SEMINARY IN THE CITY

Every day Victor Arceneaux can be found across the street from ABSW at Berkeley’s People’s Park, well known as the site of student protests and home for the homeless.

Arceneaux, a seminary middler, talks with the homeless and sometimes prays with them. “They call me the preacher in the park,” he says.

This ministry comes naturally for Arceneaux. Twenty-seven years ago his parents started a feeding program in Berkeley through Church by the Side of the Road.

While Arceneaux’s long-term plan is to work in youth and young adult ministry, he enjoys following in his parents’ footsteps. “I’m an extension of my parents’ ministry.”

Dr. LeAnn Flesher

Dr. LeAnn Flesher, acting academic dean and associate professor of Old Testament, will present a paper at the Society of Biblical Literature in Toronto in November. Her paper is titled “Poetic Artistry: A Close Look at Psalms 8 , 84, and 113.”

Dr. George C.L. Cummings, academic dean and professor of theology, currently on sabbatical, is the guest lecturer for the 21st Annual Sandy F. Ray Institute sponsored by First Institutional Baptist Church, Phoenix, Ariz., where Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr., chair of the ABSW board, is senior pastor. The theme of the conference is “Dealing with the Preacher’s Dilemma – To be Priestly, Prophetic and/or Pastoral.”

Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., professor of preaching, was honored by A Community of Unity Gospel Fest in collaboration with the City of Oakland’s Art and Soul Festival. Smith was presented a plaque “in recognition of his leadership abilities, dedication and commitment to serving a diversity of people throughout East Oakland, the Greater Bay Area and the Nation.”

Smith wrote one of two forewords for the newly released “An Encyclopedia of African American Christian Heritage” by Marvin A. McMickle, published by Judson Press. He is also featured in the encyclopedia as a denominational founder and leader.

The Rev. Katie Choy-Wong, director of admission and instructor in ministry, attended the Asian American Baptist Women in Ministry Conference in San Diego in October.

Dr. Keith A. Russell, president and professor of pastoral theology, was the keynote speaker for the October annual meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Kansas.

Dr. Tim Tseng, associate professor of American religious history and director of the Asian American Center, edited the September 2002 issue of American Baptist Quarterly. The focus is on Asian American Baptists. Tseng sits on the board of the American Baptist Historical Society.

In October Tseng led a workshop on “Parenting in the Post-Modern Generation” for the annual marriage and family conference of the Ministry of English-Speaking Asians (MESA).

Dr. Judy Yates Siker, newly appointed assistant professor of New Testament, received the Outstanding Professor Award last spring from her former school, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

In September and October, Yates Siker taught a class on “Defining Moments in Jewish/Christian Relations” at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, Brentwood, Calif.

Also in October, she led an Advent series at St. Cyprian’s Parish, Long Beach, Calif.

Dr. Nancy Hall, director and associate professor of contextual education, presented a continuing education course in October in conjunction with Central Baptist Theological Seminary. The course, “Back to the Future: Revelation as a Paradigm for Worship,” was held in Casper, Wyo., and Aurora, Colo.

The Rev. Desmond Hoffmeister, director of the Global Prophetic Network, was the keynote speaker at the October annual dinner of the Rauschenbusch Center for Spirituality and Service, based at University Baptist Church in Seattle.