Newly Appointed PTS President First Action is to Ask for Prayer
Cleveland, TN— In his first communiqué as the newly appointed President of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Dr. R. Lamar Vest made an appeal to Seminary alumni and friends to “pray for us as we endeavor to prepare a new generation of Pentecostal leaders who will, I firmly believe, be part of a world-changing revival.”
In the email statement sent last week, Vest continued, “As I begin my time of service as President of PTS, I am energized by the dedication of our faculty, staff, administration, students, and alumni to be part of a movement that many religious leaders are seeing as the church’s best hope for a worldwide revival. Our Pentecostal heritage is a statement to the world that the Holy Spirit that was poured out on the Day of Pentecost still flows through the Body of Christ on this earth. We must never abandon that truth.”
The vision of being “a clear, trusted voice for Pentecost” is one that Vest has been projecting since he took office earlier this month. Just one week prior, Vest had the opportunity to make a presentation to the Seminary’s faculty at their annual retreat. In addition to his desire that PTS be a trusted voice, Vest shared his “leadership path” for discerning the next steps for the institution.
“This year’s faculty retreat was characterized by a deep sense of God’s presence and his favor on our seminary,” said Dr. Cheryl Johns, Professor of Discipleship and Formation at PTS. “The faculty were delighted to welcome Dr. Vest and Vickie to our community and we are excited to launch out into a renewed sense of mission for our future, believing our brightest days are ahead.“
Dr. Lee Roy Martin, Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Languages confirmed the faculty’s positive view of the Seminary’s future. “In this retreat, the faculty, staff, administration, and spouses were refreshed by the generous fellowship, encouraged by the strategy outlined by Dr. Vest, and brought into a deeper unity of mission and purpose by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Our new president is obviously a gifted leader who possesses substance, sensitivity, and singlemindedness. The future looks bright for PTS.”
On Tuesday, Vest shared his presentation with Seminary administrators, faculty, and staff at a “Community Fellowship Breakfast” as the institution readies itself for fall courses.
“I am tremendously encouraged by the new students who have enrolled for the fall semester and those who will be returning,” said Vest. He concluded his presentation to the Seminary staff with a challenge from Philippians 2:1-5 (ESV), “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
(Source: Pentecostal Theological Seminary)
