Graduate Profile: Pedro Cheung

My name is Pedro Cheung. I live in Danville, CA, with my wife and four children, about 20 miles from San Francisco. I have worked as a full-time family physician for the last 25 years and have been serving at my local church, Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill, for the last 15 years.

I remember standing on the lawn outside Royce Hall at UCLA, celebrating my medical school graduation. I had completed my academic pilgrimage. No more school—or so I thought. Unimaginably, twenty-two years later, I asked my wife, "What do you think about me studying in seminary?" Receiving a surprised look, but not one of disapproval, I embarked on an unforgettable four-year journey here at Reformed Baptist Seminary (RBS).

I had never considered the possibility of becoming a pastor. But like D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I sensed a growing discontentment in my role as a physician. Caring for the physical body and its various ailments was not enough. I want to care and tend to people's souls.

I had always enjoyed studying and teaching the Bible, so periodically, I would look online for resources to help me better understand the truths found in Scripture. I stumbled upon the RBS website, which provides a majority of their class lectures free of charge. I soon realized that getting feedback and accountability from the seminary professors would enhance my self-study. So, I officially enrolled as a student. I decreased my work hours to accommodate the time and energy I would need to study.

My first few classes were much harder than I had anticipated. Writing research papers at a graduate level was not easy. Neither was Greek and Hebrew. But as I near the completion of my studies, I acknowledge God’s faithfulness in answering my prayers. Through seminary, I acquired a deeper understanding of hermeneutics and exegetical theology, a greater familiarity with the biblical languages, and a stronger conviction in the doctrines of the historic Christian faith.

I am so grateful to Dr. Robert Gonzales, Vadim Chepurny, Michael Emadi, Dr. Sam Waldron, and my other seminary professors. My theological training was not possible with the ability to take the coursework online at RBS asynchronously. So, while my local church pastors continue to disciple and mentor me in the Christian life and pastoral ministry, RBS has provided me with a solid academic theological education that has filled in my gaps to prepare me for ministry, wherever God takes me.

My dear wife, Janice, has stood alongside me every step of the way. There were times when I was ready to quit, but she encouraged me to press on. I count my education at RBS as a stewardship I don't deserve. I hope to continue serving as a lay leader at my local church after graduation. I pray that God will continue to bless my local church as I seek to apply the lessons I have learned during seminary.