Greetings to each of you from our family of 9,500 Tyndale alumni.

I love to watch our Canadian seasons through the lens of my camera. I particularly love the change of the seasons. Each season has an appeal of its own. And it seems to me that the fall colors this year are extraordinary and in their brilliance.

As I watch the maple tree out my window turn from yellow to red I can't help but think about Psalm 8: 1-4 "Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heaven.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"

This is also our fall graduation season. This year we sent out over 105 new alumni. I can't help but think about the impact that these 105 men and women will have on the world as they live out their lives, their work and their passions for Christ. Our prayer is that the values that have been instilled in them and the character that has been developed during their years at Tyndale will be a firm foundation for whatever is before them. Congratulations and God's richest blessings on our fall 2012 graduates.

We remember our many graduates from Tyndale Seminary. We are praying for you as you engage the church and the world for Christ. May you have God's peace and hope as you give leadership at this important time in the history of Christ's church.

Please enjoy your fall e-newsletter. In it you'll find a number of links to upcoming events, seminars, and classes. Please take a look to see if there is anything that might be "just what you are looking for." I trust that you will enjoy some stories of our amazing alumni.

Blessings upon you and your family this fall,

Rev. Dr. Rob Patterson
Director, Alumni & Church Relations

Featured Alumni

Dr. Matthew Eckert (DMin 2012)

Matthew Eckert (DMin 2012) is Pastor of Adult Discipleship at North Park Community Church in London, Ontario.  He began the MTS modular program while still working in the banking industry, but then partway through the program began working at North Park. Matt saw how this program allowed community to be built amongst his classmates, a benefit that was repeated in his DMin program.  These authentic relationships are a template he is using to develop his integrative discipleship ministry. Matt meets with men for two hours each week, memorizing scripture, serving in the community and building a deeper relationship with Christ.

Rev. Dr. Harding Ng (MDiv 1989)

Rev. Dr. Harding Ng (MDiv 1989) is Senior Pastor of Toronto Chinese Community Church and has learned that God can transform communities through the church. "Our Christian testimony should be holistic," he says, "meeting the body, soul, and spiritual needs of our people." With that vision, the church recently purchased a 46,000 square-foot warehouse that is being converted into a community centre. Harding envisions the new Gibson Centre as the church's hub of community engagement that will host a food bank and other services to support the needs of people in their multi-ethnic neighbourhood.

Steven Kroeker (BEd 2012)

In one of the last assignments I wrote as a Tyndale student I wrote of how Exit 371 on the 401 became the turning point in my life journey.  Before coming to Tyndale I had spent many years in youth ministry and music education.  I had often wondered what my life would look like if I would have finished my post-Secondary education studies which I had started back in 1994.  I knew if I would ever go back my goal would be to graduate as a teacher.  When Tyndale announced that it would start to offer a Bachelor of Education degree I felt compelled to begin pursuing this goal.

After finishing my undergraduate degree at Tyndale I was accepted into the B.Ed program at Tyndale.  The year was truly transformational for me.  I experienced such a deep sense of calling.  My true passion was ignited!  My calling began to be realized.  Since graduating, I have found myself in a wonderful Grade 5 classroom living the dream.  I also had the opportunity to work with the Tyndale Alumni department re-connecting with past graduates of the education program.  These experiences continue to drive my own learning and sense of calling forward.

Matt Murray (BA 2011)

As Tyndale's Student Activities Coordinator, Matt Murray (BA 2011) enjoys the opportunity to help develop students outside the classroom.  The Student Life Department was a natural fit for someone who loves empowering young student leaders by working to "identify what they are passionate about and help them move towards living out their passion". 

Matt works with all the student councils and connects with other students through various opportunities such as coffee houses and missions nights.   Part of Matt's passion for this job came from his own journey as a Tyndale student where he learned how to translate his own passions and gifts into a career.