wfn.org | Dr. David L. Wallace Shares Strong Vision of Progress

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

Ga99082 
25-June-1999 
 
                Dr. David L. Wallace Shares Strong 
                      Vision of Progress for 
              Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary 
 
 
FORT WORTH-The Rev. David L. Wallace, Sr., dean of Johnson C. Smith 
Theological Seminary, presented with great energy and conviction his vision 
for the seminary at its annual luncheon on June 23.  He was surrounded by 
distinguished guests, including the Rev. Dr. Floyd Rhodes, vice moderator, 
the Rev. Dr. James H. Costen, former moderator and president emeritus of 
the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), the Rev. Jesse M. Kamau, 
moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of East 
Africa, and Elder Marj Carpenter, former moderator and Johnson C. Smith 
Theological Seminary board member. 
     Before presenting the components of his vision, Wallace promised to 
work "with all the strength, with all the power, with all the passion that 
God has poured into me to make Johnson C.  Smith a strong theological 
school that is around when we go into the new millennium and that will be 
around well into the new millennium."  
     Wallace presented his vision for the seminary  in five components, 
beginning with his commitment to help Johnson C. Smith build strong 
partnerships in every corner of the church and society.  He invited the 
help of his already responsive audience in accomplishing that goal.  
     The second component of his vision was to recruit students from the 
ranks of the PC(USA) to fill empty pulpits, noting the strong need for the 
development of ministerial leadership in the denomination.  Thirdly, he 
promised that the seminary would work diligently for the placement of its 
graduates in churches, and that those placements include and provide a 
comfortable standard of living.  "We need to take care of our dedicated, 
loyal clergy," insisted Wallace. 
     The fourth and fifth components of Wallace's vision involved the 
raising of funds to support the rich programmatic life of Johnson C. Smith 
and the building of a permanent home for the seminary to afford it a sense 
of permanence and identity. 
     Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, the only historically 
African-American seminary of the ten theological institutions of the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was founded in 1867 in Charlotte, N.C. 
Located in Atlanta since 1969, the seminary's student body annually numbers 
around 40, a number limited primarily by the availability of funding for 
scholarships. Wallace, in his remarks, consistently and enthusiastically 
lifted up the diverse gifts and the many Presbyterian-related and 
ecumenical commitments and activities of that student body. 
     Elder David York, a commissioner from the Presbytery of Greater 
Atlanta, attended the event to hear Wallace speak and to support his friend 
and colleague, Joe Floyd, a board member of the Seminary.  York cited a 
number of connections shared by the seminary and his home church, First 
Presbyterian Church, Atlanta.  "A number of Johnson C. Smith students, 
especially the international students, worship at First Presbyterian 
Church," said York, "and frequently participate in worship.  James Costen 
is also a missionary-in-residence with an office right  in our building."  
 
Emily Enders Odom 

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