Speaker: Zoe Jones,* CTS alumna and author of God’s Plan for Development and hpjoyfulchildren.org

Topic: Using Themes and Centers across the Curriculum

The Children in the Midst Formation Group is pleased to invite you to join us for this unique learning opportunity for those who work with children in any capacity. Please invite a friend and join us for a time of learning with this experienced children's ministry author, speaker, and practitioner.

RSVP requested to Family Nurture Coordinator Annalisa Smith at annalisa.smith@covenantseminary.edu.

*Pseudonym used for personal reasons.

Speakers: Will Bankston, PCA Iowa Presbytery; One Ancient Hope Presbyterian Church + Trinity Presbyterian Church

Come hear about church planting initiatives and opportunities in Iowa. We need more churches planting churches. With this truth at the forefront, the Iowa Presbytery is recruiting ministers for our new Church Planting Fellowships. From growing urban areas like Cedar Rapids to thriving university towns like Iowa City, we aim to train, launch, and support church planters as we work together to spread the gospel throughout the state.

Lunch provided (pizza).

Speaker: Dr. Thurman Williams, Director of Homiletics

Sermon Passage: Revelation 14–15

Sermon Title: “The Reaping of the Son of Man”

Join us for our weekly time of worship and the Word, focused this semester on the theme “All for God’s Mission,” featuring passages from the book of Revelation.

Speakers: Doug Shepherd, Team Leader, MTW Church Planting / RUF Global, Lviv, Ukraine

Mission to the World’s Team Lviv seeks to plant church planting churches and provide cross cultural training for the next generation of missionaries. Come learn about the challenges and opportunities available in Ukraine through a Greenhouse Internship.

Lunch provided (Chick-Fil-A).

Speaker: Cynthia Fischer, CTS alumna and author of Children’s Sanctuary curriculum and the Faith Passing blog

Topic: Faith Formation at Church and Home

The Children in the Midst Formation Group is pleased to invite you to join us for this unique learning opportunity for those who work with children in any capacity. Please invite a friend and join us for a time of learning with this experienced children's ministry author, speaker, and practitioner.

RSVP requested to Family Nurture Coordinator Annalisa Smith at annalisa.smith@covenantseminary.edu.

Speakers: Dr. Richard Joe, Associate Professor of World Missions

Covenant Seminary is organizing a summer missions trip to Thailand led by Dr. Richard Joe, May 17 – 31, 2027. We will be partnering with Mission to the World’s work of church planting, counseling, children's education, and community development.

At this informational lunch, Dr. Richard will talk about Thailand, the missions needs there, and our plan as a short-term team. Come just to hear and enjoy a meal together—no obligations!

Lunch provided (Thai food).

Speaker: Dr. K.J. Drake, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology

Sermon Passage: Revelation 12–13

Sermon Title: “The Great Ordeal”

Join us for our weekly time of worship and the Word, focused this semester on the theme “All for God’s Mission,” featuring passages from the book of Revelation.

Speakers: Andrew Smith, Emerging Leaders Program Director, Resound Project

Resound Project is an initiative out of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in New York City, the purpose of which is to strengthen new and existing churches in light of a changing world so that the gospel of Jesus Christ might resound to the next generation.

An integral part of Resound Project is the Emerging Leaders Program, through which Central is seeking to function as the first of several “teaching hospitals” in order to cultivate a pipeline of future leaders to serve the broader church in a variety of different contexts. To that end the program has two offerings:

1. a two-year, full-time salaried residency program for male seminary graduates seeking ordination as gospel ministers;and

2. a full-time salaried ministry internship program for current male and female seminary students (who would live in NYC while completing their seminary coursework online remotely).

Ministry interns will also have their seminary tuition covered by the program.

Come learn more and see if Resound Project is for you!

Lunch provided (Chick-Fil-A).

Speaker: Dustin Hunt, Executive Director, Southwest Church Planting Network (and CTS alumnus)

How can you begin preparing for church planting while you’re still in seminary? We’ll explore how to get to know a community, build relationships with people who don’t know Jesus, and develop ministry skills through apprenticeship and residency opportunities with the Southwest Church Planting Network.

Lunch provided (Chick-Fil-A).

More about the SCPN: The Southwest Church Planting Network partners with PCA churches across the Southwest to plant churches, develop future ministry leaders, and equip churches to send them. We help aspiring pastors grow through seminary apprenticeships, church-based residencies, and ongoing training and mentoring. Our desire is to see healthy churches take root where people need to hear and experience the good news of Jesus.

Speaker: Rev. Randy Lovelace, Lead Pastor, Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN

Sermon Passage: Revelation 8:6–11:19

Sermon Title: “The Seven Trumpets”

Join us for our weekly time of worship and the Word, focused this semester on the theme “All for God’s Mission,” featuring passages from the book of Revelation.

Speaker:Rev. Richie Sessions, RUF Area Coordinator for Oklahoma and Mississippi Valley

Theme: Preaching the Presciousness of Christ Clearly and Beautifully

Lecture Titles:

1. Preaching the Preciousness of Christ

2. Preaching the Preciousness of Christ Clearly

3. Preaching the Preciousness of Christ Beautifully

Chapel: Rev. Sessions will also preach in Chapel at 10 a.m. today.

NOTE: No classes today so that students may attend the lectures.

Childcare: Limited free childcare will be available at the Log Cabin for children ages 6 months to 5 years. RSVP here for childcare by Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Leader: Annalisa Smith, Family Nurture Coordinator

Who: Current CTS female students or student spouses who have or who are expecting little ones are invited to join Annalisa Smith for a time of connection and encouragement on a few Saturday mornings this semester.

What: The Bible study "Nurtured: God's Tender Care for New and Expectant Mothers" (written by Annalisa) is a high connection, no homework way to discuss the joys and challenges of new mom life while being encouraged by Scriptures that explore God's tender care for His beloved children. 

Future Saturday Dates: Nov 14, Dec 5 (potentially extending to the spring). Join us for as many as you can make.

RSVPs NEEDED to make use of free Log Cabin childcare for current student families. Children 2 and under welcome to join their moms.

Questions / To RSVP: Contact annalisa.smith@covenantseminary.edu.

Facilitated by Andres Hernandez

Area of Focus: Colombia

The Covenant Missions Club invites all to join us for weekly prayer as we learn from one another and follow after God's heart for the unreached.

Questions / Get On the Club Email List: Contact missionsclub@covenantseminary.edu

Student Council invites everyone to join Eric Kessels, Thomas Gibbs, and the crew as we mulch the playground and care for our campus. Drinks and fruit provided.

Let us know here if you’re coming, so we can plan how much we can do. Note: We still welcome walkups for the campus workday, so come on by! 

Student Council invites you to join us for a time of conversation and questions with Dr. Gibbs.
Share your questions or any topics you are interested in using this form. 

We’ll synthesize your submissions to help guide the conversation, with a time of open Q&A at the end.

All men of Covenant are invited to join us for some great BBQ, growing in friendships, and practical discussion of important topics.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Jay Sklar, Professor of Old Testament

Topic: The Fear of the Lord Is a Fountain of Life

The Bible speaks frequently about the importance of “fearing God,” yet many Christians wonder, “What does that actually mean?” Join us as Dr. Jay Sklar helps us to consider what the fear of the Lord is and why it is foundational—for both growth as a Christian and for a lifetime of faithful ministry.

If you're a female student, student spouse, staff, or staff spouse and consequently not part of this evening’s Brotherhood and BBQ event, you are welcome to come by the Log Cabin tonight.

We will hang out with some sisters and small fry (the kiddos) and eat a few slices of pizza.

RSVP by Monday, Oct. 5, via email to annalisa.smith@covenantseminary.edu or by text to 567.207.4288. Let us know the number of slices of pizza you/your family will eat.

Dominoes Pizza and some salad is courtesy of the Cabin. Please bring a simple snack (bag of pretzels, some carrots) to share. Paper plates, cups, water, and sparkling water will be available.

What: Calling all women pursuing theological degrees at Covenant (MDiv, MABTS, MATS, MAM)! The Women's Theological Fellowship exists to provide female theological students a space to be encouraged and equipped to serve in their callings. We do this by creating opportunities for fellowship, professional development, and networking.

Interested? Come to this meeting to find out more about the group and ways to serve in leadership to sustain, encourage, and equip seminary women. We'll have a short encouraging word from Dr. Robbie Griggs and a time of fellowship with other women and our professors.

Bring your own lunch. Dessert provided.

Questions? Emai laura.vanderhaar@covenantseminary.edu 

Speaker: Dr. Brad Matthews, VP of Academics and Associate Professor of New Testament

Sermon Passage: Revelation 6:1–8:5

Sermon Title: “The Seven Seals”

Join us for our weekly time of worship and the Word, focused this semester on the theme “All for God’s Mission,” featuring passages from the book of Revelation.

Speakers: James Dickson, VP of Advancement, CTS; and Drew Vining, Associate Director of Donor Relations, CTS

Gain a biblical perspective on fundraising and ministry partnerships. This seminar explores the theology of giving, the importance of vision, and the foundational principles of fundraising that will prepare you to build lasting partnerships in ministry.

This is the first of a 2-part seminar offered by the Development Office aimed at answering your questions, helping you identify and understand resources you already have, and developing a fully-formed fundraising plan.

Lunch provided (pizza, fruit, chips, and drinks; let us know of any dietary restrictions and we can try to make accommodations).

USE THIS LINK TO SIGN UP to receive information for this seminar and to help us know how much food to order for lunch.

Speaker: Mark Green, Public Services Librarian, J. Oliver Buswell Jr. Library

We'll briefly go over the nature of academic research and dig into the process of working through the brainstorming, researching, and writing processes to get from point A to Z in the writing process.

Lunch provided (sandwich platter, veggie tray).

Theme: “Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain

Speaker: Dr. Drew Martin, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, will be leading us in devotions based on Revelation 5.

Day of Prayer is a wonderful way for us, as a community, to take a break from our normal routine and acknowledge our need for God. Dr. Martin will lead is in a series of devotions based on Revelation 5, and we’ll have times of directed group and private prayer, with lunch to follow in the Community Center. Note: Classes are cancelled today so all may participate. The Library will be closed during the morning prayer time and open 12 – 6 p.m.

Childcare available at the Log Cabin for ages 6 months–5 years from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. SIGN UP HERE FOR CHILDCARE.

SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY

• 8:45 – 9 a.m. – Coffee & Donuts

• 9 – 11:45 a.m. – Devotionals and prayer time led by Dr. Martin

• 11:45 – Lunch in the Community Center

LUNCHTIME CHILI COMPETITION!

What: If you have a fiery homemade chili recipe you would like to enter for the Prayer Day Lunch, we have 10 spots open. Student Life will cover the cost of all ingredients for you chili!

How: Email Terri Ryan at terri.ryan@covenanseminary.edu by Monday, Sept. 21, to secure your spot for the competition.

Speakers: Kurt (MDiv’96) and Jill, MTW missionaries

Live the adventure of life on the Silk Road through Central Asia, both then and now. Discover gospel bridges embedded in their culture. Learn about opportunities and challenges for the church in this unreached part of the world. Join us as we talk about cross-cultural contextualization for the gospel. Lunch provided.

Exhibit on the Silk Road: Kurt and Jill will be on campus Tuesday, Sept. 29, and Wednesday, Sept. 30. In addition to their Ministry Lunch, they will set up an exhibition in Buswell 111 titled Silk Road, Life at a Crossroads. Stop in to meet them, ask questions, and learn about opportunities to serve in Central Asia with MTW.