DTS Alumni Connection // September

During the Sino-Japanese War, children were separated from their families to survive. They were sent to live with other families or to work on farms. Franklin Lee (ThM, 1963) was one of those children until Rev. Calvin Lee and his wife Dora (founders of Morning Star Children’s Home) adopted him. Calvin and Dora gave Franklin his new name, meaning “New in the Spirit.” After the war, Franklin and his new family moved to Hong Kong and eventually to the United States. Franklin studied psychology and engineering at Wayne State University. Afterward, he followed God’s calling to DTS. Franklin met the love of his life, Linda Hsu, a student at the University of Michigan while pastoring his first church, Detroit Chinese Bible Church. They had two daughters before heading to the mission field to serve in the Philippines. While pastoring in Manila and serving as the president of the Bible Institute of the Philippines, Franklin and Linda also welcomed two sons. The family served in Manila for eight years before moving to pastor Houston Chinese Church. Franklin pursued his passion as a church planter, serving as a shepherd in several Chinese churches. Franklin also found great reward in caring for others. He sponsored his birth siblings to come to the United States. He and Linda opened their home to extended family members, adopting dozens into their home. Franklin is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Linda, and their children and grandchildren. By God’s grace, Franklin lived a long and fruitful life. Throughout the challenges, Franklin relied steadfastly on Jesus, his family, and the gospel.

Keith Bateman (MABS, 1976) passed away on July 31, 2024. Before attending DTS, Keith graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and Temple Dental School, both in Pennsylvania. Keith used his dentistry skills to minister for three-and-a-half years in the US Navy and for fifteen years in Kenya and Sudan with Africa Inland Mission alongside his wife, Sharon. The couple returned to the United States in 1993, and Keith served as the senior pastor to two Midwest churches for fifteen years before serving as the US Director for an agency serving Middle Eastern churches. Keith is survived by his wife, their children, and grandchildren.

Frank Lewis Wiederrecht (ThM, 1985) passed away on February 2, 2022. Frank grew up in Iowa. His Sunday routine? Go to church and then fly planes with his dad. He earned his pilot’s license as a teenager. A campus experience with the Navigators prompted Frank to give his life to Christ. He transitioned into Navigators leadership and served at Good News Bible Church in Iowa City where he met and married Ann. Frank earned his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Religion from the University of Iowa before earning his ThM from DTS. After seminary, Frank and Ann returned to Good News Bible Church, and Frank served as the assistant pastor and college pastor. He eventually served as the senior pastor at the First Baptist Church before ministering through The Gathering, a non-denominational, coffee-house church. Frank loved well. He lavished grace and hope on others who needed safe spaces. Frank also loved all things outdoors—old tractors and trucks, hunting, fishing, skiing and snowboarding, and exploring—and he instilled that love in his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife and their children and grandchildren.

Stephen John Tolson (ThM, 1992) passed away on June 21, 2024. Stephen’s father, Robert Tolson (ThM, 1961; ThD, 1966), and brother, Robert Tolson Jr. (ThM, 1987), also graduated from DTS, and his sister, Rebecca, married Tom Cragoe (ThM, 1983; ThD, 1987). Stephen served as a chaplain for the Glendale and Peoria police departments for seventeen years. Ministering through joy as well as deep grief, Stephen championed the hurting. He never rushed people through their grief. He also encouraged the hurting to embrace their happy memories. Now, Stephen’s family leans into his advice not to rush through the grief and to hold their laughter-filled moments close. Stephen, a missionary kid, lived in Zambia until his family moved to Houston where his father pastored Bethel Independent Presbyterian Church. Stephen earned his undergraduate from John Brown University before attending DTS. He also graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown, receiving a Basic Peace Officer Certification. Stephen moved to Peoria in 1996 with his wife, Christine, before founding the Arizona Police Chaplains Ministries in 1997. Stephen will be remembered as an amazing father who genuinely loved others. He leaves behind a legacy, inspiring others to love and to fill moments with infectious laughter.