DMin Program Adding New Cohort for Biblical Languages
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Western Seminary is expanding its options for advanced pastoral training with the addition of a new cohort—Biblical Languages in Ministry. The cohort launches in spring 2022 with an emphasis on exegeting specific portions of Scripture in Greek and Hebrew. This adds to the regularly offered cohorts in Christ-Centered Preaching, Pastoral and Ministry Leadership, and Theology in Ministry.
“This new cohort will engage ministry leaders in both Hebrew and Greek at whatever level they may find themselves,” says Steve Mathewson, DMin program director.
The cohort is one of several recent updates to Western’s DMin program. Eligibility for the program was recently changed so that a Master of Divinity (MDiv) is no longer required for admission. Moving forward, any ministry-oriented MA degree, together with requisite ministry experience, will allow an applicant to be considered.
Last year, John Kwak joined the program as the assistant director. He holds several master’s degrees, including an MA in New Testament from Biola University and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Southern California. He is also a candidate for a PhD at the University of Rochester and is on track to graduate this year. Kwak has served in several ministry roles, including the associate pastor of adult education, life groups and AsianAmerican ministry at Village Church in Beaverton, Ore.
“Praise God for his faithfulness in bringing the perfect person for this unique position,” said President Chuck Conniry, PhD. “John emerged as the search committee’s first choice after a rigorous national search and will help us both with teaching and administration.”
Kwak’s arrival to Western comes at a time when enrollment in the DMin program has increased 30 percent over the past year, despite COVID-19 challenges. Current courses this spring feature faculty Kevin Vanhoozer, Daniel Doriani, and Steve Mathewson.