In this issue >>>

ATS and the Man on the Moon

ATS 40 in Forty Campaign
Campus News & Highlights
ATS Alumni Awards
Anniversary Trivia
Prayer Notes

A Quarterly Newsletter of the Asian Theological Seminary

ASIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

ATS and the man on the moon

The Annual Fund Campaign>>> By: Dr. Jojo Manzano, ATS Deputy OIC

Each time we receive a gift from our donor; I write a “thank you” letter to express our
For 40 years ATS has been fulfilling its gratitude. In those letters, I usually share the stories of our seminary students, faculty or
staff members. This time, let me share with you about ATS.
commitment to quality theological
education and spiritual transformation In July 1969, two exciting historical events ATS aims to make quality theological
of men and women entrusted to us by happened: Neil Armstrong walked on the education available and affordable by
God to train and equip for building His moon and ATS held its first evening class subsidizing about 70% of the operating
kingdom. To date, ATS has trained over with two professors and 23 students. I was cost. The remaining 30% comes from
fortunate to have students’ tuition fees.
7,000 people and we thank God for
witnessed both of ATS’ first campus For School Year 2009-
using ATS in training His servants for these - ATS, in on Lerma Street, 2010, we need a subsidy
various Christian and marketplace person (while I Manila of 14.2 million pesos.
ministries. hanged out at the
student center on Partners in this ministry
We invite you to join our journey of faith Lerma Street, are very important to us.
in equipping for the education of God’s Sampaloc, Manila) We thank God for those
workers. You can be involved in three and Armstrong, on who have blessed ATS
ways. black-and-white all these years. Their
television. generous gifts are a
great blessing and
Forty years later, encouragement to us.
ATS Annual Fund ATS continues to Like Nehemiah we can

GIVE Donor Referrals

Phone Brigade
train people for
God’s work with 41
faculty and 26 staff members under the
testify: For forty years
You sustained us and
we lacked nothing (Nehemiah 9:21).
leadership and guidance of 13 board
Web Communications

SERVE Database Handling

Prayer Bands
members. This semester we have 186
resident and over 400 off-campus students.
In 40 years, ATS students have penetrated
40 countries around the world. Our vision
Armstrong’s famous quote was “…one
small step for man, one giant leap for
mankind.” I guess for those men who
started ATS, it’s this: one small step of faith
Prayer and Fasting is for ATS to have its graduates in every for man, one giant leap for God’s kingdom.
PRAY Prayer Chains country of the world.
 CAMPUS NEWS and HIGHLIGHTS
When the Waters Rise
On September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ondoy
(Ketsana) struck Metro Manila and its
neighboring provinces causing flashfloods
turning a vast area into a virtual raging sea
sending people hollering for rescue and
relief.
Millions were affected. Families, rich and
poor, became homeless and hundreds died.
Schools, businesses and offices were shut
down. School buildings, churches and other
public facilities were turned to evacuation, exams. Thus, an extra week was added to
relief and rescue centers.
Asian Theological Seminary (ATS) was not
spared by Ondoy albeit minor. However,
several of our students, staff and faculty
including their families and congregations
were extensively affected.
In the midst of the chaos, ATS coordinated Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
relief efforts. People were called on to give for members of the ATS community
what they could. As donations came in
students, staff and faculty worked together
to repack goods and a team distributed
relief goods to affected areas. Others
helped clean muddied homes while some
who could not physically help out
contributed by praying and coordinating
with their respective network of friends for
donations.
Many of our students, especially those still
in recovery mode would definitely be
unable to focus on their final papers and
the semester to give students enough time
to complete their requirements. ATS will
continue to help in the rehabilitation
process by receiving and distributing
donations and by giving trauma counseling
on October 21 at 6-8pm. Dr. Sotto, head of
the ATS Counseling Center, will conduct a
directly affected by the flood.
The truth remains: God is our refuge
and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the
mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the
mountains quake with their surging…Be
still, and know that I am God; I will be
exalted among the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:1-3, 10)
Final exams, final papers, 14.2 million
needed for the general fund,
Ondoy…what other challenges can
come upon the ATS family? We do
not know. But whatever challenge
may come, our God is sovereign and is
mighty to save.

INTERCEDE
1. Pray for the Philippines: Millions of Filipinos were
heavily affected by the recent typhoons, Ondoy and
Pepeng. Pray for comfort and encouragement for
those who fell victims as they recuperate and rebuild
their lives. International aids are pouring into the
country. Pray that these relief and rehabilitation aids
will go to the right people at the right time.
2. Pray for ATS: Second semester starts November 9.
Pray for God's provision both in time and resources for
the returning students. Pray also for the new students
who are starting their studies in preparation for the
ministry God has for each of them. Pray for
perseverance for all the students as they face the
demands of study.
3. Pray for the whole ATS Community: A healthy
interaction among the Board of Trustees, faculty and
staff members and students helps in creating a good
learning environment. Pray for harmonious
relationship as each one contributes to the teaching
and learning process.
4. Pray for the ATS Partners: We thank God for those
who share the ATS vision and participate by praying
and providing financial resources to ATS. Our partners
are important in the ministry of ATS. Pray that God will
continue to bless them spiritually and materially
especially during these times of economic difficulty.
5. Pray for our 40th Anniversary Events: Pray for
God's blessing on all the upcoming events:
* Annual Open Campus on November 16-21,
all-day
* Donor Appreciation Night on November 20,
Friday, 6-9pm
* ATS Christmas Worship and Fellowship
December 17, Thursday, 2-7pm
Every one is invited to these events.
ATS SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS
and MISSIONS MONTH
Missions to Muslim
By Mark Joseph Gicain, MDiv. IUS
God's heart beats for our Muslim
brothers. With billions of Muslims yet to
be reached, this year's spiritual emphasis
and missions month focused on Islam.
To portray this theme, the chapel
backdrop showed the symbol of the cross
of Christ embracing the Muslims and
calling Christians to be involved in
making disciples among the Muslims
(see photo). of their ministry engagements in
Mindanao highlighting the importance
To enlighten us on what God is doing
of holistic and relational approach in
among the Muslims today, two papers
reaching Muslim women for Christ.
were presented by members of the
Malikha Urban Poor Team (MUPT). Every year, the month of August is
Dr. Emelito Yango's paper on “Insiders' dedicated to make the ATS community
Movement” stirred our hearts and minds aware that our spirituality must flow into
as we gained a glimpse of how God's missions. The Intercultural and Urban
kingdom is expanding among Muslims in Studies department and the Chaplain's
Mindanao. Mss. Cheryl Lee, Kathy office spearheaded this year's month-long
Yango and Loida Domingo shared stories event.
ATS FAMILY DAY 2009
Taking a break the fun way!
By Ella Abigail Santos, MA CO-NT
The ATS community took a
breather from work and studies last
August 19 to spend time together
for fun and fellowship. Four teams
composed of over 150 students, staff
and faculty members, alumni and
friends participated in various group
games and sports. The event
encouraged healthy competition
among members of ATS community.
(Photo below: Yellow Submarine team is this year's ATS Family Day champion.)
ATS Alumni Awards >>>
By Albert Almanza, Dip. Th.
Close to 80 alumni and guests
attended the occasion held Friday,
July 31, 2009. It was a reunion for
many, seeing their batch mates after a
long time. It was an assortment of
ATS graduates across four decades of
Simon Chan
Trinity Theological College
Singapore
(1977 MTS)
It was also an avenue for everyone to
get to know each other and warm-
up for the upcoming Inter-Seminary
Sports Fest in January 2010. Who’s who at ATS
The family day was organized by the
ATS Student Association as part of
By Mark Gicain
TRIVIA QUIZ
the ATS 40th anniversary 1 Who is the faculty who started teaching at ATS at
24 years of age?
celebration. What a blessing the day a. Dr. Amanda Shao Tan
was for everyone who came. b. Dr. Athena Gorospe
c. Dr. Lydia Mapile
2 Who was the ATS President who does not hold a
theological degree but is called “Doctor”?
a. Dr. Isabelo Magalit
b. Dr. David Cheung
c. Dr. Chester Wood
3 Who among the faculty was once a president of
the ATSSA
a. Prof. Melchor Go
b. Dr. Josue Ganibe
c. Dr. Adonis Gorospe
4 Who holds the record for being the full-time faculty
with the longest number of teaching years?
a. Prof. Lorenzo Bautista
b. Dr. Josue Ganibe
c. Dr. Jose Andres Sotto
5 Who holds the longest years
of service as a staff of ATS?
Clue: Find out who the
lady in the picture is.
Answers at
the back of
the page
the seminary’s existence, celebrating of being the first batch to received the
God’s faithfulness in using ATS in ATS Alumni Award for their excellence in
preparing them for the ministries that their ministries.
they are doing now. Indeed, God is He who started a good
Six alumni were given the distinction work in each of these precious alumnus.
Robert Solomon Ashkenaz Asif Khan Nomer Bernardino Cesar Punzalan III Juan Cometa
The Methodist Church Zaraphath Bible Institute Bread From Heaven Philippine Bible Society Marine Corps Air Station
Singapore Pakistan Community Church (1997 MDiv) US Navy
(1984 MTS) (1987 MDiv) Philippines (1990 MDiv)
(1982 MDiv)
 Academic Programs
Graduate Diploma Master of Arts Master of Divinity
(1-year program) (2-year program) (3-year program)
Biblical Languages Christian Education Biblical Studies InTouch, the official newsletter of
Christian Education Intercultural Ministries Christian Education Asian Theological Seminary,
Counselling Pastoral Counselling Counselling is published quarterly by the
Intercultural & Urban Theology Intercultural & Urban Communication & Development Dept.
Studies Studies
Advance Pastoral Studies Pastoral Studies
Theology Theology ASIAN
THEOLOGICAL
Special Programs SEMINARY
Graduate Diploma in Transformational Urban Leadership 54 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle
Graduate Diploma in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management Quezon City 1103, Philippines
Trunklines: (632) 928-6717, 928-6709, 928-5105
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (Center for Continuing Studies) Fax: (632) 928-5114
Email: info@ats.ph
Website: www.ats.ph

ANSWERS to TRIVIA QUIZ Announcements>>>

2nd Semester
1. It was in 1982 when she started teaching in ATS. She began Classes Begin
teaching at a young age of 24. She originally enjoyed teaching her November 9, 2009
Sunday School and not really liked teaching adults. Thanks to her
mentor who encouraged her to study further, she realized through Experience ATS in ONE week!
time that teaching in ATS was what God wanted her to do. She has
been teaching ever since and has become one of the most valued Come and join us in this year's
faculty in the Biblical Studies Department. Thought to be a terror teacher OPEN CAMPUS
Dr. Amanda Shao Tan is dearly loved. November 16-21, 2009

2. He was taken as President of ATS probably because of his Donors Appreciation Night
extensive experience in ministry. He became the General Secretary An evening of fellowship
of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship-Philippines. for many years, in thanking God and our partners
author of many Christian literature, a champion in table tennis and November 20, 2009
holds a medical degree before he entered full-time ministry. He is a
medical doctor and the only ATS President who didn’t hold any ATS Christmas Worship
doctorate in theological education. He is currently the Senior Pastor of & Fellowship
Diliman Campus Bible Church. He is Dr. Isabelo Magalit. December 17, 2009
3. It was in 1988 when this faculty became active in student affairs,
becoming the president of ATSSA. He joined ATS as a full-time
faculty in 1991. He played basketball in his younger years, finished
his doctorate in 2007 and taught Church History. He is currently
our chaplain. He is Dr. Adonis Gorospe.

4. He is a stranger to freshmen students as he is on sabbatical leave this

semester but he holds the record for having the longest number of
years of service as a full-time faculty in ATS. He will be coming
back next semester to continue his service as faculty teaching
Spiritual Formation and team-teaching with Prof. Melchor Go in
Theology of Ministry. He started in ATS as Dean of Student Affairs February 11 to 12,
in 1979 and has been a faculty in the Pastoral Studies department. 2010
He is Dr. Josue Ganibe. How many years has he been teaching in ATS?
You do the math!

5. She remembers it like yesterday. She was 26 years old when she
started as a staff in ATS in August 1, 1978. Her first assignment
was to work under Dr. Chester Wood as secretary to the Dean of
Academic Affairs. She was known then as Lilian Darlucio. She is
currently the secretary to the Deputy OIC of ATS, Dr. Glicerio
Manzano, Jr. Yes, my friends, the lady in the picture is now known
to us as Ate Lily Tiquia. How time really flies!