Redeemer Seminary
Associate Professor of Biblical and Pastoral Theology
3838 Oaklawn Ave. Ste #200
Dallas, Texas 75219
Website: www.redeemerseminary.org

Bethel Church (PCA)
Interim Senior Pastor
17990 Midway Rd.
Dallas, Texas  752 87

Family: Wife: Ophelia; Sons: Richard, Randall and Ryan

The Calling as a Pastoral Missionary

History and Need
In the early 1800’s the Baptists and the Methodists (two of America’s mainline Protestant denominations) took to the mission field of the American frontier. They were successful at evangelizing this new frontier in as much as Baptist and Methodist churches can be found almost anywhere in continental America today. Their missionary endeavors created much of the breadth that Christianity enjoys in America. However, the well-known theologian and teacher, John R. W. Stott, has said that American Christianity is “3000 miles wide and an inch deep”. In 2005, a frontier yet remains, not so much a geographical frontier but a cultural one. The “manifest destiny” of this frontier is not one of geographical breadth but of spiritual and theological depth. For many minority churches and pastors the need for theological training and pastoral mentoring remains to this day. Among the young ministers, the gospel is known and its core is understood; however, its proclamation may lack the insight that sound biblical and theological training would provide. Also, there are seasoned, mature pastors who desire more theological education to complement their years of practical ministerial experience. These men love Christ and their hearts are hungry for deeper investigation of God’s Word. Many of these churches are Biblical in their convictions. They embrace the truths such as God’s sovereignty, justification and the like; however, yet there is a need for profundity. This scenario provides a grand opportunity for those who are Reformed theologically (ones who were not a vital part of the first quest to the American frontier) to engage this new frontier of hungry hearts not only for the purpose of providing further evangelistic breadth but something more sorely needed, theological depth and a passion for Christ Jesus! The communities in which these pastors are serving are in moral crisis and are starving for the knowledge of God.

It is to this frontier (and those like it) that I am called, to train shepherds and teachers in the knowledge of the Scriptures, Biblical languages and Theology, with a Christly passion and love. My desire is to come alongside pastors and future pastors and elders, to serve them and disciple them in the sacred art of Biblical shepherding. In order to accomplish this, a different model and tenor of training will be required. Tyrannus Hall is in a nutshell “home schooling for pastors”. It provides the training in the context of the pastor’s own churches and environment, removing the need to relocate for training, and significantly reducing the cost of the training. 

The goal is mature pastors; who are passionate for the glory of God, love Jesus, led by the Spirit, thorough in their knowledge of Scripture, Reformed in their theology, dependent on God, persistent in prayer, zealous for the gospel and for the work of Christ in the lives of others. They must also be culturally astute, understanding well the time and milieu in which they live and how the gospel must impact culture. I do not propose a program of “academic Darwinism”; the survival of the smartest and brightest; namely, those who could endure the sieve of rigorous academics. Rather, “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). Rigor should always attend serious study of God’s Word; however, the aim is not to be rigorous but to be godly. Yet we will endeavor, in every manner and means, to reflect scholarly excellence in our pursuits. The nature and passion of the cross of Jesus demands nothing less.