Staying Connected
Ron (ThM, 1975) and Susie Gannett visited Bob Ginn (ThM, 1951; ThD, 1959) and his wife in Fayetteville. They all love DTS!
Events
Alumni Centennial Dinner in Indianapolis, Indiana
In Memory
Reverand James A. Folkers (ThM, 1957) passed away on September 9, 2024. Jim attended DTS and pastored three churches before moving to California, where he founded Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo, California. Jim touched the lives of many as a pastor and shepherd, bringing light and hope to his community. He was known as a friendly, knowledgeable, and well-respected person, who always had a smile on his face. Jim also founded Irvine Woods Church of Irvine, California, which later changed its name to Pacific Church of Irvine.
Richard Kline (ThM, 1989) went home to be with the Lord on September 25, 2024. Born in California, Richard served in the United States Marine Corps. He met and married his wife of fifty years, Kathy, while playing the piano at a pizza joint in Sacramento. He played Neil Diamond songs for her, and the rest is history. He then graduated from DTS. Richard taught music in schools throughout California, played for his churches, and enjoyed playing with his friends in Rapture Brass and the Goodtime Jazz Band. Richard always asked the people he met, “If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?” He also always gave them the most important, life-changing truth: “Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for your sin, and he rose from the dead. Ask him into your heart today.”
Wing Wah Yip (ThM, 1993; DMin, 2019) entered into glory on September 4, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Matilda (MABS, 1993), and their children, Rachel and Nathan.
William (Bill) Edward Jones (MABS, 2012) passed away on August 20, 2024, at forty-nine. Bill was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and pastor, who dedicated his life to serving others. He shared a loving marriage with his wife, Mandy Jones, and together they raised three beautiful daughters: Anna, Audrey, and Abigail. Bill’s commitment to his faith and community was evident through his pastoral roles at First Baptist Church Leesburg and Pennbrooke Community Church. He also served with a dedicated passion as the executive director of the Christian Care Center, where he touched countless lives with his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support. Bill’s legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to inspire all who knew him. His family, friends, and the Leesburg community will deeply miss him.
Kenneth (Ken) Tom (ThM, 1987) went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2024. Affectionately known as the Preacher Man and Minister of Encouragement, Ken was born in New York and developed a deep passion for the faith and the church at a young age. He began serving at Trust in God Baptist Church in New York and then at the Chinese Baptist Church in Houston. The sense of purpose he encountered in the pastorate led him to DTS. After seminary, Ken moved to New Jersey, where he became a pastor and founded VisionQuest Ministries, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Asian-American faith communities along the East Coast. Ken was a compassionate caregiver who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel. He also ministered to others through hospice and hospital ministries and marketplace ministries. Ken was married to his beloved wife, Rose, for fifty years. They loved going on quiet walks together. Ken found immense joy in teaching and playing board games with his grandchildren. Ken’s unwavering love for the Lord and his compassion for others shone through in every aspect of his life. He had a unique ability to connect with people, often engaging in heartfelt conversations that embodied the grace and truth of Christ.
Donald Gene Shoff (DMin, 1994) entered the gates of heaven on January 3, 2024. Donald received his bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University, where he met his beloved wife, Judith. Donald later earned his DMin from DTS and a PhD from Glendale School of Theology. He pastored Sabine Place Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas before moving his family to Orange County, California. He pastored in California for a while before serving as the Director of Personnel at African Inland Mission, traveling around the world to mentor and encourage pastors. He then returned to the pastorate, caring for Cornerstone Bible Church in Glendora, California. He and his wife continued ministering to pastors throughout retirement.
Eric Jason Ream (ThM, 2005) went to be with the Lord on September 28, 2024, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Eric attended Baptist Bible College before graduating from DTS with a ThM and an emphasis in Bible exposition and missions. Eric met his wife, Elisabeth, when she visited his college pastoral internship. Eric and Elisabeth shared a passion for teaching youth to walk with the Lord and to love missions. They served youth the whole world over, sharing their contagious love for God’s Word and those made in his image. Eric truly loved just hanging out and doing life with friends, locals, and neighbors, sharing the love of Christ wherever he lived, worked, and played. Eric was a shining light in a dark world. He believed that the mission field was wherever he was. Eric loved to share that “there are only two things we can do here on earth that we can’t do in Heaven—sin and bring others to Jesus. Which should you be busy doing?” With a twinkle in his eye and always bearing a smile, Eric sought adventure, loved a challenge, and had a competitive spirit. He played many sports throughout his life and excelled at them all. He especially enjoyed playing pickleball the last few years of his life and dearly loved his pickleball community. He loved playing games with friends and family, especially his kids. Raising his four children and having the privilege to show them how to know and love God was one of the greatest joys of his life. Eric was lovingly devoted to his family and was easy to love. Though he is greatly missed, the impact his life has made in this world will continue to point others to Jesus Christ, our hope in life and death.
