Alumni Connection//May 2026

Dr. Marvin E. Mayer (ThM, 1958; ThD, 1970) went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 28, 2026. Marvin’s big brother, Bob, who encountered the Lord while serving in the Navy, shared the gospel with Marvin after Marvin’s first year of college. Marvin didn’t accept Jesus at that time, but Bob kept praying. Due to a series of events in 1950 and Bob’s persistence, Marvin eventually came to know the Lord, and his life was forever changed. Marvin served for two years in the Marines during the Korean War. During that time, he felt the Lord leading him toward ministry. He later enrolled at Westmont College, where he studied the Bible and theology with an emphasis in Greek, before earning his DTS degree. He finished his doctorate in 1970. Marvin served the Lord faithfully as a professor at Moody Bible Institute for over thirty-five years, teaching thousands of students. He met his wife, Shirley, in 1957 at a friend’s wedding. One year later, those same friends stood up in Marvin and Shirley’s wedding. Marvin is survived by his five children and their spouses, fifteen grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren, whom he dearly loved. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, as well as by his grandson, Zachary.

Steven P. Carpenter (ThM, 1970) went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2026. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne, whom he married on May 24, 1969. They enjoyed fifty-seven years of marriage. He is also survived by his three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Steve gave his life to Christ during his childhood and remained a dedicated servant of the Lord throughout his ministry. He is a graduate of John Brown University and Dallas Theological Seminary, and he received his Doctor of Ministry from Knox Seminary. He treasured his time as pastor of Strasburg Union Church and as a guest pastor of Christian Fellowship Ministry Church. Steve’s laugh lit up any room, and he was always willing to have a conversation or give wise counsel. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Dwight (Rip) Van Winkle (ThM, 1978) passed away on February 13, 2026. Rip served as Professor of Old Testament at Seattle Pacific University, and one of his greatest joys was serving as a volunteer chaplain for the Monroe State Reformatory for twenty-two years. He will be missed by many.

Rev. Craig Timothy (Tim) Swan (ThM, 1981) passed away on March 29, 2026. After a year of police work, Craig lost both of his kidneys. At that time, the Lord called him to be a pastor. His own pastor recommended that he attend what is currently Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he met his wife, Sunflower. They married in June of 1985. He served at Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids as a full-time pastoral intern for a year before becoming the youth pastor at Byron Center Bible Church, where he was ordained. Craig went on to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a master’s degree. He was called to minister at Grace Chapel in Havertown, Pennsylvania, where he and Sunflower enjoyed a fruitful ministry.  They were then called to a pastorate at Cherry Bible Church in Aurora, Colorado, where they served for many years. After resigning, they moved back to Michigan, where Craig preached in various churches, led Sunday schools, family classes, and small groups for almost twenty-five years. He also wrote a Bible study on the book of Jonah. He is survived by his wife of forty-one years, his daughter, and two granddaughters, in addition to many other loving family members.  

Roy (Res) E. Spears III (MACL, 2022) passed away on March 25, 2026. He had a passion for teaching the Scriptures, instructing people to not only know the gospel message but to live it. Res attended Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and then Virginia Tech, majoring in English. After college, he began his career as a reporter and photographer, covering a county beat. He quickly became the Regional Vice President at Atlantic Publications, responsible for all aspects of publication for six community weekly newspapers, then Regional General Manager at Chesapeake Publishing, followed by his role as Editor and General Manager at South Hill Enterprise. In 1997, Res pivoted to join his father and then mother at Shirley Construction Corp as their Director of Business Development and Technology. He returned to journalism once more in 2006. During his time at Shirley, he was saved and received the call to ministry. He received his MACL from DTS. During his studies, he began serving as a part-time pastor at Liberty Spring Christian Church. He eventually transitioned into the full-time pastorate, where he served until his passing. Res was a writer, storyteller, manager, and mentor. To his family, he was a cherished son, a loving husband, a devoted stepfather, and a grandfather. To his friends, he was steadfast in his loyalty, generosity, and selflessness. He maintained a hearty laugh and a playful, clever, and mischievous sense of humor. An avid convertible owner, he declared that if it was over 50 degrees out, the top had to be down. That explains his late winter look of wind-burned cheeks and a sun-burned head. He found joy in live music, traveling with friends to attend concerts up and down the East Coast. Res lived his life with an open heart, embracing arms, and a helpful hand. Despite his at-times gruff exterior, he lived with an unlimited generosity of love and patience. He is survived by his wife, Annette; his mother; two stepdaughters; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.