Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary was featured in the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study on March 27, 2011. The Rev. Robert N. Burkins, pastor of Elmwood United PC, president of Newark Presbytery's Community Transformation Corporation, also serves as president of the board at Johnson C. Smith. Paul T. Roberts is now dean at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary who offers the following from the Mission Yearbook...

"For I know the plans I have for you,'' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'' (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

My career path has been full of surprises. After earning a degree in architecture and African American studies from Princeton University in 1985, I went to New York City and landed an entry-level job in advertising. Surprise.

Advertising was exciting, but as the months passed, my work left me increasingly unfulfilled. Surprise. I changed jobs three times in five years, but the sense of purpose I longed for eluded me. One Sunday a friend and I, both prodigals, went to church. Standing anxiously outside Elmwood United Presbyterian Church in East Orange, New Jersey, she asked, “Do you know anything about Presbyterians?” “No, do you?” “No. Let’s sit near the door.” We tiptoed inside and found aisle seats five feet from the narthex. The worship began, our fears were allayed, and I knew instantly, intuitively, this was where I belonged. Surprise. Soon after joining the Elmwood Church, I discerned that I was called to ministry. Surprise. In January 1993, I enrolled at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary. Seventeen years later, on April 19, 2010, I became its dean. Surprise.

In Jeremiah 29, the prophet assures God's people, who were living under the stress of exile, that even in the face of uncertainty God has a long-term plan for their lives. To find it, they needed only to listen and follow God's leading.
I shudder to think what my life might be like had I not listened twenty years ago to my inner sense of longing. I am a witness that God has purposes for our lives more meaningful than anything we can devise on our own.
— Paul T. Roberts, Sr., administrative dean, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary

Prayer
Lord, in the words of the hymnist, ``Open our ears, that we may hear voices of truth Thou sendest clear; and while the wave notes fall on our ears, may everything false disappear.'' In Christ's name. Amen.

Continue to uphold our partner seminaries in prayer. The Mission Yearbook is an excellent resource for bible study and to clip excerpts for blogs, bulletins and newsletters.

Sincerely,
Kevin