 Missio has reason to celebrate—and celebrate all year long. As of 2021, MISSIO is celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry to the Philadelphia region (1971-2021). The Holy Spirit is alive and well and will not be quarantined.
Our celebration will look back but also look forward. We will recognize the foundation that was laid by our two founders: Dr. Allan MacRae and Dr. Jack Murray—one was a scholar and the other an evangelist.  Together they embodied a spirit that joined serious Bible study a with a missionary’s zeal to share the Gospel—but always with a gracious and respectful understanding of the cultural context—”theirs was a Gospel with legs.”
One of the signs of a healthy organization is growth. I am not talking about numerical growth (although that has happened). I am talking about spiritual growth. We have grown in our self-understanding; we have grown in our understanding of Scripture; and we have grown in compassion, grace, and love of God and neighbor. We have recommitted ourselves to metro Philadelphia—urban and suburban.
Nothing demonstrates that growth better than the missional turn nearly 20 years ago. Dr. David Dunbar led what was then Biblical Seminary to become one of the first seminaries in the US to embrace a full throttled missional theology. It has been my privilege to continue the missional emphasis by changing our name to reflect better our missional commitment and then to move into the city to live out God’s mission. We have tried our best to be strategic, wise, and faithful to the original vision of MacRae and Murray as we seek to serve Philadelphia and the North East corridor from New York City to Washington DC. It has been quite a ride even if it has been bumpy at times. Today, we still stand on the shoulders of remarkable leaders. And we intend to celebrate.
Join me in celebrating God’s blessings upon MISSIO Seminary for the last 50 years with a view to how He will bless in the next 50 years.
Frank A. James III, DPhil, PhD
President and Professor of Historical Theology
Missio Seminary
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We are pleased to announce the launch of our Diploma Program starting September 2, 2021. This is a non-degree program oriented to those…
May 13 Webinar: Participating with Our Missional God
The purpose for this webinar is to pause, recognize, and celebrate the ways in which God has and is working through Missio counseling…
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As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, we hear memories and inspiration from Rev. Kang (MDiv '86, ThM '87) and Rev.…
Biblical Seminary Memories with Rev. Pakala
As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, Rev. Jim Pakala shares stories of the BTS/Missio younger years.
April 15: Missio Seminary Presidents Unite
Dr. David Dunbar and Dr. Frank James join together to discuss the changes in the church, culture and the seminary.
Matt Millen on why Missio is Important
We asked Matt Millen to tell us why he and his wife Pat are committed to the mission of the seminary.
Arthur R. White Scholarship
As a seminary with a missional commitment, we are honored to join in aiding African American students in receiving the education they…
Feb 25 Webinar: We’ve Come This Far By Faith
Contributions of Missio's black students, alumni, staff, faculty and board members will be highlighted for Black History Month.
Feb 11 Webinar: The Meaning of Missional
It has been nearly 20 years since Biblical Seminary took the missional turn and reconfigured its identity and curriculum.
Join Us in Celebrating 50 Years
As of 2021, MISSIO is celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry to the Philadelphia region (1971-2021).
