Photo by Dan Callis

ADC

Summer 2016

Equipping Christians to Serve

Advocating

a culture of reconciliation
FEATURE ARTICLE

NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community

- by Dr. Terry LeBlanc | Page 3

Presidents Message
Where is the Inn?
Ive been thinking about Inns lately. Not
because Nova Scotia has some of the
loveliest, but because Ive been reading
biblical accounts featuring Inns and
during our Colleges recent trip to Israel
and Palestine, we visited the places in
those accounts.
Although Ive been to Israel several
times, Ive never stayed in Bethlehem.
On this trip, I had the privilege to.
But, that wasnt the case for Mary and
Joseph. There was no room for them in
the Inn. Alternate arrangements were
made and Jesus was born in a stable.
Shepherds came to see Jesus after an
awesome encounter with an angelic
proclamation that the Messiah had
been born. Perhaps there had been no
room for Mary and Joseph in the Inn,
but that did not stop Gods plan
from unfolding.
Our trip to Israel included travelling
towards the Dead Sea and Jericho. It
brought to mind the story Jesus told of
the man who travelled the same route,
falling into the hands of robbers who
beat him and left him half dead. After
several religious leaders passed him
by, a Samaritan tended him and took
him to an Inn. He made arrangements
for the man to stay there to recover,
promising to pay the innkeeper
whatever it cost.
This story was told by Jesus to an
expert of the law (Luke 10). The expert
questioned Jesus about what he had
to do to inherit eternal life. He recalled
the admonition of the Word to love
God with ones heart, soul, mind and
strength and love ones neighbour as
oneself. He asked Jesus, And, who is
my neighbour? Jesus made it clear
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ADC Today

that another question was more

appropriate. To whom can I be
a neighbour?
The expert would not have been
prepared to consider that a Samaritan
would be the hero of the story. But, he
had to conclude that the Samaritan
was indeed the one who had been
a neighbour to the man left on the
road. Hard truths indeed - loving God
and loving people go hand in hand.
I can hear the expert thinking, What
was wrong with that man travelling
alone on the road anyway? He brought
this on himself. Or perhaps he made
excuses for those who passed by on the
other side without helping the person
in the ditch.
Where is the Inn? Ive been asking
myself this question as I consider the
desperate conditions of individuals and
families around the world who have lost
so much because of injustices; ethnic
cleansing, war, political upheaval. The
actual numbers of refugees in the world
today is too much for us to come to
terms with but we must!
This edition of ADC Today will feature
the testimony of what it has meant for
one church to be an Inn to a refugee
family. We need to ask ourselves, To
whom can I be a neighbour? What
will it cost? We also feature ADCs new
partnership with NAIITS, the North
American Institute for Indigenous
Theological Studies. Dr. Terry LeBlanc
provides a perspective that we may not
find easy to read.
Our seminary is an Inn of sorts. A
place where meaningful and needed
dialogue takes place. Classrooms
where theological discourse ends
up with pointed conclusions and
more questions that will strike the

by Dr. Harry Gardner, 77

hearts of students, equipping them

to consider, Where is the Inn?
Theological education requires that
we understand the Final Report of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
of Canada relating to the Indigenous
peoples of Canada. We cannot pass by
on the other side. We need to move
from understanding to action and that
will require the best thinking of our
emerging leaders.
The newly launched Andrew D. MacRae
Centre for Christian Faith and Culture
will make room for dialogue as we
consider what it will take to understand
and relate to the many displaced
people of our country and those who
are coming into it. What does it mean
to relate to our culture with the Gospel,
the good news of Jesus Christ?
Where is the Inn? There is a price to be
paid and people are worth it, for God so
loved the world that He gave His only
Son, and He expects us to love others
also - to make room. There are no easy
answers, but this edition holds promise
to engage you deeply as you ask,
Where is the Inn?

Dr. Harry Gardner is the

President and the Abner J. Langley and
Harold L. Mitton Professor of Church
Leadership of Acadia Divinity College,
and the Dean of Theology of
Acadia University.

by Dr. Terry LeBlanc, 15

NAIITS: An

Indigenous Learning
Community

Acadia Universitys Chancellor, Dr. Libby Burnham, presented Terry LeBlanc with an honorary
Doctor of Divinity in May of 2015.

Indigenous scholar Taiaiake Alfred

asks, What is Indigenizing the
academy? To me, it means that we
are working to change universities
so that they become places where
the values, principles, and modes of
organization and behaviour of our
people are respected in, and hopefully
even integrated into, the larger system
of structures and processes that make
up the university itself.

Learning Community, questions of

culture and faith have been circulating
for many years. Questions surrounding
contextualization and the redemption
of Indigenous North American culture
in mission and ministry have surfaced
through the many seasons of their
lives. Most of the questions that drive
the work of NAIITS flow directly from a
community that has much invested in
the answers.
The emergence of NAIITS is directly
tied to the many years of labour
invested by its board members in the
Indigenous Christian community. From
the day of its formation to the present,
NAIITS has been an Indigenous North
American led organization dedicated
to introducing change into the
education and practice of evangelical
Christian mission and theology.

Photo by Dan Callis

ADC introduces the Master of

Arts (Theology) in Indigenous
Community Development

Christian mission and theology

attuned to Indigenous culture, a small
group of Indigenous evangelicals were
prompted to explore ways to address
the issue. Missionaries, theologians,
and lay people had been struggling
for many years to make sense of the
issue to little effect. NAIITS was born in
response to this inability of the church
to fully include Indigenous North
Americans in a manner that affirmed

who their Creator had shaped them

to be.

From its very creation, the North

American Institute for Indigenous
Theological Studies (NAIITS) has been
asking a similar question. Not just
within the academic community,
however, but also within the
Indigenous and non-Indigenous
evangelical Christian community.

It was simultaneously a simple

and complex problem: how to
articulate a Christian faith in which
Indigenous peoples culture was
not further eroded or altogether
decimated. Stated another way,
How could Indigenous people
express their commitment to Jesus
Christ and celebrate their God-given
indigeneity within that faith without
contradiction. Finding little in print
or experience that addressed the
theological, biblical and missiological
issues at hand, NAIITS determined to
gather a group of people together
to explore the issue of holistically
contextualizing the gospel.

In 1999, in response to the

increasingly controversial issue of

For the participants, in what has

now become NAIITS: An Indigenous

Believing that since the earliest

period of colonization the Christian
community had essentially written
them (and their culture) out of the story
of the church, NAIITS emphasized the
inclusion of Indigenous worldviews,
especially as they relate to training
Indigenous people in theology,
biblical studies, and mission. Since the
North American evangelical church
had become almost irrelevant to
Indigenous peoples as a result of its
unwillingness to make this change,
NAIITS faculty and students were
often left isolated from their own
communities of faith in this endeavour.
NAIITS is unique in that its founding
and management was, and continues
to be, by Indigenous people. Prior
to NAIITS there were few efforts in
advanced theological education.
Most that did emerge were birthed
in the hearts and minds of the nonIndigenous community, delivered in a
non-culturally inclusive way.
continued on page 4

Summer 2016

 continued from page 3

In the spring of 2014, Acadia University,

through Acadia Divinity College,
entered into a working agreement
with NAIITS to begin delivery of a
Master of Arts (Theology) in Indigenous
Community Development (MA-INCD).
The first cohort of three students began
that fall. The total enrolment for 2016
is four. This and four other partnerships
with different institutions, offering
unique degree options, are the first
partnerships of their kind delivered
entirely by an Indigenous organization
focused on higher theological
education.
Since its conception in the late 1990s,
and its organizational birth in the
year 2001, NAIITS has become a
well-recognized and well-respected
group of Indigenous North American
men and women dedicated to the
advancement of Indigenous peoples

education within the wider compass of

those who follow the Jesus Way.

NAIITS believes Indigenous followers

of Jesus have something of value to
contribute to the Christian community
as a whole in terms of mission and
theology, but more particularly, that
they need to create their own tools for
mission to the Indigenous community.

Since 2003, NAIITS partnerships have

graduated seven people with doctoral
degrees and nine people with Masters
of Divinity or Masters of Arts degrees.
Presently, NAIITS has five people in
Acadia is helping us make that point!
PhD programs (two at the dissertation
stage) and one in a ThD program at the
candidacy stage. Three of these students
Dr. Terry LeBlanc , a Mikmaqare enrolled in an ongoing program
Acadian,
is the Executive Director of
partnership created by NAIITS, two in
Indigenous Pathways and also the
a concluding agreement, and one in a
founding Chair and current Director
single student arrangement.
of the North American Institute for
Indigenous Theological Studies (NAIITS),
In the twelve years that NAIITS has
an indigenous learning community.
been engaged in the delivery of higher
Terry holds an interdisciplinary PhD
education, through its partnerships,
from Asbury Theological Seminary,
we have graduated more students
and specializes in Theology and
with advanced high-quality degrees
Anthropology. In May 2015, Terry
than in the previous 150 years in the
received the honorary Doctor of Divinity
traditions of the church from which our
from Acadia University.
membership has been drawn combined.

Photo by Dan Callis

Rev. Gato Munyamasoko receives Acadia Universitys Honorary Doctorate

Front cover photo: Gato Munyamasoko,
recipient of the honorary Acadia Doctor
of Divinity.
On May 15, 2016, Rev. Dr. Gato Munyamasoko
received the Honorary Doctor of Divinity by
Acadia University. He is seen here with Acadia
University Chancellor, Dr. Libby Burnham, and
Acadia University President, Ray Ivany.

One of the highlights of the

weekend of Acadia Divinity Colleges
Commissioning Service and Acadia
Universitys Convocation, was the
presence of Rev. Gato Munyamasoko
- the General Secretary of the
Association of Baptist Churches in
Rwanda who received an honorary
Doctor of Divinity from Acadia
University. Gato is from Kigali, Rwanda,
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ADC Today

and is an outstanding Christian leader

modeling and advocating a culture
of peace and reconciliation across
Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, and Kenya. He
is motivated by the love of God in
Jesus Christ and sees every human
being as created in the image of God.
Because of this he has led Rwandans to
understand the causes of the genocide,

to seek and to extend forgiveness, and

to build relationships based on the
principles of justice, mercy and faith,
emphasizing the need for reconciliation
with God, self, and others. Acadia
University can be proud to bestow this
honour on this outstanding human
example of grace and love.

by Rev. Mark Reece, 04

Paradise Baptist Church

Welcomes Refugee Family
In January 2015, one of my deacons
caught a CBC Radio interview
on the plight of Syrian refugees
and the Government of Canadas
willingness to receive a large number
for resettlement. The interviews
participants identified a role for local
churches in sponsorship and expressed
hope that there would be movement
toward that end. The need was shared
with our leadership team and the
Paradise Baptist Church congregation
as a whole.
Could we do it? One of the realities of
small, rural church life is that we can
easily develop an inferiority complex:
We could never do something like
that!Our resources are limited.
Yet, rural churches are often well
positioned to extend hospitality and
offer community.
Following a process with necessary
discussions, our congregation agreed
to pursue Blended Visa Office-Referred
sponsorship through the Convention
of Atlantic Baptist Churches (CABC)
in partnership with Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada
(IRCC). On May 20, 2015, the profile of
our Iraqi family of sixtwice displaced
in the Middle Eastwas selected by
the empowered sponsorship team.
In short time, a neighbouring church,
Bridgetown Baptist, offered muchneeded fundraising and hands-on
family support.
How do we measure success? Early on,
we determined that success must not
be measured by whether the family
put down roots in Bridgetown or even
Atlantic Canada. Our primary focus was
getting them out of a terrible, wartorn environment. Therefore, success
was achieved as soon as their first

flight landed in Toronto. It was further

realized when their second flight
landed in Halifax on August 20, 2015,
three months to the day and hour of
profile selection.
Paul Carline, Director of Intercultural
Ministries for the CABC, comments, Its
a new day for many of our churches,
and for many of the families that
theyre receiving. Psalm 46:1 reminds
us that, God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble (NASB).
In this way, we are all refugees in need
of protective strength. It has been a
joy for a congregation of refugees to
extend a hand to a family of refugees.
Refugee sponsorship has reaffirmed
Paradise Baptist in its mission and
purpose, providing a new ministry
opportunity. Today, we are seeking to
live out the challenge of the Parable
of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) with
which Jesus broadly and inclusively
redefined the word neighbour to
include the least expected. We are
seeking to think intentionally beyond
ourselves. This includes a renewed
focus on the practical needs of our
next-door neighbours. Local needs
surface often, and we feel that it
is important for the church be in a
positionyes, financiallyto respond
with the love of Christ.
How does the family measure success?
Since arriving in Canada, the mom
and girls have experienced both the
pleasure and pain of life in a new
country and culture. So much is
new, and the learning curve is steep.
They are learning about their new
community, and the community is
learning about them. Their primary
focus over the past 12 months has
been to learn English. But, they are able

to work, attend school, play sports, and

pursue other interests without fearing
for their safety. Security, while never
fully guaranteed to anyone, is more
tangible. Their nightmare has ended,
and dreams are becoming realities for
our newcomers.
What does the community think?
Opinions on immigration, refugees,
and citizenship abound. Christs love
abounds, too. Society recognizes when
the church is being the church. The
support that the sponsorship team has
received from the wider community
cannot be adequately conveyed with
words. Every need has been met, and
offers of assistance continue to arrive
from both likely and unlikely sources.
We have been able to taste and see the
Lords goodness.
One of my responsibilities has
been keeping our local ecumenical
ministerial abreast of refugee
sponsorship developments. I am
pleased to say that our brothers
and sisters in the Anglican Parish of
Bridgetown have recently decided to
pursue sponsorship. It is a joy to be in
a position to encourage and resource
others on the journey. I am convinced
now, more than ever, that Christian
unity and cooperation that honours
Jesus Christ is a powerful witness to the
world in which we live.

Rev. Mark Reece is the pastor

of Paradise Baptist Church in Paradise,
NS. Mark graduated from Acadia with
his Master of Divinity degree in 2004,
and is currently in the Colleges Doctor
of Ministry program.
Summer 2016

by Dr. Glenn Wooden, 84, 86

How can we
do less?
Should we help nonChristian refugees?
Biblically it is clear that we must
help those of the household of faith
(Gal. 6:10). But what about others?
Our congregation used to support
a foster child, but someone probed
the wisdom of our choice: Why are
you supporting a Muslim child in a
Muslim country, he asked, through
a charity that doesnt preach the
gospel? You need to switch to a
Christian sponsorship plan.
But, must Christian charity always be
twinned with Gospel preaching? Is
there a place for helping people, with
no strings attached? I believe that,
biblically, there is.
Every human is made in the image
of God. What exactly Genesis 1:27
means is debated, but this is clear:
the human is the only creature
made in the image of God. Not even
sin changed that. After Genesis 3 and
4, 5:1 reaffirms: When God created
humankind, he made them in the
likeness of God. The passage then
lists the descendants of Adam and
Eve; they all bore the image of God.
Psalm 8 marvels at how our Creator
still remembers the sons of Adam
and cares for us (v. 4). Paul teaches
about Christ that, all things have
been created through him and for
him (Col. 1:16). Every human is not
only created in the image of God,
but is created by Jesus, for himself.
There should be little wonder that
God still considers humans to be
crowned with glory and honour
(Ps. 8:5).

ADC Today

Amos challenges us with implications

of this image of God. In Amos 1-2,
Edom is described as the regional
human trafficker (1:6, 9); and its
citizens were a ruthless, revengefilled people to be judged (1:11).
Yet, amazingly, God judges the king
of Moab, because he desecrated
the bones of Edoms king. Even the
dead leader of this judged people
had innate human dignity that God
expected all humans to respect.
This is underscored when God
warned His covenant people not to
overestimate their importance; they
are no different than the Ethiopians,
Philistines, or Arameans (Amos 9:7)
whom God helped. Even Jesus said:
he makes his sun rise on the evil and
on the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and on the unrighteous
(Matt. 5:45). God provides for a
good life for all whom He created,
regardless of our eternal destination.
Go and do likewise. In Luke
10:25-37, An expert in biblical law
wanted Jesus to affirm his own
ethnic prejudices. Jesus had affirmed
the law to love your neighbour as
yourself (Lev. 19:8) as one of two
primary laws. But surely, the lawyer
reasoned, my neighbour is a Jew,
someone just like me. To clear his
vision, Jesus told a story about
a Samaritan.
Jesus audience thought about
Samaritans in the same way many
Christians think of Muslims today.
So, a non-Jew, Samaritan traveler
became the one who was moved
with pity for the helpless Jew at the
side of the road. When Jesus asked:
Which of these three, do you think,
was a neighbour ?, the choice was
inescapable: The one who showed
him mercy. Go and do likewise,
Jesus told him and us.

The God of immigrants. For

Yahweh your God is God of gods and
Lord of lords, the great God, mighty
and awesome, who loves the
immigrants [sojourners, foreigners],
providing them food and clothing.
You shall also love the immigrant, for
you were immigrants in the land of
Egypt (Deut. 10:17-19). Whereas we,
too, were rescued from the power
of darkness and transferred into the
kingdom of his beloved Son (Col.
1:13-14), how can we ignore Gods
command to love the immigrant, for
you were immigrants?

We must do
more, but we
cannot do less.
We must never forget that the
Gospel is the power of God that
leads to salvation. That needs to be
preeminent among our priorities.
But, as transformed bearers of the
image of God, Christians more than
anyone should act compassionately
toward all other bearers of the image
of God, regardless of how they act
or what they believe. God provides
sustenance for all and requires
acting with human dignity towards
even the worst sinners. To love our
neighbour is to care for the other
without monetary or religious strings
attached. So, when people suffer,
whether they be Jews, Samaritans,
Muslims, Yazidi, Hindus, Buddhists,
Sikhs, Indigenous, Canadians,
terrorists, atheists or believers, Christfollowers treat them as one of us. We
must do more, but we cannot do less.
We did not stop sponsoring that
Muslim girl. Our money helped
provide her with food, water, and
education. And I believe that was the
godly, Christ-like decision to make.

2016

Commissioning
& Convocation
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1 On Friday, May 13, 2016, the faculty and graduands of Acadia Divinity
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College participated in the 55th Annual Commissioning Service which was

held at Wolfville Baptist Church.

2 Steve Baker (centre), Bachelor of Theology graduand, with his

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mother, Marion (left), and his wife, Janet, 13. Steve has been accepted to
the Medical University of the Americas to pursue a degree in medicine.

3 Cheryl Ann Beals, Doctor of Ministry graduand, attended

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Commissioning Supper with her family. L to R: her aunt, Ruby Beals,

Cheryl Ann, brother, Elliott Beals, nephew, Aaron, and niece, Janay.

Summer 2016

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4 Christoph Deutschmann (right), Master of Divinity graduand, with his sister,

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Elisabeth, and his father, Karl, who travelled from Christophs hometown in Austria
to attend the celebration.

5 The Bent family and supporters! A rare occurrence - father and daughter
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graduating together. Jessica (back row, centre) graduated with her Bachelor of
Theology, and her father, Anthony Bent, (back row, far right) graduated with a
Master of Arts (Theology) degree. Seen here with their direct family including four
children from Lithuania that the Bent Family recently adopted.

6 Mentors and supervisors of ADC graduands are invited to participate in the

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laying on of hands during the Commissioning Service. Left to right: Dan Green, 11
(alumnus and pastor of Chester Baptist Church) with his son, Joe Green, Master
of Divinity graduand, and Gary Myatt, 98 (alumnus and Associate in Clinical
Pastoral Education). Joe gave the Reflections of a Graduand address during the
Commissioning Service.

7 Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Dean of Students (far right) presents Evan and Kayla
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Colford (Master of Divinity graduands) with Acadia Divinity Colleges Special Service
Award.

8 Chris Diotte, Bachelor of Theology graduand, and his girlfriend,

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Samantha Hicks, a current Bachelor of Theology student. Chris led worship at the
Commissioning Supper and played piano during the Commissioning Service.

9 Rev. Rob Nylen, Master of Divinity graduate from 1998,

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was the special speaker at the 55th Commissioning Service.

ADC Today

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10 Acadia Divinity Colleges Class of 2016 in front of the Manning Memorial Chapel
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after Convocation on May 15, 2016.

11 Master of Arts (Theology) graduate, Ben MacDonald (right), speaking with

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Ray Ivany, President of Acadia University, after receiving the University Silver Medal in
Theology. Ben was also the recipient of the ADC Presidents Award, presented during
the Commissioning Supper.

12 Angela Wade (left), Bachelor of Theology graduate, celebrating with her

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sister, Stephanie Blades. Angela is the Associate Pastor of Children and Families at the
Hampton, NB site of Atlantic Community Church.

13 Ken Neilsen and Sheila Heneise, Doctor of Ministry graduands, lining up for the
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processional into the Acadia University Convocation on Sunday, May 15, 2016.

14 Master of Arts (Theology) graduate, Taylor Murray, speaking to his thesis

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supervisor, Dr. Bob Wilson, Thomas James Armstrong Memorial Professor of Practical
Theology and Church History at ADC.

15 Samuel Bado Auler, Master of Arts graduate, moved to Canada from Brazil with
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his wife, Vivane, in order to study at Acadia Divinity College.

Summer 2016

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16 Doctor of Ministry graduates.

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17 Bachelor of Theology graduates.
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18 Master of Divinity graduate, Jeff Baggaley, enjoying himself after Convocation.
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19 Master of Divinity graduates.
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20 Master of Arts (Theology) graduates.
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21 Natasha Davidson celebrating after graduating with her Master of Divinity degree
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on May 15, 2016.

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10 ADC Today

Take That First Step

by Samantha West, 15

Top: Darcy Gillis and Dr. Harry Gardner at the 2016 Convocation ceremony.
Bottom: Joe Green delivering the Reflections of a Graduand at the 2016 Commissioning Service.

As the Recruitment Coordinator of

Acadia Divinity College, I have the
privilege of talking to individuals from
all over the globe, and hearing their
stories of how God is at work in their
lives. I am consistently amazed by the
diversity of students God brings to the
College, all of whom are listening to
Gods call. But what does it mean to
respond to a call?
What I hear repeatedly is simply
this: take that first step. Like Peter
responding to Jesus call to step out
onto the turbulent waters of the Sea
of Galilee, each student decided to
take that first step. They became
willing to leave their comfort zone,
and made themselves open to what
God was saying. In his book, author,
Os Guinness, explains: We are not
primarily called to do something or go
somewhere; we are called to Someone.
We are not called first to special work
but to God. The key to answering the
call is to be devoted to no one and to

nothing above God himself. Listen

to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call
(The Call, page 43).
This is true for Darcy Gillis and Joe
Green, two 2016 Master of Divinity
graduates. Before coming to ADC, both
had already earned academic masters
degrees, and both were married and
settled into full-time careers. Neither
planned nor expected to complete
a third degree and move into fulltime ministry roles. But they both
responded to a desire to learn more
and draw closer to God, and took that
first step.
Darcy knew little about our College,
but she was attracted to courses in
practical theology and spiritual care,
and the option to take units of Clinical
Pastoral Education (CPE). Joe, in
contrast, was quite familiar with ADC
through his father, alumnus Dan Green
(95, 11), and had sat in classes several
years ago. Regardless, both found it

was important to visit the College

and learn about our current priorities,
and get to know current Faculty and
students. After his first discussion with
Tracy Demmons (04), Joe said I left
thinking that I just witnessed what I felt
called to do with others.
Both of these alumni live over an
hour from Wolfville and completed
their degree through distance and
intensive course options while working
full time. They agree this required
sacrifice, but Darcy explains, It really
made a difference that I was studying
something that was interesting and
energizing for me. I often told people
that school was like a hobby that I had
to do. I enjoyed reading and thinking
about what I was learning and so when
I faced deadlines, I tried to focus on
how I was enjoying the work I had
to do. Both are grateful for the
amazing support that God provided
in many ways.
continued on page 16

Summer 2016

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Now, more than ever...

Scholarships and Bursaries

Four Strategic Priorities

Acadia Divinity College exceeds goal of $1 million

for Acadia Divinity College

Today, God calls people from different ages and stages of life to serve in many
different ways. There is no typical Acadia Divinity College student. Some
complete degrees through traditional on-campus programs. Others study
part-time by utilizing ADC off-site courses, distance education, and intensives.
Scholarships and bursaries help remove financial barriers that prevent capable
people from faithfully responding to Gods call.
Between August 2014 and June 2016, the College has received more than
$1.2 million in donations to increase financial support for students. This
incredible response represents gifts from more than 50 unique donors
including 4 estates and 3 churches. Included in this total are two recent
significant estate gifts that advanced the College past its original goal of
$1 million, a gift of $792,639 from the Ruth E. Eldridge Estate and a gift of
$296,292 from the Josie (McLellan) Nickerson Estate. (See page 15 for an
article on Josie Nickerson.) The College is grateful for this extraordinary
leadership in giving.

Update on Giving
As announced in August 2015, Acadia
Divinity College has four strategic
priorities designed to have long-term
impact for decades to come:
1. Refurbish the College building on
Acadias campus;
2. Ensure quality instruction through
increasing endowments for key
academic Chairs;
3. Support students through increasing
scholarships and bursaries; and

Priority

Opening
Balance
July 31, 2014

College Building

Total Gifts and

Pledges since
August 1, 2014

Total
Balance

Target
Amount

$434,291.21

$434,291.21

$1,500,000.00

4. Go public with the Gospel by securing

an endowment for the new Centre for
Christian Faith and Culture.

Langley-Mitton Chair

$505,928.69

$18,028.77

$523,957.46

$2,500,000.00

We are pleased to announce

Fountain Chair

$435,519.00

$200,000.00

$635,519.00

$2,500,000.00

that all members of the Board

of Trustees, faculty, and staff

McDormand-TaylorVeinotte Chair

$140,668.13

$129,220.00

$269,888.13

$2,500,000.00

of the College have given or

Gladstone Chair

$1,085,012.81

$1,601,200.00

$2,686,212.81

$2,500,000.00

pledged to give to one of the

Scholarships

$1,297,833.84

$1,297,833.84

$1,000,000.00

MacRae Centre

$253,900.00

$253,900.00

$500,000.00

12 ADC Today

Four Strategic Priorities.

John Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship

First Fully Endowed Academic Chair of Acadia Divinity College
The training by Acadia Divinity College
(ADC) of future church ministry leaders
to preach and conduct worship has
recently received $1.5 million in gifts
and pledges.
In early November 2014, there was
slightly over one million dollars endowed
in the John Gladstone Chair of Preaching
and Worship. Since then The W. Garfield
Weston Foundation made a gift of
$500,000 and offered an additional
$500,000 as a challenge grant to match
any other gifts to the Gladstone Chair, on
a dollar-for-dollar basis made or pledged
before the end of 2015.
On February 10, 2016, Rev. Dr. Harry
Gardner announced that ADC has
received $404,800 in gifts and $95,400
in pledges for 2016 and 2017 towards
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
Challenge Grant. These gifts and
pledges from more than 50 donors in
4 Canadian provinces, along with The
W. Garfield Weston Foundations
matching grant, will result in the first
fully endowed academic chair of Acadia
Divinity College.

Priority

We are honoured by the Foundations

willingness to partner with the College
to reach this significant milestone,
stated Dr. Gardner, And we are also
deeply grateful to the Atlantic Baptist
Foundation. Their gift of $250,000 was
critical in securing the The W. Garfield
Weston Foundations matching grant
offer. Acadia Divinity College owes its
donors a huge debt of gratitude.
Reaching the target of $2.5 million places
Acadia Divinity College in a position
to attract a top scholar-practitioner to
occupy the Gladstone Chair, ensuring
excellence in the preparation of students.

Rev. Dr. John Gladstone

The John Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship
The Acadia Chair of Preaching and Worship is named after The Rev. Dr. John N.
Gladstone (1921-2005), the highly regarded Senior Minister at Yorkminster Park
Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario, where he served for 26 years. He was widely
recognized for his vibrant and distinguished preaching and received an honorary
Doctor of Divinity degree from McMaster Divinity College in 1970. A strong
supporter of Acadia Divinity College throughout his career, he was the Gerald K.
Simpson guest lecturer in 1984 and also shared the teaching of a Doctoral course
in Preaching and Worship in 1994.

Summer 2016

13

On February 9, 2016, ADC celebrated

the formal launch of the Colleges
third Centre of Excellence during the
annual Simpson Lectures. The MacRae
Centre will be an integral part of the
work of the College preparing students
and church leaders to think deeply
on matters of faith and witness. The
Centre is named for Andrew D. MacRae
in honour of his valuable leadership
as the 4th Principal of the College and
recognition of his lifelong commitment
to evangelism and mission.
A permanent endowment has been
established to provide funding
for the ongoing operation of the
MacRae Centre, with a funding goal of
$500,000. The College is grateful to two
anonymous donors who have given so

generously through a gift of $150,000

and a pledge of $100,000, as well as
other gifts and pledges, amounting
to $253,900.
Dr. Harry Gardner announced that
Dr. Anna Robbins will serve as the new
director of the Centre. Dr. Andrew
MacRaes greatest desire is for people
to know Christ. I am excited to further
the work he has begun by helping our
churches and leaders learn to engage
our culture well, said Dr. Robbins,
Associate Professor of Theology,
Culture and Ethics.
Dr. Anna Robbins

The College was pleased to have the MacRae family as guests at the Sheldon Fountain Learning
Commons. Left to right: Back row - Findlay MacRae (son), Fiona Webb (daughter), Anna Robbins,
Julie MacRae (daughter in-law), Jean MacRae (wife), and Harry Gardner. Front row - Andrew
MacRae (grandson), Jane MacRae (granddaughter), and Calum MacRae (grandson). Dr. Andrew
MacRae viewed the announcement via livestream as well as other family members from their homes
in Newfoundland: son-in-law, Greg Webb, and three grandchildren, Bruce, Jana, and Joy Webb.
Dr. Andrew MacRae
14 ADC Today

Celebrating the Life of

Josephine McLellan Nickerson
I want to know Christ and the
power of His resurrection and
the fellowship of sharing in His
sufferings, becoming like Him
in His death. Philippians 3:10
Josie (McLellan) Nickersons life truly
reflected her favourite scripture. Josie
began serving the Lord early in her life
and continued until the Lord called
her home in 2014. She gave freely and
willingly of her time, her energy, her
talents, and her funds; ultimately she
served the Lord with her whole being.
She was willing to help in whatever
capacity she could from volunteer to
youth leader, camp director, Sunday
school teacher, field secretary /
representative for the United Baptist
Womans Missionary Union, and
elementary school teacher. Her
passion was Christian education.
From her early career until her
retirement, Josie shaped the lives
of hundreds of children and youth.
Education was important to her and,
while her siblings went off to work,
Josie chose to further her education at
Toronto Bible College and later earning
her Bachelor of Science in Education
from Boston University. Josie was a
lifelong learner.
Josie came from and loved the
Maritime Provinces. She served as
the Field Representative of the United
Baptist Womans Missionary Union
throughout the provinces of Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and her
home province of New Brunswick, and
she led Christian education for youth
at Brunswick Street Baptist Church
between 1950 and 1955.

She married the

Reverend Everette
St. Clair Nickerson,
a Nova Scotian,
in 1955. Everette
served with the
Everette, Acadia 1951
Royal Canadian
Artillery during World War II and then
attended Acadia University, graduating
with a Bachelor of Arts in 1951 and
his Divinity degree in 1953. Everette
always had an affinity for Acadia
Divinity College; thus, in 2004, Josie
established the endowed Everette &
Josie (McLellan) Nickerson Scholarship
Fund after his death on Christmas
Day 2003, with an initial gift of $5,000.
Three subsequent gifts were given
between 2008 and 2010 adding more
than $7,000 to the endowment.
Josies story does not, however, end
with this commitment to Christian
education. She continued to
know Christ and the power of His
resurrection until her own death in
February 2014. Through her estate,
she again reached out to Acadia
Divinity College with a significant gift
of nearly $297,000 to the endowment
of the Everette & Josie (McLellan)
Nickerson Scholarship Fund to
encourage Christian education and
enable students who have a clear
call to Christian ministry, to pursue
their calling through training
that will equip and prepare them
for whatever God calls them to.
Josies lifelong passion for Christian
education is once again demonstrated
through her generous gift. Today, we
celebrate the life of Gods servant,
Josephine McLellan Nickerson
(1926-2014). May God continue to be
reflected and served through her life
and her contribution to His Kingdom.

Josie, Toronto Bible College, 1948

Natasha Davidson, Acadia 2016, a recent

recipient of this Scholarship Fund
Summer 2016

15

 continued from page 11

Joe and Darcys paths intersected

through CPE under Associate
Rev. Gary Myatt (85, 98). They describe
this transformative experience
as a kind of refining fire that
brought healing and greater selfunderstanding. Darcy is now certified
as a Specialist with the Canadian
Association of Spiritual Care, and
works as a community spiritual care
practitioner and advance care planning
facilitator with the INSPIRED COPD
Outreach Program, based out of the
QEII Hospital in Halifax. Joe is applying
his experience as the pastor of Aenon
Baptist Church in Chester Basin, and

Western Shore United Baptist Church,

where his practical training enables
him to be better equipped to engage
peoples brokenness and pain without
fear. In retrospect, both can see how
their previous work and education
were stepping stones to their current
service and calling.
Joe says, If you are looking for a way to
deepen your life in Christ and discern
ways to serve him and be equipped to
do so, then ADC is the place for you.
Darcy adds: Education is never a waste
of time, and if you are seeking Gods
will, it will always lead to goodness.
Seminary is not only to teach you how
to help others through ministry, but it

also helps to form you into the person

God is calling you to be.
Maybe as you read this, you have
already heard Jesus calling for you to
come and step out of your current
life? Or perhaps you know somebody
who is searching for a deeper
connection to Christ and looking to
offer God more of who they are and
what they do? I encourage you to
speak into their lives and to act as a
mirror to show them their gifts for
ministry. And remember that Jesus
instructions remain powerful and true
today: The harvest is great, but the
workers are few. So pray to the Lord
who is in charge of the harvest; ask him
to send more workers into his fields
(Luke 10:2 NLT).

Celebrating New Appointments

at Acadia Divinity College effective July 1, 2016
Dr. Anna Robbins, 97, has been appointed Vice-President of Acadia Divinity College. Anna will continue to serve as
the Associate Professor of Theology, Culture and Ethics as well as the Director of Doctoral Studies. In February 2016, she
became the inaugural Director of the Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture.
Dr. Stephen McMullin has been granted tenure and will serve as Academic Dean for a three-year appointment. He
was named to the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Chair of Evangelism and Mission on July 1, 2014. Steve will continue to
serve as the Director of the ADC New Brunswick and the Director of Simpson Lectures.
Dr. Glenn Wooden, 86, Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies, has been named to the Payzant Chair of Biblical
Studies. Glenn has also accepted the role of Director of the Master of Arts (Theology) Program. He will continue to serve as
the Liaison to the Affiliated Colleges in Nigeria.

Dr. John McNally, 11, has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. He will continue to serve as the
Program Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.
Dr. Danny Zacharias, 08, has had a title change from Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies to Assistant Professor of

New Testament Studies. Danny was appointed to faculty on July 1, 2014, and he has been a Lecturer in Biblical Studies since
2008. In January 2016, Danny became the Director of Hayward Lectures.

Dr. Matt Walsh, 06, has been called to Acadia Divinity College as Lecturer in Biblical Studies. Matt successfully
defended his PhD dissertation at McMaster University in June 2016.

16 ADC Today

News
A D C

Simpson Lectures 2016

The 2016 Simpson Lectures, held February 8-11, were an outstanding
success. Entitled We Are Babylon: Dispelling the Myths of Exile,
Hospitality, and Security, the lectures were delivered by Dr. Anna
Robbins, Vice-President of ADC. Dr. Robbins is the Associate Professor
of Theology, Culture and Ethics, Director of the Andrew D. MacRae
Centre for Christian Faith and Culture, and Director of Doctoral
Studies. Left to right: Harry Gardner, Anna Robbins, and Stephen
McMullin, Director of the Simpson Lectures. (Recordings are available
on the ADC website at: acadiadiv.ca.)

ADC Study Tour to Israel and Palestine

In May, Harry Gardner, Anna Robbins and Glenn Wooden (seen here in the back
row) led a study tour to Israel and Palestine. This photo is taken from the Mount of
Olives facing west toward the temple mount and the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat
As-Sakhrah) in the background. The blue double domes toward the upper left is
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the traditional Golgotha and garden tomb.

ADC Hosts Nigerian Delegation

In early March, Acadia Divinity College hosted three Nigerian delegates from the Christ
International Divinity College (CINDICO) and Universal Gospel Divinity College (UNIDICO).
On behalf of Acadia University, Acadia Divinity College oversees affiliations with these two
Nigerian theological colleges, and Acadia University awards Bachelor of Theology and
Bachelor of Religious Education degrees to graduates of these colleges. Front row left to
right: Dr. Harry Gardner (President) and Rev. (Dr.) S.K. Abiara (Chancellor of CINDICO). Back
row left to right: Dr. Stewert Dockendorff (Consultant), Prof. (Pastor) AMA Imevbore (Chair
of Governing Council of CINDICO), Dr. Anna Robbins (Vice-President), Dr. Michael Odelami
(President of the Acadia Consortium of Theological Colleges in Nigeria), and Dr. Glenn
Wooden (Liaison for Affiliated Colleges in Nigeria).

Professor Alan P. F. Sell, Minister of the Gospel

On February 7, 2016, the College was saddened by the news of the death of Dr. Alan Sell, a lifetime
Fellow of Acadia Divinity College. He was formerly the Professor of Christian Doctrine and Philosophy of Religion at the United Theological College, Aberystwyth (Wales), and his main areas of
expertise were ecumenical dialogue, the philosophy of religion, and philosophical theology. Dr. Sell
also distinguished himself through noteworthy contributions to the life and mission of ADC. He was
the Simpson Lecturer in 1989, taught as a guest professor for several graduate and doctoral courses,
and received the honorary Acadia Doctor of Divinity in 2002.
Summer 2016

17

News
A L U M N I

1967 - Perley Tidd

- On October 30,
2015, the members
and adherents of the Port Mouton United
Baptist Church were honoured to host a
celebration in recognition of Rev. Perley N.
Tidds 60 years in ministry. Perley is seen in
this photo with his wife, Marlene.

1977 - Randolph Legassie has accepted

a call to serve at Hampton and Wilmot
Mountain (Port Lorne) Baptist Churches,
NS, as well as Lower Granville Field
(Granville Beach, Lower Granville, Port
Royal & Port Wade Baptist Churches), NS.

1983 - Leo Gallant (05) completed his

ministry at Sussex Baptist Church, NB.

1986 - Marc Potvin (12) completed his

ministry at Centreville Baptist Church, NS
and accepted a call to Green Ridge Baptist
Church, QC.
1987 - Terry Atkinson completed his
ministry at Brunswick Street Baptist
Church, NB and accepted a call to Heart
Lake Baptist Church, ON.

1988 - Fred Bigelow completed his

ministry at Ashmore Bethel and Riverside
United Baptist Churches, NS and accepted
a call to Bear River East Baptist Church, NS.
1988 - Elizabeth Waugh completed her
ministry as at Lower Granville Pastorate
18 ADC Today

(Granville Beach, Lower Granville, Port

Royal & Port Wade Baptist Churches), NS.

1990 - Terry Brewer accepted a call to

serve at Milton, Charleston & Port Medway
Baptist Churches, NS.
1992 - Kendall McRae completed his
ministry at Upper Kingsclear Baptist
Church, NB.

2003 - Kevin Grant and wife, Michelle,

welcomed their first born, Isabelle Ava,
on June 2.
2004 - Mark Reece and wife, Jennifer,
welcomed their third child, Levi James,
born on December 29.

2005 - Joseph Mitchell accepted a call to

serve at Stewiacke Baptist Church, NS.

1992 - Neville Gosman (93) completed his 2006 Matt Walsh has been called to ADC
ministry at Penobsquis Baptist Church, NB.

1993 - Ronald Ford (14) accepted a call

to Port Hillford, Port Bickerton & Sonora
Baptist Churches, NS.

1995 - Wade Harvey completed his

ministry at Greenfield Baptist Church, NS
and accepted a call to Okanagan Falls
Community Baptist Church, BC.

1995 - Margo MacDougall (08)

completed her ministry at Pocologan
Baptist Church, NB.
2001 - Aaron Kenny received his Doctor
of Ministry degree from Carey Theological
College, Vancouver, BC.
2003 - Stephen Budd completed his
ministry at Maugerville Baptist Church, NB
and accepted a call as Associate Pastor of
Worship & Discipleship at Kanata Baptist
Church, ON.

as Lecturer in Biblical Studies. He successfully

defended his PhD dissertation at McMaster
University in June 2016.

2008 & 2009 - Warren and Sarah Clapham

welcomed a son, Daniel Stanley James,
born on October 24.

2008 and 2009 - Claire and Al Fewkes

welcomed a daughter, Eva, born on January 9.
2009 - Christopher Drew completed his
ministry at Sackville United Baptist Church,
NS and accepted a call to Stevens Road
Baptist Church, NS.

2012 - Norman Pearce completed his

ministry at Port Bickerton and Port Hillford
United Baptist Churches & Sonora Baptist
Church, NS.

2014 - Kemar Fender is working at

Accredited Supportive Living Services as a
Community Social Service Worker in Peace
River, AB.

2015 - Pelham Flowerdew has been

called to serve as the Pastor of Youth at
Grace Chapel, Halifax, NS.
2015 - Patrick Brightman and his wife,
Kim, welcomed a son, Barrett Maverick
Gordon, born on October 7.
2015 - Isaac Russell accepted a call to
Berwick Baptist Church, NS.
2016 - Christoph Deutschmann
completed his ministry as Associate Pastor
of Kentville Baptist Church, NS and accepted
a call to Billtown Baptist Church, NS.

2016 - Sheila Heneise has been

appointed Director of the American
Baptist Churches of Maine Institute for
Ministry. The aim of the Institute is to
provide ongoing theological, ministerial,
and discipleship education to pastoral
leadership and laity in Maine.

ADC Remembers

Current Students

1954 - Owen Cochran passed away

on November 18. Owen served in many
Baptist churches throughout the Maritime
Provinces. He was predeceased by his wife,
and is survived by his five children. Owen
taught at the former United Baptist Bible
Training School (now Crandall University,
Moncton) and recently celebrated the 60th
anniversary of his ordination into Ministry.

Joe Chiasson has been called to Westport

Baptist Church, NS.

1961 - Roland McCormack passed away

on January 9. Roland served for more
than 20 years as a Baptist church pastor in
maritime churches, followed by 20 years as
a teacher and guidance counselor. He was
predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Laura.

1983 - Everett Wayne Mitton passed

away on March 9. Wayne received a
Bachelor of Theology degree from Acadia
Divinity College and ministered in several
Baptist and United Churches in NS and NB.
He is survived by his wife, Janet.

Spencer Conway recently won the first-year

tuition grand prize to Acadia as part of the East
Coast Lifestyle Tuition Contest based on his
spoken word poetry.

Events of
Interest
Friends and Alumni Supper
Friday, August 26, 2016 5:00 pm
Crandall University
Registration:
www.acadiadiv.ca/oasis2016
Contact Trisha Urquhart, Events
Coordinator, for more information:
902-585-2217 or
trisha.urquhart@acadiau.ca

All-ADC Retreat for students,

faculty, staff, alumni, and
trustees
Friday, September 9, 2016 9 am to 4:30 pm
New Minas Baptist Church
Speaker Dr. Jim Horsthuis
Topic Flourishing: A Spiritual Invitation
and A Pastoral Pursuit
Registration is required by August 31.
Contact Eveline DeSchiffart at
eveline.deschiffart@acadiau.ca.

Hayward Lectures
October 17-19, 2016 - 7:30 pm
KC Irving Auditorium or live online
Speaker Dr. John Walton, Professor of
Old Testament, Wheaton College
Topic Engaging Genesis Today: New Light
on Biblical Origins
Summer 2016

19

 Upcoming ADC Go Courses

FALL TERM

ADC Go courses are delivered

in a format to meet people where

they are, without sacrificing the
quality education that students
have come to expect from Acadia
Divinity College. Combining the
flexibility of online learning with the
educational experience of face-toface interaction, ADC Go courses
follow a weekly format within the
semester. Individuals works through
the assigned weekly material at their
convenience, and then students
meet together online for one hour
a week with the professor. ADC
Go courses are designed to make
theological education accessible to
a broader number of people, while
still providing the opportunity for
discussion and community.

If undeliverable please return to:

Acadia Divinity College
15 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6

WINTER TERM

September December 2016

January April 2017

Interpreting the Old Testament

(BIBL 5023 T1) Dr. Glenn Wooden.
This course will introduce the student
to the different sections and genres
of literature in the Old Testament, to
interpretative methods appropriate
to them, and to theological principles,
and survey aspects of the historical and
cultural context of the Old Testament.

Interpreting the New Testament

(BIBL 5033 T2) Dr. Danny Zacharias.
This course will introduce the student
to the different sections and genres
of literature in the New Testament, to
interpretative methods appropriate to
them, and to theological principles. The
course will also survey the world of Jesus
and the early Christian Church.

Introduction to Christian History

(CHUR 5013 T1) Dr. Robert Wilson.
Christians have developed many ways
to live out their faith in the world. In this
course the student will gain a critical
appreciation of Christian tradition
both in its relationship to the norm of
Scriptures and in its changing diverse
regional, cultural, and denominational
expressions.

Transformational Discipleship Ministry

(DISP 3013 / 5013 T2) Dr. Carol Anne Janzen.
This course seeks to equip students to
become transformational leaders in the
discipleship ministries of their churches.
Recognizing the uniqueness of every
ministry context, the course presents
pedagogies, programs, and models that
can lead to transformation in the life of
individual believers of all ages as well as
the corporate faith community.