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Garry Owen Memorial Spring Lectureship

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:51:47 -0700

Consider sponsoring a graduate in the Samuel Program...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:15:40 -0700

Consider sponsoring a graduate in the Samuel Program

The Samuel Program is an opportunity to deepen a graduate’s faith and to develop tools to live out that faith. This one-year adventure includes mentoring and college-level, accredited classes in Christian ministry which will:

• Strengthen students’ faith and solidify their grasp of personal devotional disciplines

• Teach students to defend their faith with solid apologetic training suited to the challenges of the university classroom

• Build students’ ministry experience as they serve in a local church or church plant

• Help students discover who they are in Christ and find God’s direction for them in ministry, training, and vocation

Your graduate will experience life in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies - beautiful vistas, the availability of outdoor activities like skiing and hiking, and a close campus community.

To find our more information click here.
Or email recruitment@csbs.ca

Congratulations Graduates!

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:47:39 -0600

Congratulations to all of our graduates! We continue to celebrate all God has done, and all your hard work and perseverance. May you be continually filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as you minister in His Spirit!

Looking for a location for your next training, planning meeting, or retreat?

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:17:44 -0600

With so many different meeting spaces and amenities, the CSBS&C is the perfect place for your next event or meeting.

We are conveniently located just 20 minutes outside of Calgary and enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains.

Our facility includes:

Full Size Approved Kitchen
Guest Housing
Affordable Rates
Meeting space for up to 200
Dinner Space for up to 100
Outside playground equipment
Catering Services Available

Consider CSBS&C for your next training seminar, planning meeting, church event, or retreat.

Call today to find out more about this great space!
403.932.6622

Student’s wife starts a Christian preschool at CSBS&C

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:32:34 -0700

It is a well-known Christian truth that ‘ministry’ is not the exclusive responsibility of pastors, elders or any church employee, but every Christian is called to serve God also — and Mindy Pierson is living proof that we can serve God anywhere, under any circumstance, using any talent granted by God.

When the Pierson family moved from Tennessee to Cochrane, Alberta in 2007 to further prepared for ministry at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College, they quickly demonstrated their desire to serve God by serving the community. Mindy and her husband Jeremiah became involved in several community activities by volunteering and by helping others to get engaged in the community as well.

One community need that soon became very clear for Mindy, was a Christian program for preschoolers. There were very few preschool programs of any sort for the Cochrane area. As she prayed and thought about the idea of a Christian preschool, she began to sense God calling her to be part of the process of opening one. She envisioned a school that would serve as a community outreach.

One of the biggest challenges that Mindy remembers, besides all the paperwork that goes along with the licensing, certifications, and permits needed to open a preschool, was to stand firm on what she knew God was calling her to do. However, she also recalls that “the Lord was so faithful to provide answers for every challenge and every detail. He also provided so many people along the way to lend a helping hand and to give much needed words of encouragement!”

In 2008, as part of God’s provision, the seminary agreed to provide one of the two-bedroom apartments on campus for the preschool’s use. “The seminary has gone over and above anything I could have asked them to do,” remarks Pierson. “They have allowed me to use one of the apartments, allowed me to paint and make the necessary changes to make the space appropriate for a preschool, and donated materials and man-hours to help make some of those necessary changes.” In October 2009 classes began at the Joyful Noise Christian Preschool.

Though the school welcomes Christian and non-Christian children alike, an evident difference from a non-Christian preschool is that at Joyful Noise they can openly acknowledge God as Lord and Savior. The kids learn how to pray as prayers are offered at the beginning and end of each class and before each snack time. They also end their classes listening to a Bible story and singing Christian songs. Pierson believes that the children feel loved in a different way than they would at a non-Christian preschool. “We can approach difficult situations by teaching basic biblical principles. We can praise God for a fun-filled day or for the beautiful creation we see outside. We can teach and model for the children how to love and respect each other by teaching the Fruits of the Spirit. At Joyful Noise Christian Preschool, we want to enrich the WHOLE child — mind, body, and soul.”

Shauna Dolan, teacher for the 4-year-olds, said that this school encompasses everything she is passionate about, that it connects relationally with children and their families, and that it fosters spiritual growth. “I love that this program presents an avenue to work morally, emotionally, spiritually and cognitively with the child,” said Dolan.

The Piersons moved to Evansburg, Alberta, in July as Jeremiah was called to pastor Evansburg Baptist Church. However, with 28 students registered for 2010-11, Joyful Noise will continue with two hired teachers along with a part-time assistant. Pierson is already considering starting a second Joyful Noise Christian Preschool at Evansburg.

A fond farewell and a warm welcome

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:43:47 -0700

When a president and dean receive news that a faculty member is leaving, there can always be cause for concern, especially when that person is as well-loved and respected as Tim Williams. Joining the faculty 3 years ago as the Nehemiah Professor of Church Planting, Tim quickly integrated into the Seminary family and immediately began to make an impact. He contributed to the strength of the school across those 3 years in ways both seen and unseen. And his contribution to the ministry was not limited to the campus but was distributed across the Convention as he encouraged and mentored church planters in multiple locations.

With students it is sometimes hard to send off those we have come to know and love, but that is what God has called us to do. Occasionally we have to release beloved staff and faculty as well to pursue God’s call upon their lives. And so with mixed emotions we bless Tim and Amy as they have relocated to New Orleans to serve the Lord there. And of course, since the Lord is the One who is at work here, He was also faithful once more to raise up another choice servant to step in and take up where Tim left off.

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Dan Morgan went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to study and there caught a passion for church planting. He took part in planting a church as an M.Div. student and later returned to Southwestern to earn his doctorate in church planting. Dan has served as a Church Planter Strategist for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) in Portland, Oregon (1993-1998) and on staff at Saddleback Church in California (1998 to 2001) as a church planter trainer and coach. From 2001 to 2009, Dan was the Director of the Nehemiah Project for Church Planting at SWBTS, and most recently has served with NAMB on the Missional Network Team.

Dan and Melanie have 4 grown children who live in the Ft. Worth, TX area. They arrived in Cochrane this summer just in time for the beginning of the fall semester. As someone who has known them previously, Dwight Huffman, Pastor at Bow Valley Baptist Church, writes, “The Father has again been very gracious with the CNBC and the CSBS to send to us another godly couple to partner with us in Canada. Dan and Melanie bring many years of experience in the area of church planting and leadership development and truly have a deep love and commitment to Christ. It will be an honor to serve alongside them here in Alberta.”

Having a church planting professor at our school is a non-negotiable. It is part of the DNA of the seminary and college. We are grateful to God once more for His timely and gracious provision for our faculty needs. We welcome Dan and Melanie to our team, and we are excited about what God has in store through our ministry together.

Zeta Hyunwoo Lee’s journey to Canada

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 16:21:14 -0600

As the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary embraces the challenge to train leaders for the tough places, the question is often asked, “Where will you find willing students?” The answer is found in the story of young men like Zeta Hyunwoo Lee.

In the fall of 2008, Zeta walked into the Nehemiah church planting center to begin the advising process for his course selections. He seemed excited to have arrived from Korea and was eager to get organized started with classes. It may have seemed like just another student enrolling in Seminary, but it was also a testimony to the faithfulness of God. Zeta had a story to tell, everyone does, and it was amazing to see how God was so faithful in guiding Zeta to this point in his journey. God continues to provide exceptional students for our seminary who will answer the call to the tough places.

Zeta is a most unlikely student at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary. He was born in Kuwait. His family owned a small grocery market, but the age of four, his family decided to move back to their home country of Korea. Zeta grew up not knowing Christ, because his family were not followers of Christ. Life’s purpose seemed to be to live a good life and have a good job.

As he grew older, that purpose didn’t bring a satisfaction of the heart. By his own admission, Zeta’s life was dark and without hope. Life was empty. There seemed to be no meaningful purpose to life. Having tried many things and in desperation, Zeta said, “I asked a friend to invite me to his church. I went to church to be a different person, to be a better person, but I did not know Christ.” As a result of that encounter, began regularly attending a Methodist church with his friend.

The real life change for Zeta happened in 2002, on a mission trip to the Philippines. Zeta recalls a vivid memory of that trip. “It was the second day on a local island and there was a worship service. In my heart, I wanted to know God, so I began to earnestly pray. I continued to pray with a broken spirit and suddenly, God spoke to me.” Zeta remembers the voice of God speaking in his heart saying, “I was there from the beginning, you just didn’t recognize me.”

In that moment, Zeta saw the darkness, the memories, and the sin in his life. He felt overwhelmed. He cried for two hours in brokenness and felt that need deep in his heart to repent. He said, “I repented and met Jesus Christ as my personal Savior on that day. I was 23 years old, in my third year of University, and my life changed, forever. God is so faithful.”

After 2002, Zeta’s life began to change. It was evident to others, but not always evident to himself. Zeta recalls the first time the senior pastor of the church called and asked him to be a core leader. “When he first called, I actually hung up the phone because I didn’t feel that I could be a leader, but the pastor persisted and I became a leader.” Zeta recounts the faithfulness of God in those early years of leadership. As he grew in his faith, Zeta began to sense God’s plan for his life and on a second mission trip to the Philippines, he responded to God’s call to missionary serve.

Zeta graduated from University with a degree in Civil Engineer. While God was molding a missionary calling in his heart, Zeta moved to Chicago to work for a company as an accountant. Moving overseas and working for a good company had always been an important direction in his life, but God began to change that direction. Zeta remembers that “It seemed like every time I opened the Scripture, God was calling me to be a missionary, so I began to audit seminary courses at Trinity Seminary in Chicago.” After a couple of courses, he began to think about enrolling in Seminary, but God seemed to have another message. It was as if God was saying, “If you want to be used by me, go to the mission field first. See, experience, learn and then go to seminary.” So Zeta went to South Africa as a missionary, another step of faith on the journey.

In Cape Town and the surrounding townships, Zeta began to learn what it was like to be a missionary. He and his team started a youth ministry, taught biblical character lessons in the High School, and started Life Orientation classes. As a result of all the interaction, Zeta’s team hosted a youth camp and many students gave their life to Christ. The response led Zeta to decide to plant a church among this group in the township. It was Zeta’s first foray into church planting. Zeta and local leaders started a Saturday Club, which later became a youth church. God blessed that group and many came to know Christ and were baptized.

While all of this was going on, God was at work in another area of direction for Zeta’s life. A mission team visited Cape Town from the English Ministry group of the Korean Global Mission Baptist Church in Calgary. Although Zeta only spent a couple of days with them, they exchanged emails. Sometime later he received an email, from one of the team members asking if he would consider coming to Canada to serve with their church as a youth pastor. In the email was a link to the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary suggesting he consider attending the Seminary.

Through the providence of God, Zeta applied, was accepted and moved to Cochrane to enroll at CSBS. Initially, Zeta was invited to serve as the youth pastor for the English Ministry. Through developing good relationships, much prayer, and seeking God’s direction, the church made a decision to separate the English Ministry and plant it as a new church. The Senior Pastor, in agreement with other leaders, asked Zeta to lead the church planting team.

2009 has been a year of transition, as Zeta has led the church planting team to plant a church that will reach second generation Asians in Calgary. They have formed a core leadership team, begun meeting regularly, and taken several missions trips. During the summer, teams went to South Africa, Panama, and Mexico. Those trips have served as a catalyst for spiritual growth among the new congregation. Zeta has provided solid leadership for the new church plant. The finance team is in the process of registering and constituting the church plant and Zeta has supported them in this effort.

Today, they are known as the Global Mission Christian Fellowship. They meet at Richmond Hills Baptist Church on Sunday at 1:20 PM. Their focus is on discipleship, prayer, and evangelism. The summer mission trips have heightened the awareness of the team to focus on these areas and particularly, prayer. Zeta says, “Every Wednesday the youth and college come to encounter God through prayer. We usually pray for an 1 ½ hours, because we know that God is faithful to hear our prayers.”

When asked to reflect on his time in Calgary, Zeta describes it as a clean, nice, beautiful place, but observes that it seems spiritually dry, even in many churches. There seems to be less of a commitment. In Korean families, there is a struggle with communication, family problems, cultural differences, and a generation gap. People say, “I gave my life to Christ,” but it lacks the depth of commitment. Zeta sees discipleship and prayer as a key to restoring a depth to commitment.

Only God knows what is next for Zeta. On the horizon is marriage. His fiancée is Jungwha Han, who is currently in Korea. They will be married in May of 2010. As Zeta tells his story, the phrase that resonates throughout is that “God is so faithful.” God is faithful in salvation, in giving direction, in giving a life partner, and in the purpose and plans He has for life. One can only surmise that God is preparing Zeta for one of the tough places. Pray for Zeta Lee as he leads the new church plant and as he balances his studies with ministry.

Seminary continues to minister to graduates after leaving campus

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:19:23 -0600

Dr. Kevin Peacock, Old Testament and Hebrew professor, has been named CSBS&C’s new Director of Alumni Relations. In addition to his work as professor, he will be working as a liaison between the seminary and our alumni. The seminary is striving to continue to minister to graduates after they leave our campus; and in turn, have them continue to be a part of our ministry here as well.

Our staff and faculty have an important ongoing ministry of prayer and personal relationships with alumni, which lasts long after graduates leave. We value being able to provide continuing training to strengthen the personal ministries of our alumni.

Dr. Peacock hopes to increase the information going out from the seminary to the graduates to help keep them informed on what God is doing here at the seminary. Alumni can help the school in many ways, including recruitment and promotion. We can also gain valuable feedback from them as to how we can better equip current and future students to go out and minister in tough places.

Dr. Peacock explains his hope for his new role, “I would like to have an alumni newsletter that is geared towards the interests of our alumni, increase the ongoing contact with our alumni personally, and see where God takes it from there. I have either met or taught most of our graduates personally, and I look forward to this opportunity to strengthening that tie in the future.”