Biblical Studies Alumni Outcomes

Sarah Montgomery 2012
Community Servings, Boston

Since my graduation in 2012, I have worked for a non-profit called Community Servings. Located in Boston, Community Servings delivers medically- tailored meals to over 1,000 people struggling with meal prep due to critical illness such as breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, renal failure or heart disease. I work with case managers and medical providers to help start their clients on our program.

As a member of Park Street Church in Boston, I spend some of my spare time co-teaching Christian Formation classes for adults on Sunday mornings and facilitating a small group consisting of young married couples. I've recently become a volunteer with a life-affirming pregnancy center called "Boston Center for Pregnancy Choices" which offers options counseling, pregnancy tests and parenting classes. I help out weekly by being on call to answer their 24/7 hotline.

I am very grateful for my Gordon education and my time in the Biblical Studies department and abroad at Jerusalem University College was very formative of both my faith and identity in Christ.

Sarah Seibert 2014
Director of Christian Education
Disciples of Christ 
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a solid foundation in biblical studies and a concern for the marginalized in society that was established during my time at Gordon, I am excited to continue deepening my personal faith and identifying its practical outworkings.

Brian Craig 2013
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Student

After graduating from Gordon I started a Master’s of Divinity Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In addition to being in seminary I have been working with the youth ministries team at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. I have also gotten the chance to do ministry work in Chicago, Nicaragua and Haiti. My experience as a Biblical Studies major was truly informational. Before coming to Gordon I was a new Christian who was intimidated by the Bible, but my courses taught me how to read and approach Scripture holistically. The Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry professors truly did prepare me well to teach God’s Word.

Chelsea Revell 2013
Jerusalem University College

After graduating from Gordon in 2013, I moved to Israel to manage the library at Jerusalem University College for two years. Having studied at JUC for one semester in 2012, this opportunity to put down roots for a bit longer allowed me to engage with a wonderful spectrum of faculty and students while coordinating academic resources for JUC’s Biblical- and modern Middle Eastern-focused programs, and also to enjoy the privilege of providing promotional photography for the school.

Grateful for the many connections I have made, lessons God has taught me, and these two years of deepened understanding in several spheres, I move forward in the fall of 2016 to begin an MA in Intercultural Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL). In this program I hope to weave together a study of the natural sciences with Trinity’s foundations of Christian thought in the social sciences, and through this intentional integration, to move toward thoughtfully contributing to human needs and rights, perhaps with a special focus on environmental issues or public health. I remain deeply grateful for the ways in which my experience with Gordon’s Bible department truly continues to inspire and illuminate the ways in which I desire to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Josh Bell 2012
Local church work, Zimbabwe

After finishing at Gordon College, I moved back to Oxford, UK, where I had studied for a year as a visiting scholar during my time at Gordon. I worked in a vibrant city center evangelical church as a study assistant to the rector for two years. This was a great learning experience both intellectually and practically for future ministry. Moving to Oxford also enabled me to marry my lovely British fiancée (now wife). In November 2014 we moved back to my native Zimbabwe where I work long term in the local church, preaching, pastoring and making Christ known. Lord willing, I also hope to be able to contribute to theological education in Zimbabwe in the future.

Bethany Walton 2011
Graduate Student in Occupational Therapy

I met the people (students, faculty and staff) who would change and define my life at Gordon College; they were the ones who were sensitive to God and the needs of their fellow man, daily modeling perseverance to know God and make Him known, whether in personal, academic or community circles. Biblical Studies showed me my passion for understanding God’s Word and “doing” practical theology. I am doing graduate work in Occupational Therapy, with anticipated graduation in December 2016, at the Sage Colleges in Troy, NY, where it is my continued desire to bring Jesus into wherever I am.

John Muthersbaugh 2011
Esperanza Health Center

I am humbled by the continued work of the Lord Jesus in my heart and my life. I am blessed to be married to my wife, Lisa, and we reside north of Philadelphia. My deep study of Scripture at Gordon College led me to seek to live a life that is faithful to the Lord in all things, especially by seeking to love and serve the poor and the oppressed, and to seek justice on their behalf. In pursuit of that aim, I am currently serving in an administrative role at Esperanza Health Center, a member of Christian Community Health Fellowship. Esperanza is a multi-cultural ministry that provides holistic healthcare to the underserved communities of North Philadelphia.

Andrew Pottorf 2011
Ph.D. Student, Harvard University

At Gordon College, I hit the ground running with a major in Biblical Studies, a concentration in Biblical Languages, and a minor in German. Though I finished in only three years, I benefited from great professors who mentored me and involved me in various teaching assistant positions. I also took advantage of Gordon's rich study abroad programs, traveling to both Israel and Jordan as well as Austria. I then spent four years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which, being only miles away from Gordon, allowed for me to stay involved at Gordon as a graduate teaching assistant. Now, I am pursuing a Ph.D. at Harvard University in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, with a focus on Assyriology (the study of the ancient Near East). My research is primarily based in epigraphy, which means that I study Semitic inscriptions and their historical backgrounds. Thanks to Gordon, I started off on the right foot. I was able to have a theologically-rich foundation as well as a rigorous exposure to the biblical texts and their languages.

Charles Teixeira 2010
Husband, Father, Seminarian

The Lord used my time at Gordon to form me into a living theologian interacting with a very alive Savior. After four years of rigorous studying, openly talking about the Lord with my friends and worshipping as a whole student body, God met me both in the texts of Scripture and in the works He performed on the campus. Today, I am studying at Bethel Seminary in San Diego (M.Div.), ministering in my local church, writing as a contributor for XXXChurch.com, being a husband to my wife and father to my firstborn son Andrew.

Amy Gentile 2008
Teaching at Private Christian School in Nashua, NH

Since Gordon, I've been teaching at a small, private Christian school in Nashua, NH. Even though I'm teaching Math, I still use so many of the things I've learned in Bible classes in my conversations and interactions with the students. My Bible classes deepened my faith and taught me the importance of things—like the Resurrection and the Kingdom of God—that I had never really heard a lot about in church. I'm glad that I get to share these things with my students. I challenge them to think deeply about their faith, and that there's always more to learn.  Most of all, my professors at Gordon showed me how to seek after God; that having a passion for studying His Word and His Church doesn't have to be divorced from a deep personal relationship with Christ. I aspire to show my students the same things, to connect with them on a personal level, and show them what the faith looks like fleshed out, as well as talking about it.

Katie Donworth 2008
Advancement Communications Specialist at Gordon College

After graduating from Gordon College, I pursued a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages from Gordon-Conwell. It was a great continuation of the work I began at Gordon. Since then, I have enjoyed putting my education to use at my church doing curriculum and discipleship development for small groups and adult formation, as well as teaching some courses here at Gordon! I have also worked as an editor in the marketing sector, and now it’s great to be back at Gordon working with our wonderful faculty.

Rebecca Jones 2007
Attending Law School, University of Washington

After graduating from Gordon, I traveled to Chile to solidify my Spanish and continue research that I began while studying abroad. Upon returning to the States, I worked at a non-profit which gives grants to low-income women for health care and education, while getting ready for law school. Currently, I am in law school at the University of Washington and hope to practice either immigration or employment law. The Biblical and Theological Studies program at Gordon prepared me for law school in ways that I never expected. I have found that the analysis used in Biblical exegesis is very similar to that used in breaking down legal decisions. My experience at Gordon has definitely made me a better law student and I am certain it will make me a better practitioner as well.

Jared Watson 2006
Pursuing M.A. in Philosophy

Though I began my time at Gordon expecting to pursue a different major, after attending my New and Old Testament classes, I made the easy decision to switch to Biblical Studies. The classes are rigorous and never dull with each faculty member having their own unique and effective teaching style. The Biblical Studies professors challenged me to be a better and more independent thinker, while at the same time were always available to answer any questions I might have, or to provide more guided independent study if I was interested. Though I went on to pursue a MA in Philosophy, a field outside of my major at Gordon, it was the foundational learning tools, knowledge, and habits of study developed as a Biblical Studies major that gave me a diversity of choices as to my future educational goals.

Wes Roberts 2005
Worship Pastor in Charleston, SC

After I graduated, I served as a Youth Director for a church in Connecticut for three years. At the end of my time there I felt called to focus more on leading worship music, so I took a job as the Worship Pastor at a church in Charleston, SC. As a Worship Pastor I use the tools I learned as a Biblical Studies major to grow in my understanding and relationship with God, as each Sunday I engage our congregation in music, prayer, and communion, and manage dozens of volunteers, counsel youth and adults, and communicate vision to others in the ministry. Above all, Gordon taught me to be a man of character and a great part of that is ministry to my family. I have enjoyed a wonderful marriage over the last four years, as well as having a beautiful daughter.  As I look to the future I can only say for certain that I want to continue to be in full-time ministry in the church, develop leaders in ministry, and continuing to follow God's path for our family's life.

Paul Gant 2004
Associate Pastor, Kennebunk, ME

In the fall 2007, while finishing a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I moved to Portland, ME to go on staff as an Assistant Pastor. Currently I am serving as an Associate Pastor in Kennebunk, ME. I am extremely grateful for the significant ways that my Gordon education continues to shape my philosophy of ministry in the church. Gordon College played a pivotal role in preparing me as I continue to study, teach, serve, and equip the church. However, it was not only the education that has deeply shaped me but also the faculty, with whom I still remain in contact. The faculty in the Bible department is remarkable at demonstrating one of the great missions of Gordon College, “freedom within a framework of faith.”

Daniel L. Smith 2003
Associate Professor of New Testament at Saint Louis University

I graduated from Gordon with a double major in History and Spanish, but a Greek class with Prof. Ted Hildebrandt helped to guide my future course. With Prof. Hevelone-Harper's encouragement, I pursued an M.A. in Early Christian Studies at the University of Notre Dame. As much as I enjoyed studying the early Church, I realized that I could not fully make sense of patristic literature without a better comprehension of the Scriptures that permeate those writings. I continued on to do a Ph.D. in Theology (Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity) at Notre Dame, and I focused my studies on the New Testament. I am delighted now to have the opportunity to share what I have learned (and am learning!) with students here at SLU. I love teaching, and I hope to invite future students into a deeper understanding of the New Testament writings in their cultural, linguistic, historical, and social contexts. After all, as Prof. Hildebrandt taught me, "Context determines meaning." And as many of my Gordon professors demonstrated, the vocation of teaching is a wonderfully challenging and richly rewarding way of living ad majorem Dei gloriam.

Shane Ross 2003
Involved in Local Church

Though I chose not to go directly into Biblical Studies, my degree work has greatly assisted me in the positions of Christian Education Director at First Baptist Church in Danvers, MA and Chair of the Missions Committee at South Coast Community Church in Scarborough, ME. The variety of a liberal arts education has also allowed me to seek management positions in business. The opportunity that Gordon provided to form relationships with fellow Christians from all over the country and the globe has proved invaluable in recent months, as has the important lesson learned at Gordon to trust and keep faith in God in both easy and difficult times. This past spring our then 18-month-old was diagnosed with developmental hip dysplasia, the treatment of which had the potential for open surgery and up to six months in a body cast; my wife, Joely, and I were brought to our knees before God, though God planned to use this situation, and my daughter, to teach me the true meanings of faith and love. It has been beyond amazing to be a first hand witness as, one by one, God has answered the faithful prayers of hundreds, including those many connections from Gordon. At each checkpoint along the way my daughter has had the best prognosis possible, sometimes better than was expected, and, through it all, Madison has held fast to that spark of joy that God has placed within her (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Nate VanYperen 2002
Graduate Student at Princeton Theological Seminary

After graduating from Gordon College, I worked as an AmeriCorps member, coordinating conservation outreach at the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch, NH, and then taught Bible and coached middle school sports for a private high school before returning to academics. I landed at Princeton Theological Seminary for the Master of Divinity degree, then the Master of Theology degree, and now the Doctor of Philosophy in Religion and Society.  Upon completion of the Ph.D., I hope to teach at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. As I reflect back on my undergraduate days, I am confident that Gordon prepared me well for graduate work. I found the department to be a place that encouraged students to find their own voices and pursue questions that mattered to them. I remember fondly how faculty members made themselves available to discuss ideas related to a class or the broad vocational questions related to "what comes next".

Jodie Birdwell 1999
Lawyer, Insurance Coverage Litigation

Jodie graduated cum laude from American University's Washington College of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy and the Law. She then held judicial clerkships at both the trial and appellate levels in Washington, DC. After her clerkships, she joined a national law firm, specializing in advising and representing policyholders in insurance coverage litigation. She has represented the FDIC, as conservator, in mortgage insurance litigation, and is experienced in the litigation and settlement of insurance coverage matters for policyholders facing directors and officers liability, managed-care and other health-related liabilities, and liabilities and losses incurred as the result of property damage.

Photo: Jodie is fifth from left and two over from Chief Justice John Roberts. Click on photo for full image.

Joshua T. Johnson 1998
Teaching at Nazarene Theological Seminary

Joshua is currently teaching Introductory and Intermediate Hebrew at Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) in Kansas City, MO.  Joshua was a full-time associate minister in the United Methodist Church from 2000–2004, began his MDIV at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and completed the program at NTS, graduating summa cum laude in the spring of 2009. Joshua was a recipient of the Zondervan Biblical Languages Award in Biblical Hebrew in 2006, has been an adjunct instructor at NTS in Biblical Hebrew since the fall of 2006, has had two different associate positions in the Church of the Nazarene (2004-05 & 2007), was selected first in NTS’s Corlett Senior Sermon competition in 2009, and was the recipient of NTS’s presidential academic achievement award. On a more personal note, Joshua is married to Jennifer (Seeley) Johnson (also of Gordon’s class of 1998), is a six-year survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is a licensed minister in the Church of the Nazarene, is a board member and Adult Sunday School teacher at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Independence, MO, and is presently praying for the Lord’s guidance in his next ministerial steps, considering both Ph.D. work and senior pastor opportunities.