It’s a long journey from a prison cell to a church pulpit, but Lowell Ivey has traveled it by God’s grace. On May 27, 2016, the former prisoner was ordained and installed as the organizing pastor for Reformation Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, VA. “My testimony is the Lord’s testimony as he’s worked by … Continue reading Transformation: From prison to pulpit
If number of tears shed is an indication, Divine Hope’s summer study center at Rockville Correctional Facility was a huge success. Tears sprang to eyes as women inmates shared heartbreaking concerns. Tears flowed as music touched hearts. And tears welled in eyes shining with joy and hope in Jesus Christ. “God mightily blessed the six-week … Continue reading God’s Spirit at work in women’s prison
How can you describe the wind? You cannot see it or capture it, but it tousles your hair and caresses your face. Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is … Continue reading Wind of the Spirit
The open door for ministering to women prisoners in Rockville, IN, was recently thrown wider. Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary has the opportunity to begin a study center within the prison this summer, and organizers are planning a unique conference and fellowship experience with a retreat tone. Two courses on the Heidelberg Catechism will be … Continue reading Study Center to open at Rockville Women’s Prison
Rev. Ken Anema, who has pastored Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI, for nearly 21 years, will become Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary on July 1, 2014. His position will balance that of Rev. Nathan Brummel, who as Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament has focused … Continue reading Anema joins Divine Hope team
Matthew records some of Christ’s most terrifying and sobering words about Judgment Day. In Matthew 7: 21-23, Jesus warns that righteous actions are meaningless without genuine faith. And in Matthew 25:31-46, he describes how he will separate the sheep from the goats, the latter of which will include those who didn’t feed the hungry, assuage … Continue reading Visit those in prison
Late Saturday night I returned from a five-day speaking trip in Illinois and Indiana. Since then I've been decompressing and processing. My mind churns with memories and images that are difficult to distill. One thing I know: God's Spirit amazed me over and over! He equipped introverted-homebody me, who hadn't been able to prepare as … Continue reading God’s work in Illiana
Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary held its second commencement ceremony on June 15, 2013. Nine men, who had completed thirty credit hours in their first year of seminary instruction, received a Certificate in Christian Studies. Graduates were in a celebratory mood. “It was so good to see my students in high spirits,” says Professor Nathan … Continue reading Prison seminary holds second commencement
The Lord is opening doors for Reformed ministry to women inmates. Rev. Nathan Brummel, who heads up Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and his wife, Paula, presented conferences on the “Virtuous Woman” at women’s facilities in Decatur, IL, on January 11-12, and in Rockville, IN, on February 9, 2013.The Rockville Correctional Center is the largest … Continue reading Ministering to women in prison
Twelve men celebrated their seminary graduation on December 20, 2012. That may not seem remarkable, but these men are inmates at the Danville Correctional Center in Illinois. They received certificates for completing 30 credit hours in a year of study at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, which meets on-site at the Danville facility. “The graduation … Continue reading Prison-based seminary graduates first class
Glenda Faye Mathes 