Mid-America Reformed Seminary

08/20/2026

Hebrew intensive is underway at MARS! This week, our students are diving into Orientation to Hebrew with Dr. Andrew Compton.

08/20/2026

Every faction in today's church-and-state debates claims a Calvin: the Christian nationalist Calvin, the two-kingdoms Calvin, the theonomist Calvin. But the real Calvin was a French immigrant with no voting rights, often at odds with Geneva's city council, and eventually exiled from the city. In this episode, host Jared Luttjeboer and Dr. Venema cut through the legends to recover Calvin's actual political theology, and what it might (and might not) say to a church tearing itself apart over politics.

Tune in wherever you find your podcasts, or listen on our website at https://www.midamerica.edu/podcasts/marscast

08/18/2026

The new school year is almost here! Mark your calendars, MARS family:

Monday, August 24 — Registration & Orientation
Tuesday, August 25 — Seminary Retreat
Wednesday, August 26 — First Semester Begins

We're praying for a semester filled with faithful study, deep fellowship, and growth in grace as our students prepare for gospel ministry. Welcome back, and welcome to those joining us for the first time!

08/17/2026

We're excited to jump back into chapel season as the 2026–2027 academic year begins! President of the Seminary, Dr. Alan Strange, will open the year by leading our convocation chapel on Wednesday, August 26. Then on Friday, August 28, we'll welcome Professor Emeritus Rev. Mark Vander Hart back to lead our Friday chapel.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss a single chapel this year: https://www.youtube.com/

08/17/2026

Speaker Spotlight: Rev. Dale Van D**e

We're glad to welcome Rev. Dale Van D**e, pastor of Harvest Church in Wyoming, MI, to the 2026 Center for Missions and Evangelism Annual Conference at Bethel Church in Lansing, IL, October 2–3.

Dale will be speaking Saturday morning on "Outgrowing an Ingrown Church," a title borrowed from Jack Miller's 1986 book of the same theme. His challenge to us: Reformed churches are often strong on doctrine but slow to engage the lonely, alienated world around them. As Dale puts it, the church's gift to the world is Jesus Christ himself, who draws us into fellowship with the Father, the Son, and one another.

This year's conference explores what it means for churches to be hospitable and welcoming. Join us and six other speakers for two days of biblical teaching, panel discussion, and practical tools for your congregation.

Registration closes September 27. Details and registration: https://www.midamerica.edu/cme/conference

08/14/2026

A MARS graduate has already served under a pastor's mentorship before you ever call him. He is ready to preach, to shepherd, and to be examined, because he has already been doing the work.

Feel called to pastoral ministry? Explore how MARS prepares you to preach, shepherd, and serve: https://www.midamerica.edu/master-of-divinity

08/13/2026

While we sustained some tree damage on our property here at the Seminary, our prayers go out to the surrounding region of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, and especially to those who have suffered far greater loss following Tuesday's derecho. We're grateful for the tireless work of local officials in coordinating cleanup efforts, and we pray that the Lord would be merciful in restoring power to the many still without it.

08/13/2026

In 1553, Michael Servetus was executed in Geneva, and John Calvin approved. It's the charge that haunts every defense of Calvinism, often reduced to a tweet and weaponized in online arguments. But what actually happened?

On this episode of MarsCast, host Jared Luttjeboer and Dr. Cornelis Venema resist the easy verdicts (neither whitewashing nor weaponizing) to work through the historical, theological, and political complexity of one of the Reformation's most contested moments.

Tune in wherever you find your podcasts, or listen on our website at https://www.midamerica.edu/podcasts/marscast

08/13/2026

"G.K. Chesterton once remarked that a paradox is 'the truth stood on its head to get our attention.' The depiction of the reign of believers with Christ for one thousand years in Revelation 20:4–6 is an instance of such a paradox." - Dr. Cornelis Venema in Tabletalk Magazine

G.K. Chesterton once remarked that a paradox is “the truth stood on its head to get our attention.” The depiction of the reign of believers with Christ for one thousand years in is an instance of such a paradox.

08/12/2026

Can hospitality be evangelistic? Join us Oct 2–3 in Lansing, IL for the Center for Missions and Evangelism annual conference, "From Believing to Belonging: Hospitality and Evangelism in the Local Church." Seven great speakers will explore how the church can open its doors and hearts to reach the lost. Last year we had 300+ attendees, great food, and even better singing!

Discounted group rates available.

Learn more: https://www.midamerica.edu/cme/conference