Knox Theological Seminary Celebrates 25 Years

sam_lamerson_Knox Theological Seminary-WebFounded in 1989 by Dr. D. James Kennedy under the guidance of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Knox Theological Seminary recently celebrated its 25th anniversary while officially inducting Dr. Samuel Lamerson as president of the school. Established with the vision of rekindling a reformation and taking the transforming truth of Jesus Christ to the world, the South Florida seminary currently has close to 500 students enrolled in local and online classes with 321 graduated alumni.

Listed among the “Top 20 Theological Seminaries” by ShareFaith Profile, the seminary is named after the 16th Century Scottish reformer, John Knox, who is widely considered to be the founder of the Presbyterian denomination in Scotland. As described by ShareFaith, “the school has a decidedly reformed tilt, though it is not denominational. Knox has built a reputation for its solid faculty, including teachers such as R. C. Sproul, Michael Allen, and George W. Knight III, and is considered a top choice for those pursuing theological training from a Reformed perspective.”

Emphasizing the application of Scripture to all aspects of our culture, their mission is to equip servant leaders for effective reformed ministry that is Christ centered, gospel driven and mission focused.

Alumni

Knox has graduated many pastors, professors, headmasters, teachers, missionaries, ministry leaders and lay leaders who are impacting the South Florida community for Christ and his church. Among them is Dr. Steve Kitchens, headmaster and associate pastor at Weston Christian Academy, 1420 Indian Trace, Weston. “The Lord through my education at Knox instilled in me the desire to train the next generation of Christian leaders and pass on to them a love of Jesus Christ and His precious Word,” he said, adding that at Knox, “I developed a deeper love for Christ and His Word and gained the confidence I needed to preach and teach.”

Carter Brown, pastor of missions & cultural formation at Rio Vista Community Church, completed his masters in divinity at Knox in May 2013. Although he chose Knox because he could work full time while attending school, Brown said “It has been an invaluable blessing. Knox has transformed the way I read and understand Scripture, and the way I understand missions.”

Technology

As a cornerstone of God’s work in equipping South Floridians, Brown said “Knox continues to develop technologically, which is only adding to its ability to equip people throughout the world. The amount of classes and information available on the internet is incredible and provides Knox with the ability to interact with, support, and teach the non-traditional student.”

According to Ivey Rose Smith, director of communications at Knox, “Classes are offered during the day and at night for working students. Doctor of Ministry courses are offered online and in one-week intensives on a quarterly schedule throughout the year. There are also one-week intensive courses for our Master of Divinity students, both residential and for online students coming in from all over the world. It’s a flexible mix with class scheduling.”

Leadership

Twenty five years ago Knox Founder Dr. Kennedy said, “I believe God has raised up Knox Seminary to have both a national and an international impact, which will reach and prepare servants of Christ to take the good news of the gospel to our desperately needy world.”

“As an internationally recognized pastor and respected evangelical leader, Dr. Kennedy’s love for Christ, love for the local church, and love for sharing the gospel was the vision for Knox, and Dr. Lamerson continues to instill that same vision within the Knox community,” said Kitchens. “Dr. Lamerson is a humble man of God who has been associated with Knox since the beginning. His leadership style and friendship with students will help to grow Knox going forward,” he added.

In addition to being Knox’s new president, Dr. Lamerson is a graduate of the first class at Knox, was a friend and colleague of Kennedy, a pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and professor of New Testament at Knox. “I count it a great privilege to serve the Kingdom of God by serving Knox Seminary,” said Lamerson.

Knox Theological Seminary welcomes community members to experience their school first hand during their Knox Preview Thursdays each week. Prospective students can come and be enriched in a New Testament Survey Class at 8:30 a.m. with Chapel following.

Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale at 5554 North Federal Highway, they can be reached at 954-771-0376 or email [email protected] or visit https://www.knoxseminary.edu/

For more articles by Shelly Pond, please visit goodnewsfl.org/author/shelly/

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