Candles and Christmas go together in many homes at this time of year, a reminder of Jesus' words from John 8:12: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life". (RSV)
This year, Tyndale has been looking both backward and forward in time as it celebrates its 130th anniversary. Not only were nine new Arts and Sciences programs launched this fall, but 130 Alumni Impact Stories were unveiled on our website, some of which date back to the late 1890s. The school desires to bind the legacy of the generations who have learned, taught and served in the various iterations of Tyndale in Toronto and London, Ontario, from 1894 to now and into the future.
A family whose links to Tyndale trace back four generations has kindly agreed to tell their Tyndale story through the words of Amy Gordon [BRE 1994], a third-generation Tyndale alumnus member of their family.
Amy's grandfather, John Russell was a 1939 graduate of Toronto Bible College. His sisters Evelyn Russell and May Russell, and Amy’s grandmother, Gladys Russell, also attended TBC.
Her father, Dr. David Russell, taught at Ontario Bible College (OBC) from the late ’80s to late ’90s. During that time, Amy’s two brothers also attended OBC. Brian met his wife Sheri (Harms) there. And Amy met her husband, Andrew Gordon.
The current “Tyndale” generation includes: Jenna Russell, Brian and Sheri’s daughter, who graduated from Tyndale Seminary; and Amy and Andrew’s sons Matthew, who recently graduated, and Eric, who is on track to graduate next year.
Amy says of her time at Tyndale: "In every aspect of community and academic life, Christ was the centre. Really, Christ was the reason we were all there. We were all after a post-secondary education, and to do this in a Christian community where faith could be sharpened and strengthened, was a bonus for me personally, but also for so many others.
"The professors were also friendly and welcoming. They encouraged open dialogue and learning in a way that promoted questioning and acceptance. Although it was true of my experience, I know that even today the professors continue to care about their students as people with gifts and passions, and a desire to serve God."
Amy feels especially blessed to watch her children walk with Jesus as they pursue their God-given passions.
"Early last year, I sat in on a student-run worship service at Tyndale, and watched my son Eric preach for the first time," she says. "That same weekend, our oldest son, Johnathan, had been commissioned into his first job on the pastoral staff at a local church. Matthew had graduated with his BA from Tyndale and was fully immersed in his Bachelor of Education classes at Tyndale, having felt the call to be a Christian educator in our school system."
"As I sat in the beautiful chapel of the current Tyndale campus I was flooded with memories," she says. "I was overwhelmed at all Tyndale has meant to our family, and at all that God has done.”
"I turned on my phone to record Eric’s message because I couldn’t help but think how proud my dad would be right now. This is his legacy: His grandsons are pursuing ministry, preaching and teaching, and wanting to serve Jesus.”
"I became emotional as I thought of all the lives my dad had impacted in his time teaching at Tyndale. For one, my husband Andrew had studied Pastoral Ministries under my dad. Now our sons are continuing the legacy, a legacy of ministry that goes back to my grandfather.”
"The immense blessing of this is not lost on me, and I hope it never is. God used Tyndale to shape my family, both in the past and in the present, and I am forever grateful."
Faithful Tyndale supporters enable students to achieve their educational goals that lead to meaningful work in God’s kingdom. It cannot be said enough how valuable your partnership is to Tyndale as faculty equip the next generation of compassionate leaders. Your gift ensures students can access innovative, new and established programs that prepare those God has called to serve in our world.
Thank you for your prayers and support during this Christmas season and into next year. May this season of Advent and Christ’s birth once again bring you peace and joy.