North Park Theological Seminary marked a celebratory moment in its life together on May 9, 2026, as it held its annual Commencement Convocation and Consecration Service in Chicago. This year’s service was especially significant as its sixty-one graduates represented every NPTS student cohort—campus, distance, School of Restorative Arts (SRA), Ignite, and Equip—bearing witness to a learning community that transcends modality and geography.
Presided over by Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Edwards, Dean of the Seminary and Vice President for Church Relations, the service combined worship, academic ceremony, and consecration. The commencement address, titled “The Irrelevant Pastor,” was delivered by Rev. David Swanson (MDiv 2023), founding pastor of New Community Covenant Church in Bronzeville. North Park conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity on Rev. Jolene Bergstrom Carlson, recognizing a lifetime of faithful ministry marked by pastoral leadership, mentoring, and advocacy for justice and reconciliation.
During the academic ceremony, faculty awards honored outstanding student achievement in the areas of history (Mark Safstrom), theology, (Austin White), Greek (Bronwyn Murphy), biblical exegesis (Mary Spriggs), innovative ministry (Fabio Muniz), and Christian formation (Catherine McNeil). These recognitions highlight both academic excellence and the integrative, practical dimensions of theological formation at NPTS. The Ahnfeldt Medallion, honoring highest Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) student GPAs, was awarded to Mark Safstrom and Austin White, both MATS students.
Following the conferral of degrees, the service transitioned into a consecration liturgy, with prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and dedication offered by graduating students. This culminated in a charge delivered by Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim, President of the Evangelical Covenant Church, who exhorted graduates to faithful, Spirit-led ministry.
The closing hymn (“Be Thou My Vision”) and benediction sent NPTS graduates into their varied callings across the church and world.
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