From One Journey to the Next: Reflecting on Four Years at WSC

In the summer of 2021, my wife, Bhless, and I traveled from Southeast Asia to California, a new chapter in our family’s life. Our journey to Westminster Seminary California was a clear demonstration of God’s grace; He truly established each of our steps, guiding us to this special place for a special time of learning and equipping. Our time here has been an undeniable gift from God, delivered through the kindness and dedication of the faculty, staff, classmates, and the many generous supporters of the seminary.

The excitement of those first days gave way to a whole host of emotions and experiences over four years. Seminary is a journey of ups and downs—hills to climb, sunny vales to pass through, and dark woods through which to trudge. By God’s strength, we worked hard, driven forward by the regular rhythms of class schedules and due dates, experiencing enthusiastic semester starts, the inevitable mid-semester lulls, and the final, intense push toward the end.

And then, suddenly, graduation day arrived. It was a day full of joy and hope. This joy did not come because we had finished our study program, but because we, as a graduating class, were being sent out. I’m so thankful that WSC calls graduation “commencement.” It perfectly captures the spirit of what God has equipped us to do. Our service has commenced, and we have been sent out to serve Christ’s church with all the gifts, talents, and knowledge we have received. The years that follow will see many more graduates go out from Westminster, well-equipped to serve Christ and his Church, and I find this to be a profound source of hope.

We were initially drawn to the seminary by its diverse community and solid teaching that we might be better equipped for ministry. Our goal has always been to return to the mission field in Southeast Asia. So, what have we learned? Do we feel better equipped? Was this high-intensity marathon a worthy endeavor?

Some struggles remain, for that is part of sanctification. But I certainly see that I have grown, and all praise is to God. From the faculty and staff, and even from my classmates, I have witnessed humility, wisdom, and moderation. These have rubbed off on me; perhaps these are the most important things I have learned at WSC. I have learned to keep the main thing the main thing and to live at peace with all, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our Shared Journey and Calling

My calling to the mission field has been an unexpected journey guided by the Lord’s hand. I never imagined I would become a pastor or a church planter; my simple desire was to serve. From repairing the water tank of a small mountain village in Guatemala, to map-making, to leading English outreach, one day I found myself doing the work of a pastor. When I met Bhless, she joined me in this ministry and became involved in the small house church I was leading. As we worked together, we both grew in our appreciation and love for the church. We understood that even though our church was small and seemingly weak, it was precious to Christ and belongs to him. Working in the Church is what we want to do in missions and with the rest of our lives. Through this shared service, God gave us the clarity that our long-term mission was to serve in church planting and development, and Bhless encouraged me to go to seminary to be better equipped for this task.

A unique part of my experience was the opportunity to study and learn more about the culture and history of our country of mission. This academic exercise gave me a fresh perspective and helped me stay connected to the vision of where we are heading.

I’m also very encouraged by WSC’s renewed focus on global missions. I’m thankful for the missions prayer group, vision trips, and growing partnerships that have confirmed our calling. We were deeply involved with these missions focused activities on campus. I helped to facilitate and lead the prayer group, as well as invite missionaries to share on campus. Bhless was also an active part of this, helping to prepare meals for missions lunches and praying for missions. The Prayer for Missions group started out small, and during our time grew larger and more committed in gathering to lift up the needs of Christ’s Church throughout the world. It was particularly sweet, and humbling, to pray for brothers and sisters in Christ. Often we prayed for those whom we knew closely—the families, friends and churches of international students at WSC, as well as alumni of the seminary. Some of their situations were dire, and bringing them to God in prayer brought us peace and hope, and joy when we were privileged to see prayers answered. Taking part in these groups helped us keep the right perspective, that God’s glory will fill all the earth.

I am also grateful to see how female students are welcomed as legitimate seminarians, since both men and women are called to be well-educated and equipped to serve Christ and his gospel. For me, it was a great privilege and a joy to study alongside my wife, learning and growing not only as individuals, but also together as partners in life and ministry.

Bhless’s Reflections

The excellent, pastoral character of the faculty has profoundly shaped my own experience at Westminster. Our professors are brilliant in their fields, but their genuine care for people left the most profound impression.

I am deeply grateful for Dr. Barrie, who was not only our academic advisor but also our counselor and pastor. He consistently listened to us, prayed with us, and walked with us through our challenges.
Another professor who modeled humility and integrity left a deep and lasting impression. When asked to comment on a particular theologian, he replied, “I don’t want to editorialize.” That simple act of restraint taught me as much as a lecture ever could about true academic humility and Christian grace.
During my time here, I went through a season of great darkness. Though my mind was clear about the gospel and I was thankful for Christ, I just had no desire for living. Yet God was there even in that deep valley. I experienced his care and love through the seminary community: classmates, professors, and friends who prayed for me, encouraged me, and walked with me. One professor shared that he “knew” what I was going through. He extended pastoral grace, providing flexibility with due dates and encouraging me to prioritize my well-being over academic performance. This act of care showed me that the seminary values a student’s overall well-being.

Finally, I witnessed incredible growth in my husband’s character. While he has always been kind, I saw him mature significantly in his pastoral care. His capacity to listen, empathize, and care for people has deepened, and it’s a blessing to see this lifelong process of sanctification in action. These changes have come through the power of the Spirit in the context of the seminary community and the examples of the professors.

Koos and Bhless Hagg graduated in 2025 with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Biblical Studies, respectively. Originally from the Netherlands and the Philippines, they have plans to return to Southeast Asia by next summer.

This article is from our Fall 2025 edition of UPDATE Magazine, Local Training, Global Reach.