50th Anniversary Celebration
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
Virtual Campus Tours with Dr. James
You are invited to gather as alumni and ministry leaders for a virtual campus tour from our President, Dr. Frank James.
Missio Events
March 17: Virtual Student Hangout
Join us for a night of exciting fellowship, fun trivia, an inspiring interview with Dr. Lamb, and an informative virtual Missio tour.
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.
March 2, 4, and 11: Virtual Open Houses
You are invited to virtual open houses for the Graduate School of Counseling, Bible/Theology, and Diploma programs.
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.
Virtual Campus Tours with Dr. James
You are invited to gather as alumni and ministry leaders for a virtual campus tour from our President, Dr. Frank James.
On the Tragic Events in Washington, DC
Please join us for prayer Wednesday, January 13th at 1 PM.
December 3 Webinar: Saving the Season
This conversation will explore ways to ways to bring meaning to this challenging season and facilitate excellence in worship of our savior.
December 2: Student Christmas Celebration
Put on your festive Christmas red and green and join us via Zoom for a time of Christmas joy and celebration!
November 16: PULPIT Clergy Celebration
PULPIT will kick-off our next retreat by honoring the Pastors/Mentors who have supported Cohort I in their ministries.
October 1: PULPIT Information Session
Missio is pleased to announce its Program for Urban Leaders and Pastors in Transition is currently accepting applications for Cohort II.
Faculty & Alumni Blog
Arc of the Moral Universe
Perhaps my favorite quote from Martin Luther King Jr. is this: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
Exciting news from Dr. Larry Anderson
Congratulations to Dr. Larry L. Anderson Jr. who was elected the national president of the State Directors of Evangelism.
On the Tragic Events in Washington, DC
Please join us for prayer Wednesday, January 13th at 1 PM.
Christmas Message from Dr. James
A brief Christmas message from President James and thoughts on where Missio stands at the end of a year full of struggle.
On the Death of Walter Wallace Jr
As followers of Jesus, we join in grief with the family of Walter Wallace Jr. and the community of West Philadelphia.
The Last Words of John Lewis
Congressman John Lewis, who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death. He wanted it to be published on the day of his…
In Memoriam: CT Vivian and John Lewis
This past Friday, we lost two giants of the civil rights movement—CT Vivian and John Lewis.
Journal of Urban Mission 6:1
Welcome to volume 6, issue 1 of the Journal of Urban Mission, which takes an honest look at the American system of justice.
Statement from President James
It is with profound regret that MISSIO must again denounce racial injustice in our nation.
Dr. Lamb on Hezekiah
A couple of years ago I was invited by the two editors to participate in this two-part series of character studies in Samuel and Kings.
Happenings & News
Class of 1972 Virtual Reunion: Celebrating The First Graduating Class
As a part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Missio was blessed to celebrate honor and thank our first graduating class of 1972.
Journal of Urban Mission 7:1
Volume 7 Issue 1 is dedicated to the theme of #churchtoo. Abuse of power and leadership failures may be nothing new in churches, but that…
Recognition of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a recognition of Black American life and resilience, and honors the contributions of Black Americans to this country.
June 17: 2021 Korean Missional Conference
In this Korean-language webinar, Rev. Lee highlights the importance of missional churches becoming engaged in the local community.
June 11: Faith in the Marketplace 2021
Hear from Dr. R. Todd Mangum and local business leaders as they discuss how to build upon our faith to move forward from crises, including…
June 5: Missio Seminary’s 50th Commencement
Missio's 50th Commencement will be live-streamed from this page.
Introducing the Diploma Program
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…
Statement Against Anti-Asian Racism
As followers of Jesus we are deeply troubled by the murderous attacks in Atlanta.
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.
Newsletter Archive
New Opportunities for the Missio Community: Highlighting Collaboration and Our Commitment to the Church
Missio Seminary has been richly blessed with remarkable opportunities as we follow Jesus into the world, and we are thrilled to share that even more promising possibilities are on the horizon! At its summer meeting, the Board of Trustees of Missio Seminary unanimously voted to deepen our collaboration with Kairos University. Read More.
Spring 2025
Summer 2024
Summer 2023
Winter 2021
- February 22 – Missio Update
- January 25 – 50th Anniversary Announcement
- January 7 – Message from Dr. James
Fall 2020
- December 22 – Missio Update & Christmas Message from Dr. James
- November 24 – Missio Update
- October 22 – Missio Update
- September 2 – Missio Update
Summer 2020
- August 19 – Missio Update
- August 5 – Missio Update
- July 22 – Missio Update
- July 8 – Missio Update
- June 24 – Missio Update and Letter from the President
- June 17 – Missio Update
- June 9 – Missio Update
- June 3 – Missio Update and Letter from the President
Spring 2020
- May 27 – Missio Update
- May 20 – Missio Update
- May 13 – Missio Update
- May 7 – Video Message
- April 29 – Video Message
- April 22 – Video Message and News
- April 21 – COVID-19 Update from Missio
- April 16 – Video Message from President Frank James
- April 8 – Update from Missio
- April 1 – Update from Missio
Blog Landing Page
What's Happening at Missio
Join us as we follow Jesus into the world through the many happenings at Missio as our community of missional leaders bring the Gospel to life. Navigate with the links below and sign up for the convenience of a monthly newsletter to update you by email.
A Catalyst for Senior Pastoral Leadership
An excerpt on Senior Leadership from Pastor Keon Gerow and Dr. Sean Wise
WHY WE LOVE MISSIO
As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, we hear from our students and alumni on why they love Missio. #ILOVEMISSIO
THE MISSIO LOGO
This page explains the history behind our Missio logo.
Biblical Seminary Memories with Dr. Newman
As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, Dr. Bob Newman shares stories of the BTS/Missio younger years.
Gracious Hospitality: Welcoming My New Neighbor
To understand the history, culture, current context, and how Christians can be neighbors of the Afghan refugees.
Nov. 18: Faith and the Justice System
Discussion of current & potential relationships between communities & police officers motivated by a desire to be good citizens creating…
October 21: Writers Coffeehouse
This will be an informal discussion about writing, the writing process and getting published. President Frank James and his wife, Carolyn…
Missio Around The World
As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, we hear from from our students and alumni from around the world.
MISSIO on MISSION to Share Some Good News
Enjoy anecdotes from our amazing alums, new & exciting stories from current students, and experience the passion that goes into teaching…
Class of 1972 Virtual Reunion: Celebrating The First Graduating Class
As a part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Missio was blessed to celebrate honor and thank our first graduating class of 1972.
