MID-AMERICA
SPECIAL EDITION
Dr. B. Gray Allison 1924–2019 Founder of Mid-America
LIFT HIGH THE CROSS HIS LOVE PROCLAIM
SPRING 2019
2
MID-AMERICA MESSENGER
TRIBUTE TO DR. B. GRAY ALLISON: NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES
P R E S I D E N T ’ S Page
obvious to all who met them. Gray’s
evangelism. Dr. Leavell’s passion for
love for his children knew no bounds.
personal soul-winning became Gray’s
Throughout his ministry, his family
passion and practice the rest of his life.
remained his rock.
Gray embraced the life of a scholar,
DURING THE WAR, GRAY HAD A GROWING SENSE OF URGENCY
but he never let that dull his focus on
that the Lord was calling him into the
his preaching schedule and leading the
ministry. Finally surrendering to the call
school’s evangelism training program,
to preach, he enrolled in New Orleans
Gray wrote his doctoral dissertation in
Baptist Theological Seminary in his
one week. Asked about this amazing
Born in small-town America to a family
home state of Louisiana because of his
feat later, he stated that he knew what
of simple means, Beverly Gray Allison
belief in training for ministry. As he
he wanted to say and had already done
survived the depression and a world
would tell his own students later, “The
the research; he just needed time to
war to found and lead as president a
Holy Spirit has a strange affinity for a
write it down. One of the professors
theological seminary with graduates
trained mind.”
who commended the excellence of his
serving all over the world. While great is
ONE OF THE GREAT INFLUENCES ON HIS LIFE was the
dissertation was Dr. Roy Beaman, later
often overused of those who have gone on, Gray’s legacy will be as multicultural
school’s president, Dr. Roland Q. Leavell.
Mid-America Seminary.
as it is multifaceted. His passion for
Dr. Leavell was not only the president
missions and evangelism touched the
of the seminary but also a professor of
BY DR. MICHAEL SPRADLIN
evangelism. In a busy time of life due to
one of Gray’s founding professors at Now officially Dr. B. Gray Allison, he would be known as “Dr. Gray”
world.
by friends and associates
Called Boo by his
because several of his siblings
family (because that was
earned doctorates through the
the way his brother, Phil,
years. He served on faculty
pronounced Beverly), Gray
at his alma mater and later
grew up in a loving home
left to join the Home Mission
where faith in the Lord was
Board of the Southern Baptist
a centerpiece of family life.
Convention, promoting
When Gray was 18, the death
and teaching evangelism.
of his father was a tragic
Ultimately, he followed his
introduction to manhood
passion and became a full-
and came at the brink of his
time vocational evangelist.
entrance into the maelstrom of World War II. He soon
DR. GRAY LOVED HIS DENOMINATION, the
found himself as the 19-year-
Southern Baptist Convention,
old crew commander of a
but he became increasingly
B-24 bomber and headed
concerned about the
to war in the Pacific where
theological liberalism in the
he flew 16 combat missions.
seminaries. In the 1960s, he
Among other recognitions,
began to meet with friends
Gray was awarded the Air
praying the Lord would raise
Medal for bravery in combat.
up the right kind of seminary
Returning home after the war, Gray married his sweetheart, Voncille. Their love for each other was
FROM FOUNDING PRESIDENT TO FUTURE PRESIDENT: Dr. B. Gray Allison awarded two degrees to Michael Spradlin. Here, Dr. Gray awards him the MDIV in 1987. In 1991, Dr. Gray awarded him the PHD.
where the truthfulness of the Bible was taught and where the priorities of missions and evangelism were practiced.
In 1972, Dr. Gray started Mid-America
amidst the rushing crowd, was a man
Baptist Theological Seminary and
in a nice suit sitting on the curb by the
became the school’s founding president
street. My eyes were drawn to him, and
and first professor of evangelism. For
I saw that he was talking with a man
over 40 years, students would sit in class
who had obviously fallen on hard times.
under the spell of his steel blue eyes and
I recognized the man in the suit as a
hear one heart-gripping word—“lost.” Dr.
seminary president, Dr. Gray B. Allison.
Gray lived by the mantra that evangelism
He had taken out a pocket New Testament
was more caught than taught, and he
and was witnessing to the man, ignoring
passed on the fire to share the Gospel to
the crush of the bystanders. Dr. Gray was
all people. He inspired all who sat in his
more interested in sharing the Gospel
classes to go because a lost and dying
with this poor, lost soul than whatever
world desperately needed Jesus Christ
taught thousands in the classroom,
comfort the noon meal could provide. Dr.
as Lord and Savior.
and witnessed to all who would listen.
Gray’s life mirrored the words of Jesus
Dr. Gray never cared about titles and
in John 4:32, “I have food to eat that you
Bible-believing seminary, Dr. Gray
awards. He once said that all he wanted
do not know about.”
experienced the distancing of friends
on his tombstone were the words
who wanted no part of controversy and
“Baptist preacher” and “U.S. Air Force
DR. GRAY’S HEART IS THE HEART OF MID-AMERICA. He
the rejection by many in the leadership
pilot.”
blazed the trail and cast the vision.
As a leader of a conservative,
of the denomination he so loved. He
Perhaps the best summary of his
Mid-America will stay the course on
always wanted to be known by what he
life comes from an observation on a
our core beliefs: the inerrancy of the
was for more than what he was against,
hot, Southern, summer day. It was at the
Bible, the importance of missions, and
so he persevered and stayed positive.
annual meeting of the Southern Baptist
the necessity of personal evangelism.
TO HAVE PREACHED ALL OVER THE WORLD, Dr. Gray was
Convention in June, and the morning
Our passion will be to live out the words
session ended. Thousands of preachers
of Mid-America’s Alma Mater in the
a humble and surprisingly introverted
and denominational leaders streamed
twenty-first century: “To all the world for
man. He was amazed that God would
out of the convention center, rushing to
Jesus’ sake/where bodies hurt and sad
call an introvert like him into the
get something to eat before the afternoon
hearts ache/lift high the Cross/His love
ministry. He counseled with many,
session began. On the street corner,
proclaim/Mid-America bear His name!”
HOW YOU CAN HELP CARRY ON THE LEGACY OF DR. GRAY No one has asked more people to support the mission of MidAmerica than Dr. B. Gray Allison. His request was three-fold:
PRAY—Pray for students, faculty and staff, and those with whom students and alumni will share the Gospel.
SHARE—Share the story of how God is using Mid-America to equip the next generation, especially with potential students and donors.
MEET THE NEED—Dr. Gray was never shy about sharing Mid-America’s great need for financial resources. Yet he lived by the conviction that God would always provide. He never directly asked anyone to give though he famously stated he often “came dangerously close.” God honored his approach in miraculous ways.
FREE Book with Your Gift You can carry on this legacy by praying, sharing, and giving as God leads. As a token of our appreciation, Mid-America will send a free copy of To All the World, an early history of Mid-America, (while supplies last) to everyone who gives using the enclosed donation envelope or online at mabts.edu/support (specify gift: In Honor & Memory of Dr. Gray Allison). Your gift will help carry on the legacy of Bible preaching, Missions, and Evangelism for which Dr. Gray and Mid-America steadfastly stand.
A MAN OF THE GREAT GOD: THE LIFE 1954 Earns Doctor of Theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and joins the faculty of NOBTS shortly after.
1943–1945 1924 Born in Ida, Louisiana, on May 7.
1934 Accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.
Serves as a U.S. Air Force pilot in World War II. Lt. Allison flew 16 combat missions in the Pacific.
1946 Marries Voncille Cruse Allison.
1949 Surrenders to preach the Gospel at age 25.
1952 Earns Bachelor of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and pastors a local church.
1960–1972
“THAT IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.” COL. 1:18
Forms Allison Evangelistic Association and preaches in conferences and revivals around the globe as a full-time evangelist.
1966–1967 Serves with the SBC Home Mission Board.
AND MINISTRY OF DR. B. GRAY ALLISON 1981 Leads Mid-America to gain SACS accreditation.
1972 Founds Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas, with four professors and 28 students.
1975 Leads Mid-America to relocate to Memphis on Poplar Avenue.
1987 Establishes the Northeast Campus of Mid-America in Schenectady, New York.
1994 Mid-America reaches 100,000 professions of faith in its practical missions program. The total surpasses 165,000 today.
1996 Leads MidAmerica to move to new campus in Germantown, Tennessee.
2017 1997 Retires as President and continues to serve as President Emeritus and Professor of Evangelism. Succeeded by Dr. Michael Spradlin, Mid-America double alumnus and former Northeast Campus Director.
2006 Mid-America moves to an allnew campus in Cordova, Tennessee, including adjoining student housing.
Continues to teach his Personal Evangelism course through the Fall semester 2017.
2017 Preaches his final “The Miracle of MidAmerica” message at Founders’ Days.
2019 Graduates to Heaven on February 12. Survived by his wife of 72 years, Voncille; daughter, Suzanne Grigsby (Charlie); daughter, Charlotte Miller (Rama); son, Gray M. Allison (Anita); six grandchildren and their spouses; 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
6
MID-AMERICA MESSENGER
MEMORIES OF AND TRIBUTES TO DR. GRAY FROM THE MID-AMERICA FAMILY
Dr. Gray has been a spiritual hero of
During lunch in early 1972, he
mine since my father studied at Mid-
influenced me toward Mid-America
America Baptist Theological Seminary
Baptist Theological Seminary. As he
in the ‘80s. I have always admired his
cast the vision for MABTS, my heart
boldness for Christ and dedication to the
leapt with joy: evangelism, scholarship,
Word of God—no matter what others
theology, and missions. I received his
or popular opinion said. As a professor,
instruction in Personal Evangelism,
he had high expectations and a deep
Church Evangelism, and Theology of
desire for his students to learn, but it
Evangelism in the MDIV and History
No man on earth had a greater influence
was clear he genuinely cared for each
of Christian Missions in the PHD.
in my life than Dr. Gray. He blessed
of us. I respected him, and I wanted the
Personal conversations impacted me
me, challenged me, taught me, and
consistency and strength of character he
most. He was a great preacher, scholar,
befriended me. Every time he spoke to
modeled for us every day. I’m grateful for
teacher, and witness who spoke with
me, he asked about my wife and sons. He
the opportunity I had to observe, know,
authority under the anointing of the
was genuinely interested in the entire
and study with Dr. Gray. His character
Holy Spirit. Yet, in personal conversation
family of every student past and present.
and passion are an enduring positive
his delightful humor and profound
He was a man of unwavering conviction
influence in my life.
compassion penetrated the depths of my
and heartfelt compassion. He was the
CARY BETH DUFFEL
soul. He set the mark high: “That in all
most faithful witness and personal
MMISS, 2006
soul-winner I ever knew. His presence
things He might have the preeminence.” Through the influence, instruction, and
will be missed, but he will forever live in
The first time I saw Dr. B. Gray Allison
impact of Dr. B. Gray Allison, I continue
the hearts of those who knew him and
was at Camp Zion in Myrtle, Mississippi.
to press toward that mark.
loved him.
He brought the Biblical Exposition Study
BOB PITMAN
from the Book of Jude. God put in my
JACKIE PRIOR KWOK
MDIV, 1977; PHD, 2004 Evangelist, Muscle Shoals, Alabama Dr. Gray influenced my life in many ways, but the most influential time was the second hour of the day in his Personal Evangelism course. Dr. Gray would religiously tell the class stories of his witnessing opportunities during the years, and he would conclude each story with, “Boys, they are lost. We gotta go get ‘em.” The Lord used Dr. Gray as an instrument to start revival within my heart to be a faithful soul-winner to this lost and dying world. I pray that we have more God-fearing men like him. He was a man who had a heart for missions, evangelism, and the Word of God. Dr.
heart to attend Mid-America. I was a pastor in Northeast Louisiana, and I drove to Memphis starting the day in Dr. Gray’s Personal Evangelism class. It was everything I dreamed seminary would be. Eventually I realized the distance was too far. My family and church came first, so I dropped out. I received my MDIV from another seminary. When I pursued my doctorate, Mid-America was the only seminary I considered. Dr. Gray’s impact on my life continued through his teaching, love for Jesus, and passion for souls.
JAMES (JIM) W. RICHARDS
DMIN, 1994 Executive Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention
MDIV, 1978; PHD, 1986 Executive Director, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio Daddy was a man of integrity. He was the same at home as he was in the pulpit and the classroom. He and Mama modeled witnessing for us everywhere we went. Their example made me keenly aware of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in all my interactions. Daddy led me to the Lord when I was 7 years old. The next week I led one of my best friends to the Lord while playing together after school. I was just copying what I had been taught by their example. He shared with me his burden for a lost world. He gave us a heart for missions and for sharing our faith. Because of his
Gray will be missed, but his legacy will
example, generations of our family are
live on.
serving Christ, too.
KENZIE FLIPPO
CHARLOTTE ALLISON MILLER
Mid-America student
Daughter of B. Gray and Voncille Allison
Mid-America hosted two special services in memory of Dr. Gray—the funeral on February 18 for family and friends and a Celebration Service on February 25 for the greater Mid-America family.
Bro. Gray Allison was my dearest
like. He deftly navigated Mid-America
and kept him faithful to God’s Word
friend. Over the years, we grew closer
through airspace riddled with opposition
whether popular or not.
together. Our Lord used him to bring
from every direction—enemy fire from
STEPHEN R. MILLER
forth a seminary that is Christ-centered,
those who vigorously oppose the Gospel,
proclaiming the inerrant Word of
friendly fire from those afraid to take
God, and witnessing to God’s saving
strong stands, and cultural fire from
grace. Bro. Gray’s whole life was telling
those who seek to weaken the hands
people, “Jesus saves,” and what a
of God’s servants. And he managed
Gray Allison’s friendship was a true
marvelous thing it is to know Jesus as
it all with dignity, poise, grace, and
blessing in my life. He was always a
your Savior. Gray Allison’s life was a
unswerving fidelity to his resurrected
strong Christian witness to my husband
testimony of God’s saving grace, but
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Neil and became like a brother to me.
nothing exemplifies this more than his
ROGER S. (SING) OLDHAM
Neil would often say, “Gray, I can’t
work to establish a witnessing light in the Northeastern United States—the Northeast Campus of Mid-America.
Vice President for Convention Communications and Relations, Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention
My heart is with Bro. Gray—so let us
Associate Dean of Doctoral Programs, Chairman of the Old Testament and Hebrew Department, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
witness like those preacher boys, but I’ll do anything I can to help you and Mid-America.” Seeing Gray’s ability to understand people and discern their
continue to “send the light, this blessed
Dr. Gray was one of my heroes in the
life’s story was amazing. God gifted him
Gospel Light.”
faith and was one of the most gifted men
to connect and influence almost anyone.
BEN JOHNSON III
I have ever met. He was an excellent
Only God knows the global impact his
scholar, professor, preacher, and
life had on the church and the lost. I’m so
administrator who loved his family
thankful for the spiritual encouragement
and was loyal to his friends. He was
I gained from Gray, and I will truly miss
comfortable with scholars or persons
my friend.
with little education, with the wealthy
ELIZABETH GRIFFIN
or those with little of this world’s goods.
Friend
Friend
Dr. Gray never lost sight of the mission. In a world broken by sin, he consistently pointed people from every kindred, tongue, and race to the one and only solution to their heart’s deepest longings—redemption through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Yes, he taught personal and church evangelism; but, more importantly, he modeled what investing the Gospel in others looks
Dr. Gray was one of the greatest soulwinners I have ever known, yet was a man with a humble spirit. In the 40 years I knew him, he never wavered in his beliefs. Those beliefs led him to understand the danger of compromise
VIEW MORE TRIBUTES ON MID-AMERICA’S WEBSITE MABTS.EDU/DRGRAY. ON SOCIAL MEDIA, USE #MABTSDRGRAY
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 831
P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453 • info@mabts.edu • mabts.edu
‘‘
GOD WANTS US TO BE WISE IN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD— HELPING PEOPLE COME TO KNOW JESUS....ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SAY THE RIGHT THING, AT THE RIGHT TIME, IN THE RIGHT WAY. CLAIM GOD’S PROMISE OF WISDOM.
‘‘
DR. B. GRAY ALLISON WINSOME WORDS FOR WILLING WITNESSES