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
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.
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.
Interview: Former Missio Board Chair Richard Yeskoo
As Missio continues celebrating 50 years of faithful ministry, Former Missio Board Chair (1992-1999), Richard Yeskoo shares historical…
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.
Dr. Heath on Self-Care
Rev. Dr. Heath reminds us that self-care is not selfish, but important for our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional care so we can…
Webinar Archive
Webinar Recording: Saving the Season
This recorded webinar explores to ways to bring meaning to this challenging season and facilitate excellence in worship of our savior.
Webinar Recording: Sexism and Racism
This recorded webinar continues our discussion on racism, with an emphasis on sexism as manifested in the workplace and the church.
Webinar Recording: Racism and the American Church
This recorded webinar features an authentic discussion on the history of racism within American Christianity.
Webinar Recording: African Americans and Asians Together
This recorded webinar explores how the two branches of the church can speak the truth in love for the sake of a common work of shalom in…
Webinar Recording: Becoming an Authentic Ally
This recorded webinar explores a critical issue at the heart of what it means for us to be one body in Christ at this time in our history.
Webinar Recording: Courageous Conversations on Race Relations
In this recorded webinar, Missio Seminary seeks to foster authentic discussion on racial reconciliation.
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…
Webinars
Hands on the Gospel Plow Webinar
Take an insightful journey with us as we delve into the missional history of the Black church moderated by Missio’s Assistant Professor of…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
Missio Events
June 8: Missio Seminary’s 53rd Commencement
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
Breakfast With Missio
Come to Breakfast with Missio September - December, every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 6:15am to 7:30am, at Franconia Square Café on Allentown…
Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Centennial Celebration
Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia Centennial Celebration of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan
PULPIT Virtual Open House
You are invited to virtual open houses for the PULPIT programs
June 16, 27, and 30: Virtual Open House Orientations
You are invited to virtual open houses for the Graduate School of Counseling, Bible/Theology, and Diploma programs.
June 4: Missio Seminary’s 51st Commencement
Missio's 51st Commencement will be live-streamed from this page.
March 24 Event: Virtual Open House
You are invited to a March 24th virtual open house for Doctor of Ministry Program.
PULPIT Virtual Open Houses
You are invited to virtual open houses for the PULPIT programs
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
Faculty & Alumni Blog
Continue to Press: A letter from the Editor
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
Lamenting in Seasons of Suffering
One helpful practice when walking through a season of suffering is writing a lament or a series of laments
Sunday’s Sermon
We share in the grief of friends and family who lost loved ones to the unspeakable violence in Buffalo
Hands on the Gospel Plow Webinar
Take an insightful journey with us as we delve into the missional history of the Black church moderated by Missio’s Assistant Professor of…
Black History Month Video Message
As we celebrate Black History Month at Missio Seminary, President Frank James shares the impact Black missional leaders have had on him and…
A Heartfelt Discussion with Sister Thelma White and Pastor Kevin Haynesworth
A Heartfelt Discussion with Sister Thelma White and Pastor Kevin Haynesworth
When Moderation and Justice Collide
Somehow justice, mercy, and humility belong together in a Christian social ethic. I think that is at least part of what MLK was telling us.
A Catalyst for Senior Pastoral Leadership
An excerpt on Senior Leadership from Pastor Keon Gerow and Dr. Sean Wise
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.
Happenings & News
New Opportunities for the Missio Community: Highlighting Collaboration and Our Commitment to the Church
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
June 8: Missio Seminary’s 53rd Commencement
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
Saying Farewell to Phil Ginyard
Rev. Dr. Phil Ginyard went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was heavily involved in the creation of Missio's Diploma…
Missio on the Move
The board has voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Clarence E. Wright as the next president of Missio Seminary.
Missio plans partnership with Kairos University
Missio is excited to announce a new partnership with Kairos University as a Legacy Partner.
Breakfast With Missio
Come to Breakfast with Missio September - December, every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 6:15am to 7:30am, at Franconia Square Café on Allentown…
Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Centennial Celebration
Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia Centennial Celebration of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan
PULPIT Virtual Open House
You are invited to virtual open houses for the PULPIT programs
June 16, 27, and 30: Virtual Open House Orientations
You are invited to virtual open houses for the Graduate School of Counseling, Bible/Theology, and Diploma programs.
June 4: Missio Seminary’s 51st Commencement
Missio's 51st Commencement will be live-streamed from this page.
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.
New Opportunities for the Missio Community: Highlighting Collaboration and Our Commitment to the Church
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
June 8: Missio Seminary’s 53rd Commencement
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
Continue to Press: A letter from the Editor
A recording of Missio's 52nd Commencement is available here.
Saying Farewell to Phil Ginyard
Rev. Dr. Phil Ginyard went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 5, 2023. He was heavily involved in the creation of Missio's Diploma…
Missio on the Move
The board has voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Clarence E. Wright as the next president of Missio Seminary.
Missio plans partnership with Kairos University
Missio is excited to announce a new partnership with Kairos University as a Legacy Partner.
Breakfast With Missio
Come to Breakfast with Missio September - December, every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 6:15am to 7:30am, at Franconia Square Café on Allentown…
Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Centennial Celebration
Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia Centennial Celebration of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan
PULPIT Virtual Open House
You are invited to virtual open houses for the PULPIT programs
June 16, 27, and 30: Virtual Open House Orientations
You are invited to virtual open houses for the Graduate School of Counseling, Bible/Theology, and Diploma programs.
