Huntington College News Release
Contact John W. Paff,
Public Relations Director (260) 359-4048 or 359-0716
Dr. David Rahn appointed head of graduate school
Will be assisted by Fort Wayne Pastor
HUNTINGTON, IN MARCH 7, 1997 --- Dr. David Rahn, a recognized expert in youth ministry, has been appointed to head the Graduate School of Christian Ministries at Huntington College. Rahn replaces Dr. Paul Fetters, who is stepping down as dean at the end of this academic year to teach undergraduates theology and Bible.
Rahn will serve as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. Rahn has been a member of the Huntington College faculty since 1985. He currently chairs the undergraduate department of educational ministries. Rahn is a frequent speaker for churches, camps, and conferences. Before joining the faculty of Huntington College, Rahn served Youth for Christ for thirteen years. Rahn graduated from Huntington College in 1976, then earned a Master of Arts degree from Wheaton Graduate School and a Ph.D. from Purdue University.
Rahn also serves as co-director of the Link Institute for Faithful and Effective Youth Ministry at Huntington College. The Link Institute is a think tank and living laboratory dedicated to improving means of reaching teens with the Gospel. Its mission is "to be a catalyst to the Church for the development of biblically faithful youth ministry which is increasingly effective in our rapidly changing world."
"I now believe, after helping to create the Link Institute, that there is a demand for graduate education that Huntington College is uniquely poised to offer," said Rahn. "I will strive to make our Graduate School a place that solidly establishes adult students in biblical truth related to the practice of ministry."
"Our faculty will expose students to vision-stretching and skill-building experiences in ministry," Rahn continued. "We will equip them to assess effectiveness in ministry through empirical means. This kind of graduate education will serve not only the leadership development needs of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, but the entire Body of Christ."
"Dr. Rahn brings strong leadership skills to this position," said Dr. Gerald Smith, vice president and dean of the College. "He has a unique capacity to conceptualize and articulate as a leader. He is successful in developing shared vision with his colleagues—to inspire and energize them."
Rahn will be assisted by Mr. Denny Miller, senior pastor at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, who has been named Director of Pastoral Studies. Mr. Miller will continue as senior pastor at Emmanuel while teaching and directing the Graduate School's pastoral ministry program under Dr. Rahn's leadership.
"I'm very pleased by the opportunity. It is going to be a challenge," Miller said. "The thing I like best is that I can continue pastoring. I have no intent ever to leave the pastoral ministry. I think it lends real credibility to my teaching when I am continuing in ministry. I can say to my pastoral students, 'these are the things I am facing in my church and this is how I'm trying to meet those challenges.' We want to build upon what Dr. Paul Fetters has done in emphasizing practical theological training."
Miller graduated from HC's Graduate School of Christian Ministries in 1978, earning a Master of Christian Ministry degree. In 1984, earned a Master of Divinity degree at the Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. He has pursued additional doctoral studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He served two years on the headquarters staff of the Church of the United Brethren of Christ, and pastored a church in Pennsylvania for nine years. He became pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in 1989.
With Dr. Rahn's appointment, the undergraduate Educational Ministries Department and the Link Institute will be located in shared offices with the Graduate School in the Administration Annex. Dr. Mark Lamport, co-director of the Link Institute, will head the undergraduate youth ministry and educational ministries programs.
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