Th.M. Alumni
Joe Wall (Th.M., Th.D.) Executive Vice President - Training Acting Director for Russia Field East West Ministries, International - I chose the Th.M. degree (with a major in New Testament Literature) and the Th.D. degree (with a major in Systematic Theology) because they provided me with effective tools for independent study of the Scriptures and a biblically based, comprehensive and unified theological system. At Dallas I was exposed to the importance of a biblically based spiritual life and a passion for Great Commission ministry. My studies at Dallas prepared me well for the various ministries God led me into as a pastor, college president, church planter, missionary, and writer.
Sukhwant Bhatia (Th.M.) Academic Dean and Director of Doctoral Programs, South Asian Institute of Advanced Christian Studies - I chose to pursue my Th.M. at DTS to get solid foundation in biblical studies, especially the original languages and clear theology. My Th.M. has been foundational for personal spiritual growth and effective ministry in India. Since my graduation, I have acquired a Ph.D., but the hallmark degree will always be my Th.M from DTS; because of it I have been able to plant and pastor churches and teach in formal and non-formal settings.
Quentin Washispack (Th.M., D.Min.) South Area Advocate for Ministry Development, Evangelical Free Church of America International Mission- I wanted to be prepared for ministry in a church setting so I chose the Th.M. with a major in pastoral ministries. I was involved in several churches before attending DTS that were pastored by DTS graduates. I like the way they were prepared in the pulpit and how they exegeted the Bible. I felt that going to DTS would prepare me to have an impact in a church ministry.
After being involved in church ministry for 8 years I wanted to further my education so I pursued the D.Min. degree at DTS. I looked at other schools but choose DTS for several reasons: location, commitment to the inerrant Word, scholarship, and faculty.
I met some wonderful people while at DTS and I keep up with some of them even today. I also had relationships with several of the faculty and keep up with some of these relationships today. There was a camaraderie among the students from which I benefited.
I still use the methods and tools that I learned at DTS today. I also profited from the world mission emphasis every spring where for one week the school focused on reaching the world with speakers and seminars and workshops. Today, I am involved in a ministry to Asia. Having a degree from DTS has given me opportunities to teach and preach and it has opened doors in Asia for me.
Bert Moore (Th.M.) Chaplain, U. S. Navy - I decided to pursue a degree at Dallas Seminary in order to learn how to study the Bible. My undergraduate degree is in chemistry. Following college, I joined the Marine Corps as an officer and served for just over 5 years. It was during that time that I found myself wanting to learn more about how to study the Bible. So, I applied for the Th.M. program and never regretted it. I also decided to emphasize my studies in Hebrew and Semitics as well as taking additional classes in Greek exegesis. I did this because I saw the languages as foundational to studying the Bible and I'm glad I did that. That's not say that I didn't enjoy the content courses of Bible and Theology, but over the years I've been grateful for the background in Hebrew and Greek. Even today, I continue to begin my study for sermons by first studying the original text. Also, from my more than 23 years ministry experience in the U. S. Navy as a chaplain, when I compare my education with others that I've worked with, I don't think there is any other seminary that prepares individuals better for practical ministry than DTS.
Michael Easley (Th.M., D.Min.) President Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute - The Th.M. is a brilliant program that gave me the tools to study the original text, theology, history, and how to integrate it into daily life and ministry. Furthermore, after looking at several D.Min. programs, I returned to Dallas because I knew the outstanding quality of the professors.
What I enjoyed most about my studies at Dallas was the central role of the Bible. In almost every class I took, we were "in the text." Secondly, I appreciated faculty who were knowledgeable and who equipped me "how" to serve Christ. I cannot imagine pastoring for twenty years or serving at Moody without the foundation of the Th.M. and D.Min. at Dallas. Rarely does a day go by that I do not thank God for Dallas Seminary.
Wah-Meng Loh (Th.M.) Senior Pastor, Ngau Tau Kok Swatow Christian Church- In 1985 DTS offered only the M.A.(BS) and Th.M. degrees. Since I went all the way from Malaysia to Dallas with my wife and two young daughters, I chose the complete program to be better equipped for preaching the Word.
Most of all I enjoyed the thorough teaching through the Bible exposition of almost all the 66 books. I loved the exposure to so many theological issues discussed in the class sessions. It was a humbling educational process.
The Th.M. program helped me to provide a sound all-round Biblical basis to all issues faced in the ministry of leading and teaching Christians to win and disciple others. Weekly in the church I am faced with all kinds of opinions and ideas for how-to run a church. Only Biblical principles make the best decision because the Bible is the final authority. I am captivated to Preach the Word!
H. Dale Burke (Th.M.) Senior Pastor, First Evangelical Free of Fullerton, CA, and Founder of Dale Burke Leadership - The Th.M. program has served me well over the years. It grounded me in the most essential element of ministry, God's Word. It infused into my soul a love for the Word and an excitement for its relevance to every life issue. Whether traveling to teach on leadership, or preparing to preach in Fullerton on Sunday, my training in the critical art of Bible Study methods is foundational to ministry at every level!
Bob Abegg (Th.M.) Pastor, CenterpointChurch - I came to DTS because of a hunger to learn the Bible well. And DTS equipped me with foundational tools that I've used for the last 25 years. Those tools included the languages of Greek and Hebrew, the development of the exegetical process, and the communication of the biblical truth with clarity and relevance to our generation. The tools acted in synergy to help me learn and share the Bible that I hungered to know. I'm so grateful that these tools are still available at Dallas Seminary for the next generation of God's servants.
Steve Strauss (Th.M.) Director of SIM USA - I wanted the "full orbed" training offered by DTS's four-year Th.M. I wasn't sure of my future ministry, and wanted to get good foundational training for going in several directions. The chance to get good background in several areas. I ended up on the mission field for 19 years, needing and using the wide range of training DTS's Th.M. gave me. Included was the great exegetical/hermeneutical training and the great communication training.
Manual Fernandez (Th.M.) Chairman and CEO, World Link Ministries- I graduated form the Th.M.in 1983, and with a D.Min. in 1996. I enjoyed the Th.M. because it gave me the highest confidence as to what I believe and why I believe it. It caused me to do my own studies to understand how we have arrived at the biblical and doctrinal conlcusions we cherish. Since DTS, I have started a series of theological centers to train and deploy nationals in 15 countries so far. The Th.M. gave me the technical skills to understand the body of biblical and doctrinal truths to entrust to the many leaders in the different countries.
Larry Moyer (Th.M.) President and CEO, Evantell - I wanted to get as thorough knowledge of scripture as possible. The thing I enjoyed most [about DTS] was learning how to study the scriptures from an expository, in context, point of view. It has helped me tremendously in becoming an expository evangelist who handles the scriptures carefully, preaching evangelistically and training others in evangelism.
Michael Justice (M.A.[BS], Th.M.) Associate Pastor, Rowlett Bible Fellowship - Since I was visually impaired when I applied to Dallas Seminary, I chose the M.A.(BS) program because I didn’t know how I could study Greek and Hebrew until I learned to read Braille. The emphasis on the expositional study of the entire Bible as well as in theology helped me to choose DTS over other seminaries. These, along with the interaction of men and women from all over the world made my seminary life much richer than I expected. What I learned from the M.A.(BS) is largely what I used in my years as a Hospital Chaplain and still use now as a pastor.
After completing my M.A.(BS)as a visually impaired student, I decided to pursue the Th.M. Through God’s grace and an average Braille reading proficiency, I was able to do the Greek and Hebrew studies. My preaching and teaching improved drastically due to the confidence I gained by using my language skills along with my previous studies in God’s Word. Now as a pastor, I am equipped with tools for a lifetime of ministry.
Rick Bartosik (Th.M., D.Min.) Senior Pastor, Mililani Community Church (EFCA) - I chose the Th.M. program at DTS because I believed it would best equip me with the tools to study the Bible and preach and teach God's Word. I was not disappointed. It grounded me in Scripture and exposed me to godly mentors who immeasurably enriched my life and ministry. The Th.M. program produced in me a burden for expository preaching and teaching and equipped me with the skills to fulfill that burden.
I was attracted to the DTS D.Min. program because I wanted a program that would genuinely stretch me and help me grow, and the DTS program was the most rigorous that I could find. The D.Min. program was a very challenging and refreshing time of honing my ministry skills. It also helped me fulfill my desire to study and write in the area of my ministry passion.
Imad Shehdah (Th.M., Th.D.) Founder and President, Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary- Desiring to be well rounded in theological and Biblical studies, to acquire exegetical skills, and to be grounded in Biblical languages are the reasons I choose the Th.M. Program at DTS. I continued on in the Th.D. program in order to be further trained in the above, and also to focus on the subject of my dissertation, which emphasized comparison and contrast between Islamic and Christian theology. The process of research, gaining confidence in knowing how to train Arab believers in the Middle East, and the camaraderie with other scholars helped to lay the groundwork in the formation of JETS. All of what I do today is the outcome of what took place at DTS: a life changing experience!
