Pastor Johnny Kashung
We are thrilled to spotlight Pastor Johnny Kashung (M.Div. ’18)! On April 18, 2026, Johnny will be formally ordained by the Northeast Indian Church where he serves as pastor. The service will be held at 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Alameda, led by fellow BST alum Rev. Karen Yee (’97), pastor of New […]
Rev. Dr. Arlo R. Reichter
We are delighted to spotlight Rev. Dr. Arlo R. Reichter (M.Div., ’71) as he celebrates his 55th graduation anniversary from Berkeley School of Theology! Since his ordination in 1971, Arlo has led a career of profound impact and dedicated service within the American Baptist Churches. Arlo began his ministerial journey as an Associate Minister and […]
Lia Rochill
BST’s Director of Admissions, Ms. Lia Rochill, has a wonderful reason to celebrate! This 2019 Master of Divinity graduate and BST staff member was recently married in a beautiful ceremony right on the BST campus! Lia met her future husband, Leokato Yepthomi, through a mutual auntie. What began as a friendship blossomed into a three-year […]
Sheila Burns
Congratulations to Chaplain Sheila Burns, a 2025 Master of Divinity graduate, who has answered a new call by accepting a Chaplaincy position at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Health! Sheila started in August and is elated to begin this chaplaincy. Sheila stated, “With this position it’s an honor to bring comfort to so many […]
Sylvia Lane
We are delighted to share wonderful news that Rev. Sylvia Lane, formerly Britt, (M.Div. ’25), has had an incredibly exciting season both professionally and personally. Sylvia has launched into a thriving ministry career, starting her new full-time position on September 8, 2025, as a Palliative Care Chaplain with Kaiser, and also serving as a Per […]
Donald Taylor, Sr. and Bertha Yvette Morrow
Donald and Bertha graduated in 2025 from the Master of Divinity program at Berkeley School of Theology. In addition to earning their degrees, the couple has another reason to celebrate: They were united in holy matrimony on Saturday, September 13, 2025! Meeting at BST, a friendship that began over Zoom blossomed into relationship, culminating in […]
Rev. Dr. H. James “Jim” Hopkins
Rev. Dr. H. James “Jim” Hopkins is retiring after serving as Senior Pastor at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church since 1989! Rev. Dr. Hopkins earned his Master of Divinity in 1983 and received an honorary doctorate in 2007 from Berkeley School of Theology. Additionally, he served on BST’s Board of Trustees from 2007 – 2015. For […]
Rev. Dr. Hakizimana “Appolo” Appolinaire
Rev. Dr. Hakizimana “Appolo” Appolinaire is BST’s 2024-25 Alum of the Year! Dr. Appolinaire serves as a Country Director of Scripture Union Rwanda, and Pastor in the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Diocese of Karongi. From 2019- 2020, he served as Professional Chaplain, in University of California, San Francisco’s hospital. From 2019- 2022, he was a […]
Rev. Karen Yee
Rev. Karen Yee is BST’s 2023-24 Alum of the Year! Rev. Lee is Senior Pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley and is the English-speaking pastor at the Iu-Mienh Friendship Baptist Church in Richmond. She graduated in 1997 from Berkeley School of Theology with her Master of Divinity. Among her many accomplishments, she is […]
Dr. Karen Cole-Smith
On May 18, 2024, Dr. Cole-Smith received two degrees from Berkeley School of Theology: Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies! Dr. Cole-Smith stated that the best aspect of her experience at BST was that it promoted the scripture Micah 6:8 by providing diverse educational, spiritual, and community experiences that ensured that she would […]
