“I certainly wanted to donate and this just caught my eye,” said Brunk, who pulled the churn from his office where it has sat ever since for a .

Brunk is the third generation to contribute — spiritually, financially, intellectually and academically — to the institution. Beginning in 1912, his grandfather bishop George R. Brunk I  provided the most articulate and persuasive arguments for why Mennonites in the eastern states needed to establish a conservative school. Historian Don Kraybill calls this man, “a self-educated, brilliant theologian,” one of the unsung heroes of the institution.

, Brunk’s father, was seminary dean from 1967-76, served more than 65 years in pastoral ministry and was active in churchwide crusades, writing and Bible conference work.

This academic year, 91����Ƶ celebrates , the embodiment of a vision of Mennonite leaders in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania for an institution of higher learning for the training of the denomination’s youth. Though the seminary was formalized in 1965, Bible classes were a mainstay of the early institution’s curriculum.

Curriculum growth

As early as 1918, courses at the college level were offered in advanced biblical training. During the next ten years, there was an appreciable increase in college offerings.

By 1937, a four-year Bible program was instituted and within several years it was increased to five years. In the 1948-49 academic year, the Bachelor of Theology curriculum – a two-year post-graduate program – was added. The following years witnessed the continued growth of the program and its gradual development into a division distinct from the college.

In 1960, the curriculum was expanded to encompass three years of study and the Bachelor of Divinity degree was offered for the first time. The Master of Divinity degree was first offered in 1968-69 and the Master of Arts in Religion degree in 1972-73. A one-year program leading to a Certificate in Biblical Studies was first offered in 1974-75. The Master of Arts in Church Ministries emerged as part of a major seminary curriculum revision in 1983-84, and was changed to the Master of Arts in Church Leadership in 1991 [this program is now the MA in Christian Leadership]. A Clinical Pastoral Education Program was added in 1999.

Seminary buildings

The seminary’s first permanent home was the former industrial arts building, a brick structure built in 1941. The seminary moved into this facility in 1968. The following year, the building was completely renovated, and additional classroom and office space was added in 1971.

In 1986 a “Seminary Annex” provided additional classroom space. The following year, the “Seminary Commons” became available.

Fundraising for a new seminary building began in 1989.

When ground was broken in 1992, $3.27 million had been committed in cash, pledges and deferred gifts. Another $1.2 million remained to be raised, including $450,000 for an endowment fund. At a point when fundraising seemed stymied on a plateau short of the amount needed to finish the building seminary students jumped into the effort, launching a “mustard seed campaign” and asking individuals to pledge $1,500 each.

By the fall of 1993 when the seminary opened, all funds were in hand or committed, with the bulk coming from individual donors and their estates. 91����Ƶ $500,000 came from foundations. With a total contribution of $637,000, Richard E. Martin from the class of 1933 was the decisive donor.

He also donated a stained-glass window (pictured at right) for the chapel in honor of his wife, Edith.

The seminary’s Martin Chapel, with its adjacent fellowship hall financed by Levi and Lillis Troyer, is used on a daily basis for worship services, meetings, and special events.

Formalized in 1965

In 1965, Eastern Mennonite Seminary adopted its formal name and an acting dean was appointed. As mentioned above, George Brunk II was the first dean, from 1966-76. Richard Detweiler served as interim dean for 1976-77, at which time George Brunk III became dean and served until 1999. He was followed by Ervin Stutzman through 2009 and then Michael King through 2017. University provost Fred Kniss is currently interim dean.

Since the 1970s, Eastern Mennonite Seminary has offered credit for various pastoral training programs by extension in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2008, the EMS extension located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was approved as a complete degree site.

Eastern Mennonite Seminary is a graduate division of 91����Ƶ. The seminary is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools since 1986. It is approved as an institution for the training of candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church. Eligible students may receive educational benefits from the Veterans Administration.

Portions of this article were first published in Crossroads magazine.

When Eastern Mennonite Seminary needed to raise funds for a new building in the late ’80s, students stepped up as they had in times of past need: with an auction. Perusing the items, Dean  III ’61, SEM ’64 was struck by the charm of a butter churn, hand-painted by Harold G. Stoltzfus ’76. The lettering on the churn commemorated the Oct. 13, 1989, auction and included the school motto , as well as a listing of all the previous deans, including Brunk.

“I certainly wanted to donate and this just caught my eye,” said Brunk, who pulled the churn from his office where it has sat ever since for a .

Brunk is the third generation to contribute — spiritually, financially, intellectually and academically — to the institution. Beginning in 1912, his grandfather bishop George R. Brunk I  provided the most articulate and persuasive arguments for why Mennonites in the eastern states needed to establish a conservative school. Historian Don Kraybill calls this man, “a self-educated, brilliant theologian,” one of the unsung heroes of the institution.

, Brunk’s father, was seminary dean from 1967-76, served more than 65 years in pastoral ministry and was active in churchwide crusades, writing and Bible conference work.

This academic year, 91����Ƶ celebrates , the embodiment of a vision of Mennonite leaders in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania for an institution of higher learning for the training of the denomination’s youth. Though the seminary was formalized in 1965, Bible classes were a mainstay of the early institution’s curriculum.

Curriculum growth

As early as 1918, courses at the college level were offered in advanced biblical training. During the next ten years, there was an appreciable increase in college offerings.

By 1937, a four-year Bible program was instituted and within several years it was increased to five years. In the 1948-49 academic year, the Bachelor of Theology curriculum – a two-year post-graduate program – was added. The following years witnessed the continued growth of the program and its gradual development into a division distinct from the college.

In 1960, the curriculum was expanded to encompass three years of study and the Bachelor of Divinity degree was offered for the first time. The Master of Divinity degree was first offered in 1968-69 and the Master of Arts in Religion degree in 1972-73. A one-year program leading to a Certificate in Biblical Studies was first offered in 1974-75. The Master of Arts in Church Ministries emerged as part of a major seminary curriculum revision in 1983-84, and was changed to the Master of Arts in Church Leadership in 1991 [this program is now the MA in Christian Leadership]. A Clinical Pastoral Education Program was added in 1999.

Seminary buildings

The seminary’s first permanent home was the former industrial arts building, a brick structure built in 1941. The seminary moved into this facility in 1968. The following year, the building was completely renovated, and additional classroom and office space was added in 1971.

In 1986 a “Seminary Annex” provided additional classroom space. The following year, the “Seminary Commons” became available.

Fundraising for a new seminary building began in 1989.

When ground was broken in 1992, $3.27 million had been committed in cash, pledges and deferred gifts. Another $1.2 million remained to be raised, including $450,000 for an endowment fund. At a point when fundraising seemed stymied on a plateau short of the amount needed to finish the building seminary students jumped into the effort, launching a “mustard seed campaign” and asking individuals to pledge $1,500 each.

By the fall of 1993 when the seminary opened, all funds were in hand or committed, with the bulk coming from individual donors and their estates. 91����Ƶ $500,000 came from foundations. With a total contribution of $637,000, Richard E. Martin from the class of 1933 was the decisive donor.

He also donated a stained-glass window (pictured at right) for the chapel in honor of his wife, Edith.

The seminary’s Martin Chapel, with its adjacent fellowship hall financed by Levi and Lillis Troyer, is used on a daily basis for worship services, meetings, and special events.

Formalized in 1965

In 1965, Eastern Mennonite Seminary adopted its formal name and an acting dean was appointed. As mentioned above, George Brunk II was the first dean, from 1966-76. Richard Detweiler served as interim dean for 1976-77, at which time George Brunk III became dean and served until 1999. He was followed by Ervin Stutzman through 2009 and then Michael King through 2017. University provost Fred Kniss is currently interim dean.

Since the 1970s, Eastern Mennonite Seminary has offered credit for various pastoral training programs by extension in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2008, the EMS extension located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was approved as a complete degree site.

Eastern Mennonite Seminary is a graduate division of 91����Ƶ. The seminary is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools since 1986. It is approved as an institution for the training of candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church. Eligible students may receive educational benefits from the Veterans Administration.

Portions of this article were first published in Crossroads magazine.

When George R. Brunk III joined the Eastern Mennonite Seminary faculty in 1974, little did he imagine that three short years later he would be named dean.

But, in 1977, he was appointed dean of EMS and held that position for 22 years, until 1999

“My title those first two years was acting dean,” said Brunk. “That title was appropriate, since I had no prior experience in educational administration. After ‘acting’ the part successfully for two years, I became dean.”

At first, the dean role was half time. Brunk spent the other half pursuing his true love, teaching.

A passion for teaching and scripture

“I often threatened to post a notice on my dean’s office door that said I’d rather be teaching, but I never did,” he said.

Carmen Horst, a 2010 seminary graduate, took Greek Exegesis with Brunk.

“We focused on Galatians, and I learned the importance and delicacy of every word,” Horst said. “Every word adds to the beauty of God’s word to his people and to ‘pictures’ we have of God’s people in that time. I was like a sponge soaking it all in.”

Former students remember Brunk’s dry sense of humor, the particular way he pronounced the word “pericope,” which means a small unit of biblical text, and the warm way he related to students.

“George was more than a professor,” said Kevin Gasser, ’08 “He was a pastoral presence in the classroom and outside.”

Aaron Boggs ’06 said, “George was my academic advisor. He was so encouraging. I wouldn’t have traded him with anyone.”

Brunk led EMS into a new era

While Brunk didn’t always relish the administrative side of his role at EMS, he led the seminary into a new era. During his tenure, the seminary doubled in enrollment, added the formation program, which is now a key component of education at EMS, and received full accreditation, which allowed EMS to attract students from a broader range of denominations.

“Naturally, given the length of my stay at EMS, I have seen a complete turnover in the faculty,” Brunk noted. “This generational change obviously brings new perspectives and new interests. The seminary has become more diverse in its composition and orientation.”

“You can no longer easily put 91����Ƶ and EMS at a particular point on the spread of Mennonite thought and life,” he stated.

Brunk also guided EMS and the larger church through a change in attitude about the need for theological education.

“EMS has primarily served the more traditional Mennonite churches in the eastern part of the U.S.,” said Brunk. “Many of these congregations have been slower to appreciate the value and importance of formal pastoral education. A major goal of my leadership is to bring about a healthy change of attitude and practice on this point.”

Interim president of AMBS

In 2009-10, Brunk was asked to serve as interim president for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, EMS’ sister seminary in Elkhart, Ind.
“It recently occurred to me that I have had the good fortune of experiencing all levels of seminary life – student, faculty, dean and president,” said Brunk.

“The invitation to serve as AMBS president was a complete surprise.”

“Perhaps a key factor was marriage to the widow of a former AMBS leader. History is full of examples where marriage opened the way to surprising political changes!” Brunk quipped.

Alicia Horst ’06 remembers when Brunk started dating Ruthann Miller, whom he married in 2005. “He confided to the Interpreting the Biblical Text class that he was meeting up with a lovely lady in Indiana. How he trusted us with that information is beyond me.”

“The experience as president of AMBS confirmed for me what I observed earlier,” Brunk said. “There is an increasing amount of homogeneity among our Mennonite schools, including the seminaries.”

Brunk’s legacy

Asked what legacy Brunk hopes to leave as he retires, he replied, “I hope that students remember me as someone who loved the material being studied, the scripture and its interpretation, and tried to make that love contagious.

Then, he added, “I hope that history will show me as a bridge person who was committed to take the seminary to a new stage, aspired to make the seminary a respected part of the larger university and active partner with the sister seminary AMBS, and worked at greater unity in the Mennonite family in North America.”

Brunk will continue to teach Greek Exegesis and Interpreting the Biblical Text this fall. He is finishing his commentary on Galatians for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series.

This article was first published June 3, 2011.

But, in 1977, he was appointed dean of EMS and held that position for 22 years, until 1999.

“My title those first two years was acting dean,” said Brunk. “That title was appropriate, since I had no prior experience in educational administration. After ‘acting’ the part successfully for two years, I became dean.”

At first, the dean role was half time. Brunk spent the other half pursuing his true love, teaching.

A passion for teaching and scripture

“I often threatened to post a notice on my dean’s office door that said I’d rather be teaching, but I never did,” he said.

Carmen Horst, a 2010 seminary graduate, took Greek Exegesis with Brunk.

“We focused on Galatians, and I learned the importance and delicacy of every word,” Horst said. “Every word adds to the beauty of God’s word to his people and to ‘pictures’ we have of God’s people in that time. I was like a sponge soaking it all in.”

Former students remember Brunk’s dry sense of humor, the particular way he pronounced the word “pericope,” which means a small unit of biblical text, and the warm way he related to students.

“George was more than a professor,” said Kevin Gasser, ’08 “He was a pastoral presence in the classroom and outside.”

Aaron Boggs ’06 said, “George was my academic advisor. He was so encouraging. I wouldn’t have traded him with anyone.”

Brunk led EMS into a new era

While Brunk didn’t always relish the administrative side of his role at EMS, he led the seminary into a new era. During his tenure, the seminary doubled in enrollment, added the formation program, which is now a key component of education at EMS, and received full accreditation, which allowed EMS to attract students from a broader range of denominations.

“Naturally, given the length of my stay at EMS, I have seen a complete turnover in the faculty,” Brunk noted. “This generational change obviously brings new perspectives and new interests. The seminary has become more diverse in its composition and orientation.”

“You can no longer easily put 91����Ƶ and EMS at a particular point on the spread of Mennonite thought and life,” he stated. Brunk also guided EMS and the larger church through a change in attitude about the need for theological education.

“EMS has primarily served the more traditional Mennonite churches in the eastern part of the U.S.,” said Brunk. “Many of these congregations have been slower to appreciate the value and importance of formal pastoral education. A major goal of my leadership is to bring about a healthy change of attitude and practice on this point.”

Interim president of AMBS

In 2009-10, Brunk was asked to serve as interim president for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, EMS’ sister seminary in Elkhart, Ind.
“It recently occurred to me that I have had the good fortune of experiencing all levels of seminary life – student, faculty, dean and president,” said Brunk.

“The invitation to serve as AMBS president was a complete surprise.”

“Perhaps a key factor was marriage to the widow of a former AMBS leader. History is full of examples where marriage opened the way to surprising political changes!” Brunk quipped.

Alicia Horst ’06 remembers when Brunk started dating Ruthann Miller, whom he married in 2005. “He confided to the Interpreting the Biblical Text class that he was meeting up with a lovely lady in Indiana. How he trusted us with that information is beyond me.”

“The experience as president of AMBS confirmed for me what I observed earlier,” Brunk said. “There is an increasing amount of homogeneity among our Mennonite schools, including the seminaries.”

Brunk’s legacy

Asked what legacy Brunk hopes to leave as he retires, he replied, “I hope that students remember me as someone who loved the material being studied, the scripture and its interpretation, and tried to make that love contagious.

Then, he added, “I hope that history will show me as a bridge person who was committed to take the seminary to a new stage, aspired to make the seminary a respected part of the larger university and active partner with the sister seminary AMBS, and worked at greater unity in the Mennonite family in North America.”

Brunk will continue to teach Greek Exegesis and Interpreting the Biblical Text this fall. He is finishing his commentary on Galatians for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series.

The Van Staverns were among 21 students to receive degrees from Eastern Mennonite Seminary Saturday afternoon, Apr. 30. Two students received degrees, one received a degree and three received certificates during the ceremony. George R. Brunk III, dean emeritus and professor emeritus of New Testament at EMS, gave the commencement address titled, “Anointed for Ministry.”

The Van Staverns came to Eastern Mennonite Seminary because they knew seminary alumni Charles and Sharon Miller and Dallas Forren. All three are United Methodist pastors in West Virginia.

“These people have true pastor’s hearts,” said Carl. “They focus on the needs of the people and the community in which they minister. They had a pastoral identity that was created out of the formation program here at EMS.”

“My classes here have helped me become a better listener,” said Becky. “We deal with a lot of low income people who can’t afford to see counselors. We are all they have. Clinical Pastoral Education, pastoral care, healing class, counseling classes and spiritual direction have helped me know how to listen and help these people fight their demons.”

“I have appreciated the biblical focus at EMS,” said Carl. “I learned to understand the context in which the scripture was written and the relationship of that context to today.”

The class of 2011 choose the theme “Called by the Spirit, Sent by the Spirit” as their class theme.

“In ministry, are you anointed or are you appointed?” Dr. Brunk asked the graduates in his address. “Anything worthy of being called Christian ministry must put the priority on anointing – the Spirit empowerment that rests upon you.

“I will affirm on the basis of biblical precedent and on my own observations of life that a deep friendship between the ministering person and the Spirit is high on the list of success factors in ministry,” Brunk told the graduates.

“There is no authentic spiritual experience that is not Spirit experience; there is no genuine spiritual ministry that is not ministry in the Spirit,” he continued.

“As a minister of the Gospel you are accompanied, not abandoned. God has taken the initiative to make the Spirit an actor in our world and in our lives.  We don’t so much then need to invoke the Spirit’s presence as to perceive it and conform to it, ” Brunk said.

, dean emeritus and professor emeritus of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite Seminary will give the commencement address on the theme “Anointed for Ministry.”

Dr. Brunk was vice-president and seminary dean from 1977-1999. He has taught in the area of New Testament at EMS since 1974. In 2009-2010, he served as interim president for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. He has a forthcoming commentary on the book of Galatians for the “Believer’s Church Commentary” series.

EMS dean will preside and confer degrees or certificates on the 28 members of the seminary class of 2011. The seminary will award 21 master of divinity degrees and two master of arts in church leadership degrees and one master of arts in religion degree. Four persons will receive one-year certificates in ministry studies.

A baccalaureate service planned by the senior class will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 29, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91����Ƶ. Students Steve Carpenter, Barbara Seward and Becky Van Stavern will speak. A reception for seminary graduates, their relatives and friends will immediately follow the baccalaureate in the seminary fellowship area.

The baccalaureate and commencement services are open to the public. 

Sara Wenger Shenk, associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary (EMS) in Harrisonburg, Va., has been named president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Elkhart, Ind.

Dr. Shenk, who is also associate professor of Christian practice at EMS, will begin her new assignment on or before Oct. 1, 2010. The AMBS board made the appointment at its Oct. 22-24 meetings in Elkhart.

Wenger Shenk has been a member of the faculty and administration of EMS since 1995. In addition to serving as associate dean, she is also associate professor of Christian practices.

University responds

“We are pleased that, once again, the Mennonite Church has recognized the gifts of a member of our 91����Ƶ community and has called her to important leadership in the broader denomination,” said Fred Kniss, 91����Ƶ provost. “At the same time, we recognize this as a significant loss to 91����Ƶ, especially to our seminary.

“Sara has worked with EMS dean Ervin R. Stutzman to provide skilled innovative leadership during a period of significant program growth,” Dr. Kniss said. “Her care and wisdom in relating to faculty and students will also help to make her an excellent president for AMBS,” he added.

“Although this is a major loss to the 91����Ƶ community, it is obvious to me why Sara would have been on the AMBS search committee’s radar from the beginning,” said 91����Ƶ President Loren Swartzendruber. “She is gifted and prepared to take on this significant role in the life of the church, and I have pledged my support in the transition and beyond. Please join me in congratulating her.”

As announced earlier, Wenger Shenk will serve as interim dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Jan. 1 – June 30, 2010, before assuming her new role at AMBS. Ervin R. Stutzman, 91����Ƶ vice president and EMS dean since 1998, will become executive secretary of Mennonite Church USA in early 2010.

Randall Jacobs, Goshen, Ind., chair of the presidential search committee and new chair of the AMBS board, said. “Wenger Shenk represents a unique combination of gifts and experiences, including teaching and administration in theological education, cross-cultural ministry, church planting, and writing for both scholarly and popular audiences. More importantly, she is grounded in Jesus, deeply respectful of the church and passionate about Anabaptist theological education.”

More about Sara Wenger Shenk

Wenger Shenk earned a BA degree from 91����Ƶ, studied at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif.; completed an MA degree in 1986 at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill.; and received an EdD degree from Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Va., in 1999. Her dissertation was titled, “Toward An Anabaptist Educational Theory.”

She has written a broad range articles, chapters and books, including “Thank You for Asking: Conversing with Young Adults about the Future Church” (Herald Press, 2005), “Anabaptist Ways of Knowing: A Conversation about Tradition-Based Critical Education” (Cascadia, 2003), Coming Home: A Thoughtful Resource for Fathers, Mothers, and the Rebirth of the Family (Good Books, 1992) and Why Not Celebrate! (Good Books, 1987).

Wenger Shenk has been a “Real Families” columnist for The Mennonite magazine and a contributor to Mennonite Quarterly Review, Leader Magazine, Vision and Sojourners.

Wenger Shenk believes that worship, our “primary theology,” sustains and grounds all aspects of theological education. One evidence of this is the leadership she and her spouse, N. Gerald Shenk, have given over the last three years to The Table, an emerging Mennonite congregation in Harrisonburg, Va. He is professor of church and society at EMS.

In addition, Wenger Shenk serves as the Virginia Mennonite Conference representative to the Constituency Leaders Council of Mennonite Church USA and has recently joined the MC-USA bi national worship council. From 1993-2001, she was member-at-large for the Faith and Life Commission of Virginia Mennonite Conference.

From 1977-1983 and again from 1986-1989, Gerald and Sara served on a study-service appointment with Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Central Committee in the former Yugoslavia. While there, she studied Croatian language at the University of Zagreb.

As president, Wenger Shenk will join the AMBS administrative cabinet. Dr. George R. Brunk III currently is serving as interim president and will continue until Wenger Shenk begins her new role. J. Nelson Kraybill was AMBS president from 1997 through July 2009.

AMBS is a seminary of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA.

Byron J. Peachey’s call to pastoral ministry, forged over several decades, was publicly recognized in a chapel service Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 91����Ƶ.

Peachey was licensed to the ministry for his continuing role as associate campus pastor. He is a member of the team, formed in August, 2003, that includes Brian Martin Burkholder and Julie A. Haushalter.

Prior to the installation ceremony, persons close to Peachey told stories, laced with humor, that were pivotal in shaping his call to ministry – Laban Peachey, Peachey’s father; Johann Zimmerman, who worked closely with Peachey in urban ministry in Washington, D.C.; and Deanna Durham, Peachey’s spouse. They met in Washington in 1983.

"God has a special twinkle in His eye today as we celebrate Byron’s readiness to do God’s work," said Haushalter in opening the service.

Items that symbolize Peachey’s life and special interests appeared on the platform – books by Catholic writer Thomas Merton (meditation as spiritual discipline), a cross from El Salvador (peace and justice concerns) and an old wooden pitchfork (his farming background and adherence to a theology of the land).

Peachey, of Harrisonburg, was interim campus pastor at 91����Ƶ during the 2002-03 school year. Earlier, he served four years as co-director of the

In 1969, the Bible Society of India appointed Anil D. Solanki to begin a new translation of the Bible into his native language, Gujarati. Now, 35 years later, that project is completed and the Bible is published.

Dr. Solanki, a part-time professor of Old Testament at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, was doing graduate studies in Old Testament in Bangalore, India at a seminary, when he was asked to create a team to work on a new translation. At the time, Solanki was the leading Hebrew scholar among those who speak his native language of Gujarati. He invited three colleagues of various denominations to work with him.

“We had two primary goals in our translation work,” Solanki recalled. “The first was to be faithful to the original Greek and Hebrew texts, and the second was to make the translation communicate readily to readers. The earlier translation was so outdated that it couldn

Faculty and staff saluted four colleagues who are retiring and cited more than 30 others for long years of service during the school