In the News ... "Highway 191 Cross hosting 'Christmas' Story today"

OA File Photo

• “It’s a special time but we want the kids to know the true meaning of Christmas”

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - People Pride Scholarship Program students and John Bushman, program founder and chairman of the Investment Corporation of America, will gather Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Calvary Cross on Highway 191 for an explanation of the true meaning of Christmas.

Students from Odessa elementary schools will attend with their parents and teachers.

The event is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. at the Calvary Cross, on the south service road of highway 191 about 3 miles east of Faudree Road. Parking will be offered on a new parking area adjacent to the cross, accessed from 191, parking will not be allowed on the shoulder of the service road. Please use caution entering and exiting.

“It’s a special time but we want the kids to know the true meaning of Christmas,” Bushman stated in a news release. “We take this time to gather our scholarship students and honor them with this special story.”

Damian Christian, local singer, will perform along with students. Kyle Rodgers, minister of St. Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church, will help facilitate the program.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Dr. Johnna Herrick-Phelps

Today in the Mission Yearbook: December 3, 2023

PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - Princeton Theological Seminary is expanding its suite of flexible and accessible learning opportunities, executed by a growing team of education leaders with extensive experience in delivering engaging online education.

“Princeton Theological Seminary sits at the intersection of tradition and innovation, at a time when education — and theological education, in particular — is rapidly changing,” said the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton, president of Princeton Theological Seminary. “We must accelerate the work underway to meet the moment to attract learners at every stage of their journeys and careers. This requires flexibility and a more inclusive approach to teaching and learning.”

Dr. Johnna Herrick-Phelps, the school’s first-ever Associate Dean for Online and Digital Learning, will lead this new focused effort ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... “Mission Agape presents 'Cocoa and Cookies With Santa"

• Saturday morning, November 18 at Golf Course Road Church of Christ

MIDLAND TEXAS - Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be one of great strife for those who can’t afford food for their family, let alone gifts. Mission Agape wanted to bring joy and smiles to children in the community by hosting a Christmas Blessing Event.

Each year, Mission Agape holds a toy drive to collect donations for our Christmas Blessing Event. After the toy drive, we adopt children from our partnering MISD schools and invite parents to come and “shop” for gifts for their children ...

 • More information about this event ...

In the News ... "NewsWest 9 kicks off 2023 toy drive"

• Partnering with Salvation Army and United Supermarkets to help gather and distribute toys to children in West Texas

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

BIG SPRING/MIDLAND/ODESSA, TEXAS - NewsWest 9, the Salvation Army and United Supermarkets have once again partnered in 2023 for the annual toy drive.

The toy drive will help gather and distribute toys to children in West Texas to make sure they have a happy Christmas.

Red barrels will be at select locations across Midland, Odessa and Big Spring to collect toys ...

• Read the rest of this KWES report, and find a collection point near you ... 

In the News ... "Tom’s Coats kicks-off"

• Donation locations in Odessa and Midland

By Lauren Munt, Reporter
• KOSA-TV

ODESSA/MIDLAND, TEXAS - As the temperatures drop, many West Texans are struggling to stay warm, that’s why Chief Meteorologist, Tom Teffertiller is hosting a coat drive.

We’re looking for gently-used or new jackets or sweaters for the drive.

You can donate jackets and coats at the sites listed below.

• Frost Bank - 2 Midland locations

4101 Midland Dr.
800 W. Wadley Ave.

• Frost Bank - 2 Odessa locations

3501 Faudree Rd.
2710 N. Grandview Ave.

• Odessa College

Saulsbury Campus Center, 201 W University Blvd.

• CBS7 Studios at the Music City Mall

4101 E. 42nd St., Suite J-7

• All American Chevrolet of Odessa

5020 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy.

From Austin Seminary: "Plan to attend MidWinter Lectures, January 22-24!"

Plan to attend MidWinter Lectures, January 22-24!

Now in its 80th year, Austin Seminary's MidWinter Lectures offer theological food for thought within the context of exploration, homecoming, and celebration.

The lecture series, which includes presentations, worship services, meals, and conversations, runs from Monday afternoon, January 22, until noon on Wednesday, January 24. Learn about the speakers and preacher who have been invited this year.

The Reverend Dr. Emilie M. Townes is a preeminent scholar in the field of womanist theology and ethics and a leader in theological thought and education.

The Reverend Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes will bring the full range of his enthusiasms and expertise to the lecture topic, "Two Ways of Being in the World: To Rise and To Land."

Dr. Cheryl Bear-Bartnerson is a theologian, singer-songwriter, and a founding member of the National Association of Indigenous Theological Studies.

Anchoring the lectures is worship in Shelton Chapel, led by The Reverend Dr. Chris Currie, senior pastor of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans.

So, mark your calendar, book your transportation, and join us January 22-24, 2024!

• Read all about what is planned here.

• Register for MidWinters here.

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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ,Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you. Did you know?

   • Students in our masters-degree programs receive up to 85% need-based tuition aid.
   • Historically, more than 80% of our graduates are called to congregational ministry.
   • Our students come from more than a dozen denominations.
   • Our alumni serve in ministry in forty-eight U.S. states as well as in twenty different countries across the world.

Your gift to Austin Seminary contributes to scholarships, housing, computer equipment, library materials, and other resources needed by seminarians as they fulfill their calls to Christian service and leadership.

Your support underwrites the finest theological faculty and an administration committed to upholding the highest standards possible with respect to the unique vocation of ministry.

Every gift is significant and is appreciated. They are put to work right away and make a real impact. Please send your gift today.

• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary

In the News ... "Kooky Karnival coming up"

OA Photo by B. Kay Richter

• Fundraiser for the school set for October 28

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - St. John’s Episcopal School’s annual Kooky Karnival will take center stage Oct. 28 at Barn D and E of the Ector County Coliseum.

St. John’s students get an early start from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the public can roam the attractions from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Karnival, with a theme of Super Mario, is organized by Friends of St. John’s and is a fundraiser for the school.

Kooky Karnival Chairman Zach Foster said admission is free, but there is a punch card system for games and the Ghostly Grocery Store where they can pick up prizes.

“Each prize costs a certain amount of punches. There’s a food booth and a smaller like candy snack type thing called the Creepy Cuisine. There is a cash payment for those items,” Foster said.

There will also be a cake walk.

Jersey Girl Pizza is returning this year and the Chuck Wagon Gang will help with the food booth this year, Head of School Heather Kirk and Foster said ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

From @austinseminary ... "The Reed" for October 2023

For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip people for ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources for the nurture of the church; to practice and promote critical theological thought and research; to engage a range of voices and perspectives within and beyond the life of the seminary; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

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Discovery Weekend, October 27-29

If you or someone you know is trying to decide whether seminary is the next step, sign up for a weekend of discernment through conversations and fellowship with professors and current students.

•  Learn More ...


Progressive Youth Ministry

Austin Seminary has acquired Progressive Youth Ministry (PYM), a conference and community of church-based youth workers from across North America. Founded in 2014, PYM had a successful five-year run of conferences, experiencing significant growth and highlighted by speakers including Rob Bell, Otis Moss III, and Lauren Winner. Through the pandemic, PYM gathered virtually, creating a robust and supportive community of more than 3,000 members online with 200 to 400 participants at its annual conference.

•  Learn More ...


Austin Seminary receives a $1.2 million grant to strengthen preaching

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary has received a grant of $1,248,603 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish The Faithful Preaching Project, a new initiative designed to help preachers of small mainline congregations instill deeper faith in their listeners and empower them to live out their faith more fully in worship and in the community beyond their church walls. The Reverend Dr. Carolyn Helsel, Associate Professor in the Blair Monie Distinguished Chair in Homiletics, wrote the grant and will be charged with designing and administering the program.

•  Learn More ...

Faces of Austin Seminary: Jessie Light-Wells (MDiv’17)

Since high school, The Reverend Jessie Light-Wells (MDiv’17) knew her journey would eventually lead to seminary. “I felt like I could do my best work in the church.” She was excited to engage with the academically rigorous challenges, and as a fifth-generation clergy, she had a basic understanding of what to expect. But little did she know that Austin Seminary would offer a different experience that would challenge her assumptions. “Austin offered me all the things I needed the most but didn’t know I wanted.”

•  Learn More ...

Support Our Students

Your gift to our Annual Fund supports the formation of Christian leaders.

• Click here to support our students... 

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Get the latest news from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in their digital monthly eNewsletter. Features on events, students, faculty, and alumni can be sent directly to your inbox.

• Subscribe to the Austin Seminary Reed

From Equal Exchange ... "Time to order Chocolate Minis for Halloween"

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.

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Order by 10/20 to get Minis in time for Halloween

Opt-out of chocolate produced by an unfair system.

Big Chocolate still depends on child labor. The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago (NORC 2020) estimated that during the 2018-2019 cocoa harvest in Ghana and Côte d’Ivôire alone, 1.5 million children worked on cocoa farms. The vast majority of these children are working on family farms but due to the imbalance of power and profits in the chocolate industry, many encounter some sort of unsafe or unfair working conditions. In reality, this is a global issue and the reasons and solutions are complex but the problem has long been visible, and Big Chocolate isn't doing enough to stop it.

This Halloween, send a message by purchasing small farmer co-op grown, traceable mini chocolates because it makes a difference what kind of sweets you choose. And because they are delicious!

SHOP CHOCOLATE MINIS

Have you used your FairFall23 code yet?
Enter it at checkout to get 10% off Equal Exchange products.
Expires 10/31/23, one-time use, excludes sale items.

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Join Us!

We invite you to join our growing community of citizen-consumers who are getting even more deeply involved in Equal Exchange.

We need consumer participation in our organization to build a deeply democratic trade system made up of farmers and their democratic organizations, workers and their democratic organization, and citizen-consumers who now have a democratic space in Equal Exchange as well as their own network. Join us in changing trade, together!

• Learn how YOU can help Equal Exchange ...

Local Equal Exchange partners include Grace Presbyterian Chuch, Midland, TX.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Randy Hobson

Today in the Mission Yearbook: July 13, 2023

THE REV. DR. J. HERBERT NELSON DELIVERS BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS AT DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE -Addressing the Class of 2023 at Davis & Elkins College during this year’s baccalaureate service, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II assured graduates that “it doesn’t matter if you came here cum laude or thank you Lordy. If you wear that tassel today, say thank you for the amazing way family and friends have nurtured you.” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From ServLife International ... "Nirula’s Education"

ServLife International is a movement defined by values of God’s kingdom, not programs built around human efforts and activities. The reign and rule of God should be made apparent to every person on the planet, despite their religion, race or socioeconomic status. We believe that issues of justice are inseparable from the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. ServLife exists to take the gospel of Christ and the hope of a better, more just, world to the lives of people we touch. This happens through individual contributions of time, creativity, resources and dreams.

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ServLife Photo

Nirula’s Education

“Nirula says over and over again, ‘I need to go to school, I don’t want to be late, my friends are already on the way.’ I can see the excitement in my child about this school and her education.”

Nirula is one of three children in her family. They live in a small village in India where educational opportunities are limited. Nirula’s father is a police officer and her mother is a teacher in her village, between their incomes they only make a meager amount. They live on a small plot of government land but they do not own the land or small home they live in. Nirula’s mother Shalome shared “Right now we are praying, we are earning, and hoping that somehow we can buy a small piece of land to have our own home and land in the days to come” ...

• CLICK HERE to watch and read all of Nirula’s story ... 

• CLICK HERE to give a gift to help families and our partners in India and Nepal ...


Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal.  Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org

Support a Pastor Our church planters spread the love of Christ in some of the most difficult environments in the world. • Support Them ...	Sponsor a Child For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope. • Sponsor Now ...	Fight Poverty The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need. • Learn More ...

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 Adam J. Nevins
 Executive Director
 ServLife International, Inc.
 P.O. Box 20596
 Indianapolis, IN 46220
 USA

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Contributed Photo

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 23, 2023

PRESBYTERIAN YOUTH TRIENNIUM RESOURCES - Youth are gathering across the 50 states and Puerto Rico thanks to resources and grants available through the Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium in the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

When the pandemic shut down plans last year for the epic every-third-year event, its fearless and flexible organizers pivoted to take the theme, the swag, the funds and the fun to places where smaller groups of young people could gather safely and share where they saw God in their lives, their relationships and in their larger communities ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Photo by Andrew Black

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 22, 2023

MENAUL SCHOOL - In honor of Earth Day in April, I had the opportunity to take out 70 students and faculty from Menaul High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a guided hike and day of service on the Caja del Rio, one of the most significant cultural, historical, archaeological, spiritual and wildlife landscapes in the American Southwest. Sadly, it’s also considered one the most endangered landscapes in New Mexico as it faces huge threats from climate change, mining, illegal dumping and shooting, poaching, vandalism and theft of ancient petroglyphs and unlawful off-highway vehicle use that disrupts wildlife and cultural sites ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

In the News ... "Let's try something new - how about news of kids on mission trips?"

ARN Photo by Tommy Metthe

• I’m asking the parents of these kids to speak to your event leader and encourage them to contact me

By Carl Kieke, Contributor
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - Many youth groups slow their activities during the summer, making it more difficult to find things to write about. But there is one activity that picks up noticeably during the summer: Church mission trips.

I haven’t really covered that area, since we have a “church page” each week. But these trips don’t usually make it into that page, as it is only once a week and has to cover just about all church-related items.

Putting those two items together, it seems this is a good place to tell our readers about some more things that our “all right” kids are doing with their summer free time ...

• read the rest of this ARN report ...

From @austinseminary ... "The Reed" for June 2023

For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip people for ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources for the nurture of the church; to practice and promote critical theological thought and research; to engage a range of voices and perspectives within and beyond the life of the seminary; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.

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The State of the Seminary address

ate! The Inauguration for The Reverend Dr. Irizarry, Austin Seminary's tenth president, is scheduled for March 30-31 in Austin, Texas.

President Irizarry shares the highlights from the 2022-23 academic year and points to new directions for the Austin Seminary community.


Education Beyond the Walls

August 18 | "Healing Trauma: Resources for working with immigrants" is a a two-hour workshop to learn about our new video series on Healing Trauma to better prepare you and your congregation to help asylum seekers, immigrants, and refugees in your community.

Location: Austin Seminary campus.

• More Information and registration ....

First Latina scholars bring experience and expertise to faculty openings

The Reverend Patricia Bonilla and The Reverend Crystal Silva-McCormick have been called by the Austin Seminary Board of Trustees to fill faculty positions. Bonilla, a PhD candidate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will teach in the area of Christian education. Austin Seminary alumna Silva-McCormick (MDiv’10), a PhD candidate from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will teach in the area of evangelism and missions, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.

Dean Margaret Aymer said, "We welcome Reverends Bonilla and Silva-McCormick who bring scholarship and ecclesial commitments that strengthen us as we become a seminary that increasingly resembles the global church! In their appointments, these two scholars make history as the first Latina faculty members of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Welcome New Austin Seminary Alumni!

The Commencement for the Class of 2023 was held on May 14 with The Reverend Carol Howard Merritt (MDiv’98), pastor of Bedford Presbyterian Church in New York, delivering the Commencement Address to forty-two graduates and their friends and families. It was a joyous occasion and the first under the leadership of President José Irizarry and Dean Margaret Aymer.

• Enjoy scenes from the day by accessing our photo gallery ....

Support Our Students

Your gift to our Annual Fund supports the formation of Christian leaders.

• Click here to support our students... 

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Get the latest news from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in their digital monthly eNewsletter. Features on events, students, faculty, and alumni can be sent directly to your inbox.

• Subscribe to the Austin Seminary Reed

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

The Rev. Patrick David Heery of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn, New York.
(Photo courtesy of Jill Fandrich)

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 11, 2023

MMISTER ROGERS, ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR’ - “Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person,” the Rev. Fred Rogers, known to millions as Mister Rogers, once mused while reminding his audience as he often did that there are many ways to say “I love you,” from greeting someone to feeding a hungry neighbor or cleaning up common spaces.

Presbyterians celebrate the life lessons of a beloved children’s television pioneer, the Rev. Fred Rogers ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “Your generosity helped make this happen in May”

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

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Friday Story: “Your generosity helped make this happen in May"

Wheelchair Arrivals

Thanks to your generosity, eight containers of wheelchairs arrived in Argentina, China, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Kenya, Uganda, and Vietnam during the month of May. Soon, 3,998 lives will be transformed by the gift of mobility because of you.

More Stories from Free Wheelchair Mission ...

• Argentina: Story of a Life Transformed ...

• Visiting Churches: Information on ways your church can get involved ...

• Fundraising for the Move for Mobility will continue through June 30, 2023 ...

• Speaking to Students: Information on ways your school can get involved ...

• Miracle of Mobility: September 17 (livestream), and September 29 (in-person) ...

In the News ... "Crescent Park Baptist to host Vacation Bible School"

• “Twist and Turns,” June 12-16

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Crescent Park Baptist Church, 3002 E University Blvd., is having their annual Vacation Bible School “Twist and Turns” from June 12 to 16.

Rally starts at 9:00 a.m. Sign up is available every day at 8:45 a.m.

For more information, call (432) 366-4476.

From @FWMission ... Friday Story: “A More Hopeful Future”

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

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FWM Photos

Friday Story: “A More Hopeful Future

Elsie is a nine-year-old girl who lives in Ghana, a country on the west coast of Africa. She and her family live in the capital city, Accra, where she is a third grader at Praise Sanctuary Academy.

Elsie was born with a disability and cannot stand or walk. Because of this, her mother would carry her wherever she needed to go, including to school. This wasn’t always easy to do in their bustling urban neighborhood ...

• Read the rest of this story ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer.

Dr. Jacqueline E. Lapsley

Today in the Mission Yearbook: March 30, 2023

DR. JACQUELINE E, LAPSEY, FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD UNION PRESBYTERY SEMINARY - The Board of Trustees has named Dr. Jacqueline E. Lapsley to be the eighth president of Union Presbyterian Seminary.

As the first woman to lead the seminary in its 211-year history, Lapsley is used to being a trailblazer. She was the first woman to serve as dean and vice president for Academic Affairs at Princeton Theological Seminary, a position she has held since 2018 ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.