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Seminary Day encourages students and churches

By Elaine Phillips

COCHRANE—“One learns more from experience than from books,” at least according to a proverb that has been traced back to The Schoolmaster (1568) by Roger Ascham. The original Latin phrase means “experience teaches,” as students who took part in Seminary Day will no doubt agree. Each year during March reading week/spring break, Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College students are sent out to take part in a variety of ministry opportunities in Canadian National Baptist Convention (CNBC) churches across Canada.

Dr. Don McNaughton, professor of counselling and director of student formation, sees Seminary Day as an important step in student training and development. “It presents a real advantage to students for furthering their ministry experience,” says McNaughton, who wishes to thank all churches and pastors who play a role in making this annual event a success. “We long for no less of a benefit to churches and their pastors,” he adds. “To have seminarians offer their gifts and abilities for even a day or a weekend can be an important time of refreshing for those who work long days or with few resources.”

McNaughton and his colleagues see Seminary Day as an important way “to share our common heritage as a family, and to provide support to our churches. Students bring seminary reports and information, and place themselves in the hands of pastors to help in whatever way is needed.”

In some cases students are able to give pastors a break from pulpit ministry. In other cases, students provide different elements of church services, accompany pastors in their weekly activities or speak at prayer breakfasts and other special church or community events.
McNaughton hopes that Seminary Day can grow in the years to come, and touch an ever larger number of CNBC churches.

Students shared their experiences during two seminary chapel services; feedback was encouraging.

Theo Lee went to Dixie Baptist in Mississauga, Ontario. He had been keeping in touch with friends back home in Toronto, one of whom was a non-Christian he’d first met in university. Theo says, “I started to tell him about Jesus and my church a year or two later. He would come to Baptist student ministries but never affirm the truth that Jesus was the only way. Several years later I came to the seminary and he moved on to a full-time job, but we maintained our friendship. Soon after I made the decision to go to Dixie Baptist, my friend called to say that his father had passed away suddenly.” When Theo went home he was able to minister to him. He came out to the church on Seminary Day and is now going to church and fellowshipping with other Christians. Theo affirms God’s complete control over everything that led to his trip: “I sometimes overlook things that happen in my life; however, I felt I was sent to Toronto solely for the purpose of ministering to my friend.”

Joshuah Tait travelled to Worsley Baptist Church, Worsley, Alberta, and enjoyed being in a church that has consistently supported the seminary and sent out great leaders. Josh says, “What impressed me most was the bond that I shared with the people, for no other reason than we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Worsley Baptist is a pillar in our convention and represents stability.” Josh describes the community life as refreshing. “The people spent time together talking, telling stories and enjoying one another; they were in no rush to leave the church and get home.”

Rob Allain preached at Cambrian Heights Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta. Benje Bartley, a pastor at the church, was to preach on Galatians the following week so Rob prepared an introduction to the book, something he had never done before. “That week in chapel the guest speaker gave us a key verse, Galatians 1:8, summarizing the central message of Galatians. I was able to form my message around that week’s teaching. God is so good. He gives you what you need when you need it.”

Chris Cousine was sent to Halifax for Seminary Day. He says, “I spent three wonderful days with Pastor Reg Lewis of Gospel Light Baptist Church and his lovely wife, Pat. Pastor Reg spent many hours with me discussing any and all concerns and questions I had coming into ministry. We did evangelism in the neighbourhood, discipled young people, and taught Sunday school to the congregation. I was able to share my testimony with the church and enjoy a meal afterward. Gospel Light Church was a true blessing to me and my walk with Christ.”

Michael Akinpelu flew east for his Seminary Day experience, visiting two New Brunswick churches. He attended a men’s interdenominational breakfast on Saturday and preached at Hope Community Church in Fredericton. In the evening service at Providence Church in Moncton, he shared testimonies of his conversion and calling. On Monday, he and Michael Thomson, an elder from Providence, visited Dieppe, a French community where Providence Church holds a weekly Bible study.

“Overall, my Seminary Day experience was fantastic,” says Akinpelu. “The best part was meeting new people, sharing and fellowshipping together. Their desire to share their lives with me as I shared mine touched my heart. This made me look forward to ministry and gave me a better understanding of the importance of loving people and spending time with them. This made Jesus’ earthly ministry, centred on love, come alive for me. I have learned that only genuine love for people will keep someone in ministry.”

Michelle Glenn was in Edmonton again this year for Seminary Day. She says, “It was good to see Jonathan Chisholm (formerly of Bow Valley) leading Jasper Place Baptist Church. I could sense excitement in the air for what was to come. I was also pleased to meet Dennis Milne and his family.” Dennis is a former military chaplain and was the Field Ed supervisor of Michelle’s boyfriend, Sam Augustin, an aspiring chaplain currently training for deployment overseas. A final highlight for Michelle was meeting Chris and Cynthia Lee, who are planning to come to the seminary in the fall; Chris will be enrolling in the bachelor’s program.

Benje Bartley had the privilege of preaching at two congregations on Seminary Day, first at Richmond Chinese Baptist Church (English congregation), and then at Towers Baptist Church, both in Richmond, BC. “It was a blessing to see how God is using these two congregations to reach the city of Richmond,” says Benje. “It is wonderful to see these culturally different congregations meeting in the same building and working alongside each other for the sole purpose of advancing the kingdom of God.”

Joshua Poffenroth went to Calvary Baptist Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where Bob Butt is pastor. He says, “There I saw a young man who started a youth centre called ‘Joe’s Place’ that has expanded to a powerful ministry where God is touching the lives of unchurched youth. This was the most inspiring part of Seminary Sunday for me. Giving ourselves away for Jesus is messy and uncomfortable, but totally satisfying. I only wish I did it more often!”

Through this experience, Josh and others have learned that “the role of a pastor is so much more about following Christ and loving people from Monday to Saturday, than preaching on Sunday.” Josh knows that God loves him and is pursuing his heart—even when he does not deserve to be pursued. He sees God working powerfully throughout the world and across denominations. “God communicates His glorious and transformational truth to ears that are willing to hear through whatever means is available to Him, regardless of talent or experience,” says Josh. “Christ has promised to build His church, and that is the main reason I want to invest my life in His church and in people.”

Matt Rollings returned to his former church, “A Place Called Hope,” in Lethbridge, Alberta. It was started in 2005 by Pastor Scott Dollar, and Matt and his wife had the privilege of serving alongside Scott as original members. “Instead of preaching a sermon,” says Matt, “I chose to honour Pastor Scott by acknowledging all his hard work and dedication in serving the Lord in one of the ‘tough places’ of Canada.”

As a future minister, Matt hopes to learn from his pastor. “In an age of compromised gospel messages, Pastor Scott continues to preach the full counsel of the Word of God,” Matt says.

Jerry Wallace and his family travelled to Hi-Way Harvest Fellowship in Smeaton, Saskatchewan, where Darcy Cust is pastor. This year was Jerry’s first at the seminary; he and his family moved to Cochrane from North Carolina.

Jerry appreciated the opportunity to visit this rural area, which has its own challenges for ministry. ”It has lots of land and not enough workers to reap the harvest,” says Jerry. “Before the trip I was unsure where God wanted to use me in His ministry; however, after preaching on Sunday morning God confirmed for me that He wants to use me as a pastor.”

Jerry and the other students are thankful that the seminary has made this opportunity available.

Until Kristen Toussaint spoke at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Penticton, BC, where John Groot is pastor, she had only addressed her classmates in the school’s preaching lab. Seminary Day gave her the opportunity to speak to a larger audience.

Kristen, who chose Genesis 22 as her text, says, “It was challenging to study God’s Word, to listen to Him, to be biblically sound, to say what the text says and see how it applies to my life and to the lives of the listeners.” She says her professors have consistently encouraged her to “correctly handle God’s Word.”

Not all students were equally eager to embrace the opportunities presented by Seminary Day. Since he began his seminary studies, Samuel Medeiros has managed to avoid getting involved. The idea of preaching in an unfamiliar church did not appeal to him. “As life is busy, I always had excuses for not signing up,” admits Sam.

“This year I did not enrol—again.” But after the deadline Dr. Don sent a general email saying that he still had churches available for preaching. “I felt compelled to accept the invitation, but since I was busy I did not reply.”

However, one week before Seminary Day, Dr. Don sent another message, specifically inviting Sam to preach. He took the time to pray about it, saying, “Please Lord, send me to any church in Canada, but not Bow Valley.” Sam’s concern was that many CSBS professors attend Bow Valley. However, he accepted the invitation.

Sam describes his week of preparation as “the longest week of my life” during which he spent more hours than usual praying and studying the Word. He says, “I was worried about disappointing my professors, the people attending Bow Valley, and above all, God. It was encouraging to know that there were brothers and sisters praying for the students.” When he woke up on the morning he was to preach he was very calm—so calm that he thought he should be concerned.

Despite the initial apprehension of stepping out into the unknown, Sam and several other students acknowledge their peace as a gift from God. Sam concludes, “For me to preach at Bow Valley was like doing a bungee jump: a lot of adrenaline before, and an unforgettable experience later. I am ready for my next bungee jump, and will certainly sign up again next year! ‘Send me anywhere, Lord.’” Sam’s relationship with His Lord has been further strengthened as a result of Seminary Day.

Trevor Schaffrick was asked to visit Dovercourt Baptist Church in Edmonton, led by Pastor Ralph Griggs. Seminary Day is scheduled for the beginning of reading break with the hope that the additional free time will enable more students to participate. “I assumed I was less busy than some of the other students here, and somebody had to go,” Trevor says. “When I attended the orientation meeting, our president, Dr. Rob Blackaby, adjusted my attitude. From his perspective, this event was not a matter of obligation, but of grace; the churches we would visit were both the means and the ends of our seminary.”

Dr. Blackaby helped Trevor understand that the CNBC churches not only provide the funds, people and prayer that it takes to function at a time when so many schools are closing their doors, but they are the very reason the seminary exists.

Trevor says that his Seminary Day experience granted him a “much-needed reality check” and he realizes that “beyond all of these ideas and books is a world of spiritually hungry people.

“Churches like Dovercourt are on the front lines of God’s redemption strategy for the community around them. The studies and character-building I am enduring now temper me for places where only the love of Jesus can penetrate and transform the human heart.”

Trevor concludes, “Seminary Day was for me a profound reminder of why I am here.”