Gerald Sittser
(1989-present)
Professor of Theology

Dearest Friends: This has been a year of endings. I finally finished Water From a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries (IVP). It has been a labor of love from beginning to end. If you care to get an abbreviated reading list on the history of spirituality, the table of contents, and the introduction, send me an e-mail. I cannot say enough about how meaningful and helpful this project has been. I am one of those fortunate scholars whose research interests have a direct impact on their teaching.

I taught my usual courses this year. In History of Christianity I had 60 students enrolled, which tells you something about how much our department has grown. Over the past two years I have completely changed the reading list of both HC I and HC II, including nothing but primary sources. I have also written new lectures, focusing more on the global nature of the church.

My family is changing, too. My son David graduated from Whitworth on May 20 with a degree in theology. He enjoyed the best that Whitworth has to offer. He plans to attend seminary in the next year or two. Catherine recently returned from an eight-month trip to Central and South America and, after finishing out the year as a substitute teacher, plans to move to Seattle and find a job teaching high-school English. My son John will graduate from Mead High School on June 8. I saw him compete in his last official athletic event (soccer playoffs) in May; he scored the only goal. He will matriculate at SPU this fall.

I am blessed beyond measure. I have a terrific family, wonderful colleagues, humble and teachable students, and stimulating work. God has called me to be his own through Jesus Christ; he is indeed good.