NEW BOOK BY MILES VAN PELT
Biblical Hebrew: A Compact Guide, by Dr. Miles V. Van Pelt, offers a one-stop guide for the intermediate language students and Bible teachrs whose work is not solely focused on Hebrew and Old Testament study. Dr. Van Pelt is the Alan Belcher professor of Old Testament and biblical languages at RTS/Jackson, where he also serves as the director of the Summer Institute for Biblical Languages and the academic dean.

The description says, "Those who have taken first-year Hebrew often need to refresh their memory on language forms, grammar, and word meanings, and this guide offers the ideal format for just that. Also, students in second-year Hebrew courses and beyond can use this reference resource to assist them in the identification of words in the biblical text and the way they are used in sentences. Pastors and seminary students will find this guide to be invaluable for quickly accessing information to aid in translation and interpretation." The book will be released on August 20, 2012.

HUGH WHELCHEL PUBLISHES NEW BOOK 
Former executive director of RTS/Washington, D.C., and businessman Hugh Whelchel provides a thorough, deeply-satisfying biblical answer to the the age-old question, "Does my work matter to God?" Whelchel (MAR '10) is now the executive director of the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, a biblical advocacy think tank in the Washington, D.C. area. He has just published How Then Should We Work? Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work, available here. "A biblically-based and compelling argument supporting the integration of faith and work into a noble calling to serve God in the marketplace," said Steve Reinemund, dean of business, Wake Forest University Schools of Business and retired chairman and CEO, PepsiCo.

NEW FACES IN JACKSON
Welcome Carrye Allen as admissions assistant to Brian Gault at RTS/Jackson. Carrye has ministered in several churches across several states including Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Churh.  She has worked as an educational therapist and library assistant at Westminster Christian School, teacher at Jackson Prep, and admissions secretary at the University of Mississippi. Priscilla Sullivan, currently in this position, is retiring. Her last day is Friday. We will miss her! 

TIM KELLER SERMON ARCHIVE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDERS
Logos Bible Software and Redeemer have teamed up in transcribing Timothy Keller's complete sermon archive from 1989-2011 and have made them available on their platform, and through iOS and Android mobile devices. They are offering the product for preorder at a discounted price of $199.95. Click here to the landing page to learn more. Click here to read the news release.

DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED ATS STANDARDS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary Presidents (FESP) met as part of the ATS meetings in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 20.  Andy Peterson, president of Reformed Theological Seminary/Virtua,l and John Martin, president of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, were co-presenters on the proposed new standards for ATS accreditation of degree programs.

Martin talked about his recent work on the ATS Board of Commissioners in light of the need for new standards that include distance learning.  Likewise, Peterson reviewed the hopes, processes and results of a four-year ATS task force on the revision of the program criteria for accreditation.  Topics for discussion among the 50 or so FESP participants included the flexibility of the standards, impact on current distance learning degree programs, admission and residency requirements for the D. Min, and policies for the Ph.D degree programs. 

Relevant resources were cited for the discussion and more study including Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference, Making a Difference, June 11, 2012. Click here to watch the video of new technology in applications titled "Making a Difference. One App at a Time."

DR. MICHAEL MILTON ATTENDS MY HOPE MEETING WITH BILLY GRAHAM 
Dr. Michael Milton attended a preliminary planning meeting with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for their nationwide Outreach “MY HOPE” on November 2013.

“My Hope with Billy Graham is a massive effort to reach people across the United States and Canada with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following a simple biblical model, My Hope with Billy Graham combines the reach and excitement of a nationwide media event with the power of personal relationships. Under the guidance of their local pastors, Christians across these two countries will open their homes to share the gospel message with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors using different media programs featuring Billy Graham, dynamic music, and testimonies.”

My Hope was launched in 2002, and is an television outreach, involving the local church. For more information about the My Hope program click here.

GEOFF SACKETT NAMED DEAN OF STUDENTS AT RTS/WASHINGTON, D.C.
Geoff Sackett has been appointed dean of students for RTS/Washington, D.C.  Sackett’s appointment is part of a larger initiative to prioritize and develop the RTS learning community following the seminary’s recent move to a campus location near Tysons Corner, Va. Read more here.

NEW BOOK BY R.C. SPROUL
Most Christians recognize the importance of Christ's death and resurrection. But how many understand the theological significance of Jesus' actions before and after the crucifixion—from even before creation? In Dr. R.C. Sproul's latest book, The Work of Christ, he gives readers a deeper understanding of God's purpose in every event of Christ's life. Click here for more info.

REDEEMER CITY TO CITY ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
Redeemer City to City (CTC), in New York, NY, recently announced that RTS alumnus Dr. John R. Hutchinson (M.Div. '79, MCE '79, D.Min. '05), former senior pastor of McLean Presbyterian Church in McLean, Va., has accepted the position of president effective September 1, 2012. “We are delighted that God has called John to join us in a powerful and unique calling: to help leaders build gospel movements in global cities,” said Timothy Keller, CTC’s chairman of the board. Read more here.

CAMPUS EVENTS
Orientation Seminars
Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an orientation seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. To register, contact Alice Hathaway, virtual registrar. Upcoming dates for Orientation Seminars are: Monday-Wednesday, August 27-29 (Charlotte), Monday-Wednesday, October 29-31 (Charlotte).

RTS Charlotte and Brookstone Camp
For the 2nd year, RTS/Charlotte staff, students, spouses and graduates led a group of 80 children at Brookstone Camp the week of June 11th.  Those serving included Kim Macurda, Wendy Simmons, Holley Gregory (pictured left) ,  Paul Major, Ann Tarwater,  Tom Williamson, Brittany Murray and Brandi Belk. RTS graduates Jim Luke (M.Div. '12), Joe Lanman (M.Div. '12) and RTS student Mark Miller presented "The Gospel in Living Color" in the opening assembly.  Also assisting were friends at Sovereign Grace Presbyterian Church and First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia.  The kids were exuberant and appreciative. The team was exhausted yet blessed beyond their wildest imaginations.  RTS/Jackson loves its partnership with this urban school that seeks to educate some of the most impoverished kids in all of Charlotte. 

ALUMNI SNIPPETS
Mike Beates (D.Min. '03), professor at The Geneva School in Winter Park, Fla., has just published a new book titled Disability and the Gospel. Click here to read more and to purchase the book.

Barbara Bellefeuille (MEd '83) has been hired as vice president for academic services at Bethel College, effective July 1. Read more here.

David Kirkendall (M.Div. '08) has recently become the headmaster for Trinity Christian Academy in Lexington, Ky. It is a classical Christian school encompassing preschool through the 12th grade.  The school is a ministry of Tates Creek Presbyterian Church, though it serves over 70 churches and many denominations in the greater Lexington area. 

Josh Kitchen (M.Div. '12) and his wife Sarah are in a ministry to help the people of Papua New Guinea translate God’s Word into their own language. They are beginning the process of moving and getting visas for Papua New Guinea. They are registered to be in the three-month Pacific Orientation Course (POC) beginning in January. Josh continues to speak at churches and spread the word about the work they will be doing with The Seed Company. They ask for prayer that God will give him the words to say and the sensitivity and grace to say them well.
 
Michael Lee (M.Div. '05) and his wife Tricia are serving with Mission to the World in Monterrey, Mexico, and have been there for 11 months and "on the field" for over two years.  They continue to work diligently at language acquisition. He noted concerns about the July election in Mexico and asks for prayer that there be a peaceful transfer of power regardless of who wins. Their daughter will be married in October in South Carolina. Their son Jacob has graduated from high school and their daughter Amber is working as a camp counselor. Read more about them here.

Donald Malin (M.Div. '88), lieutenant colonel and Mississippi Valley Presbytery teaching elder, has been selected as the Mississippi National Guard state chaplain. Read more here.

Cynthia Ruble (MATS '00) wrote a two-part article that appeared in the Japan Daily Press on forgotten children. Read the first part here  and part two here.

Greg Schneeberger (RTS Virtual, MAR, 2007) shares his wife Caitelen's first album. He says her concert was a huge success. If you'd like to support Greg by purchasing a copy of DARK IS LIGHT, go here and listen. All proceeds go to their monthly needs as they head out to North Coast Presbyterian Church. If you'd like to know more about their support needs, go here. If you'd like to hear more of the story of the CD, visit their website.

Russell Smith (M.Div '00), senior pastor of Covenant-First Presbyterian Church  in Cincinatti, Ohio, has completed his first novel, Prophet of the Sun. He says "It's a spiritual action adventure in the vein of the DaVinci Code or National Treasure--only this time the Christians are the good guys and the secret gnostic society are the villains.  Read more and purchase the book here. 

Demetrius Summerville (MAC '10) and his wife Amy are starting a new ministry called Blueprint Orlando in the Holden Heights area. The ministry will target 5th-8th graders in their neighborhood. They hope to acquire a vacant home and renovate it to become a ministry house. They plan to become an ACT partner with Unconditional, an upcoming movie by Harbinger Media, starring Michael Ealy and Lynn Collins. Learn about ACT partners here. The movie will be released in theatres September 21.