Issuu

WINTER 2025–26

The Power of Story

Complementing the Classroom

PA G E 4 2

PA G E 4 6

Dr. Cullen discusses how Scripture’s narratives can inspire change.

Recent student stories highlight the value of internship opportunities.

Class Notes

See what alumni from across the decades are doing now. PA G E 5 8

an EDUCATION over COFFEE A 50-year faculty tradition has laid a foundation for future faithfulness. PA G E 3 4

The Master’s University Magazine

P H OT O BY K AY L A N I S E T O

From One Generation to the Next W E A R E N O W M E R E M O N T H S AWAY F R O M E N T E R I N G T M U’S C E N T E N N I A L Y E A R T H I S C O M I N G FA L L. I N L I G H T O F T H AT, W E’R E R E F L E C T I N G O N T H E G E N E R AT I O N S O F FA I T H F U L M E N A N D W O M E N T H E LO R D H A S U S E D T O B R I N G U S T O T H I S M I L E S T O N E. O N E C O N C R E T E S Y M B O L O F T H I S I S “T H E M A R C H,” A 5 0-Y E A R FA C U LT Y T R A D I T I O N T H AT H A S B E C O M E A K E Y WAY T M U’S P R O F E S S O R S PA S S T H E B AT O N F R O M O N E G E N E R AT I O N T O T H E N E X T. W E H O P E Y O U E N J OY R E A D I N G A B O U T T H I S A N D M A N Y OT H E R E X A M P L E S O F T H E LO R D’S G O O D N E S S T O U S O N T H I S C A M P U S.

WINTER 2025–26

PUBLISHER

Dr. John Stead

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Dariu Dumitru

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mason Nesbitt

MANAGING EDITOR

Kaelyn Peay

S TA F F P H OT O G R A P H E R

Mark Finster

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T I O N & D E S I G N

WeKREATIVE Co.

DIRECTOR OF C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S H I P

Michael Chrzanowski

CONTRIBUTORS

Claire Burke Madison Cole Rodrigo Contreras Josephine Lee Ezra Moore Reagan Noll Hannah Norman Kaylani Seto

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Dr. Abner Chou Dr. Mitch Hopewell Mike Crawford Craig Leener

C O N TA C T U S :

alumni@masters.edu | 661-362-2360 Mailbox #25 21726 Placerita Canyon Road Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Contents S P OT L I G HT

An Education Over Coffee “The March” — one of TMU’s longest-standing traditions — brings professors together from across campus for coffee and wide-ranging conversation. Over the last 50 years, it has grown not just into a context for friendships to form, but a venue where the history and heart of the University are passed down from one generation to the next. C O V E R I M A G E BY M A R K F I N S T E R

The Power of Story Sometimes, the most powerful way to inspire someone to change is by telling them a story. This idea underlies Dr. Shelbi Cullen’s new book, which discusses the stories of faithful women in Scripture and draws out timeless applications. We recently talked with Cullen about some of those applications and about her heart for strengthening women’s ministries through sound biblical teaching.

S U B S C R I B E T O D AY TMU’s official alumni magazine features stories of God’s faithfulness in the lives of alumni, faculty, staff, and students. It also includes the latest news from the University. You can sign up to receive the digital magazine at masters.edu/subscribe. Email alumni@masters.edu if you are interested in receiving a print copy.

The Master’s University Magazine is published digitally three times per year by The Master’s University Alumni Association.

Complementing the Classroom At TMU, students prepare to serve Christ faithfully after graduation. Part of this happens through hands-on experience in internships on and off campus. With the help of TMU’s professional network, students are able to work jobs in the fields they’re pursuing, putting their classroom experience into practice and setting themselves up to thrive in their careers after graduation.

D E PA R T M E N T S 08

TMU Today

Features

Connect

IN EVERY ISSUE 13

Calendar

Thinking Biblically with Dr. John MacArthur

Class Notes

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Gratitude for The March

first became aware of The March in 2009. This was during my first year back at the University’s main campus after serving in Israel as an IBEX professor. After Convocation Chapel that year, Dr. Varner approached me and said, “Hey, Abner, you should think about getting together with the faculty — we meet during chapel for coffee.” At first, I felt timid about it. I didn’t know where they met or how it all worked, so I kept mostly to myself. But that summer, Dr. Stead and Dr. Frazer invited me to summer meetings of The March, and things really took off from there. From that point on, I went to almost every meeting because the fellowship was just so sweet. They discussed all kinds of things. Some of those early conversations were about academic freedom and what it really means. We discussed teaching philosophy and student life. We discussed what leadership looks like at an academic institution. We talked a lot about institutional history — what happened over the years, the difficulties, the victories, and the Lord’s faithfulness in it all. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was the perfect education to prepare me to become president of The Master’s University. Those conversations opened my eyes to all the different issues and questions involved in running the school. They revealed possible mistakes we could make and ways to avoid them. The gatherings revealed what our faculty and school care about, and why. God never wastes a moment. In His providence, The March was an immense training ground to help me — I hope — serve well in this role. A good president needs to understand the heartbeat of the school so that he can guard what makes it distinct. He needs to honor the past. And in light of that history, he needs to plan for the future in a way that deepens faithfulness to what the Lord originally established. By the Lord’s grace, The March gave me what I needed to try to do that. I hope you enjoy reading more about this tradition that has meant so much to me.

In His grace,

Dr. Abner Chou

P R E S I D E N T, T H E M A S T E R’S U N I V E R S I T Y

WINTER 2025–26

Subscribe to TMU Magazine See what alumni are up to. Read about beloved professors. Discover what God is doing at TMU. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING A PRINT COPY OF TMU MAGAZINE, PLEASE C O N TA C T A L U M N I @ M A S T E R S . E D U .

MASTERS.EDU/SUBSCRIBE

YEARBOOK

TMU (referred to on the sign as “LA Baptist College”) has always sat near the center of activity in Newhall. Captured in 1970, this picture shows the intersection of Sierra Highway and Placerita Canyon Road — which was, back then, a main thoroughfare to and from campus.

WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today

The Master’s University Magazine

P H OT O BY K AY L A N I S E T O

Q&A with Dr. Gwang Kim

Alum Published in International Science Journal

TMU Receives High Rankings from the Wall Street Journal WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today

CAMPUS LIFE

A Growing Initiative A look at TMU’s Agriculture Club in photos. PHOTOS BY KAYL ANI SE TO

1 The Agriculture Club

at TMU was designed for students who have an interest or background in farming. The club brings those students together to work toward common goals and grow in agricultural knowledge and experience.

2 The farm and club are

overseen by Blake Spomer, TMU’s agribusiness program coordinator. When asked what the goal of the Agriculture Club is, he said, “Our guiding mission statement, or vision, is to sow the seeds of knowledge and passion for agriculture.”

3 Says Spomer, “We want

Christians to be equipped to support agriculture efforts in developing countries, or to step into the world’s wealthiest agriculture communities. We want Christians all over the world who are knowledgeable in their field and passionate about it, and who can be salt and light in those places.”

4 What was once a small

group of six has grown to over 100 members. Operating out of a two-acre farm property and other TMU-owned parcels, the Agriculture Club is experimenting with new crops and livestock, including pigs, chickens, and goats.

5 Since its creation, the club has worked hard to cultivate the farm. These efforts have yielded fruits, vegetables, pork, and eggs.

The Master’s University Magazine

all the latest tmu gear, available wherever you are. shop now at ue.masters.edu.

ALUMNI WILL HAV E OPPORTU NITIES TO J OI N IN THE FES TIV ITI E S, BOTH ON- C AMP US A ND

We look forward to celebrating our centennial with the TMU family during the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters!

ONLINE. S TAY TUNE D F OR MORE INF O I N T HE COMIN G DAYS !

Calendar

20-29 Theatre Arts March

This spring’s Theatre Arts production is “Anastasia.”

Production of “Anastasia”

Join us for one of nine showings, with 8 p.m. evening performances and 2 p.m. matinees.

Get tickets at masters.edu/theatre.

March

Spring Career Fair

TMU students and alumni are invited to meet roughly 100 employers at our upcoming Career Fair. This is an opportunity to build your network and engage with a variety of business partners and community leaders. Bring your resume, make connections, and land your next job! This might also be a good opportunity to advertise jobs at your company.

Learn more at masters.edu/career-fair.

31-1

Passion Week March & April Concert

TMU’s Paul T. Plew School of Music is excited to perform its annual Passion Week Concert! This year’s event will be held at Forest Lawn’s Hall of CrucifixionResurrection in Glendale, California

Please visit masters.edu/music-events to reserve seats.

Commencement

May

TMU’s 99th annual commencement ceremony will be held on the University’s campus. More details will be available at masters.edu/commencement.

For a full calendar, visit masters.edu/events.

All are welcome to join via livestream at masters.edu/live.

OUTSIDE THE CANYON

Back to the Land

A summer alumni tour to Israel will commemorate IBEX’s 30th anniversary. The Master’s University is excited to host an Israel Bible Extension (IBEX) reunion trip this summer, June 14-25, in honor of IBEX’s 30th anniversary. The trip is designed for alumni of TMU’s IBEX program and their families as a way to re-experience the land of Israel and reunite with fellow TMU graduates.

veterans Dr. Todd Bolen (IBEX professor, 1996-2007) and Dr. Randy Cook (IBEX professor, 1996-2008), alongside current IBEX professor John Black. Participants will revisit beloved sites such as the Arbel Cliffs and the Sea of Galilee, while encountering new excavations like the synagogue in Magdala.

This trip will be led by program

“I’ve literally been waiting over

This spring 2023 photo shows IBEX students enjoying the view from the top of the fortress of Masada in Israel. P H OT O BY M A R K F I N S T E R

BY TMU STAFF

20 years for this trip,” Bolen says. “Our alumni are going to love seeing the changes to the IBEX campus, being together with old friends and professors, and soaking in the Bible as we travel back to favorite sites and see the latest discoveries. Our time will bring back a flood of wonderful memories and remind us again of the faithfulness of our awesome God.” WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today

W H AT ’ S I N Y O U R O F F I C E ?

With Professor Tricia Hulet

DIRECTOR, THEATRE ARTS

2 | Bobblehead Cameo

1 | Stage Prop “This is from ‘Northanger Abbey,’ and it was our lead character’s mask. We got to shop for all these amazing masks for the show, and it just became kind of iconic.”

“This is from when we did ‘The 39 Steps,’ a comedy spy thriller written by Alfred Hitchcock. There’s always a cameo of Alfred Hitchcock in any of his movies, and so we wanted to make sure to have him somewhere on the stage. He ended up being the hood ornament for a car.”

3 | Student Painting

“This one is a painting that a student did of me and my director’s chair. It has our theme verse, the doxology from Jude. When we started the theater program in 2008, that’s what I wanted our whole program to be built around: remembering that it’s for Christ’s honor, glory, and majesty.”

4 | Inspirational Quote “My husband got this for me. It’s by Ronald Reagan and says that there is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit. This is something I try to build teams around and how I try to model servant leadership and teamwork.”

6 | Ghost Light “It’s one of my favorite gifts here, and it’s actually a theater tradition. On every stage, after the lights go out, the first thing the stage manager brings out is the ghost light. There’s this weird theater tradition, like ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ where it’s meant to keep the ghosts out of the theater. We don’t believe any of that but I always wanted one, and that was my gift from the students.”

5 | Vintage Books “These are vintage books of some of the shows we’ve done that I love. It was always fun to have these and then show the students when we did the shows.”

7 7 | Memory Wall “To be honest, the most important thing here is the wall of pictures. It’s about 18 years’ worth of people.”

The Master’s University Magazine

P H OT O S BY K AY L A N I S E T O

STUDENT FOCUS

3 Things I Learned Last Semester with Biblical Studies Student Bradley Biedebach (’27) Understanding Roman Catholicism

“Dr. Josh Daugerau offered a class on Roman Catholicism this past semester. Understanding the perspective of the Catholic can not only equip you to share the gospel clearly, but can also show that you love and care for that person enough to understand why they believe what they believe. From there, you can gently and humbly tell them why that foundational belief does not align with Scripture.”

A Love for Literature

“Never would I have guessed that Dr. Horner’s English Literature class would be one of my favorites during my time at TMU. The reason is really simple. In our first class, he gave meaning to literature. Literature is a doorway into an author’s mind and philosophy. By studying the choices an author makes in the weaving of his novel, he provides answers to philosophical questions. To then take those answers and compare them to Scripture has given a meaning and an incredible depth to literature for me.”

bradley biedebach ('27) Junior from California majoring in biblical studies.

What Really Matters in Life

“If I truly believe with all my heart that I will be with my Savior for eternity, all other pursuits will fade in my peripheral vision. The Christian’s future doesn’t end with retirement. No matter what my occupation is, let my all-consuming focus be on glorifying Christ with my life, so that one day I can finish the race and claim the eternal prize of Christ that my eyes have passionately been fixed on.”

THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY

Preparing the whole person for service to

Christ.

Applications are open now for fall 2026 — apply today! masters.edu/apply $30M IN FINANCIAL AID | 150+ PROGRAMS | SANTA CLARITA, CA WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today P H OT O BY M A R K F I N S T E R

Q+A FA C U LT Y F O C U S

with Dr. Gwang Kim TMU’s new music professor talks about his career journey and his love for Christ.

BY H ANN AH NORM AN

Dr. Gwang Kim was hired this fall as an assistant professor of music and the director of instrumental studies at The Master’s University. He is an accomplished trombonist, with graduate and doctoral degrees from UCLA and performance experience with various orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has a passion to reflect God’s beauty through the art of music. We recently sat down with him to hear about his perspective on his craft and his future goals in the School of Music. W H AT M O S T E XC IT E S YO U A B O U T B E I N G AT T M U?

The most exciting thing is to be on a campus where we’re all united by our love for and devotion to Christ and Scripture. I think there’s something special about teaching students

The Master’s University Magazine

who share the same faith. It really is an amazing privilege and responsibility to positively influence the next generation of musicians who can shine as salt and light in the field of music. W H AT A R E YO U R G OA L S A S T H E D I R E CTO R O F I N S T R U M E NTA L S T U D I E S?

My first and foremost goal is to strive for excellence. In that pursuit, we draw

closer to God and bring glory to Him. In order for us to promote excellence and raise the level of music in our churches, it has to start from the study here in university. That’s my goal. I also want to show students the beauty of making music with one another. We’re all made in the image of God, and for us to then come together

and create beautiful music is such a true gift and privilege. I want students to realize that and treat it as something special and worth enjoying. We should be joyful making melodies to the Lord! W H AT WA S YO U R E X P E R I E N C E W IT H M U S I C G R O W I N G U P?

I grew up in Santa Clarita after moving here when I was 7, and I started playing trombone in elementary

school. My mom played the piano, and my dad was a pastor. I started out by playing hymns at church during the worship. That’s how I started learning to read and play music: through the hymnbook. D I D YO U A LWAYS WA NT TO T E AC H U N D E R G R A D M U S I C?

By the time I was done with my undergraduate degree, I was wondering, “How do I glorify God in what I do?” My calling and my mission then became this: I want to pursue excellence at the highest level, because I want to magnify Christ’s excellence. Then, during my master’s degree, the Lord started to pique my curiosity in teaching. I never thought of myself as a teacher, but the Lord continued to work in me and guided me to find a new calling and passion in teaching, which I’m grateful for. W H O I S YO U R W I F E, A N D W H AT A R E S O M E O F H E R AC C O M P L I S H M E NTS?

My wife is my better half. She is also a doctor — Dr. Kim. She’s a dentist, and she works around the area here. She went to Harvard for her undergrad degree, and then to UCLA for her dental school. Every day I’m married to her, the Lord makes it increasingly clear that He knows me best, and He loves me so much.

All members of TMU’s faculty are dedicated to the sufficiency, inerrancy, and authority of God’s inspired Word — from Genesis to Revelation.

FA C U LT Y U P D A T E S

Dr. John Beck

In September, (business and communication) spoke five times in Jakarta, Indonesia, at the Annual YPPH Christian School Retreat. His speaking engagement included an address titled, “Christian Worldview and the Marketplace of Ideas,” to an audience of over 5,000 participants.

Dr. Todd Bolen (biblical studies) has completed four new volumes in the Photo Companion to the Bible series: Exodus, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. These digital resources provide Bible teachers with a library of annotated images to illustrate the biblical text verse-by-verse, including photographs of biblical sites, museum artifacts, and cultural scenes.

Dr. Tai-Danae Bradley (math) recently had two research articles accepted for publication. Her article about quantum machine learning (“Towards Structure-Preserving Quantum Encodings”) was accepted in Physical Review Research. Her coauthors are mathematicians and physicists from MIT and Deloitte. The other article (“The Magnitude of Categories of Texts Enriched by Language Models”) was accepted in Theory and Applications of Categories. Bradley’s coauthor for this article is a mathematician from Caltech. She also gave a public lecture at the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City in August.

Dr. Dwight D. Ham (business) delivered the keynote

address at this year’s Convocation, titled, “For Such a Time as This.” In October, he was also a featured speaker at the Think Biblically Conference, presenting, “God’s Common Grace as Seen in Business and Economics.” In December, he was recognized by the board of directors of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority for his more than 20 years of service on the Citizen’s Advisory and Oversight Committee, including two terms as committee chairman.

Dr. Jared Kingsley (biblical studies) has completed

his Ph.D. in Theology at The Master’s Seminary. He wrote his dissertation on the priestly covenant in Numbers 25:11-13 and dealt with the components, trajectory, and eschatological fulfillment of this covenant.

Dr. Matthew McLain (science) officially became dean of

the School of Science, Mathematics, Technology & Health this fall. He presented at the Think Biblically Conference in October, and he was part of a panel on Noah’s flood at the Evangelical Theological Society meeting in November. Additionally, he coauthored two technical papers on fossil reptiles and a humor book on animals with his daughter, and he presented research at the Origins Conference at Bryan College.

Dr. Brian Morley’s (biblical studies) book, “Mapping

Apologetics: Comparing Contemporary Approaches,” has been translated into Spanish and Korean. It explores the theological and philosophical foundations of the major approaches to apologetics, contrasting their strengths and how they are used in practical ways.

Dr. Haley Smith (science) became chair of the

Department of Biological and Physical Sciences in October. She recently took research students to present at the West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference at California State University, San Marcos.

Dr. William Varner

This fall, (biblical studies) enjoyed a partial sabbatical. He finished some major writing projects, including a volume titled, “Jesus the Messiah: Rejected and Received,” and another titled, “Introducing the Apostolic Fathers.” Along with his wife, Helen, he looks forward to visiting for the first time the ancient country of Egypt.

L E A R N M O R E A B O U T T H E M AT M A S T E R S.E D U/FAC U LT Y.

WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today P H OT O BY HUDSON LIND

ALUMNI FOCUS

TMU Grad Published in International Science Journal Shaveen De Mel’s research has the potential to serve patients with cancer and other medical conditions. BY CL AIRE BURKE

Shaveen De Mel (’24), a graduate of The Master’s University’s biology program, has gained international recognition for his original research. After an intensive six-month evaluation process, De Mel’s research was published earlier this year in Nature Scientific Reports, a prominent peer-reviewed journal. It has also been featured on the National Institutes of Health website for its innovative contributions. The article is titled, “Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Magnolia alba leaf extracts and evaluating their antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and photocatalytic properties.” De Mel describes the silver nanoparticles he studied as exhibiting “remarkable therapeutic potential, offering several advantages over conventional methods.”

De Mel explored the various medical properties of these particles, becoming the first TMU biology student to lead original experimental research from beginning to end, as a primary author, in under two years. During this time, his research earned significant recognition, winning awards at the 46th and 47th annual West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research conferences. De Mel is optimistic about the future possibilities that may come from his research. He said, “By establishing this foundation, we’ve paved the way for further scientific exploration to translate these findings into practical pharmaceutical products that could significantly enhance the quality of human life.”

De Mel expressed his gratitude for all of the people who were involved in guiding the research to success, including the professors and leadership at TMU: “The faculty members became like family, providing guidance and support throughout my academic journey.” De Mel and his team completed some of their experiments at Biola University, which graciously opened up its lab as a collaborator. Looking back, De Mel is grateful for his time as a student researcher at TMU: “My experience at The Master’s University equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to undertake meaningful research that positively contributes to society, ultimately glorifying and honoring the Lord.”

S TA F F F O C U S P H OT O BY K AY L A N I S E T O

Why I Work at TMU with Jessy Heinzen A D M I N I S T R AT I V E A S S I S TA N T F O R THE SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND IBEX

Jessy Heinzen graduated from The Master’s University in 2015 with a degree in liberal studies. She then worked at TMU’s Israel Bible Extension campus from 2016 to 2019 before taking her current position in 2022.

When asked why she loves working at TMU, she said this:

“I’m thankful to be able to work alongside like-minded individuals, all striving to uphold our motto: For Christ & Scripture. It’s an honor to play a small part in the great things the Lord is doing here at TMU.”

KEEP WATCH ON YOURSELF, LEST YOU TOO BE

TEMPTED. Galatians 6:1b

Accountability software for all your devices Try it free today at Accountable2You.com/TMU WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today

P H OT O BY K AY L A N I S E T O

IN THEIR ELEMENT Dr. Matthew McLain, pictured here at the Think Biblically Conference, is excited to be teaching his Origins course this spring.

Snapshots of what TMU professors are teaching this year.

Origins

Jane Austen

Machiavelli

The Bible and Money

Dr. Matthew McLain

Dr. Kurt Hild

Dr. Gregg Frazer

Dr. Michael Forgerson

“I teach the political philosophy of 16thcentury writer Niccolo Machiavelli and how to understand that controversial and largely misunderstood figure. I explain how Machiavelli serves as a watershed between classical political philosophy and modern political philosophy — changing the way philosophers approach the study of politics. The main reason that I enjoy teaching the class is that Machiavelli is fun to read. He says outrageous things and is not afraid to say what most people think, but are afraid to state openly. That is not only fun to read, but reveals a lot about human nature. Students (almost universally) enjoy the class, and that makes it more enjoyable to teach.” — GF

“Financial advisors or tax guys are not going to necessarily give true biblical advice, because they haven’t truly interfaced the advice they give with Scripture. But money is important, and handling money biblically is important. In The Bible and Money, we look at both what the world says about money and also, crucially, what Scripture says about money.” — MF

DEAN, SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH

PROFESSOR, ENGLISH

“I think what ‘intrigues’ or challenges “I love teaching the Origins class at me begins with how popular Jane TMU because it’s our opportunity to Austen has remained in the 200-plus dive deep into the connection between years since her death. Even though Scripture, science, and philosophy as marriage mores seem to be shifting in it relates to the creation and history the 21st century, men and women still of all things. We get to read from desire to love and be loved by that one Christian and non-Christian authors on special person. Although Jane Austen these topics and discuss how to think never married, she observed human biblically about hard questions related nature as a pastor’s daughter and was to evolution, deep time, fossils, and the keenly aware of how women thought. place of science in our world.” — MM We read these novels and see the growth and maturity of a woman to deal with the fundamentally significant matters of religion, love, marriage, and family.” — KH

DEAN, JOHN P. STEAD SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

PROFESSOR, INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

SOUNDBITES

Quotes from around The Master’s University

If you’re a Christian, what you have to look forward to is mercy and grace. You don’t know what tomorrow brings, and there is uncertainty in this world — but as a Christian with your hope in Christ, the end of your story has already been written, because the end of the entire story has already been written. The Lamb wins, redemption triumphs, and you have an eternity of paradise with Christ.”

Jeremy Vuolo

CAMPUS PASTOR, DEAN OF ATHLE TICS

The Master’s University Magazine

TMU Chapel, Oct. 13, 2025

God is sovereign. He’s on the throne. And that’s part of what you learn at TMU. Any issue I have, any problem case, any bad opposing counsel, I know from that strong theological base I have that God’s still sovereign.”

Tim Danninger (’00) Article, “TMU Alumni Representing Christ in the Legal Profession”

If the previous generation was one of startup and sacrifice — and that’s really what they did for us — our purpose is to not only be a generation that’s faithful, but to set up every generation to be faithful until our Lord returns.”

Dr. Abner Chou TMU PRESIDENT

Article, “Dr. Chou’s Message to TMU Faculty and Staff”

God puts everything into position and controls everything. Nothing that happens surprises, shocks, or stuns God. He is always expecting everything. He has everything in place to result in all of creation praising the glory of His grace.”

Dr. Grant Horner PROFESSOR, ENGLISH

Think Biblically Conference 2025

ACADEMICS

TMU Adding New Financial Planning Program The new minor will prepare students for a future in financial advising. BY KAELYN PEAY

The Master’s University is adding a new minor in financial planning, designed to equip students of any major with the preparation necessary to pursue a career as a financial advisor. The program is scheduled for a fall 2026 launch. According to Dr. John Beck, dean of TMU’s School of Business and Communication, one motive for starting this program is the unique economic situation today’s generation finds itself in. There is “an unprecedented transfer of generational wealth” currently happening in the United States, Beck said, as baby boomers pass their wealth to their children and grandchildren. In light of this, Beck believes the need to equip believers to excel as financial advisors for the glory of Christ “has never been greater.” He says, “The profession is an onramp to marketplace ministry for our graduates because it opens a door to give counsel to people in one of

the most important areas of their lives.” TMU’s newest minor is composed of 18 units that offer foundational preparation for a future in financial planning. In addition to courses like Investment Planning and Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance, students will also participate in a professional internship, giving them hands-on experience in the industry. “We see this as an interesting direction for Bible majors who may desire bi-vocational engagement to support their ministries in the local church while also gaining valuable avenues for outreach,” Beck says. But more broadly, Beck says preparing students for a career in financial advising “is strategic and mission aligned, because it will provide our graduates with opportunities for gospel conversations and disciple making.”

TMU Today

ON CAMPUS

TMU Receives High Rankings from the Wall Street Journal The University was in the top 5 nationally for community and student satisfaction.

alumni — we're here for you. utilize our cover letter and resume guides and scan an exclusive job board, with listings like these:

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Registered Client Service Associate Established Wealth Management Newport Beach, CA

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get started at alumni.masters.edu/jobs

22 or alumni.masters.edu/resources. The Master’s University Magazine

BY KAELYN PEAY AND M ASON NESBIT T

The Wall Street Journal has released its annual college rankings for 2026, and The Master’s University was once again rated among the top schools nationwide. TMU was No. 2 in the U.S. in the most-likely-to-recommend category, No. 4 for community and social life, and No. 11 for career preparation. The rankings included nearly 600 public and private schools across the country and were based on the surveys of roughly 120,000 college students and recent graduates. Stanford University was ranked as the top school overall. This comes one year after TMU was ranked No. 1 nationally for “Character Development,” a category not surveyed this year. TMU has been in the top five for the “Recommendation” category each of the past three years. This

ranking measures how likely a school’s students and recent alums are to recommend their institution and whether they’d enroll there again if they could make the decision over. TMU graduate Josephine Lee (’24) highlighted spiritual growth at TMU as a key reason for this high ranking. “I think TMU has been the greatest factor God has used to grow me as a young adult,” she said. “When I first came I was really spiritually confused. But my professors, coworkers, peers, just poured into me. They kept me accountable and pushed me forward. Now I’m amazed at just how much God has convicted and strengthened me. So if you’re not afraid to grow in a serious way, this is the place.” This is also the third straight year TMU was among the top

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15 schools nationwide for career preparation.

according to TMU senior Andrew Truong.

Nate Dougherty, who leads TMU’s Office of Career Services, explains how the University approaches career prep: “We want to serve our students well by providing career advising, professional experiences, and career opportunities so that they receive a return on their investment in a degree from TMU.

“The TMU community is just so uplifting and encouraging,” he said, “because everyone believes the same thing, and they all want to behave and speak in a way that honors Christ. That’s something that definitely unifies us and makes it such a tight community, because everywhere you go, whoever you talk to, you know that you can have a godly conversation.”

“But more importantly, we want to help our students understand that their calling as Christians shapes and informs their calling as professionals.” The high ranking in “Community and Social Life” speaks to the unity of biblical convictions on campus,

The Wall Street Journal has given similarly complimentary rankings to TMU in the past, ranking the University as the No. 1 “right choice” university in 2017 and 2018, as well as in the top two “most inspirational schools” in 2017.

COMMUNICATE WITH CLARITY:

Be concise. Eliminate jargon. Work hard to achieve simplicity. In business, clarity wins over word count, and plain text wins over complicated. Speak and write at a 6thgrade level, and you will be amazed at how effectively you convey your message. WINTER 2025–26 23

TMU Today

Q+A AT H L E T I C S

with Monte Brooks TMU’s legendary baseball coach is in classic form ahead of his 30th season.

BY M ASON NESBIT T

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen Monte Brooks, you’ll be glad to know the legendary TMU baseball coach has maintained his love for Christ, his passion for seeing his players realize their full potential, and his keen sense of humor. This season will be Brooks’ 30th as manager of the Mustangs, and as you’ll see in our brief Q&A, very little about him has changed over the decades — in the very best way possible.

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Q: What comes to mind when you hear this will be your 30th year?

Gratitude. Absolute gratitude. The opportunity to be at a school that bears our Lord’s name and to be associated with young men and their growth in Christ and development as players is an unbelievable blessing.

Q: What do you enjoy most about coaching at TMU?

The relationships with the players and coaches. The fellowship and opportunity to share Scripture with them is such a privilege. It’s iron sharpening iron. And it’s been such a joy to see players get baptized and become members at their churches. I also have to mention our trips to the World Series — those are trophies of grace to our players from the Lord.

Q: What excites you most about the 2026 team? We’re balanced. These guys are skilled, and there’s maturity, experience, and teachability. Our incoming class of players has the opportunity to sit under some really mature, faithful, godly examples who are also talented athletically. It’s a great mix.

Q: What’s something you’ve learned in three decades as head coach?

You have to keep learning. The game has transitioned quite a bit. It’s a different landscape. So with technology and things like that, you have to keep up. It’s helped that the Lord has provided me with a long list of great mentors whose guidance I’ve been able to sit under as I develop my own methodology.

Q: What role has your wife played in your career?

I would not have been able to do it without Carole Anne. She’s a God-fearing woman who loves me, but loves Christ more. She’s obviously sacrificed a lot of time because of the nature of the sport. But her love for the Lord and constant reinforcement and encouragement of going to the Scripture and challenging me has been invaluable.

Q: What do you hope is true of the players who come out of your program?

I want them to be Christ-like and pursue membership in their church. They’re the next generation of the church. I want them to be godly men who are going to be steadfast, faithful, bold, and champions of Christ. I want this place to be a great experience for them — a place where they improve as players and grow in their faith in Christ.

Q: Do you have another 30 years of coaching left in you? Lord willing!

MONTE BROOKS

By the Numbers

4 19

Appearances at the NAIA World Series

2000, 2013 2016, 2017

Mustangs selected in the MLB Draft during Brooks’ tenure

875

Number of wins by TMU with Brooks as head coach

For the latest news on all of TMU’s 18 athletic teams, visit gomustangs.com. WINTER 2025–26

TMU Today

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Snapshots of the Semester

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Fall Theatre Arts TMU Theatre Arts sold out every showing of “The Secret of Chimneys” this fall! Our students — including juniors Aaron Whitney, left, and Amy Johnson — did an amazing job onstage and behind the scenes during the production of this cozy Agatha Christie classic.

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TMU Today

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Think Biblically Conference TMU’s second annual Think Biblically Conference took place in October and featured sessions with faculty representing a wide span of disciplines. Dr. Tai-Danae Bradley, visiting research professor of mathematics and computer science, was one such speaker.

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The Master Interview This fall, TMU hosted its fourth annual The Master Interview, a mock interview competition. The finalists answered questions before a panel of judges and a live audience of peers for a $5,000 scholarship prize. This year’s winner was senior Peyton Gorans, center.

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TMU Today

Fall Career Fair TMU’s Office of Career Services hosted its annual Fall Career Fair on campus in November. This event invites students to connect with nearly 100 different employers, exploring career options and building their professional networks.

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An Education Over Coffee

The Power of Story

Complementing the Classroom WINTER 2025–26

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an EDUCATION over COFFEE

by KAELYN PEAY

Features

NEARLY 50 YEARS OF FACULTY COFFEE MEETINGS HAVE BUILT DEEP RELATIONSHIPS AND A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE FAITHFULNESS.

If you ask Dr. Abner Chou what prepared him to serve as president of The Master’s University, sooner or later he’ll mention, “The March.” “I think The March was better than any training manual could have been,” he says. But The March isn’t a class or a global conference. It’s deceptively humble, and it can be found happening right on the sidewalk on campus most Friday mornings. The March — one of TMU’s longest-standing traditions — brings professors together from across campus for coffee and wide-ranging conversation. Over the last 50 years it has grown not just into a context for friendships to form, but a venue where the history and heart of the University are passed down from one generation to the next. Says Chou, “I think The March symbolizes the convictions, the camaraderie, and the commitment of the faculty to the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s also where those convictions are formed and preserved

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— and, hopefully, where they’re propelled into the future.” *** When Prof. Russell Barney arrived at Los Angeles Baptist College in the mid-70s, he carried with him an impressive force of personality. He’d flown combat missions in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and he brought a straight-laced military ethic to his work establishing LABC’s business program. “All of his students had to wear ties,” says Dr. John Stead, TMU’s executive vice president, who was a young history professor at the time. “Barney was a classic military guy, and he was really tough in the classroom.” But Barney also had a great sense of humor and — perhaps most pivotally for LABC — a vision to start something called “The Chowder and Marching Society” (named after an inviteonly club for House Republicans). “This Society claims to make a significant contribution toward the overall effectiveness of the College,” Barney

wrote in a tongue-in-cheek 1977 advertisement for the group. “Discussions about what ought to be done are endless (however, consensus is seldom achieved); advice is freely given at any time, on any subject.” In other words, his mission was to encourage professors to get together and chat — specifically, over coffee. “A lot of the faculty had their offices in Vider back then,” Stead says. “So what Barney would do is walk out around 9 a.m. and blow this monstrous horn up and down the hall to call a march.” At first, the destination was almost always The Way Station, a still-operational breakfast diner five minutes from campus. Stead remembers that the waitresses got to know the crew well and would joke around with them or join discussions. And true to Barney’s vision, the conversations were eclectic. “Nothing was off the table,” Stead says. “It didn’t matter what you wanted to talk about — politics, athletics, theology, relationships, what you read in the paper that morning. We could get into some pretty good debates, and if you were looking at it from the outside, you’d think we were all crazy. But the main thing was always the fellowship, and we grew to really like and respect each other very highly.” In those early days, Stead and

business professor Dr. R.W. Mackey were among the regulars who took Barney up on his invitations. When Barney left LABC in the 1980s, Stead took over as de facto leader of the group — and when Dr. Gregg Frazer (now dean of the John P. Stead School of Humanities) came on faculty in 1988, he became a faithful participant. By then, the meetings had moved to a nearby coffee shop called Mitch’s Java ’n Jazz. Though a number of professors joined in at some point, for many years The March centered around a handful of regulars who enjoyed debating a wide range of issues.

PROF. RUSSELL BARNEY FOUNDED “THE CHOWDER AND MARCHING SOCIETY” AT LABC IN THE 70S. WINTER 2025–26

Features

WHEN PROF. RUSSELL BARNEY (RIGHT) MOVED ON

FROM LABC, DR. JOHN STEAD (LEFT) BECAME THE

DE FACTO LEADER OF THE MARCH. momentum, The March was also primed to exert a very different kind of influence at the school — by shaping a young Dr. Abner Chou during his early days as a professor.

“There was a lot of humor and debating, but it really deepened our relationships,” Stead says. “Academic life tends to be very siloed. But here, we really do share the mission of the institution. In all of our discussion, that’s never debated. We’re all heavily involved in making sure that the mission comes first.” Frazer agrees, saying that in his interactions with colleagues from other institutions, he has concluded the faculty culture at TMU is truly one of a kind. “The primary reason, in my opinion, is because of our theological unity,” he says. “We don’t play games with that. We have real believers who are in tune with one another spiritually, and so that prevents a lot of the backbiting and squabbling that exists elsewhere.” *** In the midst of its friendship-building

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In the 2000s, TMU hired several new faculty, some of whom attended The March on occasion. But none were more faithful than Chou. “Dr. Stead and Dr. Frazer really went out of their way to bring me to The March,” Chou says. “And from that point forward, I was pretty much hooked.” The March was now meeting at various Starbucks locations, and Chou sat and listened as Stead, Frazer, Dr. Thomas Halstead, and other long-time faculty members discussed theology and issues relating to the school — questions about direction, budget, administration, pedagogy, and everything else involved with running a college. He listened to them tell stories from prior eras of the school’s history, examples of challenges and examples of faithfulness. In essence, he absorbed the best that The March could offer about where the school had been, what was going well and what the obstacles were, and what it could look like in the future.

“It opened my eyes to how to think through these issues,” Chou says. “It helped me understand where people were coming from, as well as learn from the mistakes of the past.” And on top of all that, The March served as a living example of the camaraderie and conviction that had sustained the institution through its past hardships. Chou remembers one Starbucks meeting during a particularly difficult season for the University. Outside it was pouring rain, and inside the mood was dour.

“WE WANT THIS PLACE TO CONTINUE TO BE WHAT THE LORD HAS ALWAYS WANTED IT TO BE. HIS TRUTH HAS NEVER CHANGED. IT IS REVEALED IN THE INERRANT, INSPIRED, AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD.” DR. ABNER CHOU

“The faculty were expressing concerns and commiserating,” Chou says, “but at the end we said, ‘Well, now we need to get back and press forward. No one’s giving up.’” That shared moment over coffee helped them persevere. And Chou considers that story symbolic of a deeply rooted reality at TMU. “It showed that we do stand for the truth, and that truth causes us to love each other deeply, and it causes us to love the cause of Christ,” Chou says. “That rare, exceptional camaraderie of The March — that resilience of unity — drives the entire institution forward.” This camaraderie was perhaps never so clearly seen as in the early 2000s, when the group temporarily shifted to meeting at the home of Dr. C.W. Smith, a beloved Bible professor at TMU. Smith was then dying of cancer, and when he was no longer strong enough to go out to The March, The March came to him.

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“It was a special time,” Frazer recalls. “We were able to enjoy those latter pieces of wisdom and fellowship from him. That time was an affirmation of the truths we already knew, from someone much closer to the reality of entering glory than we were at the time.” In hindsight, Chou says that his time with The March proved to be “an immense training ground” for his responsibilities now as TMU’s president. This is because his goal as president isn’t to break from the past, but to build on TMU’s faithful legacy, which Dr. John MacArthur championed and defended during 40 years of leadership. Chou’s vision is to cultivate “more of the same, but even deeper and stronger and more thoughtful and more convictional.”

“I want to leverage every operation of the institution to accomplish that goal,” Chou says. “And The March gave me the information I need to do that.” When professors started grabbing breakfast together back in the 70s, they likely never guessed how important their fledgling tradition would become. “I’m so thankful for The March,” Chou says. “It seemed like something so small in the beginning, but now it’s turned into something that’s crucial to our institution’s fidelity.” ***

Nowadays, The March can be found congregating on campus, meeting outside Trophy Coffee on most Friday mornings during chapel. As students worship just feet away inside The MacArthur Center, The March continues to do what it has always done: discuss anything and everything under the sun. But now, its role in conveying institutional history is a deliberate feature rather than a happy side effect. “The leadership wants to pass along the history of the school to newer faculty who don’t necessarily know where we’ve been and what we’ve gone through,” Frazer says, “how and why we have held firm down through the years, when almost everybody else has gone down.”

A MEETING OF THE MARCH AT THE HOME OF DR. C.W. SMITH. CLOCKWISE, STARTING IN THE TOP LEFT: DR. JOHN STEAD, BILL OATES, DR. GREG BEHLE, DR. GRANT HORNER, RANDY CLARK, DR. R.W. MACKEY, DR. SABURO MATSUMOTO, DR. C.W. SMITH, AND DR. WILL VARNER.

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The groups are often bigger now, and a lot of the faces around the circle are faculty who have been at TMU less than five years. More than ever, The March has become a key place where new faculty internalize the mission and history of the school. “That’s what it was for me when I was new,” Chou says, “and that’s what it needs to continue to be.” At the same time, The March also remains one of the best places on campus to think through complicated questions and discover real answers. Says Chou, “Stead used to say at The March, ‘We’re solving all the world’s problems.’ And he was tonguein-cheek about it, but The March really did provide a lot of solutions. You had a lot of people gifted by the Lord who were bringing what the Lord had taught them, providentially, to bear on very tricky problems. And the fruit of it is what we’re seeing now.” That fruit, fundamentally, is this: That from Chou’s role as president down to the newest faculty hire, everyone at TMU is laboring to honor Christ through serving the students faithfully, as all previous generations of TMU have longed and labored to do. “We want this place to continue to be what the Lord has always wanted it to be,” Chou says. “His truth has never changed. It is revealed in the inerrant, inspired, authoritative Word of God. And we just want, in the end, that when we say, ‘This is The Master’s University and Seminary,’ that people would say, ‘Yes — it really is.”

Dr. Milton Fish UNSUNG HERO OF L ABTS

In 1947, Dr. Milton Fish was serving as head of the Greek and Bible department of the National Bible Institute in New York City when he heard that Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary was in serious trouble. The school was experiencing a crisis of leadership, and unless someone stepped up, it was doomed to close. So, together with his wife and the Hotchkiss Family, Fish moved his life to Los Angeles to help keep the vision of LABTS alive — moving at his own expense and with no promise of salary from the school. He became dean of the seminary, and because LABTS had no president at the time, Fish effectively served as acting president, continuing in that capacity until Dr. Carl Sweazy assumed the presidency in 1955. In his booklet on the first 50 years of the school’s history, Sweazy wrote, “I have felt that in reference to Paul’s ‘Honor to whom honor is due’ (Romans 13:7), we have never done justice in bestowing proper honor on Dr. Fish. His was a poured-out life of spiritual endeavor for Christ in behalf of the school.”

e w o P e Th y r o t f� S Q&A Dr. Shelbi Cullen with

Kaelyn Peay and Claire Burke

R U T H A N D B O A Z BY G U S TAV E D O R E, 1 8 8 0

What can we learn from narratives about faithful women in Scripture? Dr. Shelbi Cullen explains.

different time and their cultural context is different than mine, we still all have difficult circumstances outside of us that we’re dealing with: family dynamics, relationship dynamics, and all manner of difficult things. And we can learn how to respond in a way that glorifies God; that’s what these women have taught me. God is using these passages in our life to transform us from the inside out. So it’s much more than just a story.

HOW DOES IT HELP TO SEE BIBLICAL

COMMANDS AND PRINCIPLES PL AYED OUT IN THE CONTEXT OF A NARRATIVE?

Sometimes, the most powerful way to inspire someone to change is by telling them a story. This is the underlying idea behind Dr. Shelbi Cullen’s new book, “Steadfast in Every Season: Seeing God’s Faithfulness in the Lives of Women of the Bible.” Cullen serves as an assistant professor of biblical counseling and women’s ministries at The Master’s University. Inspired by the call to faithful endurance in Hebrews 12, her book discusses the stories of faithful women in Scripture and draws out timeless applications. We recently talked with Cullen about some of those applications and about her heart for strengthening women’s ministries through sound biblical teaching.

EXPL AIN A LITTLE ABOUT WHY THE

NARRATIVES OF WOMEN IN SCRIPTURE ARE HELPFUL TODAY.

All Scripture is profitable, so we know that these stories are there to correct, teach, and train us in righteousness. God put them there — they’re inspired texts. Even though these women lived in a

You get to see a real person in a real time reacting to their circumstances. I chose to write about women who responded in a way I would want to respond if I were in that same situation. Take Ruth, for example: She was dragged away from her life context, having to move to a foreign land. A lot of people go through things like that. So the story helps us see, “Wow, my situation is not unique. There are other people who have gone through something similar, and look at how she’s responding.”

WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE FOR

A BIBLICAL COUNSELOR TO USE ONE OF THESE STORIES IN A COUNSELING SITUATION?

One of the stories I’ve used most in counseling is the one of Martha and Mary. I think, primarily, Martha represents those of us who are very focused and task-oriented. She loves the Lord, but here we have a narrative where there’s a dinner going on and she’s losing it. I think all of us can relate to that. This would be the woman who’s anxious because things aren't working out her way.

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“My push is to show that the Word of God is sufficient for all things. God gives us His Word for life and godliness, and even in narrative form, He has something there to teach us and correct us.” Then you’ve got Mary, who’s in that same circumstance with the same cultural expectations, but she’s choosing to sit at Jesus’s feet. What’s so beautiful about that is she’s actually taking on the role of a disciple. Luke’s trying to emphasize what a disciple of Christ looks like. That’s what I try to encourage people with in counseling. We’re not saying that service is bad; obviously, serving somebody is a wonderful goal. But the attitude behind it is important. We ask, “How did you go from servant-hearted to anxious, from godly care to ungodly care?” So I guide people through that. I let them read the text, and we talk through it, and we discuss how it applies to their specific situation. I know that God’s going to use His Word to draw people out — I don’t have to force it. If they’re really believers, the Holy Spirit will use the Word to convict their heart. 44

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WHIC H BIBLICAL

C HARACTER IMPACTED YOU THE MOST DURING THIS

IN YOUR OWN SPHERE OF

APPROAC H SCRIPTURE THAT

INFLUENCE?

YOU’RE TRYING TO MODEL?

I think the biggest weakness is biblical literacy. My push is to show that the Word of God is sufficient for all things. God gives us His Word for life and godliness, and even in narrative form, He has something there to teach us and correct us. But you’ve got to approach it carefully and thoughtfully. You’ve got to know the Word before you minister the Word to a broader audience.

At TMU, we are committed to a literal, grammatical, historical hermeneutic. I want people to read the text, make observations, and study the context. I want them to be so familiar with the narrative that they can see the whole sweep of it, and I want their applications of a text to be well-grounded on sound observation and interpretation.

PROJECT?

Mary Magdalene. I realized as I was studying her life that she's not often taught biblically. People often say she’s a prostitute, but I wasn’t seeing any of that in the text. All I see is a woman who is completely overwhelmed as an unbeliever with seven demons — an intense situation. I see Jesus loving her by releasing her from that. I see a woman who was saved and regenerated, and all of her fruit is amazing. She is following Jesus with other women, helping Him out of her means, and faithful to follow Him to the cross. She’s obviously a transformed person, and so she encouraged my socks off.

WHERE DO YOU THINK

SOME WEAKNESSES ARE IN WOMEN’S MINISTRY TODAY, AND HOW ARE YOU TRYING TO CORRECT THOSE

You know, I have two stickers on my iPad that my students see every time I teach. One says, “Biblical Sufficientist,” and the other says, “Go read your Bible, girl.” I want my students to see that every time. I think, in the church, we’ve lost the conviction that God’s Word is sufficient. A lot of women’s ministries have a tendency to focus on events rather than Scripture and theology. So when I teach Foundations of Women’s Ministry, I am talking about practical things, like how to lead a small group. But I’m also asking them things like, “Whose church is this, anyway?” This is Christ’s church, and I’m helping them develop a biblical framework for what they’re doing.

WHAT ARE SOME

PRINCIPLES OF HOW TO

When I’m counseling people, that’s really what I’m modeling. When I give them homework, I want them to begin to interpret Scripture that way. I want them to move through observation and interpretation into application, and I want them to resolve to walk faithfully in light of that study. So when I write, I’m naturally writing like that, because I know the importance of getting the full picture and being faithful to the Word of God. That’s my top concern.

CULLEN’S BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT 316PUBLISHING.COM.

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COMPLEMENTING THE

CLASSROOM I N T E R N S H I P S O F F E R T M U S T U D E N T S I N VA LUA B L E O P P O R T U N I T I E S TO DEVELOP ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE AND KIC KS TART THEIR C AREERS.

Josephine Lee

uliette Hirsch (’25) arrives at work 10 minutes before her shift starts.

“What would you like me to work on today?” she asks. Like many students from The Master’s University in the summer months, Hirsch is ready to take initiative during her internship. This isn’t just any company, though. It’s the summer after her senior year, and Hirsch is working at the White House. ***

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Every year, young men and women enter TMU with various ambitions and visions of their future. While they are here, those goals are tested and refined so that in just a few years, those students can step back out — ready to serve Christ faithfully in their field. An important part of this preparation takes place beyond the classroom, in practical internships on and off campus. TMU’s professional network helps students secure relevant roles that will support their classroom learning and prepare them for careers after graduation. Students often credit TMU’s

classroom education for building the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in real-world tasks. Andrew Crabtree, a senior studying biology and engineering, is one example. This summer, he interned with Valar Atomics, a nuclear energy startup developing small nuclear reactors. Crabtree operated a test reactor, designed peripheral systems, and sourced parts. If that sounds pretty serious for a college internship, Crabtree thought so too. But, he says the foundation he received at TMU as a double-major in two intense programs prepared him to succeed in the role.

COURTESY PHOTO

JULIETTE HIRSC H (’25), RIGHT, POSES WITH FELLOW INTERNS O N T H E S O U T H L AW N O U T S I D E T H E W H I T E H O U S E .

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PHOTO BY KAYLANI SETO

ANDREW CRABTREE,

opportunity to explore their career interests over the summer.

A SENIOR S TUDYING

Hannah Ulibarri, for instance, is a senior mechanical engineering and computer science major — on top of being a star athlete on the women’s golf team. When she entered TMU, she already knew what kind of work experience she wanted.

BIOLOGY AND ENGINEERING, INTERNED L A S T S U M M E R AT VA L A R ATOMICS, A NUCLEAR E N E R GY C O M PA N Y.

“I’ve been wanting to do golf club engineering since I was in high school,” she says. “I love golf, and I love problemsolving.” JULIETTE HIRSCH (’25), RIGHT, AND A FELLOW INTERN INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE.

COURTESY PHOTO

PHOTO BY KAYLANI SETO

SENIOR HANNAH ULIBARRI P U T H E R PA S S I O N S F O R GOLF AND ENGINEERING TO WORK L AST SUMMER AS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER F O R C A L L AWAY G O L F.

“My engineering classes here at TMU are really rigorous and thorough,” Crabtree says. “They require a lot of homework. I would be given multiple tasks a week, and I had to figure out how to complete them. That sometimes meant 20 to 40 hours of work over the course of a couple weeks.” The University’s network helped Crabtree to get his foot in the door. When he met Valar Atomics at TMU’s Career Fair, the start-up had already worked with several students and was ready to hire more.

In the summer, Ulibarri put her passions to work as a research and development engineer at her favorite golf company, Callaway Golf in Carlsbad, California. The job requirements? Golf IQ and an engineering background — both of which Ulibarri already had in spades (or clubs). At Callaway Golf, Ulibarri didn’t just code analysis programs to assess club performance. She tested them on-site to refine these programs, meshing performance and data. She even designed a few clubs herself. Ulibarri says her time at TMU — particularly in classes that incorporated 3D design software — gave her the hard skills the job demanded. “The coding language program that I used over the summer, Dr. (Joey) Kim specifically wanted us to learn it as engineers,” she says. “I ended up using that program probably eighty percent of the time. So, Dr. Kim gave me the exact tool that I needed.” The experience also served as a confirmation of the career path Ulibarri hopes to follow. “I came into the internship thinking I would like it,” she says, “and I left knowing this is exactly what I want to do.” It’s not uncommon for internships to turn into long-term job opportunities for TMU students. This was the case for Juliette Hirsch, a teacher education student.

“The engineering program and network at TMU are really strong,” Crabtree says. “And it’s especially advantageous because of the size of the program — you aren’t lost among a thousand other engineering undergraduates.”

Last summer, Hirsch applied for an internship at the White House. When accepted, she was selected for the Office of Speechwriting, where she researched statistics and stories for presidential speeches.

Crabtree isn't the only TMU student who had the

“I think a lot of my teacher education classes really helped

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me for this internship, because almost all of them were focused on research and writing,” says Hirsch. “And that is the main focus of my internship and job.” Hirsch didn’t let being in a fast-paced environment distract her from one thing: working really hard. Her good reputation came into play as the internship drew to a close. When a position opened in her office, Hirsch was offered full-time employment. She now works at the White House as the director of research in the Office of Speechwriting.

Mankind W H AT W E B E L I E V E A B O U T

An Excerpt from TMU’s Doctrinal Statement TMU’s doctrinal statement is affirmed in writing by every faculty member, coach, administrator, board member, and staff member. It is also affirmed by every student in the admissions process. Our mission, our philosophy of education, our philosophy of spiritual development, and all our activities are uncompromisingly rooted in the doctrinal statement.

When asked about her experience, Hirsch says, “I’m so grateful for TMU, because I think it really grounded me in my faith. “Being around believers who are super solid helped me develop a view of work that’s really stewardship — how I’m not working to please other people, but to please the Lord,” Hirsch says. “And it really grounds me in how to view my coworkers, how to serve them best, and how to spread the gospel.” Whether they’re serving the government or taking on projects at a start-up, TMU wants its students to have every preparation necessary to work heartily unto the Lord. That goal goes beyond tests and essays – it’s about turning principles of faith into practices of biblical wisdom and integrity. “Survey after survey continues to affirm that employers value soft skills at least as much as technical ability,” says Dr. Mitch Hopewell, TMU’s provost. “At TMU, our faculty desire not only excellence in academics, but Christlikeness and character in addition to capability. Internships provide an arena for students to practice godly character while working diligently as unto the Lord.” Hannah Norman and Claire Burke contributed reporting to this story.

We teach that man was directly and immediately created by God (Genesis 2:7) in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26–28; 5:1; James 3:9), free of sin (Genesis 1:31) and endowed with a rational nature, intelligence, volition, and moral responsibility to God (Genesis 2:15–25). We teach that mankind was created by God as either male or female, distinct sexes that are biologically defined and divinely imparted to each individual at conception (Genesis 1:27; 2:5–23; Job 3:3; Psalm 139:13–14; 1 Corinthians 11:3–15). Attempting to confuse the two sexes is an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10). We teach that God’s intention in the creation of man was that man should glorify God, enjoy God’s fellowship, live his life according to the will of God, and by this accomplish God’s purpose for man in the world (Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11).

will and Word of God, man lost his innocence, incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death, became subject to the wrath of God, and became inherently corrupt and utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God apart from divine grace. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Man’s salvation is thereby wholly of God’s grace through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:16–17; 3:1–19; John 3:36; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 2:13–14; 1 John 1:8). We teach that because all men were in Adam—united with him as the representative of humanity—the guilt of sin was imputed and a corrupt nature was transmitted to all men of all ages, Jesus Christ being the only exception (Romans 5:12, 18–19; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21). All men are thus sinners by nature, by choice, and by divine declaration (Psalm 14:1–3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:9–18, 23; 5:10–12).

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Thinking Biblically with Dr. John MacArthur

Class Notes

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T H E PA R A D O X O F R E A L H A P P I N E S S

As we look to the Sermon on the Mount to learn about the sort of happiness Jesus offers us, we find a deeply paradoxical picture. Jesus says that happy people are those who are poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry, thirsty, merciful, pure, peacemaking, and persecuted. To most people, this seems absolutely absurd. It is as if Jesus crept into the large display window of life and changed all the price tags. It’s all backward. What does He mean by saying that happiness comes out of being poor and sad? In contrast, the world says, “Happy are the rich. Happy are the noble. Happy are the famous. Happy are the popular.” Jesus’s message doesn’t fit this picture. It devastates the worldly attitudes of firstcentury Jewish hearers and 21st-century Western hearers. Jesus comes into the world to announce

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that the tree of happiness doesn’t grow in the cursed earth, where so many people seek it. Think about Solomon, who had everything the world thinks can make us happy: fame, riches, wisdom, and family. He should have been an infinitely happy man, but all he had to say about his life was, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” True happiness is spiritual in nature. It belongs in essence to the nature of God and is only enjoyed by those who share His nature. The focus of the Sermon on the Mount is on what a man is and not what a man does or what a man has or what a man achieves. People wanted to hear about what a man can have and what he can become and what he can possess, and Jesus only wanted to talk about what man is. So the position of the blessed is the most exalted position in which you share

the very nature of God and participate in His blessedness, but it is absolutely antithetical to anything in this world. Absolutely nothing in this world fits into that category. What God is saying in this marvelous sermon is this: You will never find real happiness in the ways of the world, in what they possess, or in their philosophy. Never. Blessedness isn’t in the cursed earth; it’s on another level. And the Beatitudes are going to take you to that level. They’re going to counter everything you hear from the silver-tongued salesman. They’re going to counter everything you see on the billboards, everything you read in the magazines. They’re going to give you an entirely different standard of life, totally opposite to what the world tells you. Are you ready?

This post is based on a sermon by Dr. MacArthur.

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The Master’s in Ministry Highlighting Alumni Serving the Lord in Vocational Ministry.

Jonathan and Sharon both moved to California in 1997, Jonathan starting at TMS and Sharon at TMC. Sharon was taught under Dr. Mays, Dr. Bookman, Dr. C.W. Smith, and Dr. Varner. They also both had the chance to spend a semester in Israel with IBEX in spring 2001. Jonathan finished his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from TMS, and he received his Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary just before they

moved to Russia. They served in Russia from 2008 to 2014 and then in the Czech Republic from 2016 to 2022. Jonathan is now a pastor at Geneva Bible Church in Switzerland. He recently published, “The Trial of the 16th Century: Calvin & Servetus” (Christian Focus, 2021) and teaches with The Master's Academy International in Europe. They are both certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, where Jonathan is also a fellow.

Please pray for Geneva Bible Church, their new church plant. It is a growing church, and they have many opportunities to use biblical counseling. Pray for the pastors (John Glass, Frank Tetreault, and Jonathan) and for the Moorheads’ five children. Nahum is an electrician in Alabama. Isaac, Jesse, and Jonas all attend TMU, and Miriam lives at home but desires to attend TMU this year.

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TMU Alumni Embrace People-Focused Approach at JRW Investments and ExchangeRight Real Estate BY JOSEPHINE LEE

Building a company that puts people — not profits — first takes more than a catchy slogan.

It’s truly a company that’s seeking to provide what our clients are looking for to meet their financial needs.”

At JRW Investments and ExchangeRight, they’ve gone to great lengths to create a culture that doesn’t just pay lip service to an idea, but truly strives to prioritize clients and employees in every interaction. This approach to real estate investment has been the fruit of purposeful leadership from a team of Christian partners that includes CEO and managing partner Joshua Ungerecht (’05).

JRW specializes in and has helped its clients steward more than $2 billion of capital into 1031 exchange investments — a strategic tool that allows investors to defer taxes on properties through reinvestment, reducing the burdens of active management and potentially leading to greater returns.

“Their goal and their outlook are very unique,” said Diego Tejada (’19), who previously served as a lease associate. “The sole purpose of the company is not to set out to make as much as possible.

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ExchangeRight Real Estate, for its part, currently stewards over $6.8 billion in real estate assets (diversified across over 1,400 properties and 48 states) on behalf of more than 7,500 investors and their advisors across the country.

Senior asset manager Joshua Delo (’18) said, “The majority of JRW’s clients and ExchangeRight’s investors are retirees, elderly folks who need to preserve their nest egg that they’ve worked their whole lives for. And they also need stable, reliable income.” In these situations, companies sometimes take advantage of clients with risky or weak offerings. But JRW has built its reputation on protecting investors, employing rigorous due diligence and underwriting processes to analyze potential investments and provide tailored recommendations. And ExchangeRight is currently the only sponsor in its industry with 100% of its offerings meeting or exceeding projections since inception.

“A lot of companies will just sell a product to sell the product,” Delo said. “If one of our products is not good for an investor — it’s not the highest and best use for what they need at their stage of life — then we’ll absolutely tell them, ‘Hey, you should go a different route, because we’re not the best fit.’” This earnest approach to business is driven by three simple, biblically based principles. “Our passion is to empower people to be secure, free, and generous,” Delo said. “That includes investors, advisors, employees, et cetera, and that is lived out in everything that we do. Christians are called to be generous and to serve others well, both with their time and resources. And the core biblical values

by which we operate reflect that commitment and have allowed us to achieve that passion to date.” The companies don’t just preach generosity and service; they model them, too. Since their inception, JRW and ExchangeRight have donated over $76 million to organizations like Children’s Hunger Fund, International Justice Mission, and Zoe International,

and they regularly provide volunteering opportunities for employees. In recent years, about a dozen TMU alumni have joined JRW’s and ExchangeRight’s teams. Not only has this helped cultivate a vibrant sense of camaraderie, but it has further reinforced the companies’ distinctiveness as organizations built on genuine love for people, as they bring on people who share that same passion.

“The way they treat their employees,” Tejada said, “you could just tell it’s different. This is a company that wants you to thrive. They want you to enjoy the work you do.” Delo, who has worked at JRW and then ExchangeRight since graduating from TMU, emphasized their authenticity.

wall somewhere, and that is maybe talked about once a year. But I can genuinely say that our passion statement and company culture are lived out every day, with all of the people who work here — and investors feel that as well.” YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT JRW INVESTMENTS AT JRW.COM AND EXCHANGERIGHT REAL ESTATE AT EXCHANGERIGHT.COM.

“Many companies have a company culture that’s on the

master’s march match Benefiting Our Beloved Faculty D O U B L E Y O U R I M PA C T

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As we seek to honor the Lord through an education that equips students for a lifetime of service to Christ, it is vital to support and strengthen our University’s faculty. Your generosity during Master’s March Match not only blesses the University by helping us retain our beloved faculty, but also enables us to recruit and hire new, mission-fit faculty as TMU advances and adds academic programs.

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After going together to IBEX during fall 2018 as an engaged couple,

Jesse (’19) and Rachel (Bray) (’20) Nuñez were married that December in San Diego, where they grew up. After graduating, they moved back to San Diego to work in youth ministry at El Camino Grace Church. They

welcomed their twin daughters, Eloise and Margaret, in 2021. In 2024, Jesse started working at Jamul Community Church as their youth pastor. Jesse has loved being there, helping serve students and families. Rachel and the girls have begun home-schooling with their wonderful Classical Conversations church community. Their days are busy learning Bible verses, playing outside, and doing arts and crafts.

They love spending time together as a family by going to Coronado Beach or driving to the local mountain town of Julian for apple pie and fun. They frequently get to visit TMU to see Jesse’s family and Rachel’s youngest brother, who just started there. They are thankful for their time at TMU and for the knowledge they gained from the IBEX program.

Luke Abendroth (’18) worked in Los Angeles

for a few years before moving to San Diego in 2021. Shortly after, Luke met his wife, Hannah. She is beautiful, godly, and a better surfer than he is! Luke and Hannah were married in July of 2023 and they welcomed their son, Eleazar Knox Luke Abendroth, in July of 2024. They are looking forward to the birth of their second child in April of 2026. Luke is currently working as an outside sales representative at Mainline

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Sales and is serving as a pastor at Redemption Church North County in Carlsbad, California. It is a joy to serve alongside two other graduates from TMU and to have an unusual amount of other graduates in their church family. He is so thankful for his experience at TMU and for the convictions that the school instilled in him — especially the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and how the Bible fits together perfectly to showcase the glory of our Lord Jesus (shoutout to Dr. Chou especially on this last point).

Daren and Jodi (DeNeui) Beck (’90) have served with Action International Ministries in Cambodia for the past 25 years. They have recently transitioned back to Los Angeles, where Daren continues to serve as the associate international director with ACTION. It is a privilege for them to see the gospel proclaimed in hard places, especially among the least-reached peoples of the world! They recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary and are blessed with five young adult children.

Dago Hernandez (’22)

just finished his fourth tax season working in public accounting. He's grateful for the education and training he received from his time at TMU that prepared him for this industry. Currently, he leads the young adult group at Grace Baptist in Santa Clarita, the church he began attending while at TMU. Dago is grateful for and loves his church, which has been a family to him while alone in a new town. God recently made a way for him to start seminary and answer the call He has placed in his life. Dago hopes to begin classes in January at TMS while working part-time in accounting. In light of what Christ has done, he would gladly give of himself to be spent for His church and His glory.

Dylan (’25) and Berkeley (Lewis) (’24) Vradenburg have been married

just over a year and, after much prayer and consideration, made the move to Ventura, California, in early 2025. Dylan now works as a sales account executive with ADP, serving businesses across Ventura County, while Berkeley is stepping into her new role as assistant manager at gorjana. Together, they love spending time at the beach, trying new restaurants, catching up with friends over coffee, and soaking up every moment with their beloved nieces and nephews. Since settling in Ventura, they’ve found a wonderful community at Reality Church, where they’re actively involved in a small group and church events. Grateful for their years at The Master’s University, Dylan and Berkeley continue to live out what they learned there, serving others wholeheartedly and sharing the gospel with boldness and grace.

O.J. Gibson (’14) taught high school history for five years in

Lancaster, California, before returning to TMU as resident director of Waldock Hall from 2020 to 2025. This year, he is grateful for the new opportunity to serve as dean of men in Student Life. He also recently completed an M.A. in history and is now pursuing his Ph.D., focusing on early America and Abraham Lincoln. Since 2017, he has been a member at Faith Community Church of Palmdale, where he leads a midweek young adult Bible study and teaches church history classes every Sunday. In his spare time, he leads the TMU Ultimate Frisbee Club, which has been a wonderful source of exercise, relationships with students, and friendly competition. WINTER 2025–26

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Autumn Chenette (’19)

A few months after her TMU graduation, joined the aviation industry as a flight attendant based out of Los Angeles International Airport. Shortly thereafter, she realized she would much rather spend the rest of her career working on the flight deck instead. After finishing flight school and building her flight time, Autumn currently enjoys life as a pilot at the airline level. She lives in hotels around the country all year round and spends her time on layovers eating fun foods and meeting great people. She loves visiting home to see family and friends, traveling internationally, and skydiving. She currently attends Shepherds House Bible Church in Arizona and enjoys fellowship with a wonderful group of believers.

AJ and Sarah (Burks) Work (’13) got married in 2015

and moved to Santa Barbara before settling in Santa Clarita in 2016. AJ built a career in the medical device industry, while Sarah worked in hospitality administration before becoming a stay-at-home mom. They have three children: Henley (7), Jackson (4), and Sadie (1). Starting in 2020, AJ worked for 3.5 years at TMU, where their family was blessed with a sweet and supportive community. AJ has since returned to the medical device industry, and Sarah remains a stay-at-home mom. Living in Santa Clarita, they attend Grace Community Church and continue to be blessed by the sweet community and family provided by GCC and TMU.

Gianina (Pastorelli) Duran (attended ’14-’17) worked After TMU,

in special education with children who had behavioral challenges — a role that she attributes with helping her prepare for motherhood today. Over the years, she's had the joy of serving at her church as a children’s ministry coordinator and on the worship team. Gianina met her husband during the pandemic in 2020, and three years later they were married in July 2023. Together, they have two beautiful daughters: Charis Martha and Selah Eirene. They attend Grace Church Chino, and while Gianina continues her role of serving in the worship ministry, her husband faithfully serves in several areas, including men’s ministry and A/V. Her husband is an HVAC technician by trade, operating throughout Orange County, and Gianina is currently blessed to stay at home with their girls and care for their home while supporting their family’s life of ministry. She still visits TMU to this day as her little sister is a current student. WINTER 2025–26

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After graduation from The Master’s

Jana (Herman) O’Connell (’90) moved back to College,

Redding, California, where she worked for 13 years with the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. She is grateful to the Lord for bringing her and Dan O'Connell together in marriage in 2008. Since then, they have lived in California, Washington, and Oregon. Reflecting on the years, God has been so faithful to guide them, in particular by bringing them through the Paradise Camp Fire in 2018, serving at Samaritan's Purse in Southern Oregon after the wildfire of 2020, and making the move to Hickory, North Carolina, in 2022, where they are enjoying early retirement. Jana and Dan attend Hickory Bible Church, where they receive solid biblical teaching and where Jana leads a small group in the larger women’s Bible study. Dan is privileged to serve as a volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse with disaster relief assignments in Florida and South Carolina. They are so thankful for God leading them to their current home and for His faithfulness through the years.

Sean (’92) and Becky (Stanford) (’99) Harrelson

met while serving in junior high ministry together while Becky was studying at TMU and Sean was finishing his M.Div. at TMS. They married in 2000 and since then have lived in the Seattle area, where they have raised their four children (ages 22 to 16), one of whom currently attends TMU. Sean has served in pastoral ministry for 26 years — the last four as a pastor of leadership development, launching a discipleship institute, training elders, and overseeing pastoral residents. Becky has loved teaching high school family and consumer sciences courses for 13 years and actively serves in their church, discipling high school girls. By giving them a son with autism, the Lord has also given them opportunities to serve other families impacted by disability. Sean and Becky remain grateful for their many friendships through TMU and enjoy maintaining those friendships. They are thankful for any excuse to visit Santa Clarita and TMU’s campus.

Andrew (’18) and Ellie (Daugherty) (’24) Hartung got

Alumni, we hope to include more of you in the next issue’s “Class Notes.” We’d love to share a little bit about your life with the TMU community. Reach out with your update at alumni@masters.edu.

married in April 2024 and live in Encinitas, California. They have been blessed to be a part of a church plant called Redemption Church North County. At Redemption, God has graciously built a church that is both strong and full of life. Andrew and Ellie have felt the love of Christ displayed through the congregation and a genuine desire amongst members to serve one another. Some of their weekly commitments include home groups on Tuesdays, youth groups on Sunday evenings, and various women’s, men’s, and church events sprinkled throughout. Andrew works part-time for Redemption, currently teaching through the book of Genesis for adult Sunday school and leading a home group. In addition, he is a student at Union School of Theology in Wales, pursuing a master’s in theology. Andrew and Ellie are seasonal swim instructors for Alli Jo’s Swim School, and during the off-season Ellie works at Sur La Table while Andrew continues with his church and seminary responsibilities.

Sergio Arechiga (’15) was a resident director for five years at TMU, then

moved to Peoria, Illinois, and then back again to California. Life is not what he expected it to be; however, in those struggles, he has experienced the love of Jesus deeper than ever before. Sergio serves and works at his church, Reality LA, as a service coordinator and on the worship team, while he witnesses their service to the city in their commitment to seek the renewal of Los Angeles through the good news of Jesus Christ. He also works as support for an adult with special needs and enjoys the simple days of hanging out and enjoying life with him. In the midst of hardships, Sergio recalls the truly good and beautiful life God has given and is thankful for the ordinary days with his family and dog. In every moment, both rejoicing and sorrow, he has Jesus and can rest in Him.

Miryea Gist (’18)

After graduating, moved to Prague, Czech Republic, where she earned her TEFL certification. That season opened the door for her to travel throughout Europe and later teach English virtually for a school based in Beijing, China. Her passion for education and ministry eventually led her to pursue a master’s in curriculum and instruction, with the goal of one day creating a biblically based ESL curriculum for missionaries and churches around the world. Since the end of 2021, she has been involved in a local church plant, serving in the young adult ministry and experiencing rich community and spiritual growth. For the past three years, she has worked as an instructional designer and e-learning developer for a hotel property management company, crafting learning experiences for leaders in the hospitality industry. This summer, she resigned from her position and launched a direct mail marketing agency focused on supporting and promoting local businesses. She is grateful for the Lord’s goodness in every season and is excited for what’s ahead — getting married and moving to Germany in 2026.

Chris (’16) and Stacey (Schuett) (’17) Sue were married in 2017 and live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, where they are raising two insane(ly cute) children ages 4 and 2. Stacey currently teaches ballet; while she thought her time with ballet ended with her retirement in 2012, she is grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to reengage with dance in a way that is healthy and Christ-centered. Chris serves as a financial advisor, helping business owners and families provide well through stewardship, faithfulness, and generosity. They lived in Santa Clarita for the first five years of their marriage before moving to Minnesota in 2022. They are attending Park Community Church, where Chris plays drums and Stacey sings as part of the worship team. Chris and Stacey enjoy spending time outside, playing board games, and trying to find a decent cup of coffee (there’s no Simon Ogg in Minnesota). They love and miss their friends and family back in California but are grateful for how the Lord has provided in this season.

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ASK AN ALUM

Jonny Ardavanis graduated from The Master’s University in 2014 with a degree in business administration. He currently serves as the lead pastor at Stonebridge Bible Church in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as the president of Dial In Ministries. We recently asked him to share advice on dealing with anxiety from his book, “Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God.”

Jonny Ardavanis and his wife, Caity, have three daughters: Lily Jean, Scottie Joan, and Sadie June.

F O C U S O N G O D’S C H A R A C T E R “The Bible is full of people who are anxious (David, Job, Elijah, Moses, etc.). Interestingly, in every instance in which God responds to the anxious, He doesn't say, ‘Let Me tell you why this is happening.’ He says, ‘Let Me tell you who I am.’ Jesus punctuates this theme in the greatest sermon ever preached. Jesus doesn't simply provide a prohibition — ‘Do not be anxious’ (Matt. 6:25) — He draws the attention of the anxious to the matchless and changeless character of God. Therefore, when you are anxious about the future, trust in God’s sovereignty; when you are fearful in the present, meditate on His nearness; when you are battling the Giant of Despair, fixate on His goodness and love.” P R AY W I T H O U T C E A S I N G “Paul’s prescription for anxious minds was, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God’ (Phil. 4:6). Then and only then — when our hearts are full of thankful prayer — will we experience what Paul says next: ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Phil. 4:7). Prayer is the lifeblood of those who want to live with peace and serenity in the midst of a chaotic and confusing world.” E X A M I N E W H AT Y O U T R E A S U R E “When Jesus says, ‘Therefore, do not be anxious,’ He does so only after asking three probing questions: ‘What do you treasure?’ (Matt. 6:19–21), ‘Where are you looking?’ (Matt. 6:22–23), and ‘Whom do you serve?’ (Matt. 6:24). According to Jesus, our anxieties don’t appear out of thin air — they often flow from where we fix our eyes, place our hope, and set our affections. When a good thing becomes an ultimate thing, Jesus warns, that’s a recipe for anxiety.”

Enjoying Southern California T M U’S LO C AT I O N I N S A N TA C L A R I TA, C A L I F O R N I A, G I V E S S T U D E N T S T H E O P P O RT U N I T Y T O V I S I T E X C I T I N G N E A R BY P L A C E S L I K E S A N TA M O N I C A, W H E R E T H E Y C A N S P E N D A S AT U R D AY E N J OY I N G T H E B E A C H A N D S T R O L L I N G T H E P I E R W I T H F R I E N D S.

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SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

President’s Academic Scholarship A M O U N T : $84,000 awarded as $21,000/year for up to 4 years.

This highly competitive academic scholarship is awarded based on an interview process. Full-time incoming freshman applicants must have a weighted high school GPA of 4.00 and an SAT I score (Critical Reading and Math sub-tests only) of 1,350 or ACT score of 30 or CLT score of 91. This scholarship’s submission deadline is Feb. 16. LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT MASTERS.EDU/ACADEMIC-SCHOLARSHIPS

Just Thinking Scholarship A M O U N T : $5,000

The Just Thinking Scholarship is open to all fall 2026 on-campus undergraduate students applying for the first time to TMU. Five scholarships are awarded each year based on an application essay. This scholarship’s submission deadline is Feb. 1. LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT MASTERS.EDU/JUSTTHINKING

Red & Blue Scholarship A M O U N T : $14,000 awarded as $3,500/year for up to 4 years.

This scholarship is for students dependent on parent(s) currently working full-time in law enforcement or fire departments. LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT MASTERS.EDU/R&B

Ministry Matching Grant A M O U N T : $20,000 awarded as TMU matching up to $2,500/year for all ministry scholarships per student across 4 years.

The Ministry Matching Grant is designed to encourage Christian organizations whose ministries are consistent with the mission of TMU to provide corporate scholarship support for students attending the University. LEARN MORE AND APPLY AT MASTERS.EDU/CHURCH-SCHOLARSHIP

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