Michael J. Fast, Ph.D.

Michael J. Fast is SEATS' Academic Vice President and Dean.
DOB: 25 April 1967

Michael currently serves as the Academic Vice-President and Dean of the South East Asian Theological Schools, Inc. He is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of Canadian Baptist Seminary / ACTS. He is interested the transmission and appropriation of faith and how these interact to form a lived religion. He has conducted research into the interaction of masculinity and religiosity in Filipino men, as well as how two Canadian immigrant groups (Swedish and Filipino) worked out issues of the transmission and appropriation of faith in the formation of a religious denomination. He is currently teaching a series of courses on how churches can thrive in the new normal.

He obtained his B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, his M.Div. from Canadian Baptist Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philippine Studies from the UP Asian Center. He is an ordained minister with the Baptist General Conference of Canada. He is a citizen of the Metis Nation - Saskatchewan. He and his family have lived in the Philippines since 1999.

He blogs at http://michaeljfast.com

Education:

Ph.D., Philippine Studies, Tri-College, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 2019.

M.Div., Missions, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, Canada, 1995.

B.A., Religious Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, 1992.

Areas of Research, Papers Written

2023. Patungo sa pagiging maka-Diyos [Towards Godliness]: How Filipino men use cultural forms of epistemology in the search for truth. Practical Theology. doi: 10.1080/1756073X.2023.2196189

2023. Ang Pagbuo ng Pagkakakilanlan ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Canada. In Banwa at Layag: Antolohiya ng mga Kuwentong Paglalakbay ng mga Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat, ed. Axle Christien Tugano, pp. 336-339. Manila: Limbagang Pangkasaysayan.

2022. Pagkalalake at Maka-Diyos: Understanding the Filipino family through the lenses of masculinity and religiosity. Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia (Early View, December 2022): 1–15.

2021. Pangibang-bayan ng mga Pilipino sa Canada: Ang pakikipagsosyo ng dalawang komunidad ng imigrante sa pagbuo ng samahan ng simbahan sa Canada 1981-2018, sa Villan, Vicente at Kristoffer Esquejo (eds.). Pangangayaw: Ang Pangingibang-Bayan at Paghahanap ng Ginhawa sa Kasaysayan at Kalinangang Pilipino. ADHIKA ng Pilipinas, Inc. & National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

2017. Religious Pragmatism in Rorty, Abu-Lughod, Mahmood, Maylins, and Irigaray. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2017. Pastor as Shaman? Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2017. Looking at Resil Mojares’ The Life of Miguel Ayatumo. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2017. Finding the voices shaping Philippine society. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2016. The Mats as Talisman Overcoming powerlessness and grief in early 20th-century Philippines. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2016. Ang Ugali ng Lider: Ideas of leadership among Filipino men. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2015. Symbols of Filipino Male Religious Identity in the Philippines. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2015. Masculinity and spirituality in Philippine context. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2015. Ang pagiging maka-Diyos: Filipino male spirituality in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2014. Conversion stories from an urban community. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2014. Holiday Ethnography: Christmas caroling in Pingkian. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2013. Revisiting Rafael’s Contracting Colonialism after 25 years. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

2013. Analysis of Pagbabangong-dangal. Tri-College, UP Diliman.

1995. Women in Ministry? Of Course! Langley: Associated Canadian Theological Schools/Canadian Baptist Seminary.

1994. Contextualisation. Langley: Associated Canadian Theological Schools/Canadian Baptist Seminary.

1994. Culture and the Bible. Langley: Associated Canadian Theological Schools/Canadian Baptist Seminary.

1994. The Blessing of the Nations in the Pentateuch. Langley: Associated Canadian Theological Schools/Canadian Baptist Seminary.

1993. The healing of blind Bartimaeus: A look at some key exegetical issues. Langley: Associated Canadian Theological Schools/Canadian Baptist Seminary.

Relevant Coursework

Perspectives in Philippine Studies; Theories in Philippine Studies; Research in Philippine Studies; Filipino Identities; Readings in Philippine Culture and Society; Philippine Culture and Society; Vietnam Study; The Church and World Missions; Church Planting and Growth; History of Christianity; Library Research; Seminar in Religions and Literature; Confucianism Continuation and Change; Eastern Christianity in the First Millennium; Later Eastern Christian Thought; Canada Since Earliest Settlement; Buddhist Religious Tradition; Structure of Christian Thought; Intro to Cultural Anthropology; Foundations of Modern Civilization; World Religions.

Independent Coursework

“Communicating the Gospel Cross-Culturally: Some Insights from Church History,” presented by Andrew F. Walls in partnership with Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC), 2011.

“Shifting Centers: Mission Movements and Lessons in Contextualization,” presented by Andrew F. Walls in partnership with Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC), 2011.

Research Experience

“Verbal Aspect in the Book of James.” 1996.
Supervisor Dr. Howard Anderson, Ph.D., President, Canadian Baptist Seminary. Researched the verbal aspect of the book of James in the Greek New Testament.

“Associated Canadian Theological Schools Self-Study Assessment for Accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools.” 1996.
Supervisor Dr. Howard Anderson, Ph.D., President, Canadian Baptist Seminary. I was the editor for this document that was written by various faculty members of the theological consortium.

Seminars and Papers Presented

2022. “Religions, religious experiences and spirituality.” Training on Teaching the English, Filipino, Philosophy, Literature and Arts General Education (GE) Courses and GE Electives. Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. 28 Setyembre 2022 via Zoom and Facebook Live.

2021. “5 Shifts To Make: The Philippine Church Gearing Towards Life and Ministry Post-Pandemic Webinar – A Reaction.” TheoExpo 2021: Theology in the service of the church. Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches Theological Commission. 14 April 2021 via Zoom.

2020. Virtual Roundtable discussion participant. “The way forward for Philippine Seminaries and Theological Schools.” First National Consultation on Theological Education. Revisiting Theological Education in the Philippines: Quality, Access, and Opportunities for Collaboration. Wesleyan University Philippines. December 4 - 5, 2020.

2020. “Pagkalalaki at Maka-Diyos: A Dialogical Look at Masculinity and Religiosity among Filipino Males.” Asian Center @ 65: Zealously cultivating ideas, ceaselessly inspiring minds across Asia. 3-part webinar series on Asian Culture and Politics. 18 November 2020. University of the Philippines Asian Center. 18 November 2020 via Zoom.

2019. Pangingibang Bayan ng mga Pilipino sa Canada: Ang Pakikipagsosyo ng Dalawang Komunidad ng Imigrante sa Pag-buo ng Samahan ng Simbahan, 1981-2018. Conference: Ika-30 Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Kasaysayan at Kalinangan, Tema: Pangangayaw: Ang Pangingibang Bayan at Paghanap ng Ginhawa sa Kasaysayan at Kalinangang PilipinoAt: Romblon State University - Main Campus, Odiongang, Romblon, Philippines.

2018. “Faith & Work.” Presented at The Forge Young Pro Conference, held at Hope Christian Fellowship, Antipolo, Rizal, on 20 October 2018.

2009. “Service.” Presented at Technological Institute of the Philippines Values Formation Seminar, at TIP Cubao, Quezon City, on 30 January 2013; 7 September 2009.

2009. “Global Ministries and Your Congregation.” Presented at British Columbia Baptist Conference Annual Meeting, held at Brookswood Baptist Church, Langley, BC, on 23 May 2009.

2008. “Transformational Ethics.” Presented at Discipling a Whole Nation DNA Leader of Leaders Trainor, held at Antipolo, Rizal, on July 2008.

Teaching Experience

Michael is responsible for teaching the following classes at SEATS:

DMin 290 Theological Conference or Consultation Attendance, Reflection, & Contextualization
DMin 298 Pastoring in Times of Crisis
DMin 303 Missional Ecclesiology: Frameworks for Functional Churches in Society
DMin 306 Towards a New World Order: Frameworks in Discipling a Nation (team taught with Bishop Dr. Cesar Punzalan, III)
DMin 314 Church and Ministry Post Pandemic (team taught with Dr. Anthony dela Fuente)
DMin 316 Pagkalalake at Maka-Diyos: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
DMin 399 Dissertation 1

Michael also actively teaches in SEATS informal Certificate in Ecclesiological Engagement and Certificate in Missional Ecclesiology, as well as SEATS programs in other parts of South East Asia.

Instructor for “Theology & Ordination in Philippine Context,” South East Asian Theological Schools, Inc. 2012-2013.
This is a required course for ordination in the Baptist Conference of the Philippines Metro Manila Luzon District.

Instructor for South East Asian Theological Schools, Inc. Schools of Mission, Certificate in Missional Ecclesiology Program, 1999-present.
Partnering Churches: Hope Christian Fellowship, Metro Manila Bible Community, Pacific Mission Fellowship, The Bible Community – Worship Center Cavite.
Courses Taught: Worldview: Foundations of our faith; The church & it's mission; Making Good News Good; Building Kingdom Values; Truth telling; Sent for Service; Preaching and Teaching; Foundations of Mission; Structural Evil; Theology of Money

Instructor for South East Asian Theological Schools, Inc. Schools of Mission, Certificate in Missional Discipleship Program, 2005-present.
Partnering Churches: Hope Christian Fellowship, Metro Manila Bible Community, Pacific Mission Fellowship.
Courses Taught: Understanding Jesus – Mark; Understanding Jesus – Luke; Understanding Jesus – John; Discipleship; Discipleship: Paradigm of the Subject; Hermeneutics of Money; 8 Principles of Being Like Jesus; Jesus-Mission-Church; Jesus & Truth; Men & Discipleship

Visiting Lecturer at the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership, Legaspi, Albay, 2005-2007. Courses Taught: Church History; Theology 2.

Teaching Assistant in Introductory Greek. Supervisor: Dr. Stanley E. Porter, Ph.D. Northwest Baptist Theological College/Associated Canadian Theological Schools. 1994.

Professional Experience

Global Ministries Personnel, Baptist General Conference of Canada 1996 – Present
Coordinate pastoral training among BGC Canada partners in South East Asia. My work as a GMP for BGC Canada has included the following roles:

Vice President and Dean, South East Asian Theological Schools, Inc. 1999 – Present (20 years)
I am responsible for creating the vision, developing curriculum, coordinating teaching and delivery systems, promotions, and teaching classes for SEATS in both the Philippines and Vietnam.

Project Supervisor, Philippine Birthing Clinic Project 2015-Present
I am responsible for overseeing the construction of a birthing clinic and multipurpose building in a local community. Tasks include overseeing hiring of professionals and supervisory staff, quality-control inspections, acquiring permits and licenses, and fund-raising.

Pastor, Pingkian Family Worship 2008-present
I am responsible for overseeing ministries such as KidsNet, Youth Fellowship, MensNet, and Family Worship. My main direct tasks include visitation, mentoring younger pastors, teaching mens’ Bible Studies, and preaching a worship services.

Director of Assessment Center, ConvergePhil 2008 – 2011 (3 years)
I ran the Center for Assessing potential churchplanters for the ConvergePhil Middle-Class ChurchPlanting project, otherwise known as Decade of Change (DOC). This was for a church-planting project in the Philippines.

Associate Pastor, New Hope Community Church, Langley, BC, Canada 1992 – 1996 (4 years)
As the initial person in the position, I was responsible for creating the ministry among the youth in our community. The included planning events, leading Bible studies, and counselling parents and young people.

Achievements/Activities
Recipient of the Baptist General Conference of Alberta Women’s Group Scholarship, 1993-1995
Treasurer, Canadian Baptist Seminary Student’s Association, 1993-1995

Memberships & Professional Qualifications

Ordained for the Gospel Ministry by New Hope Community Church and the Baptist General Conference of Canada, November 1998.

Credentialled Pastor of the Baptist General Conference of Canada since 1998.