Staying Connected
Harvey Newton (ThM, 1976) recently founded Forgiveness and Life Ministries, which allows him to virtually teach pastors and lay preachers in Moldova. He also writes commentaries for his students while mentoring young pastors more locally in Baton Rouge.
John Ottley (ThM, 1982) completed a chaplaincy residency at UnityPoint’s Iowa Methodist Medical Center before joining the Chaplain Team at Vermeer Manufacturing Corporation in the fall of 2018. He now serves as a full-time chaplain at three manufacturing locations.
Joe Allen (ThM, 1988) visited with Adam Zaslavsky (ThM, 1986), a retired pastor from Ohio, and his wife, Penny.
Joe Allen (ThM, 1988) also listened to Bernie Cueto (ThM, 2003; PhD, 2012) preach and visited with his family. According to Joe, Bernie’s truly a magnificent preacher!
Gary Doperalski (ThM, 1986) retired from full-time pastoral ministry after thirty-eight years of pastoral service.
Michael Fen (ThM, 1989) now serves as the Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship of Lakewood in Denver, Colorado. He and his wife, Leah, are grateful for the opportunity and excited to serve their new church family.
Bethamy Fiedler (MACM, 1996) married her husband, Terry, in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 10, 2024.
Jason Smith (MACE, 2001) began serving with East-West as Associate Regional Director for the Russia/Caucasus/Central Asia region. He works with national partners and field workers to develop leaders, strengthen indigenous churches, and advance the gospel, all while mobilizing prayer and short-term ministry engagements.
Joel Simbitti (ThM, 2007) is continuing to serve as the Spiritual Ministries Director of the Africa Inland Church in Tanzania. He also works as a coordinator for the Tanzania Missions Network, which seeks to prompt the reached to reach the unreached.
Dave Hummel (ThM, 2016) is excited to begin the next chapter of his ministry, serving as an associate pastor before eventually moving into the senior pastor role when his church’s current pastor retires.
Fred Seaman (ThM, 2021) accepted invitations from two congregations, both attached to the EFCA. He looks forward to returning to his home state of South Dakota to preach at Hardinggrove Community Church and Community E-Free Church of Philip.
In Memory
After a lifetime of dedicated service to the Savior, Buddy R. Lowman (ThM, 1984; DMin, 1993) entered eternal rest on January 12, 2026. Born with a heart for ministry, Buddy pursued his calling with excellence, earning two degrees from DTS. His legacy grew out of fifty years of faithful pastoral service. He touched lives with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith. Buddy’s greatest joy was his family. He married the love of his life, Colleen Kay Shook, on May 16, 1964. Over sixty-one years, they built a foundation of love and devotion that inspired all who knew them. Buddy is survived by his beloved wife; their son, Christopher, and his wife, Amy; and their grandchildren. Buddy was a pillar of strength and a source of gentle guidance for his family, who will miss him dearly. His life testifies to the Scripture he preached: Well done, good and faithful servant.
