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Firestone

Rev. Reid Firestone

Today, we bring you a sermon preached by Rev. Reid Firestone. The message was recorded on Wednesday April 8, 2015 during a special Alumni Seminary Chapel. Originally from Spencer, Reid and his wife Terri now reside in Ashland.  They have two adult children, three-point-eight grandchildren and one Labrador retriever.

Reid is a graduate of Ashland Theological Seminary, and serves on the Seminary Foundation Board of Trustees.  Reid has been in pastoral ministry since 1990, after sixteen years in the retail and financial industries.  He has served churches in Medina, Brook Park, North Canton, West Salem and Homerville, Ohio.  Reid is ordained in both the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and the Church of the Brethren.  Terri and Reid are “college sweethearts” and both graduates of Ashland University. He is also a licensed funeral director in the State of Ohio.

Terri and Reid enjoy travel, especially to their little “Sturgeon Bay Getaway” in Wisconsin.  Reid enjoys golfing, reading, is an avid Ohio State and Ashland University fan, and he still roots for the Cleveland Browns and Indians (a test in patience!).  He also has a heart for pastors, and enjoys to have fellowship while ministering to them.

Rev. Reid Firestone 90′ is currently serving as Sr. Pastor at Grace Brethren Church in Homerville, Ohio. 

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Jerrolynn Johnson, PhD, DMin

By Dr. Jerrolynn Johnson

I HAVE ONE OF the best jobs in the world. As Assistant Director of Center Education of the Detroit Center, I have the privilege of walk with others on a daily basis, as they work to fulfill part of their calling from God while they are trained At Ashland Theological Seminary-Detroit. I’ve learned that recognizing and embracing our called full-faced, without flinching denying it or minimizing it- are some of the bravest and scariest things we can do. In 1995, when I entered the ATS-Detroit Counseling Program as student, I defined calling as the thing I would do for God. Many of our students also defined calling similarly. Over time, I have discovered that walking in our call  has far more to do with embracing our called identity in God, rather than doing a specific thing for God.

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Roberto Christian Ponce

Today, we bring you a message by Roberto Ponce. The message was recorded on Wednesday March 25, 2015 during our Seminary Chapel.

As Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment, Roberto brings 15 years of marketing experience to Ashland Theological Seminary. He has created and managed national and international integrated marketing campaigns in the pharmaceutical, banking, insurance, automotive, construction, retail, and higher education industries. Roberto led his own multicultural marketing firm until he was called to ministry.

Prior to joining the ATS’ team, Roberto was responsible for all branding, promotions and recruitment efforts for an Assemblies of God international university.  He also worked planning government, public and media relations in Washington, D.C.

His passion in ministry is simultaneous interpreting during church services for Hispanic outreach.

Roberto lives in Columbus with his wife Debra and their three daughters Yolani, Isabel and Sofia.

Text: Galatians 3:28,  Colossians 3: 11, Acts: 2

Roberto Ponce is Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment at Ashland Theological Seminary. He can be reached at jponce@ashland.edu 

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Douglass

J. Robert Douglass, PhD

By Dr. Rob Douglass

As we celebrate and remember the life of Luke Keefer, the word legacy has been used frequently.  And while I think it is completely appropriate, I also think it would make Luke blush.

Legacy is a loaded word.  It is usually reserved for referring to the lasting impact of the famous, influential, or wealthy, and by the world’s standards Luke was none of those.  Instead, Luke Keefer was a simple man.

By calling Luke simple, I am not saying that he wasn’t an intellectual or that there weren’t many sides to him.  I am saying that Luke Keefer was simple like God is simple.

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L. Daniel Hawk, PhD

 

Today, we bring you a message by Dr. Dan Hawk. The message was recorded on Wednesday March 18, 2015 during our Seminary Chapel.

When it comes to Old Testament scholarship and theology, Dr. Hawk is an expert. He is also an excellent communicator, able to make complex issues of theology accessible to those in his classroom. Students find Dr. Hawk to be kind, compassionate, and a compelling teacher.

Dr. Hawk is married to his beautiful wife, Linda, and they have two wonderful sons, Danny and Andrew.

Text: Ruth 2:1-18

Dr. Dan Hawk is Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary

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Krista Mournet

Krista Mournet

Today, we bring you a message by Krista Mournet. The message was recorded on Wednesday February 11, 2015 during our Seminary Chapel.

Krista, her husband Terence and their son Lucas have been a part of the Ashland Seminary community since 2010. Krista’s interest in music and worship extends back most of her life, beginning when she would sing with her mother in church as a child, to singing in various church choirs and worship teams over the course of her life and up to the present day. In addition, she and Terence have ministered together in various worship groups since before they were married. In recent years, her university training in theological research has served to deepen and mature her desire to help people worship God through music. Krista derives a great deal of joy from bringing people together to use their gifts in God’s service, in this case in Ashland Seminary’s chapel services. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, reading and sharing laughter and fellowship with friends, usually including music, coffee or food.

Text: Psalm 44

Krista Mournet serves as Chapel Coordinator at Ashland Theological Seminary. In addition, she also serves as Worship Director at Faith United Methodist Church in Ashland, Ohio. 

 

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Wanda Coleman

Today, we bring you a sermon preached by our own Wanda Coleman. The message was recorded on Wednesday February 4, 2015 during our Seminary Chapel.

Prior to becoming the D.Min. Director of Recruitment, Wanda was a recruiter in corporate America, pursuing a seminary degree despite her full schedule. When this position opened at Ashland Theological Seminary, Wanda prayerfully submitted her resume and eventually came on staff.  Wanda is also an Associate Minister at Imani Church and enjoys preaching, teaching, and the opportunity to explore and exercise other gifts, such as healing and song. Recently, she was able to attend one of ATS’ Formational Prayer Seminars and experienced a healing encounter with the Lord. He ministered to her brokenness, healed old wounds, and gave Wanda her laughter back!

Above all, Wanda views her family as her greatest achievement, knowing that they are growing and learning about Christ. She is married to Robert and they have two beautiful teenage children, Ambrielle and Emmanuel.

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Mark 15:21 NIV

Ms. Wanda Coleman is Director of Recruitment for the Doctor of Ministry Program at Ashland Theological Seminary. She is also serves as an Ordained Minister at Imani Church in Euclid, Ohio.  

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Dr. Bill Myers

By Dr. Bill Myers

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road… that goes down to Gaza from Jerusalem to Gaza,”… and on his way he met an Ethiopian…an important person  (Acts 8:26-27)

We Ethiopians celebrate February as Black History month.  History, what an important discipline, such a lofty part of life itself.  Prominent among what we do during this month is to remember and celebrate  people, most often very important people who helped change the world in which we live.  The likes of Martin and Mandela.  They tend to be names recorded in the annals of history.  Other names are but a footnote or a fleeting memory, unknown but to a lesser few.  Who knows the name Fred Shuttlesworth in Civil Rights history, but a select few.

Sometimes, however, God is standing on the sideline watching, perhaps even helping history along.  Go south on this well traveled road between these two designated cities, says the divine, and the rest is history.  Though interpreted in different ways, it remains history nonetheless.  An Ethiopian and a Greek meet and history is made on a well traveled corridor.

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Nathan Bebout

Today, we bring you a message by Nathan Bebout. The message was recorded on Wednesday January 28, 2015 during our Seminary Chapel.

 “My Religion Major at Ashland University taught me to think deeply about God and how He redeems and restores creation to Himself. There have been countless times in my ministry experience that I have been able to rely on training that I received through my Religion courses in order to serve God and His people more effectively. Paul claims in 1 Corinthians that those who know Jesus as Lord, “have the mind of Christ.” Without a doubt the classes offered through the Religion Department challenged and pushed me to consider things not through my own experiences and perspective, but through the very eyes and thoughts of Christ,” said Bebout.
Scripture:
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV
 Nate Bebout is Director of the Center of Religious Life Network at Ashland University. Nate is also an alumnus from the Master of Arts in Practical Theology program at Ashland Theological Seminary. 

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By Dr. Dawn Morton

I just celebrated a milestone in my life. I have been teaching for more than 40 years in the church. I have taught children, youth, and adults (all of various ages and groups). I am called to teach. Teaching is in the depth of my soul. Many ask me, “How can I develop good skills for teaching?” or “How can I be a teacher like you?” While I am humbled that others might want to emulate my teaching skills or life, it did not happen overnight. In fact, it was a lifetime of learning that shaped me into who I am today, even as a teacher.

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