Graduate Profile: Jonathan McCarthy (MTS)

My name is Jonathan McCarthy. I live in southern Pennsylvania and work in food distribution. I am blessed to be married to Jackie for seven years. Together we have two daughters and currently two foster children as well. We are part of an amazing Sovereign Grace Church in our city.

I have felt the Lord calling me into ministry for many years, and in 2018 I enrolled in a local seminary. After taking a few classes, I was disappointed with the anemic education I felt that I was getting. I knew that I wanted to be shaped by a Reformed distinctive, and so I began looking for another seminary.

Transferring to Reformed Baptist Seminary was one of the best decisions the Lord has led me in. Not only were the courses vastly more affordable than those at the brick and mortar seminary, but the level of education I received far exceeded what I was getting. The textbooks I have acquired through these courses are books that I am proud to have on my library shelves and look forward to referencing for years to come.

I am preparing to finish the Master of Theological Studies degree and I am excited to see what doors the Lord may open. I feel led into pastoral ministry and possibly overseas missionary church planting. I am so thankful for the robust courses that I have taken at RBS. Coupled with my own church’s strong emphasis on doctrine, proven character, and laying a good foundation, I am confident that wherever the Lord lead me, this period of education at RBS will serve me again and again.

I am very thankful to the staff at RBS. Dr. Gonzales has shown me such grace and encouragement in the assignments he has graded. One of my assignments was to critique Dr. Gonzales’ book Where Sin Abounds. Dr. Gonzales reacted with great humility and grace to my few critical remarks (made with fear and trembling)! Although we have not met in person, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Gonzales’ work and listening to his lectures. I also have enjoyed interacting with Dr. Mark Ward and listening to his excellent teaching as well.

I am also greatly indebted to my mentor and pastor, John Reyes. John loves reformed theology with a real passion and he has supported me through every semester of this journey. John has gone the extra mile to make sure I succeed. Before my exams, John has prayed for me with a genuine warmth and desire for me to succeed.

I am also thankful to my beautiful bride Jackie who has supported me in this education process as well. She was the one who encouraged me strongly to transfer to a reformed seminary. Without her as my backbone, none of this would be possible.

I am thankful to the Lord who has raised up godly men to start seminaries like RBS. I am thankful to the Lord for the blessing of His Word. I am thankful for the resources the Lord has provided so that students like myself can better understand this Word, the only book in the world that is God-breathed.

Soli Deo Gloria.