Dear Theophilus Archive: Sept. 1999

Getting to Know Pastor Dwight and Pastor Dan

 
Question: How did you receive your calling to go into full-time ministry? 

Pastor Dwight: I received my calling during my second semester of sophomore year in college. I thought that was early until I heard Dr. Dewell's testimony about being called in a sandbox. 

Pastor Dan: I was in my second year of law school and was between semesters during winter break. For a while, I was just feeling that law was not the reason why God had put me on this earth. And for a few months before the winter, God was really impressing on my heart that He wanted me to serve Him full-time in some capacity. At this point in my life, I had started to understand and learn what it meant to live every moment for Him and I could not imagine anything better. I clearly remember Pastor Paul asking if I could picture myself doing anything else in my life and wondering if I would be just as satisfied with that as I was with doing ministry. After much prayer, the answer was "No!" and from that point on, God has been affirming His calling through many gracious means. 

Q: What is your vision for your fellowship group? 

PDW: My vision for ECF is to see college students simply become like Christ. If we have eighty or so mini-Jesuses walking around Penn campus, how can the campus remain the same?! I believe this happens through very simple means--men and women who love and obey the Word of God everyday in their lives. Which brings everything back to the role of the pastors... We need to help embed the gospel into their lives so deeply that the message and the message bearer would become one. 

PD: I guess my own personal vision is to have a group 

where people have their lives completely set on fire for the Lord. Sounds simple and obvious but I guess where I'm coming from, it's easy to settle for complacency and nominalism in one's walk with the Lord when you become a young adult. As you enter that prestigious grad program or high- powered job, it's easy to start feeling that the whole world revolves around you. I see people coming into Phileo as some of the most talented and bright people in the world, and I want to see them use those gifts for God's glory in building His Kingdom. I feel that if they start to understand the bigger picture of God's plan while they're in Phileo and use that time to get hungry for God, they can and will have a huge impact on this world, whether they stay in Philly or are called to go elsewhere. 

Q: What are you most passionate about? 

PDW: To see God's kingdom advanced in our generation. Personally, I feel like God is on the brink of doing something mighty in this nation. Obviously I can't say with full assurance how that might look, but I pray that God would let me be a part of it. So many people think they have life all figured out: they drive themselves into the ground, working and toiling sixty or seventy years, and then they die. For what? A big lie! But WE have the truth, and the truth sets people free. All the greed, materialism, immorality... It seems like this country is on a hopeless train to destruction, but God can reverse the direction of this mighty locomotive through the power of the gospel of Christ! God can do it, there's no question, but it's funny how he wants US to be a part of it. God enlisted me into his army to march against this darkness... that's something I'm willing to live and die for. How can you not be passionate about a NO LOSE situation--abundant life and then after you die, even more abundance. f you firmly believe this, nothing can shake you, nothing will stop you. 

PD: Aside from pro wrestling (just kidding!), I'm passionate about reaching those people who think they know what Christianity and the church is all about; the people who think that Christianity is boring and an end to the fun in their lives. I'm passionate for those people who think they have no place in the church because they are too "bad" to be around the "holy-molies." I want to show them that God loves them so much and is waiting patiently for each one of them. I guess I have a particular passion for this because that's where I once was. 

Q: What's the biggest difference between serving as a pastor, as opposed to serving as a layman? 

PDW: I would say the biggest difference between the pastor and the laymen is this: eat sometimes, sleep sometimes, preach all the time. 

PD: For me, the biggest difference is that every single thing that I think about or do now revolves around God, the church, Phileo, etc. That's a good thing, of course. I guess how approachable one is can also be different. It's easy for me to start acting in a way that people expect a pastor to act and in ways that create certain walls if I'm not spiritually focused on the Lord. 

Q: What made you decide which seminary to attend? 

PDW: Why did I choose Westminster Theological Seminary? That's the same question I ask myself every morning I walk into Hebrew. Just kidding! I don't know if I can say I enjoy Hebrew but I know it's beneficial. Plus, if you carry a Hebrew bible around people will really think you know what you're talking about. Anyway, to get to the question, I guess I get asked this question more than anyone else at Emmanuel given the history of Emmanuel--that for the past decade or so all of the pastors have been from Biblical and happened to be my pastors. Well, there were many factors involved, some important, like God's will, and others not so important, like distance. But the bottom line--IT WAS GOD'S WILL. 

PD: The professors and people I know who've come out of Biblical were probably the biggest factors. It seems that the people I've always associated with Biblical, whether it be professors or pastors who they've graduated, always have a heart that is so hungry for God and so pure that I wanted to put myself in an environment where I could grow into that. People don't necessarily talk about a great academic reputation when it comes to BTS, but you hear about the heart and that's what I feel I needed the most. Besides, BTS -- Best Theological Seminary. (He smiles that inimitable Dan Hyun smile.) 

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years? 

PDW: Man, I can't tell you because I have no clue myself. The problem is I could see God leading me down several paths; I just don't know which one yet. I could tell you where I'd like to see myself: The craziest 30-something year old you've ever met who can't stop talking about Jesus, who can't stop preaching about Jesus to all those around him and especially to his amazing family - his amazing wife, future-preacher son, future-preacher's-wife daughter, and NFL-quarterback son. Lord willing of course. 

PD: God willing, not still trying to finish up at BTS! I really enjoy working with Phileo young adults because there is a certain maturity with their age but 
also still a soft and teachable heart 'cause they're not too old yet. So I can see myself working with young adults in a grad school setting. I can also see myself with college students. Over the past couple of years, doing missions and other things with them, I've grown to love the college students' heart for God. 

Q: What do you feel is the most important ministry gift the other person' brings to Emmanuel? 

PDW: My brother Dan... What does he bring to Emmanuel besides grunts and laughs...? He brings an all-embracing presence that can make a dock worker or a heart surgeon feel just as accepted and welcomed into the body of Christ. Few people can do that. Emmanuel needs more people like this. Hopefully Pastor Dan's presence will infect our congregation. 

PD: Pastor Dwight? I think he has an amazing ability with people. Whether he's leading worship, sharing, or telling a story, he has a real gift of knowing and reaching out to people through what he does. Others feel comfortable around him and I think this is a great gift in all of the ministries he does. 

Q: Who is your biggest Christian hero today? 

PDW: Well, I'm sure there are great men of God whom everyone respects--Martin Luther, Jim Elliot, John Piper for some--but at this particular point in my life, I've been learning a lot from Tim Keller. Why? Because very simply, he knows how to handle the Word of God. He's a preacher. He knows how to take the Word of God to Manhattan elites and stick it in their face. He knows how to preach to the audience surrounding him whether they're dock workers (I don't why I keep referring to dock workers), suburbanites, or youth. This is something we see in the apostle Paul and this is something a preacher needs to learn how to do: Whether on a city street or a farm, to preach the gospel to all. 

PD: I suppose you mean someone who is alive today. I'd have to say Missionary C.S. Nam of Del Cordero, currently serving in New Mexico. He lives the Christian life instead of just talking so much about it. And he don't stand for none of the Christian game playing that has become so much a part of our Christian culture. If you're talking in the deceased realm, I'd have to say Keith Green. Just reading his story or listening to his songs kicks me in the butt whenever I start feeling complacent and satisfied (which is usually on a pretty regular basis!) 

Q: Peanut butter: Crunchy, or Creamy? And why? 

PDW: Peanut butter... Hands down crunchy! Why? Because it's manly to have chunks. It just sounds tough.  Chunky peanut butter. Think about it... Playing football, driving trucks, boxing, construction, 30oz steaks with lots of fat, and eating chunky peanut butter. It just fits. 

PD: Crunchy, 'cause creamy is too sensitive for me. 

Q: If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? And why? 

PDW: If I were an animal, I'd probably be a monkey. They're usually very playful and friendly but when something excites them they deafen the whole jungle. When they're excited, they're really excited. Plus I've been told I kind of look like one. (He laughs the monkeyish Dwight laugh.) 

PD: A bear. Bears look like they really enjoy their life and have fun. Plus I already look like one! But the only drawback is that they smell too much, and I already smell strange enough as it is. 

 Q: If you were an automobile, what would you be? 

PDW: If I were a car... I pray that I wouldn't be mine: unreliable, loud, slow, and unwashed. 

PD: Emmanuel Church van. Gets used for God's glory while getting beaten up unmercifully by everyone. Can't get too prideful 'cause you would get replaced by a prettier, cooler, newer model when you've lost your effectiveness.