Staying Connected
James R. Brady (ThM, 1982; PhD, 1987) retired from his Christian counseling psychology referral practice.
Some of our Alaska residents, pictured above, Bob Bates (ThM, 1994), Linda Bates (MABS, 1992), and Fran Farrelly (MABS, 1999), spent time together with Greta Birtell, Office Manager for Alumni & Career Services, during her trip to Alaska. Bob and Linda teach at Alaska Bible College in Palmer, Alaska, while Fran is enjoying retired life, living in Wasilla, Alaska.
Our very own Greta Birtell traveled to Alaska along with her friend and fellow DTS staff member, Monica Pankratz, to visit Fran Farrelly (MABS, 1999), embarking on their long-anticipated Alaskan expedition! To the left (Monica, Fran, and Greta), you’ll see them holding up a rack of fifty-pound moose antlers. To the right (Fran, Greta, and Monica), you’ll see the cheerful trio standing next to a brown bear. We told her not to get too close to the bears, but she didn’t listen. The Alumni Office is pleased to report that Greta returned safely to the office after her adventures, bear-scratch-free, and we’re so glad to have her back!
Join Sheila Etonga (MACE, 2014) on a life-changing trip to Africa with C-Life, a ministry dedicated to raising up young professional servant-leaders in Africa’s marketplace who make an impact for God’s kingdom. The ten-day trip to Cameroon and Rwanda will focus on discipleship, leadership development, and empowering communities through business and career growth. If you have experience in those areas, sign up on your own or with your ministry team, mentees, or family. Learn more here or reach out to Sheila.
Events
During WEC Week 2025, the WEC Team along with the Alumni and Career Services Office hosted an ice cream social in Lamb Auditorium with Rev. Stephen Brown (ThM, 2005) serving as our EMCEE. Everyone enjoyed it! How could you not with buckets of ice cream and crazy Sundae toppings? If you have a God-given soft spot for the nations or experience on the mission field, join us next year to encourage students who are called to make Jesus known among the nations!
In Memory
Paul D. Lowery (ThM, 1956; ThD, 1979) went to be with our Lord and Savior on March 12, 2025. Paul and his late wife Sara served the Lord as missionaries in Guatemala for forty-three years, and Paul continued serving for another seven years after Sara passed away. He served as a professor at the Central American Theological Seminary in Guatemala City. Paul had a deep passion for his Lord, his family, and teaching God’s Word. He was witty and humorous to the end. He enjoyed jogging, fishing, golfing, and reading. He was a faithful member of Calvary Church and the Koinonia Hispanic Ministry. Paul is survived by his second wife, Nelly, and by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Gerald (Jerry) Dean Meyer (ThM, 1957) of Longmont, Colorado, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Born in 1931, Jerry grew up on the family’s Colorado farm, attending a baptist church in Lasalle throughout his childhood. Jerry accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was ten years old. As he grew older, his desire to know God and be useful to Jesus grew too. Jerry was actively involved in 4H throughout his youth, and he loved the outdoors. He also enjoyed music, singing in a traveling quartet during college. He graduated with a BA in Bible from Rockmont College in Denver in 1953. In 1955 Jerry married his wife, Barbara, and they had two sons, Mark and David. After earning his ThM, he pastored community and Evangelical Free churches in Montana and Colorado.
Jimmy Dale Leonard (ThM, 1965) passed away on March 3 at ninety-three years old. He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Claudia. Jimmy was a godly, kind, and thankful man to the very end. He appreciated his time at DTS and the wonderful education he received here. Jimmy faithfully served the Lord, and he is dearly loved and greatly missed, especially by his family and those he served as their pastor and Bible teacher.
Mike Chouinard (ThM, 1986) of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on January 30, 2025. Born on January 5, 1944, he attended San Jose State University, where he studied chemistry and assisted the police department with forensics. Mike then attended Officers Candidate School and rose to the rank of Navy Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. After the war, he served as a high school chemistry teacher. He also served as a missionary with the American Missionary Fellowship in Nebraska and Northern Maine before training to be a pastor at Dallas Theological Seminary. After graduating from DTS, he pastored churches in Idaho and California before returning to teaching science. After his retirement, Mike lived in New Mexico and Texas, where he continued consulting with the U.S. Navy, teaching Bible studies, and writing short stories, true and fiction, under the pseudonym Clifton Lee. Mike is survived by his wife, Anita, and by their children and grandchildren.
Charles (Chuck) R. Crawford (MABS, 1988) of Harrison, Tennessee, passed away on March 5, 2025. A lifelong Chattanooga resident, Chuck spent his childhood at the local ball fields or on the basketball courts. A graduate of DTS, Chuck worked as a brick mason with his father and brothers at their company, Crawford and Sons Masonry. He also served as an associate pastor at Meadowview Baptist Church and as a senior pastor at Germantown Road Community Church. He loved good music, spending time with friends, and the Tennessee Vols. Go Big Orange! Chuck’s favorite Bible verse was 2 Corinthians 5:15: He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, and by their children and grandchildren.
