Alumni Updates
Moody Bible Institute announced that Timothy Sisk (ThM, 1986) will step into the role of provost on July 1, 2024. As the chief academic office, he will oversee the undergraduate school in Chicago, their seminaries in Chicago and Plymouth, Michigan, and the aviation program in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Sisk is thankful for the opportunity to serve the Lord and others in his new role; he looks forward to cultivating an environment that promotes the flourishing of all those associated with the school—students, staff, and faculty.
In Memory
Charles (Chick) M. Sell, Sr., (ThM, 1960; ThD, 1967) passed away on May 5, 2024 in Libertyville, Illinois, leaving behind his wife of seventy years, Virginia “Ginger” Ruth Sell. Charles was not only a loving husband. He was a loving father to four children: Chuck (Cheryl) Sell, Larry (Joni) Sell, Howie (Laura) Sell, and Becky (Wayne) Sudrick. He was also a loving grandfather to his eight grandchildren: Mandy (Stephen) Love, Laura (Curtis) Borchardt, Charlie (Marie) Sell, Timothy Sell, Daniel Sell, Deanna (Chase) Sell, Robert (Melissa) Sell, and Christopher Sell. Charles dearly loved his great-grandchildren too: Stephen, Elias, Jade, and Simeon Love; Hailey, Mason, and Leah Borchardt; Grant and Hannah Sell; and another great grandbaby arriving in August. Charles loved his family dearly, but it was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought him many proud moments and much joy in his later years. In their free time, Charles and Virginia enjoyed camping in their RV, traveling, reading, and watching the Chicago Bears lose and the Chicago Cubs win.
Charles was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the steel mills as a teenager. While singing in a gospel quartet, he met a very special woman, Virginia Moore. On June 7, 1953, Charles and Virginia were married. Together they dedicated their lives to Christ. Charles then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he got his BA in Religion.
His career in Christian ministry started with a pastorate in Pennsylvania. Charles and Virginia then moved to Texas, where he attended DTS and received his Masters in Christian Education followed by his Doctorate in Theology. In 1967, he moved his wife and young family to the Philippines as missionaries and cofounded the Asian Theological Seminary in Manila, which is still thriving today. They returned to the United States in 1971, and Charles served as Professor of Christian Education at Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, teaching family ministry until his retirement. Charles published eleven books, including Family Ministry, Transitions through Adult Life, Spiritual Intimacy for Couples (with his wife Virginia), Power Dads, and Unfinished Business: Helping Adult Children Resolve Their Past. Charles and Virginia spoke at marriage conferences throughout the United States and beyond, including Korea and England. After retiring from full-time teaching, Charles continued to publish articles and work as professor emeritus at Trinity into his eighties. He was influential in the lives of many throughout his ministry.
Raymond (Bud) Leroy Chaney (MABS, 1982) of Rockwall, Texas, made his triumphant transition to glory on Tuesday morning, May 14, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born in Batavia, Ohio, on March 2, 1932. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor, teacher, mentor, and friend. He was raised on a farm with five brothers and was married to the love of his life, Margaret “Jane” Chaney, for seventy-one years. In his early married years, he learned the trade of bricklayer. He was saved at twenty; ten years later, he felt called to ministry and began preparing the foundation for his biblical education. He moved his family from Amelia, Ohio, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. After graduating from Tennessee Temple College, Bible school, and seminary, he became the pastor of a conservative Baptist church in Sedona, Arizona. When he felt the call for more education, a few years later, he left Sedona and moved his family to Dallas to attend DTS. The Lord gave Raymond a deep desire to know God’s Word and teach it to others. He was a pastor to several small churches, a substitute pastor at times, and served as a Sunday school teacher to the seniors at FBC Rockwall for many years. After the death of his wife and son-in-law in 2022, he joined the Samples Life Group at Lake Pointe Church to be with his daughter and son. He loved the Lord with all his heart, and his desire was to let everyone know how to be saved. He was a remarkable man who lived a life deeply rooted in faith. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Only heaven knows the true, eternal impact all his years of faithful service for the Lord will have on his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Norval and Clementine Chaney; two brothers, Jim and Ervin; his beloved wife, Jane Chaney; and his son-in-law, Buddy Sharp. He is survived by his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his daughter and his three brothers.
Thomas Robert Kennedy (ThM, 1987) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was welcomed into his eternal home on February 15, 2024, due to ongoing health struggles. Tom was born in Parkston, South Dakota, on September 28, 1952, to the late Charles Robert Kennedy and Helen Jane (Heisinger) Kennedy. The oldest of five children, he graduated from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1970. Growing up, Tom was passionate about athletics—a special bond he shared with his dad. He excelled in basketball, football, and baseball, winning state championships alongside his teammates in all three sports. Tom went on to play baseball at South Dakota State University, where he majored in Pharmacy. There he met the love of his life, Dana Lynn Logan. Tom and Dana were married on December 28, 1979, in Pueblo, Colorado. While in Colorado, the newlyweds enjoyed hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. It was during this time that Tom cultivated an interest in photography and spent many hours capturing the natural world on film. Tom’s career in pharmacy spanned thirty-five years and allowed him to experience life in new places. He worked in South Dakota, Washington D.C., Colorado, Texas, and Wisconsin. What Tom enjoyed most about pharmacy was relating to and helping people. He loved his patients and genuinely cared about the staff he managed, often going out of his way to hand-deliver prescriptions to patients too ill to visit the pharmacy. Always a voracious reader and book collector, Tom was a man passionate about knowledge and endeavored to instill that value in his children. From philosophy to economic theory, politics to history, he was always sharing new ideas. When asked about his favorite possessions, he responded, “Books are, for me, passports to new worlds. We live in a technologically advanced age, but what others thought about in simpler times may be more important. Material possessions are transient and will remain temporal. The most valuable possessions I have lie in my memories. The immaterial part of our being is what will survive our mortality. The stories of the Bible and promises conferred by our Creator are all that lasts.” Tom was an accomplished scholar, earning a Master of Theology at DTS and a Juris Doctor at the University of South Dakota. But his proudest accomplishment will forever be his family. Ever the supportive and doting dad, Tom’s bliss was guiding and mentoring his kids. He shared a special interest in the law with his daughter, Elizabeth, and encouraged her in her academic and professional endeavors. He took very seriously his role of hockey dad for his son, Brian, rarely missing a game. He couldn’t have been prouder when Brian embarked on a career in the Navy and then eventually was selected for helo pilot training in the Army National Guard. He enthusiastically supported his youngest child, Anne, in her musical talents and was curious to teach himself about software engineering when she chose to pursue that career path. Tom and Anne’s most beloved shared pastime was, of course, discussing the Packers. Tom leaves behind a legacy of fulfillment found in living as a servant. He sacrificed himself as a father, husband, coworker, and friend. In all his actions, Tom sought to elevate those around him. In the end, Tom was never self-pitying for the physical ailments he endured but always spoke of how blessed he was for all he had in life. Tom is missed beyond measure by his wife, three children, four siblings, his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Philip Michael Pantana (STM, 1987) was born on July 10, 1946 in Lima, Ohio, the first born son of the late Joseph Thomas Pantana and Alma Shenk Pantana. Phil, his two brothers, John and David, and their sister, Regina, grew up in northwest Ohio in a farming community, where they attended Elida Mennonite School, which was within walking distance of their farm house. After graduating from high school, Phil moved to Chicago, attending Moody Bible Institute and Midwestern Broadcasting School.
His educational experiences included a Bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University and three Master’s Degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and DTS. Phil was a faculty member of Liberty University and taught in communications, music, and theology. While at Liberty, he helped start the school yearbook, Selah; the FM radio station, WRVL; and the Praise and Worship Studies program with Dr. Robert Webber.
Phil was a true entrepreneur with a diverse personal and professional background. He was a published author with several books on Christian views, politics, and family. Phil also owned and operated Gaetano’s Italian-American Cafe, where he shared his passion for food inspired by his Italian heritage with the community. He also effectively marketed Gaetano’s Italian dressing, which became available in national grocery chains like Walmart and Wegmans.
At heart, Phil was a minister of music, an accomplished pianist, and a talented public speaker. He loved to make people laugh with his well-timed, family friendly jokes. Phil was known for his optimism, even in the face of great challenges and adversity. Alongside his brother, John, and their wives, they founded the Pantana Family Quartet, recorded six albums, and shared their voices on the Old Time Gospel Hour Television Program hosted by Jerry Falwell, Sr. Their uniquely blended harmonies and gospel-centered music touched the hearts of millions in churches across the world for nearly three decades.
He is survived by his four sons, his three siblings, his eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Phil was deeply loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed, and they look forward to seeing him in glory with Jesus.
Robert Daniel McGoldrick (MABS, 2005) walked straight into the arms of Jesus on November 9, 2023. He loved his days at Dallas Theological Seminary. During the summers, he attended the Tampa, Florida, satellite campus, where both he and his wife taught at Grace Christian School, Valrico, Florida. He became ill due to neuropathy and diabetes complications and passed peacefully in his sleep with family by his side. He was an active member of First Baptist Pittsburg, Texas, and a substitute teacher at the Pittsburg ISD, Hughes Springs ISD, and Daingerfield ISD until he became ill. He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-five years, Jana Kay Hasley McGoldrick.
