Jeff Foster, Certificate of Achievement in Theological Studies
Jeff Foster
(Certificate of Achievement in Theological Studies)
For nine years I felt the leading of God to ministry. I began my academic journey thinking that I had God all figured out. This journey began at Moody Bible Institute for several semesters, where I gleaned perspective on missions and evangelism. Because of a full-time missionary role, I suspended Moody classes to concentrate on raising support. During that time God began to speak to me about the overall disunity in our Christian church. I came to the conclusion that unity within the body of Christ is the best way to reach lost souls with greater depth. I started exploring the Anabaptist teaching and specifically the way the Church of the Brethren strives toward this vision of unity and reconciliation.
I applied to Bethany Theological Seminary's CATS program, which will allow me to complete a Master of Divinity degree at my own pace. I found enthusiasm and encouragement from Bethany's staff and faculty--each dedicated to this place of love and learning. Theologically, I am gaining a balanced perspective on conservative and progressive biblical positions.
I can say with confidence that this seminary is God- and people-focused, and at the same time, follows Christ's teaching in Matthew 6:33. With several weekend intensives and online classes to complete, I'm grateful to call Bethany my home away from home.















My thesis began its journey while learning Hebrew at the University of Notre Dame, back when I was an employee in the Information Technology department. Among the many Hebrew texts read, it was the Song of Songs in particular that caught my attention. I knew that historically it had been interpreted as an allegorical text exploring God's love of Israel (or the church), but I had not...