History of Asbury Seminary
Over eighty years ago our founder, H.C. Morrison, having shared in the founding of Asbury College, felt the call of God to expand the vision to start a seminary. Friends counseled against it. He didn’t know where money would come from, nor did he know how many students would respond. This burning concern came to a head in the Spring of 1923. Though people around him continued to object, he said, “We will start the first class in September.” He did and there were three students – and, the rest is history.
The establishment of our ExL program and our move to expand to include a Florida campus follows in the stream of the bold daring that has characterized our history. God never calls us to do something monumental as a part of His Kingdom enterprise which we can accomplish within our own power. We are constantly being called to do that which will be a failure unless we receive the supernatural power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are standing firm and moving forward, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Henry Clay Morrison could have gone to West Point and become a general; or to Washington as a senator. Instead, this orphaned farm boy, hiring out for 25 cents a day, felt a call to preach. He had been serving as a worldwide traveling evangelist for three decades and as editor of the Pentecostal Herald for twenty years. Yet, as Asbury College was on the brink of extinction, Morrison felt the call to leave his evangelistic position and stepped in and took over as president of the college in 1910.
When he established Asbury Seminary, Morrison felt that “the greatest need of our time is a well-trained, Spirit-filled, aggressive ministry to go forth into the world and preach Christ.” He wrote, “I am hoping to be able to preach the gospel if He should extend my life, for some years yet, but it occurs to me that if my Lord has raised me up for a purpose, that purpose is to build up and enlarge the scope of Asbury Theological Seminary. As never before, I hope to devote such energy as God may give me, to this great work.”
The years between Asbury’s establishment and today are rich with stories of God’s provision and guidance as the Seminary has continued to grow and prosper. Only six men have held the title of president since Asbury’s inception, including H.C. Morrison, J.C. McPheeters, Frank Stanger, David McKenna, Maxie Dunnam and Jeff Greenway. Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas is currently serving as the interim president. Each has proven to be a man of God and a strong leader, suited for the time and life of the seminary during which they were appointed.
From 1942-1962 Dr. McPheeters led the Seminary through some of its most trying and changing times. Construction, accreditation issues, financial concerns, the development of new departments and endowment gifts marked these years, yet Asbury survived and flourished. McPheeters’ friendship to the Beeson family contributed to the nearly $40 million dollar grant that has helped the Seminary become one of the most technologically advanced and best endowed graduate schools in the country. His leadership was characterized by prayer and faith, and his vision for Asbury became a reality in the years to come.
The Stanger era at Asbury Seminary (1959-1982) was one of unprecedented growth in building and enrollment, reaccredidation and increase in academic respectability, strengthened connections to the United Methodist Church, administrative restructuring, innovative curricular offerings, and a strong spirit of campus community. During his 23-year tenure, enrollment increased significantly, new faculty were hired, endowed lectures were formed, the curriculum was reorganized, and additional degree programs were added. The E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism that had been the vision of President McPheeters’ now came to fruition, and was officially opened in 1983. Stanger’s focus on spiritual formation and model of servant leadership shaped the Seminary and formed it into the world-renown school that it is today.
President McKenna’s era was distinguished by big dreams and big achievements from 1982-1994. He visualized Asbury as the leading world center for Wesleyan theological education. During his tenure the Seminary underwent vast technological change and other innovative structures that were necessary for continued growth. His work as a writer, editor and administrator complimented his pastoral gifts of Christian leadership and profited the Seminary tremendously.
President Dunnam became a personable and respected leader of Asbury during his decade of leadership from 1994-2004. His unique character and friendly nature made him a friend to students and an approachable leader. Under his leadership Asbury has begun both the Florida and Virtual campuses, and student enrollment has continued to grow in record numbers. His commitment to world mission is evident in the continual increase in international students and the Beeson International program. His pastoral spirit led him to follow in the footsteps of President McPheeters and commit to praying for the Asbury students everyday. President Dunnam devised a system of praying for students by name and according to their personal prayer requests. Small groups were formed, an increased prayer life for the Seminary corporately and personally and the progressive campus expansion of two additional locations for Asbury are among a few of his lasting contributions. His dynamic personality and sincere spirit engaged the community and will linger among this institution for years to come.
President Greenway took office in July 2004 after having served as a pastor and District Superintendent of the Pittsburgh East District of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1999. He received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in 1985 and has served on the Board of Asbury for a number of years. Dr. Greenway resigned from the presidency in October 2006, and Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas is currently serving as interim president. Expressing appreciation to Dr. Greenway for his leadership during his duration as president as well as to Dr. Kalas for his willingness to assume interim presidential responsibilities, Asbury Theological Seminary looks to continue its 83-year tradition of training Christian leaders for ministry worldwide.