experience in grappling
with issues of shame and “loss of face”
through disability in a largely shame-based
culture such as the Chinese.
The conference closed with a ceremony
on the blessing of light led by conference
chair and ATS Academic Dean Dr. Adonis
Gorospe and accompanied by contemplative
indigenous music by the ATS worship team.
The following are
snippets of feedback
from delegates: “This
is a great seminar, with
excellent, well-chosen
topics”; “It was an
answered prayer…and
I learned a lot from the
sessions”; “It is a big
help for me as I teach
students in Values
Education”.
Judging from the
enthusiastic response,
the next conference
promises to be another
good success.
See you at the next
forum!
Photos courtesy of Glevy Baybayon, Jay-R Yanga, and Sunshine Yu.
b y L e s l i e
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THEO FORUMHIGHLIGHTS
9
PASTORS’ TRAINING IN... BORACAY?
Who would have thought of training pastors in the beautiful island of
Boracay? I did not. That is why when Dr. Rene Chanco, ATS Chaplain,
told me that we could open a pastoral training center in Boracay Island
in August of 2010, I just laughed, thinking he was just joking. Boracay
is known to be a tourist destination because of its pristine beaches,
not as a pastoral training center.
b y D r. F e r n a n d o C . L u a
D i r e c t o r, AT S C e n t e r f o r C o n t i n u i n g S t u d i e s
V i c e P re s i d e n t f o r A d m i n a n d F i n a n c e
10FEATURESTORY
Dr. Fer Lua (right), with
the first 12 graduates of
Pastoral Ministry Program
in Boracay Island. Nathan
Jackson and Dan Beaver of
First Love international
Ministries stand behind the
graduates.
Later on I received a text
message that a missionary
couple based in Boracay would
like to talk to me regarding our
training program for pastors
under Center for Continuing
Studies. That was the time
that I said, “Okay, this must
be true then.” I met with Dan
and Tori Beaver from First
Love International Ministries
in a coffee shop on my way
home one night and discussed
with them about our Certificate
in Pastoral Ministry program.
They were excited to partner
with ATS in this endeavor.
Thus began a series of email
exchanges where the target
pastors are those from Panay
Island (Antique, Aklan, Capiz,
and Iloilo provinces) in the
Visayas region. In November
of 2010 we started the first
module on Rightly Handling
the Word with 42 pastors and
workers in attendance.
Last November 29 I taught
the 10th and last module
(Pastoral Ethics) for the
certificate program and on
December 1, we held the first
ever graduation ceremonies
in Boracay Island. There
were many pastors attending
the different modules but
only 12 of them successfully
completed the 10 modules and
received their certificates. It
was a successful partnership
with the Beavers . We are now
looking forward to starting
a new training program
called Certificate in Biblical
Interpretation this year. Please
pray for God to raise more
laborers for His harvest.
The participants
For admission contact the ATS Center for
Biblical Stewardship at telephone 9297806
or email [email protected].
The MBA in Biblical Stewardship
and Christian Management* is
the flagship program of the ATS
Center for Biblical Stewardship. It
is an executive Christian MBA that
integrates corporate excellence with
biblical faith, wisdom and values
designed for heads of Christian
non-profit organizations as well
as pastors of local churches with
administrative roles.
Nora Lucero, CEO of the
Philippine Bible Society and
immediate past chairman of the
United Bible Societies, Global Board
has this to say about her MBA degree
from ATS, “Training at the MBA in
Biblical Stewardship and Christian
Management has well-equipped
me to face the challenges of the
corporate world with its fast moving
landscape.”
*Accreditation with ATA is in process.
12FEATURE STORY
MBAATATS
CORPORATE EXCELLENCE
BIBLICALWISDOM+
February 20-24
March 19-24
April 23-27
May 14-18
June 18-22
July 16-20
August 20-24
September 17-21
October 15-19
November 19-23
December 3-7
January 21-26,
2013
MBA in Biblical Stewardship & Christian Management
2012 COURSE SCHEDULE
Strategic Planning and Control
BJ Sebastian, M.B.M., Asian Institute of Management
Aurma Manlangit, M.P.M., University of the Philippines
Organizational Development
Agnes Sarthou, Ph.D., Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary
Development Institute
Work, Calling, and Human Dignity (Theology of Work)
Adonis Gorospe, Ph.D., Ateneo de Manila University
Research and Writing (MBA Paper)
Cesar Punzalan III, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A.
Strategic Marketing
Terence Gatfield, Ph.D., Griffith University, Australia
Biblical Stewardship and Resource Development
Zenet Maramara, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A
Human Resource Development
Adrian Gutierrez, M.B.A., Ateneo de Manila University
Grace Sumbillo, Ed.D., Asia Graduate School of Theology, Phil.
Program and Project Management
(with Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System)
Erickson Velardo, M.B.A., Asian Theological Seminary
Managerial Accounting and Financial Management
Danilo Lucero, C.P.A., B.A., University of the East
Nora Lucero, M.B.A., Asian Theological Seminary
Social Transformation
Charles Ringma, Ph.D., University of Queensland, Australia
Athena Gorospe, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary, U.S.A
God’s View of Economic Life
Carol Christopher, Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary, USA
Succession Planning
Cesar Punzalan III, D.Min., Bakke Graduate University, U.S.A.
13
ATS molded me to love learning more, to listen and
appreciate cultural and denominational diversity, to
not plagiarize but be accountable as a learner and
a humble servant like the professors who modeled
servanthood in daily life and ministry.
It shaped my habit to contextualize learning
particularly in teaching and developing curriculum,
grounded me on the Bible, depend on the Holy Spirit,
and be sensitive to the needs of society and be a
channel of societal transformation.
My main focus will be eastern Indonesian children
and youth and also to train Sunday school teachers.
As a recipient of ATS scholarship, I learned to
administrate this program back home and particularly
to prepare the youth to be an accountable donor
recipient.
I will really miss ATS, my home away from home.
Fe e l t h e h e a r t b e at of s o m e 2 0 1 2 g rad u ate s a s t h e y s h a re h ow G o d
u s e d t h e i r ATS e d u c at i o n a n d t ra i n i n g to c h a n g e t h e i r l i ve s a n d
a p p ro ac h to m i n i s t r y.
ATS GRADS’
ATS life made me appreciate the beauty of reading,
studying and reading some more; it enabled me
to be more reflective on the lessons the Lord is
teaching me through His Word and my experiences.
It’s a spiritual discipline that has become part of my
life.
Through the MA TUL program I learned that there
should be no dichotomy between what is spiritual
and what is practical; everything I do, especially in
ministry, is spiritual.
I want to be involved in community transformation
and development, serving with the poor in any way
I could. I need to always be spiritually prepared,
ready to do God’s task for me.
14FEATURESTORY
RUTH EUNIKE RENATE
PELLO, Indonesia
MA Christian Education
NIKOS SANCHEZ
MA Transformational
Urban Leadership
HEARTSBEAT
Humbling experience. Transitioning from medical
school to seminary ---from that of serving with status
to serving without it, I grew much as a person.
ATS gave me an appreciation of people from various
backgrounds and denominations; taught me to keep
an open and curious mind and apply critical thinking
in whatever I do.
I foresee myself leading the Heroes Church to grow
into a Christ-centered community, then partner with
other ministries to engineer a gospel-driven movement
to help make our cities, our nation, our world, a better
place.
ATS faculty, staff, and community have challenged,
inspired, humbled, and encouraged me to be better,
and I will forever be thankful for this.
ZURIEL BERNARDINO
MDiv., Biblical Studies
ATS is the best place for me to study His Word and
be trained for future ministry back home in Cambodia.
I also learned how to study hard, manage my time,
and communicate better with others. ATS shaped my
trust, commitment and vision in serving God.
It taught me how to reflect and evaluate my style of
leadership, how to more effectively serve Him back
home, and that the Word of God can be relevant to my
life and in the context of Cambodian people.
I want to become a pastor, and serve God with my
grandfather at Phnom Penh New Life Church among
young professionals or college students. Later on I
plan to do church planting then pursue further studies.
FOR THE WORLD
HENG VORAK VEASNA,
Cambodia
MDiv., Biblical Studies
ATS education enhanced my confidence in
fulfilling my call to ministry. It opened a big
door for learning I never imagined existed. In
my vocabulary, “judging” is now replaced by
“understanding”. I understand better those
whose beliefs deviate from what I believe,
even those outside the Christian faith.
Love should be the motivation in doing ministry
– the “willed love”, not only the “felt love.” We
should continually ask God for that kind of
love.
I intend to continue helping our church achieve
the vision of equipping would-be ministers and
workers in God’s kingdom and help put up a
foundation to help realize this vision within five
years. I foresee our church collaborating with
ATS for theological training of our workers.
After almost 12 years of fulfilling and yet challenging
ethnic ministry in Southern Philippines, I decided
to return to ATS (my late husband and I finished
certificate in Intercultural Studies in 1997). My desire
to minister to hurting missionaries led me to pursue
Counseling in ATS because of the transformative,
community-based, mission-oriented counseling program.
ATS has taught me to see a person as created in God’s
image and minister to the whole person in the context
of his/her community and culture. We can bring healing
to those who are wounded, broken and rejected while
taking care of ourselves. As one professor said, “Our
greatest gift to people is ourselves.”
I plan to continue serving in ethnic ministry by doing
care and counsel first for the missionaries, then for
the church and community, then I plan to teach others
how to care and counsel in mission context.
“be willing to get our hands dirty in bringing God’s love to the poor
“Our greatest gift to people is ourselves.”
16FEATURE STORY
BRANDO GENIZA
MDiv., Theology
GIZELLA SIBAYAN
MA Pastoral Counseling
Being More Than Doing: The importance of “being”
emphasized by ATS greatly shaped my life and
character for 3 1/2 years. More than academic and
ministry excellence, my heart has been taught to
depend more on the Lord and His ways.
Mind, Heart and Hand: I was taught to handle the
Word properly, my heart was put in the right place,
so that my hand is able to do the ministry that God
has placed before me.
I am now involved in a missions mobilization effort
for our Overseas Filipino Workers. I pray someday
God will bring me to a restricted people group and
serve Him cross-culturally.
The community and friendships that I have with
students and professors are gems that God has given
me. The journey was worthwhile and meaningful
because of them. God bless ATS!
ATS taught me humility in learning about my faith and
relationship with God. I realized the importance of
spiritual disciplines and a conscious effort to practice
them.
Success in ministry is not just about amassing
cognitive knowledge but living a life of Christlikeness.
I plan to help my church develop materials on
discipleship and mentor second-generation leaders,
introduce social transformation as a responsibility
of the church and be willing to get our hands dirty in
bringing God’s love to the poor.
I enjoyed the sense of community, the friendships,
the spirituality and competence of the faculty. ATS is
actually home that I would love going back to.
be willing to get our hands dirty in bringing God’s love to the poor”
U N D E R S T A N D I N G , N O T J U D G I N G
ESTHER EUNICE TAPAO
MDiv., Intercultural
Urban Studies
ANNIE MILLAN
MA Christian Education
I was trained at ATS intellectually and spiritually.
Knowing my limited capacities, it was a process to
call on God for help for three years. It was also a
time of joy and great opportunities to meet friends
and professors at ATS.
ATS taught me discernment and openness toward
other religions. It is important for a cross-cultural
missionary like me who needs to be faithful both to
the Word of God and the recipients of the gospel. I
will continue to learn both the Word of God and the
world of humans.
I will share my faith among Japanese people in
culturally relevant ways and lead them to Biblical
truths.
Through ATS, God shaped my theology and
spirituality as a young leader. I learned from godly
professors who also set a good example for me to
follow, one of which is humility. I saw this in all my
teachers in ATS.
I also learned to respectfully listen to other people
so that I can give my best service to those in need,
instead of assuming I already have the answers to
all kinds of questions.
As an intern pastor in my church, I am dedicated to
caring for the young professionals in our church. In
the future I wish to see our church making an impact
not just in the professional world but also in the lives
of our poor brothers and sisters.
“be faithful bothto the Word of God
and the recipients of the Gospel”
18FEATURESTORY
ALDRIN TERESA
MDiv., Biblical Studies
TAISHI KINUTA, Japan
MDiv., Intercultural
Urban Studies
Many things crowd our minds. Many voices clamor for our
attention. We want to be centered but justify worrying about the
“many things”. In all these, it is refreshing to hear of David’s
single-minded devotion in his prayer for “one thing” only.
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that
I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my
life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek
him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4
This declaration of trust is at the heart of Psalm 27, which
begins with the famous line: “The Lord is my light and my salvation,
whom shall I fear” (v. 1). Evidently, David was facing a difficult and
dangerous situation. Yet in his experience of trouble, the one thing
David asked of the Lord is to be able to dwell in His presence,
gaze upon the Lord’s beauty or goodness and to seek Him in his
temple.
This is not a form of escapism for David, but rather one of
perspective. It is the LORD who ultimately defines reality for him,
not trouble, not his situation. The LORD is his light and salvation.
Warren Wiersbe puts it this way: “David didn’t close his eyes to the
circumstances around him; rather he looked by faith to the Lord
and examined his circumstances from heaven’s point of view.”
b y D r. T i m D . G e n e rPh.D., Ful ler Theological Seminary, U.S.A.;
Master in Phi losophical Foundat ions, Inst i tute
for Chr ist ian Studies, Canada;
Bachelor of Arts in Phi losophy,
Tr in i ty Universi ty of Asia;
Bachelor of Theology,
Febias Col lege of Bible, Phi l ippines
ONE THING
A DEVOTION
20 DEVOTION
“IT’S WHEN GOD IS OUR
ONLY CONCERN THAT
ANXIETY AND FEAR LOSE
THEIR HOLD IN OUR LIVES.”
At the closing ceremony of the recent ATS Theological
Forum on Christian Spirituality last February 9-10, Soren
Kierkegaard was quoted and his insight challenged me:
“purity of heart is to will one thing.” I agree. To will “one thing”
is holiness…purity of heart at its very basic. In my prayer
time, I felt that the Lord just wanted me to dwell on Psalm 27
for several days to imbue my life with this one thing.
The simplicity of choosing Christ as the one thing leads to
wholeness and healing for our divided selves. It is the point
of the healing miracles in the Gospels. We are to desire to
move away from a frazzled, fragmented life to one that forms
a unity and simplicity serving only to know God and to make
Him known better. As one spiritual writer puts it: it is when
God is our only concern that anxiety and fear lose their hold
in our lives.
Can we as an ATS community desire only this one thing?
Whether you are a graduating student unsure about your
future and ministry path, a parent wondering how to put
your kids through school in the next years, a businessman
desiring financial growth and sustainability, one struggling
with infirmities and hopelessness, or someone who just wants
to walk with God in a more intimate way…can the Lord be our
light and our salvation?
King David provides a new pair of lens through which to
view all the challenges of life: desire one thing only, desire
God. And when we set our hearts on God and His kingdom,
we will experience the truth of Jesus’ promise, all “these other
things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:30-31).
21
April 13-14 (Tues-Wed)
(8am-5pm)
Introduction to Christian Spirituality
Dr. Adonis Gorospe
This is a 16-hour introductory certificate
course on the meaning of Christian spirituality,
its characteristics, the common forms it
manifested in the history of the church, and
its foundation in the experience of God in all
of its multiple and often unique variations in
the daily life of God’s people.
April 16-20 (Mon-Fri)
(8am-5pm)
Strategic Leadership & Management:
The Pauline Perspective
Rev. Ray Birch
Pastor, Grace Church
Monmouth Oregon
Dr. Rene Chanco
ATS Pastoral Studies Professor
This course focuses on the heart of the
Christian leader, based on the understanding
that what you do (your outward effectiveness
as a leader) comes out of what you are at heart.
After looking at techniques, it will examine
Biblical character traits of leadership, based
primarily on the example and writings of the
apostle Paul.
April 19-21 and May 10-12
(8am-5pm)
Educational Center Development
Prof. Chona Domingo
This course will address the development of
an educational program as integral to urban
poor church planting activity. The course
provides an overview of the field of early
childhood education and its organization and
operation.
22
SUMMER COURSES AND MINISTRY TRAININGS2012
A S I A N T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A R Y
May 24-25 (Thurs-Fri)
(8am-12nn)
Leadership Development:
Preparing Workers for the Harvest (Seminar)
Bishop Manny Carlos
Overseer, Victory Christian Fellowship
One of the most innovative churches in the
Philippines is Victory Christian Fellowship.
Learn leadership development lessons from a
key leader and ministry practitioner within the
movement.
May 21 to June 1
(8am-12nn)
Introduction to the Bible
Prof. Noli Mendoza
Taken within the first year of seminary
studies, this prerequisite course provides the
students with a broad overview of the content,
theological themes, and historical and literary
context of both the Old and New Testaments,
providing a foundation for subsequent biblical
courses.
May 21 to June 1
(6-9pm)
Theology 1: God, Revelation and the Bible
Prof. Lorenzo Bautista
Theology 1: Introduction, Theological Method,
Basis of Faith, God
The first part helps students to imagine the
many sides of theology as a Christian spiritual
discipline. The second part studies how God is
presented in the Bible, tracing the different and
developing portrayals of God. The integrating
role of theology in spirituality remains always
a concern of the entire course.
23
Asian Theological SeminaryFor more information, please contact us at:
54 Sct. Madriñan, Quezon City 1103 Philippines
QCCPO Box 1454-1154
Quezon City 1100, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 928-6717; 923-0669 Fax: (632) 928-5114
(local nos. 120-Admissions, 112-Registrar, 108-Business Office)
Email: [email protected]
www.ats.ph facebook.com/ats.ph twitter.com/atsph
Excellent international faculty and students
Global curriculum with global outreach and impact
Demonstrates the inter-cultural character of the body of Christ
Encourages students to serve God in their home country, thus
helping impact Asia and the world
Equips students while remaining in ministry, thus learning is
relevant and contextualized
Encourages students to reflect critically and dynamically in
the midst of an active ministry
Bible-based framework
Integrates personal holiness, evangelism and social
responsibility
Engages students in social issues and the development of
one’s community and nation
Trans-denominational, enriched by different traditions
Allows freedom to express personal beliefs
Various denominations represented in the ATS student body
are all committed to the Bible as the Word of God, and yet
recognize diversity as an expression of their freedom in Christ
EQ U I P.L E A D .
T R A N S F O R M .
GLOBAL
C
ONNECTEDC D
HOLISTICC
UNIFYINGUNI G
Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) is an evangelical,
interdenominational, multicultural theological institution that
honors God and serves the needs of the Asian church and
beyond by training and equipping Christian men and
women to be competent, Spirit-filled servant-leaders who
will, by the Spirit of God, effect Biblical transformation
in society and the world.
I t e q u i p s s t u d e nt s w i t h t h e u n d e r l y i n g co re va l u e s of b e i n g :