Current M.A. Students
Reeves Cannon III (M.A./BC student) - When I was looking for a school to continuemy education I knew that I wanted a degree which afforded me the opportunity tonot only have sound theological training, but also a degree which gave me theopportunity for licensure as a counselor. The degree at DTS provides thisopportunity. The professors not only know the material, but they know howto make the classroom FUN! The personal interaction with the professorsand their genuine care for how I am doing, both as a student andindividual, makes learning enjoyable. The MABC program has not onlyprovided me with a top notch academic degree, but it has also shaped me tobecome a difference maker for Christ.
Rachel Morgan (M.A./BEL student) - I choose the MABELdegree because it equips students to be effective in the area of Bibletranslation. It will enable me to be apart of bringing theWord of God to people who do not have it in their language and will enable me to work with Wycliffe BibleTranslators.
Jalil Dawood (M.A./CM student) - I am a cross culture student . I choice the M.A./CM because I like missions and want to know the words of our Lord through the classes, to understand how to apply the Word to different cultures, and to be an effective leader for my Master, Jesus, with the different people groups that He loves.
Lainey Hoekstra (M.A./BC student) - I chose the M.A./BC program because it offered an uncompromising balance of counseling classes alongside Bible and theology classes. I feel as if I am getting two degrees: one for counseling and one for Bible! I really love how interactive the classes are, not only for counseling, but overall. I've really enjoyed hearing the different perspectives offered in my Bible and theology classes through the shared curriculum (MABCers are mixed in with ThM and MABS kids), so it provides a really diverse spectrum of knowledge, experience, and opinion. I don't necessarily want to be a counselor at a church, but the M.A./BC program is preparing me for life as a Christian who also happens to be a counselor. It's providing me with knowledge not only about the Bible and such, but about where I can go or what I can do for more information. I'm optimistic that my faith will be a catalyst to my being a better therapist.
David Saxe (M.A./MC student) - I decided to attend DTS based on its academic reputation in theology, but was ecstatic to find the emphasis placed on creativity in the arts. My degree is Media and Communications, which I chose solely with respect to my musical background. I have found the best of both worlds in that I have thus far received theological education beyond my expectations and an environment that encourages creative and critical thinking.
A. J. Thomas (M.A./BC student) - I was involved in a church where I enjoyed listening to people and walk with them through their time of crises but I felt like I was not prepared. I wanted to be trained in counseling from a Christian school and therefore chose DTS. I think one of the main assets that I will take back from this program is the diversity of theories that my professors bring; that is, making it a true integrative counseling system based on the Scripture. I know that everyone wants to be heard and understood by someone, and I guess that is where I am heading—to be someone who empathizes with them, if possible, provide some direction for them.
Janelle Jung (M.A./CE student) - Before coming to DTS, I was a fifth grade teacher at a private Christian school in California and I wanted to gain knowledge of God's word and a clear understanding of the purpose and goals of educating children in the Christian worldview. I have chose to purse the M.A./CE in children's ministries because it gives mean idea of the development that will take place after the elementry age. Understanding what they will need in the future helps me guide their character development when I teach them now.
Peter Erickson (M.A./MC student) - I chose this particular program because it resounded very closely with what I feel called to do: minister using media and the arts in a way that is functional and relational. I enjoy the fact that my program covers so much that I can apply practical (e.g. video production), but also provides a solid biblical and theological foundation. I think it is preparing me for ministry in a very strategic sense. I am confident that I'll be able to offer my skills and creativity to support some form of ministry on levels that are becoming more and more predominant.
Erin Tatum (M.A./BC student) - I chose the M.A./BC because I have always been interested in psychology and the study of the mind. I knew that the biblical counseling degree would give me the tools that I would need to counsel in any setting. Even more, I have enjoyed learning how to integrate theology and psychology effectively in order to counsel all sorts of people. I feel that this degree is preparing me to counsel and to minister to those that are searching for the complete life that they could live through Jesus Christ.
Lucas Kavlie (M.A./CE student) - After studying under some of the most influential men and women in Christian education from today and yesteryear, I am more than equipped to change the world in the same manner as the first Christian educator, Jesus Christ!
Nate Killoren (M.A./CM student) - I am studying in the M.A./CM program. My wife and I are preparing to be career missionaries in Africa as a doctor and pilot, respectively. I had a Bible college background, but wanted to build up my cross-cultural communication and ministerial skills. Beyond that, the Bible and theology instruction is also preparing me for a training and discipleship ministry among the national pastors in Africa. Not only do I feel more mentally and spiritually prepared for our intended ministry, I am also much more passionate about what the Lord has called us to than when I entered.
Leigh Montgomery (M.A./BC student) - I chose the counseling degree because I love to listen to people and to be involved in caring for them emotionally. I consider it a great privilege to get to point people to Christ, so they can experience true healing and complete freedom. I want to be equipped with skills, knowledge, and the experience to do that well. I like that the counseling program at DTS is an integrated approach to Christian counseling, and have been so blessed to learn from the professors' own experience and wisdom. I'm excited to get practical experience while I'm in school, while getting a strong foundation of Bible, theology and psychology training as well.
Johnny Lee (M.A./CE student) - I am pursuing the M.A./CE with an emphasis in educational administration. Already being a senior pastor in a church that I planted, I chose to study this particular degree for the formal academic training it would provide me in the areas of administrative process and evaluation of the overall ministry effectiveness. I know of a surety—that this degree is providing me with the tools and preparation to do ministry more effectively while strengthening my weaknesses in knowing how to properly design and administer an educational cycle for the church. DTS has really been a joy for me and has exceeded all my expectations.
