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The start of a new era
for Western Seminary in
the Bay Area:
After many months of praying and planning about our relocation from Los
Gatos to Santa Clara, the Seminary made the official move during the last week of October and held
classes at University Station on El Camino Real on Monday, November 1. It was an exciting day for
both students and personnel alike. Did everything run fine that day? We had electricity, plumbing,
lighting, four walls and a roof to meet under, so in some sense the answer is yes. But was everything
put away in its proper place with all usual systems of order ready to go? Not quite. Loose ends and
final cosmetic infrastructure items still needed to be resolved with the building contractor, but
kudos to the construction firm and sub contractors as they completed the necessary interior work
so we could start operation on November 1. For that we are very grateful.
Personally, I too am grateful
and have been humbled by the support of students, alumni, colleagues and friends of the
Seminary as we made the move from Los Gatos to our new home in Santa Clara. It has been a joy to
celebrate together twenty-five years of existence for Western Seminary, San Jose, as well as the
move to this great new location. Now we will press on with the distinct challenge of equipping future
leaders in the arena of Kingdom work as it occurs in lay ministry, churches, counseling centers and
in our individual communities.
What is next? Please continue to pray and support the endeavors of
Western Seminary as we enter a new decade and encounter the challenges of social and
cultural divides in our world. As I alluded to earlier in a correspondence about Western Seminary,
San Jose, much has changed over twenty-five years. Areas such as technology, social mores and even
religion, to name a few, have experienced great change. Yet what hasn’t changed is our mission as a seminary: “To
serve as a catalyst and resource for spiritual transformation by providing, with and
for the church, advanced training for strategic ministry roles.” The centrality of the Gospel and the way it
can transform the heart, soul and mind of a person never changes.
We trust in Him for the coming
years and thank you for your continued prayers and support in this new season for Western
Seminary, San Jose.
Sincerely,
Dan Ruiz
Site Director — Western Seminary, San Jose
druiz@westernseminary.edu
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