Rocky Mountain Campus, Commencement May 12

By Kandi Stimson

The Rocky Mountain Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary held its spring commencement on Saturday, May 12, at Community of Grace.  Graduates who received a Doctor of Ministry were: Bill Lighty, John Howeth, Doug Jones, Derrick Wilson, Randy Langham, and Albert Harris.  

Master of Divinity was awarded to: Bryan Adler, Al Barrera, Richard Long, J.J. McLallen, Christine Moos, John Moreland and Jeff Rogers.  

Graduates who earned a Master of Theological Studies were: Charleen Davis, David Martin and Jerry Shockley. 

Also participating were eight Contextualized Leadership Development (CLD) grads from Wyoming and seven Burmese CLD grads from Ethne’.

The following is a collection of biographical sketches featuring a sampling of the graduates:

Bryan Adler serves as a bi-vocational Pastor of Discipleship & Missions at Open Bible Baptist Church in Colorado Springs.  His passion is to see believers living purposeful, faith-permeated, service-centered lives that consistently reflect God’s glory to people inside and outside of their community.

John Moreland serves as the Senior Pastor of Lowry Community Christian Church in Denver, CO.  His ministry passions include discipleship, leadership and Christian education.  His future plans include obtaining a Ph.D to teach adjunctively in the university or seminary setting; as well as continue with his first love and calling – the local church.

Al Barrera serves as Lead Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Monte Vista, CO, emphasizing disciple making, service, outreach and missions.

Jerry Shockley, who lives by a sticky note of “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…”, is on staff at Orchards Baptist Church in Loveland, CO, but hopes to serve as a bi-vocational senior pastor in the future.

Richard Long is preparing for a church plant in northern Grand Junction, CO, and currently serves as a teacher and deacon at Bookcliff Baptist Church.

Jeff Rogers and his wife Cheryl are empty nesters and are both on staff part-time at Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge.  Jeff serves as the Men’s Pastor, volunteers with the youth group;  and on occasion, teaches seniors and kindergarteners.  He also works full time as a police sergeant.

Char Davis is the chaplain at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital; serves as the interim Mission Minister at North Metro Church and as a global missionary to India and Africa.

David Martin is currently serving as Assistant Pastor of Laramie Valley Chapel in Laramie, Wyoming.  He is also the Director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Wyoming.  His heart is for church planting.

Dr. Earl Waggoner, Assistant Professor of History and Theology at the Rocky Mountain Campus, is transitioning to Regional Campus Director of the Southern California Campus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, beginning June 1^st.  Dr. Waggoner has invested ten years of his life equipping, developing and training students in the Rocky Mountain area.  He will be missed greatly.  Please pray for Earl and his family as they continue to seek God’s direction for their lives.

Kandi Stimson is an Administrative Assistant with Rocky Mountain Campus, Golden Gate Seminary.