Fellow Alumni,

The year is drawing to a close and the holidays are upon us. The students in the GSTAA are finishing their semester, turning in papers and preparing for finals. For some graduation is right around the corner. Others, will spend the holidays reading for the next semester.

Though it has been ten years since my unsteady mortar board fell off when Dr. Money hugged me as I crossed the stage to receive my diploma, I still recall with fondness the time I spent studying with our outstanding faculty and students. It is good to know that those things are still going on.  It always pleases me to visit the campus and see the continual stream of young and older scholars working together adding knowledge to their faith.

As we alumni look back at our own experience at ACU let's give thanks for what was given to us and let's give thanks for the continuing labor of love that is the Graduate School of Theology.

In the article below, B. Shelburne reflects on his life in ministry and his gratitude to ACU for preparing him for ministry. What is your story?   Email me and let me know about your ministry experience since leaving ACU.  With your permission, we will post these stories on this site.

Charme Robarts
President, GSTAA

Involvement Minister
Skillman Church of Christ
Dallas, TX
charme.robarts@skillmanchurch.org

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After 19 years in mission work in Malawi, Africa, My wife Ruth and I returned to the U.S. in 1980.  I assumed the presidency at South Houston Bible Institute.  I already had a 1958 BA in Bible from ACU.  But having been overseas for so long, I was hungry for study. When ACU began to offer extension graduate studies in Houston  in 1982 on alternate weekends, it was too good to pass up.

I graduated with a Masters in Biblical Studies in 1989.  This was an invaluable aid as I developed and taught courses at SHBI.  I also was able to network with fellow graduate students in the Houston Area.  I  maintained some ties with my GST professors and they continued to be a source of help and encouragement long after I finished my graduate degree.  They combined academic excellence with a servant heart. ACU has gone the second mile, formatting their program to enable busy ministers to pursue graduate work. For this I will always be grateful.

B. Shelburne
South Houston Bible Institute
Houston, TX