We are excited about advancing Christ’s Kingdom at Antioch! One of the kingdom-advancing functions of Calvary Presbytery as a regional expression of the church (see this article) is the examination, encouragement, and discipling of prospective ministers. Today at the 160th Stated Meeting of Calvary Presbytery, three of Antioch’s members were presented to the Presbytery for consideration.
Mr. Ryan Colvin was examined for licensure (a preparatory step on the way to ordination) in the areas of English Bible knowledge, theology, and church government. He also delivered a brief sermon for the presbytery’s review. He passed each of the parts of his exam along with the exam as a whole, and the Presbytery was pleased to welcome him as a “licentiate.” This means that he is now cleared to “preach the Gospel in this Presbytery wherever God in His providence may call you.” Specifically, he is now “permitted to preach in the pulpits of the Presbyterian Church in America on a regular basis” (defined as more than twice per month in the same pulpit/church) within Calvary Presbytery. Below is a picture of Mr. Colvin receiving a charge from the moderator of the Presbytery, Ruling Elder Dr. Kevin Mobley of the Second Presbyterian Church of Greenville.
Mr. Brad Egan and Mr. Isaiah Spivey were considered for candidacy for the ministry in Calvary Presbytery. Having been approved, they are now committed “to the care and guidance of the Presbytery in [their] course of study and of practical training to prepare [themselves] for this office” of gospel minister. The brothers gave their personal testimonies, expressed their inward sense of call to the gospel ministry, and described their habits of private, family, and public devotion. The Presbytery also approved Mr. Egan’s application to begin his formal internship.
We now have three Presbytery-recognized interns: Mr. Colvin, Mr. Egan, and Mr. Josh Marcus. We have five men “under care of Presbytery,” including the three just mentioned along with Mr. Spivey and Mr. Ryan Simpson. Below is a picture of Mr. Egan and Mr. Spivey, along with three other men presented to the Presbytery from sister congregations in the area. Ruling Elder Keith Denton of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Powdersville is delivering a charge to the men, on behalf of the Candidates Committee and the Presbytery as a whole.
Giving seminarians an opportunity to test and develop their gifts and graces for ministry is not the only – and certainly not the main – way Antioch fulfills the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. But we do have a unique opportunity as a church in close proximity (both geographically and relationally) to a faithful Reformed and Presbyterian theological seminary, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. As we disciple men, women, and children of all backgrounds and vocations to be faithful worshippers of the triune God, we are excited to be doing so with a strong cohort of seminary students in our midst.
Please be praying for these men as they pursue their studies and the Lord’s calling on their lives: Ryan C., Brad, Alex, Josh, Ryan S., Isaiah, and Nathan.