By Faith Hepler
Staff writer

Last summer, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary began a new ministry geared toward enabling pastors of the inner city to receive a theological education. According to Douglas Fagerstrom, who just began serving his seventh year as president of the seminary, this project was the result of the Lord’s leading during four years of talking with leaders of urban ministries.

One of the men who headed up this project was Rev. Royce Evans, an associate pastor of worship ministries at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church.

On July 16, Royce Evans moved from a part-time job facilitating the seminary’s Urban Cohort Initiative to a full-time job as director of that branch of the seminary’s operations. His new job was born out of his longstanding relationship with GRTS. He received his B.A. through Cornerstone’s professional and graduate studies program, and then went directly to the seminary to study for an M.A. in Interdisciplinary studies. He has worked with the seminary for several years on the Urban Cohort ministry, and now he is responsible for overseeing the entire program.

“Mr. Evans brings a lot of energy, a positive spirit and a cultural richness to our team that we have long needed,” Fagerstrom said. “He has been my mentor in helping me understand the needs of the inner-city.”

Fagerstrom also said Evans’ twenty years of experience in church ministry has helped him understand the urban culture and the needs of the local church.

“He has one of the best vocabularies of any person I know – from the best of theological terms to the finest of urban slang,” Fagerstrom said. “We couldn’t be more delighted than to have Royce Evans on our team.”

Evans’ new position has two main functions. He is the director of ministry residence, which is the seminary’s internship program. All students are encouraged to gain experience through working with a local church or ministry. Thus, Evans helps to arrange residencies for the students and connect them with mentors at their organizations.

Also, as the director of the urban cohort initiative, he recruits urban pastors who do not have formal theological training and organizes cohorts of 25 to 30 pastors each to work together at the seminary. There is currently one group in Grand Rapids and another starting soon, one in Kalamazoo, as well as possible groups starting in Muskegon, Benton Harbor and Lansing.

For Evans, the best part about the job is seeing how people grow through this program.

“I like to see transformation take place,” he said. “I believe that this job uniquely and strategically positions me to see the before as well as the after when the Lord directs persons’ paths to come into the seminary environment.”

Evans was ordained at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, where he has served as an associate pastor for the last 21 years. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he worked 30 years as an industrial electrician. He said the spiritual environment in that industry was lacking.

“I love being a member of a covenant community,” said Evans of his new job. “It’s a great place to work.”

Evans, originally from Toledo, Ohio, moved to Michigan in 1988. The job market at that time was good, and he met his wife here, both of which he said were two very good reasons to stay. He and his wife, Marilyn, now have four children and five grandchildren with one on the way. His wife recently retired from an administrative position with Grand Rapids Public Schools.