March 2024
Last year, Tyndale Theological Seminary’s Management and Board spent an extended amount of time developing the strategic direction of our school for the years ahead. It is my privilege to introduce you to the key concepts of the Young Tyndale Initiative. This vision is being presented to you as a prayer. No single individual or even a collective effort can make these initiatives happen. We are reliant on the Lord. Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” I want to emphasize the importance of prayers of listening, exploration, petition, and intercession, which will ultimately lead to God's intervention in achieving the initiative's goals. I invite you to join us in these prayers.
Our vision is to establish Tyndale Theological Seminary as a well-known, trusted, Christ-centered, evangelical, global seminary that develops competent and courageous Christian ministry leaders and pastors to serve the Body of Christ around the world (Acts 20:28). Since 1985, we have trained leaders in a suburban community of Amsterdam. However, in the future, we will see this same vision also being accomplished outside of our main campus in the Netherlands. Tyndale has always had a global perspective on the advancement of the Church. Looking forward, we will seek to be local to where the Church is for the sake of global impact.
How will Tyndale become more local and global? First, Tyndale is already investing in students who are capable of teaching on the graduate and undergraduate levels in their native settings. In the past, we have prepared the hearts of these future leaders and equipped them with knowledge about God’s Word. The concept of “sending” has not been our focus and we have entrusted each graduate to find their future niché. In the future, we would like to also come alongside them in their teaching efforts in their home countries. Raising and commissioning future seminary planters will be our increased focus.
Second, Tyndale’s global presence will be accomplished by partnerships with other educational institutions and churches. Many theological schools would love to expand their offerings through a local Tyndale-standard graduate program. We will be looking into these new opportunities prayerfully and act as the Lord leads. Tyndale’s responsibility will be effective oversight, curriculum development, teaching contributions of our excellent faculty, and sending those whom we train for this purpose.
Young Tyndale Initiative Goals
Short-term (1 year):
Campus Development: Renovation of Chatlos Hall, addressing maintenance needs that have been deferred and creating a modern learning environment - Stewardship Capital Campaign
Brand: Modernizing our brand identity with a digital-first approach (Global Digital Theological Library, new website, digital School Management System, etc.)
Academic: Implementing a portfolio-based discipleship program and developing a new curriculum
Fundraising: Financial sustainability is a key concern, with various fundraising strategies outlined: renewed case statement, president's outreach to new and existing donors, and the development of a team of fundraisers.
Medium-term (3-5 years):
Campus Development: Achieve zero-electricity campus with solar panels, involvement in community-focused events and service
Academic: Enhance faculty (international, evangelically diverse), promote closer relationships with students after graduation, establish Tyndale international campuses
Fundraising: Achieve debt-free budget, broadening church support
Long-term (10+ years):
Campus Development: Solve the need for additional classrooms, married student housing, and faculty offices at the Badhoevedorp campus
Academic: Expand Tyndale's global presence based on successful pilot projects
Fundraising: Launch Tyndale Endowment
The Young Tyndale Initiative outlines a comprehensive plan for Tyndale Theological Seminary to grow, modernize, and solidify its position as a leading evangelical discipleship-centered academic institution for training Christian leaders. After addressing financial, renovation, and brand-related themes, strong emphasis is placed on internationalization, launching Tyndale branch schools in other countries. This would ultimately result in a scaled growth of new leaders trained and churches equipped with the gospel.
Our work begins and ends with the adoration of the Lord who makes dreams possible.
Gunnar Mägi President - March 2024
