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
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Happenings & News
Faith in the Marketplace 2019: Living Missionally in the Everyday
Michael Gonzalez, Gino Curcuruto and Matt Murphy will provide expert advice in this practical enrichment seminar on living missionally in…
May 7 Event: Church Planting Information Session
Missio will be hosting a church planting information session on Tuesday, May 7 in Room 25
July 30 Event: Phillies Game with Missio
Mark your calendars for Tuesday evening, July 30th and RSVP for the Missio Family and Friends Night at the Ballpark!
First issue of Missio Magazine
We are excited to announce the launch of a new ministry resource for alumni and partners of the seminary called Missio Magazine.
April 9 Event: Bible/Theology Programs Open House
You are invited to the Missio Seminary Bible/Theology Programs Open House on Tuesday, April 9th from 6 to 8:30 pm.
March 18 Event: GSOC Open House
You are invited to the Missio Seminary Graduate School of Counseling Open House on March 18th from 6 to 8:30 pm.
March 23 Event: Money for Ministries
Thomas Skinner will provide expert advice on Money for Ministries: Creating a Culture of Generosity.
February 28 Event: Connection & Conversation Night
Join Dr. Todd Mangum, fellow alums, students and friends for some fun, laughter, learning, prayer and snacks.
Saying Farewell to Dr. Vannoy
Around 7:15 am on Sunday, February 3, founding faculty member J. Robert Vannoy went to be with the Lord. A memorial service will be held at…
Thriving in Ministry Initiative
Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary) received a grant of $976,616 to help establish the Program for Urban Leaders and…
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.
Faith in the Marketplace 2020: Faith & Work During COVID-19
In this online Faith in the Marketplace Conference, local business professionals & leaders talk about the integration of faith & work…
Online Classes Through June 30
As we continue to monitor the situation with COVID-19, Missio has decided to continue holding classes in an online format through June 30.
All Classes Continue Online Through April 27
As we continue to monitor the situation with COVID-19, Missio has decided to continue holding classes in an online format through April…
Self-Care Amid Scary, Uncertain Days
Missio graduates will be facilitating free online groups, “Seeking Hope During Covid-19” through Cornerstone Counseling Ministries.
Friday Mornings: Come Pray With Us
Knowing that prayer is the primary work of the people of God, we will be hosting a prayer call via Zoom each Friday morning at 9 AM.
March 17-27: Missio Campus Temporarily Closed
Missio will be suspending on-campus operations until March 27th in compliance with Mayor Jim Kenney's announcement. Staff are still…
March 16-April 3: Classes Meeting Online Only
Due to the Covid-19 virus, Missio will be moving all classes online beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, April 3rd.
Interview with alum author Rebecca Price Janney
When asked if her studies at Missio (DMin, 2000) influenced her writing, Rebecca enthusiastically responded, “Yes. Absolutely."
No One Came For Us
In recognition of Black History Month, founding board member of Biblical/MISSIO Seminary, Rev. Lin Crow, offers his reflections on the…
Missio featured on cover of In Trust magazine
This month Missio Seminary was on the cover of In Trust magazine and profiled in the article “How to make big transformational changes” by…
