As I write this article, I am “sheltering-in-place” at home in Bozeman. YTI is teaching all of its spring courses online, via Zoom. Assuming that the coronavirus experts are correct, we will have no problem moving ahead with our July lectures and our fall term courses.
Looking to Summer
We are excited about our July lectures coming this summer! Our theme is Scripture, and our focus is the New Testament and the early church. The second week of July (July 7 at 7:30pm) kicks off with Dr. Matt Drever from the University of Tulsa. Dr. Drever, a noted expert on Augustine of Hippo, is speaking on the topic of “Augustine and the New Testament.” The third week of July (July 14 at 7:30pm) is Dr. Mike Fuhrman from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. He is speaking on “The Parables of Jesus for the Church Today.” The fourth week of July (July 23 at 7:30pm) is Dr. Adam Winn, from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. He is an expert on the Gospel of Mark, and will be speaking on the topic of “The Gospel of Mark and the Roman Empire.” The last week of July (July 28 at 7:30pm), Dr. Roy Millhouse, from Sterling College in Sterling, Kan., will be our speaker. He is presenting on “The Book of Revelation in the Context of the Roman Empire.”
Each evening lecture is free and open to the public. On the day after each lecture, there will be a luncheon for pastors and interested lay persons at the YTI offices from 12:00-1:30pm. After lunch there will be a Q & A with each lecturer. Although the luncheon is free-of-charge, attendees will need to register at the YTI website.
Building for the Future
At our most recent board meeting, YTI hired two new professors to meet the needs of the Institute: a Professor of Christian Leadership, Dr. Derry Long, and a Professor of Pastoral Theology, Rev. Jim Keena. Additionally, Jim Keena will work with church relations, and Derry Long will work as an assistant to the President. Both of our new professors have many years of full-time ministry experience, terminal degrees, and live in Bozeman! Look for articles by them in upcoming editions of Inscribed!
Finally, YTI, like most other educational endeavors is a non-profit entity. At best, we hope to meet our budget, and if possible, put any extra funds in our endowment. In the aftermath of the coronavirus, we will need your support. State educational institutions will always have the support of tax dollars from the citizens, but religious schools get no assistance. The only people that support YTI are people like you. If you are reading this article, you are one of the difference makers. For our two new professors, we will need some extra help. You will find a call for donors later in this issue.
Please, all of you be wise, stay healthy, and have faith!
Grace & Peace,
Dr. Jay Smith, President
Bridger Professor of Theology & Ethics