An Independent Accredited Private School
Restoration Theological Seminary (RTS) is committed to providing programs of study in theology, Pastoral studies, and ministerial training to equip ministers and Christians for Christian service. RTS is located at 4981 Phillips Dr., Forest Park, Georgia 30297.
Applicants for admission to RTS are considered without regard to sex, age, color, or national origin. All individuals who meet admission requirements will be accepted into RTS. All prospective students will be assessed according to their academic background and experience.
RTS began as a vision of Gateway Restoration International Network (GRIN) through visionaries Dr. Leon and Dr. Barbara Beeler. They saw a need for ministers who had accepted God’s call to learn about the word of God in a spiritual environment. The Beeler’s set out to develop an educational program that would focus on spirituality and meet the needs of these ministers, leaders, and lay Christians.
In 1995, this institution was birthed in Forest Park, Georgia, as a branch location of Jacksonville Theological Seminary. In 2004, RTS officially became an independent Christian-accredited private school. Since its inception, the school has graduated approximately 300 students in degree programs. RTS offers both degree and non-degree programs of study. All courses offered are Biblically based because the school believes the Holy Bible to be the true and living Word of God. The degree programs of RTS are ecclesiastical in nature and designed solely for religious vocations.
In the Fall of 2017, the birth of Restoration Theological Seminary - Michigan Satellite was launched. Starting with five students who accepted the personal quest to better understand and embrace the Lord Jesus as their savior. Since that time, we have aided over forty students in acquiring nearly sixty degrees. The goal of this institute is to prepare men and women to go into the world and teach/preach the Gospel to everyone. We are change agents, making the change in an ever-changing world.
RTS has been granted Religious Exemption by the State of Georgia by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Restoration Theological Seminary has private accreditation by the National Private School Accrediting Group (NPSAG), a Certified Academic Institution of the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA); an Approved Academic Biblical Institution with the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling; a Certified Higher Education Institution with the Georgia Board of Examiners for Christian Counselors and Therapists (GBOE).
"Our focus is to equip the Believers to do the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ in full measure with signs and wonders following their preaching, teaching, and believing. I believe that we have an educational program that is well able to position our students to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to carry the message of wellness in spirit, soul, and body to the world." –
Barbara J. Beeler, Ph.D., President of RTS.
Thea Susan Clark Hines was born in Brooklyn, New York where she attended the New York City public school system through the twelfth grade. After graduation, she attended and graduated from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) of Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, Thea married her college sweetheart (Larry Hines) and moved to Evanston, Illinois. During his studies at Garrett – Evangelical Theological Seminary, Larry was appointed Supply Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church of Chicago, Illinois. It was during this time that Thea began serving in ministry. As a young wife, now First Lady, life was in the fast lane. During our three (3) years, the women and children ministry grew from our open and relational Bible studies and events. Eyes open, I accepted the charge and never looked back.
As time passed and our family grew, we moved to Michigan to serve at the Cathedral of Faith Church of Inkster, MI. As a teacher, I taught a 1/2-grade split class at the Cathedral of Faith Christian School for one year. Managing our two children (Darrell and Thea) and blessed to care for another child, we moved to another fellowship, (Springhill Baptist) for three years. Again, working with women and children ministry along with being appointed Sunday School superintendent appointment: Life is full.
When one embraces ministry, one embraces change. During this time, I completed a Master’s degree in Educational Supervision from Wayne State University and, a few years later, completed coursework for Educational Specialist for Middle School Mathematics, also from Wayne State University. We assisted another ministry as we embraced our third child (Darren) and welcomed Mother Hines (Larry’s mother) to our home. It was during this time that my husband became a military Chaplain (Army), and we took an assignment to work with another ministry. Embracing change and counseling for women and their families emerged in my new assignment as a Brigade Chaplain’s wife. I, Thea, felt humbled to be a conduit of comfort for these families of deployed service members of Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
When Larry returned from his service in Desert Shield, he was inspired to start a new ministry—Harvest Community. It was this ministry that I got it! For years, I served in ministry—teaching, training, counseling, giving Women’s Day messages, and Sunday School—I got it. God had more for me to do if I would be in His service. The call into ministry was birthed.
Pursuing a doctoral degree from Trinity Seminary in Women/Family ministry was the next order of business after six years of study for license and ordination within the Full Gospel assembly. This was short-lived, as many family concerns hindered my continuing studies. After the deaths of my mother, mother-in-law, and youngest son (Darren), I needed counseling and encouragement. In time, healing ensued.
With so many family concerns, we passed our church to our assistant pastor. This was not what we wanted, but it was necessary. Moving on was painful in multiple sorts. I moved to a non-denominational church for healing and regrouping. It was under this ministry that I instituted a grief support group: I found solace. Upon retiring from Detroit Public School as a middle school mathematics teacher, we moved to Georgia to join another ministry. To our unknowing, New Visions Christian Center became our last pastorate. I also returned to my desire – to pursue a doctorate in Christian counseling. During these three years of service, my husband’s health began to fail. The last year of service was mostly my call. I held on to my studies and pastoring as I became my husband’s caregiver. On March 18, 2016, my world crashed – forty-three years of marriage ended.
The following year, I received my doctorate in Christian counseling from Restoration Theological Seminary of Atlanta, Georgia. My ministry continued as I returned to Michigan the following year. I serve at Greater Dreams Church (GDC) of Wayne, Michigan, as the mental health coach / Christian counselor and coordinator of community-based programs. My days were challenging with fulfilling work. Also, in September 2017, we started the Michigan satellite, and I became the professor / Dean of Students for Restoration Theological Seminary (RTS)—MI satellite. To date, we have had six graduations with over forty (40) graduates and fifty-eight (58) degrees awarded.
Finally, every dream begins with a dreamer … here I stand. I dream because of my strength in God.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
