The Witness-Fall 2014 by Mid-America Seminary

W THE WITNESS

FALL 2014 MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

od continues to send students with diverse backgrounds to be biblically trained at MidAmerica. These gifted students have abandoned all for the sake of His call to His ministry and to passionately live and share the Gospel. DURING THE SUMMER, CASEY SLAGLE, fourth-year Bachelors of Christian Studies student, accepted the call to serve as Girl’s Ministry Coordinator at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tennessee. After serving for 10 years as Director of Children’s Ministry at Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church, she was led to move to the Memphis area to begin her seminary studies. For the past four years, she has served as an intern at Bellevue Baptist Church while balancing class work. She is very grateful for the Seminary: “God has used it in my life to prepare me for the ministry He has me in now.” CLARK WHITNEY, first-year Masters Divinity student, understands the honor of being set apart and the joy of staying committed to His call. He has been blessed with the legacy of his father serving as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Searcy, Arkansas, and his grandfather celebrating his 50th year in ministry. Clark describes his experience at the Seminary as “phenomenal,” explaining, “I can

Photo at top: MABTS students (left to right) Casey Slagle, Michael Spain, and Clark Whitney.

see growth in my own life, specifically, in the area of personal evangelism.” He has recently been called to serve as High School Student Ministry Intern at Faith Baptist. AS A HIGHLY RATED PITCHER coming out of high school in Lexington, Tennessee, and as a freshman on the Christian Brothers University baseball team, Michael Spain gave up all that to follow the call of proclaiming the Gospel. A first-year Bachelors of Christian Studies student, he transferred to the Seminary this fall, and is inspired daily as the “professors are intentional” and are invested in his spiritual growth and ministerial training. Currently, he is serving as an intern in the Recreation Ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church. He is using the experience God has granted him through sports to evangelize and disciple many through the venue of athletics. As students resonate their gratefulness to Mid-America for equipping them to effectively minister, they echo Casey’s words as she shares that the institution teaches all to “stand on the foundation of biblical truth” and “not to stray from the truth of God’s Word.” At Mid-America, she says, personal evangelism to this generation is “a way of life.” It is evident from the testimonies of these three students that many in the city, region, nation, and world will be strengthened in their walk in Christ. Many will have an opportunity to place their trust in Christ through the faithfulness of MABTS students in practically living out God’s call on their life.

The Witness | Fall 2014

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

saiah 40:8 tells us, “The grass

preaching and teaching evangelistically,

withereth, the flower fadeth; but

and witnessing unashamedly. Our

the word of our God shall stand

mission will always remain the same:

forever.” Mid-America Baptist

to train students to live out the Great

Theological Seminary continues to hold

Commission wherever they serve in

the inerrant and infallible Word of God

ministry.

at the center of all we teach. As new students arrive each semester,

Recently, I had the privilege and joy to get reacquainted with one of our

I look forward to the new challenges

alumni pastoring in the small rural town

and exciting opportunities to instill

of Radnor, Ohio. My family had stopped

the importance of thinking biblically,

by Radnor Baptist Church this summer to do research on our family tree, and the last thing I expected was to meet one of our graduates. This seemingly random encounter demonstrated to me that our alumni faithfully continue to fulfill the call God has placed on their lives, even in areas I might least expect. Your prayers and financial support continue to help our faculty equip students to minister in the largest cities or remotest towns and villages. Please consider partnering with Mid-America as we encourage our students to stay spiritually clean and close to the Lord. We pray also that they will remain faithful to their family and ministry wherever God leads. “To all the world for Jesus’ sake.”

Michael Spradlin President, MABTS

The Witness | Fall 2014

Thank you from Dr. B Gray Allison

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Dear Brothers and Sisters: Words are inadequate to express the feelings of my heart. Your outpouring of love on May 1 to Voncille and me was amazing. Many of you also sent cards. I cannot write to each one, so please take this letter as a personal THANK YOU! Your gifts sent in my honor will help these students, and for that I am grateful. Special thanks to Dr. Spradlin, faculty, and staff for planning and executing a wonderful celebration. They are the ones who keep everything moving. Voncille and I have been so honored to serve Jesus at MABTS for the past 43 years. She deserves every accolade. On June 27, we celebrated our 68th wedding anniversary, thanks to Him. Please know that we love each of you. Let us remember, “…that in all things, He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).

By Fred Rawlinson Chairman of the Development Council MABTS

y former pastor, the late Dr. Adrian Rogers, oftentimes would say from the pulpit, “Find a place where God is at work, and get involved.” I found that place at MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary. The more I am involved here, the more that feeling of purpose and commitment is realized. My association with Mid-America began soon after joining the Truth Seekers Sunday School class at Bellevue Baptist Church. It was there where I met Morris Mills, who introduced me to Mid-America. Morris told me, “I am going to get you involved over there.” That promise turned out to be an understatement. MORRIS FIRST INVITED ME to attend Mid-America’s Wednesday morning prayer breakfast meetings lead by Dr. Michael Spradlin, president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. It wasn’t long afterwards that Morris nominated me to Mid-America’s Development Council. Today, I have the honor of serving as Chairman of the Development Council alongside godly men who seek to strengthen the influence of Mid-America around the world. Eventually, I began attending classes at Mid-America as an audit student. Sitting in the classroom alongside future pastors, missionaries, and church leaders confirmed a strong sense of purpose and belonging at the Seminary. I wanted everyone to know about these classes, and I began inviting others to join me.

CLASS ATTENDANCE REALLY EXPLODED the year my friend and fellow classmate Sam Camp and I teamed up and spent a summer visiting area churches to promote the audit classes. We presented an academic opportunity that focused on Christ, Mid-America, and the educational experience one could have alongside the full-time students. Today, more than 100 audit students from nine denominations attend these classes. Here, in my opinion, is the greatness of Memphis: Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Here, Jesus is enthroned in a way unequaled anywhere else. This emphasis is also why I support Mid-America with my time and resources. Please prayerfully consider asking God to show you ways you can make an eternal investment in students who are trained to share the Word of God through preaching, teaching, and personal evangelism here and around the world.

Sitting in the classroom alongside future pastors, missionaries, and church leaders confirmed a strong sense of purpose and belonging at the Seminary.

The Witness | Fall 2014

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church Covington, TN

ay 10, 1985, was graduation day for me. I was 32 years old and in a hurry to get on with my ministry. Little did I realize that while I was pushing and cramming my way through Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, God was placing in my heart a treasure chest of memories. I look back and can still see, feel, and hear 88 The inspiration of Dr. B. Gray Allison on his knees praying with me and some friends at the end of a chapel service. It still amazes me that Dr. Gray came to the small church I pastored and preached a weekend revival. Of course, people were saved, and the church revived! 88 The frustration of the feeling, “Oh, no! Not another test or research paper.” Little did I realize that these frustrations were preparing me for being a pastor. Now I have those same frustrating feelings when I think, “Oh, no! Not another committee meeting.” Just like you can’t delegate a test or a paper, many things in ministry require the pastor’s presence and input. 88 The joy of learning under Dr. Richard Henderson. He came to Mid-America and lit up the minds and hearts of the students. Now when I look over his notes, I can still hear the passion

in his voice as he taught. He passed away in his prime. God knows best, but I wish I could have one more opportunity to hear him teach. 88 The dread of having to witness to at least one person per week. At first I would almost hyperventilate from fear. But I can confidently say that by being obedient to this “rule” of “forced witnessing,” I learned more about being a follower of Christ than any book read or sermon heard. 88 The importance of proper sermon preparation. Dr. Hight was a severe taskmaster. More than one of us wilted under his gaze and his critique of our sermons. I chafed under the work load, but I am a better preacher for it. 88 The camaraderie of fellow students in class and chapel. Each one of us had our heavy work loads. We knew to help and encourage each other because no one had an easy life. There is something to be said for friendships created during times of struggle. 88 The regret of not really saying “thank you” for the impact this Seminary had on my life. As I do my weekly sermon preps, often a memory, thought, or word from my MABTS days will race across my mind. I have made some good decisions (some not so good and some just plain stupid). But one of the best decisions I ever made was to attend Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

THIS WILL BE A PULL QUOTE. Donec luctus ultricies mi quis gravida. The Witness | Fall 2014

Mid-America and the Southern Baptist Foundation are partnering to assist you with your giving needs, extending your legacy of faith.

By Duffy Guyton Chief Development Officer MABTS

ave you thought about your legacy? Is it a legacy of faith? According to Webster’s Dictionary, a legacy is something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past. Do you know what you want to pass on to your family or others, both spiritually and physically? Have you ever considered the legacy of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and how you can support us? Psalm 78:4 says, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done.” Mid America has been faithfully educating students whom God has called into vocational Christian service since 1972. The Seminary guides students into a thorough understanding of the Bible and its relevance for today, preparing those who have been called of God to preach and teach the Word of God. Would you consider joining with us to share the Good News of our Lord? By partnering with Mid-America, 88 Leaders are being trained to reach the next generation for Christ 88 The city of Memphis is being transformed 88 Lives across the country are being impacted and changed forever, and 88 The world is being reached for Christ. The prime motive for contributing to Mid-America is to

provide for the work of Christ around the world by reaching the lost. By viewing “Why Mid-America” and “Mission Map” at mabts.edu, you can see firsthand where Mid-America’s alumni are fulfilling the Great Commission across the United States and the world. Once the decision is made to support the Seminary, the proper planning of your gifts can provide substantial tax benefits. Your plan to provide can be fulfilled through a variety of giving methods, such as the following: 88 Outright gifts 88 Gifts that pay you income for the rest of your life (examples: Charitable Gift Annuity, Charitable Remainder Trust) 88 Gifts that cost you nothing (a gift through your estate plan) MID AMERICA IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE that we have partnered with the Southern Baptist Foundation (SBF) to assist with your giving needs. The SBF is committed to assisting you in discerning God’s purposes for the resources He has entrusted to you and maximizing the impact of the resources in estate and financial planning. For more than 67 years the SBF has been proving trustworthy counsel in charitable giving. The SBF would be pleased to partner with you in planning for any of these gifts which may be of interest to you. Please feel free to call me or the Southern Baptist Foundation at 1-800-245-8183.

The Witness | Fall 2014

PCOMING EVENTS

1 Ladies’ Prayer Fellowship Luncheon 3, 10 SonRise Breakfast & Bible Study 10 Messiah 12 Graduation Ceremony

DECEMBER

3 Ladies’ Prayer Fellowship Luncheon 5, 12, 19, 26 SonRise Breakfast & Bible Study 7 MABTS Fest

NOVEMBER

15, 22, 29 SonRise Breakfast & Bible Study 16 Donors’ Appreciation Banquet 21 Fall Preview Day

OCTOBER

P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, TN 38088-2350

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 831