A Letter from Alumni President Pastor Ryan McGraw

Dear Alumni,

What is your greatest desire in life?  Archibald Alexander answered that question in this manner:

What I desire: Spiritual knowledge, that view of divine truth which arises from the illumination of the Holy Spirit. With this, a lively exercise of faith, not merely in the way of assenting to the truth, but confiding in the promises; a holy susceptibility of heart, so that every thought of Christ may be a warm emotion of love and delight; godly fear – a profound veneration, yea, adoration of the divine majesty; deep humility, not only a feeling of littleness and weakness and ignorance, but of unworthiness and ill desert, together with contrition of spirit, a godly sorrow that works repentance; a devotional spirit, a constant breathing after God, the living God; fervent ejaculations in the midst of business and company; good-will to all men; brotherly love; tender compassion for the afflicted, and ‘charity, which is the bond of perfectness;’ inward peace – peace with God, peace of conscience, tranquility of mind, a peaceable temper; courage in opposing spiritual foes, and in aggressive assaults on the kingdom of darkness; a spirit of wise enterprise in doing good; promptitude in seizing on opportunities of being useful; constancy and perseverance in well-doing – bringing forth much fruit, and continuing to bear fruit even in old age; assurance of pardon and acceptance, with a good hope, entering into that within the veil; patience under suffering, and the salutary benefits of sanctified affliction; a grateful temper, even disposed to give thanks, and to praise the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift; contentment with an obscure and humble condition in the world, without envy of the rich and great. Let these things be in me and abound, and I ask no more (Practical Truths, 86-87).

My prayer for you who are alumni of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is that you would make Alexander’s desire your lifelong pursuit.  The Seminary desires to assist her alumni in pursuing these ends by fostering lifelong relationships, and by providing resources on this website that shall foster the growth, maturity, and usefulness of her graduates.

In the near future, GPTS intends to provide you with features such as an alumni database, free course lectures, and a bulletin board.  Please keep an eye out for communications from the Alumni President as new Alumni services are made available.

My prayers are with you,

Ryan M. McGraw
alumnipres@earthlink.net

GPTS Alumni President Ryan McGraw received a B.A. in History from California State University Fullerton in 2002, an M.Div. from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2005, and a Th.M. from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2008. Ryan is the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Conway, SC. He is married to Krista and they have two sons, Owen and Calvin. Ryan has been blessed with the privilege of serving in various ministerial positions since 1998 and he has a particular love for the works of John Owen.

To contact your alumni President please email: alumnipres@earthlink.net