In the early 2000s, Dave Farnell, as a seminary professor, had Jon Benzinger as a student in many New Testament courses. Over the years, they kept in contact with each other. During these years, both were teaching and pastoring, developing skills and convictions that relate to shepherding God’s precious people. Together they have over 50 years of experience shepherding in the local church.

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After long discussions over many months starting in 2020, both men realized a great need for a church-based seminary. Aiding this discussion was the fact that Redeemer Bible Church has experienced unprecedented spiritual, as well as numerical growth through the blessings of the Lord (1 Cor. 3:6). Because of this, Jon and Dave formed Redeemer Seminary to plant and strengthen local churches through the development of mature pastoral leadership that is dominated by the example of Jesus and a divine calling to shepherd God’s people according to His will (1 Pet. 5:1-4).