W THE WITNESS
fall 2016 MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
H I G H P O I N T S
MID-AMERICA CONTINUES TO CELEBRATE PAST SUCCESS AND A BRIGHT FUTURE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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hat an exciting time this is to serve the Lord. Opportunities to share the Gospel are everywhere and that is why Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary continues to emphasize personal evangelism. Our requirement that every student share the Gospel weekly in a genuine attempt to lead people to Christ is unique in theological education. Intensive evangelism keeps us on our knees in prayer and in the Word of God for strength.
I do hope that you will continue to pray for us. We are a part of your personal ministry, and you are needed now more than ever. Pray that the Lord will call out ministers of the Gospel to take the Good News to the corners of the United States of America and beyond. Pray that the Lord will raise up financial partners to support the work of ministry training here at MidAmerica. Finally, pray that we will be faithful to the Word of God in the great work ahead of us. God is love. Jesus is wonderful.
Michael Spradlin President, MABTS
SEE PAGES 8–9 FOR MORE PRAISEWORTHY NEWS AND PRAYERWORTHY EVENTS.
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The Witness | FALL 2016
Dr. and Mrs. B. Gray Allison celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary By Suzanne Grigsby
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imi and Papa (as we in the family refer to them) celebrated a milestone June 27— their 70th wedding anniversary! As their eldest child, I have many memories and reflections of these years. I can honestly say that Mimi is one of the happiest people I have ever known. She truly is seated in the heavenlies with Christ; she sees everything from God’s perspective. She is the greatest prayer warrior I have ever known and is truly Papa’s biggest fan (if you don’t believe it, count her “amens” during his messages). She is the love of his life. His passion these days is to finish well. He is still active in the ministry teaching at Mid-America and preaching as often as possible. His zeal to win people to Christ has never diminished. One of the great joys I have personally is to
accompany Papa to doctor’s visits. I have watched him faithfully ask folks we see, “May I ask you a personal question?” He proceeds to ask about their relationship with Jesus Christ. Just recently, one of the home-helpers who works with us professed Christ. She has seen Mimi and Papa’s love for each other and for the Lord, and Charlotte had the joy of leading her in the sinner’s prayer. Mimi and Papa are rarely apart today. My entire life, they have been faithful to the Lord in their personal walk and in their service to Him. They have set a godly example to all of our family (Suzie, Charlotte, and Gray); our spouses (Charlie, Rama, and Anita); our children (Angie, David, Chad, Allison, Calvin, Ashley, and James); their spouses (Dean, Karen, Jessica, Caleb, and Adam); and now their greatgrandchildren (Sydney, Dillon, Sylvia, Lydia, Luke, Ezra, Annabelle, Adelyn, and Abraham). If everyone would be as faithful in their marriage commitment, in their personal walk with the Lord, and in their service to Him, the world would truly be a very different place.
MABTS alumnus and former IMB missionary relies on a foundation of biblical truth built at Mid-America
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uring our 14 years of service with the IMB, my wife and I have seen God work in a variety of ways. One experience that sticks out in my mind took place in a city of 200,000 in East Asia that was less than .01 percent Christian. I was reading through the New Testament and came to Romans 1:20 which said, “They are without excuse.” I understood this verse in light of my Southern roots where churches are readily available, Bibles plentiful, and the Gospel message within reach of most people. In this city of thousands where people have never heard the Gospel, however, I struggled to believe God’s Word. The official government teaching in this nation is evolution, communism, and atheism. ROMANS 1 IS FOUNDATIONAL for the doctrine of general revelation, the doctrine that says God manifests Himself in creation and the conscience so that all people everywhere are without excuse. The same week of my struggle, we met with two college students for basic discipleship. Wanting to know more about this atheistic system, I asked for information. They knew nothing of the struggle I was having with God regarding Romans 1:20. The first young lady said, “Oh yes, from the time we enter school we are taught there is
no God. But as I looked out at the moon, the stars, and the sun, I knew there had to be a God!” A short time later she heard the Gospel from her sister (who heard the Gospel from an American believer), and she accepted Christ. The second young lady spoke up and said, “For some reason, I felt like I could pray to God. I just had this sense that I could talk with Him.” A short time later she was led to Jesus by the first young lady mentioned above. The conscience declares there is a God! (Romans 1:19) God allowed me to see that His word does not lie, and all people everywhere are indeed without excuse. THE DOCTRINE OF GENERAL REVELATION IS ONE OF MANY THINGS I LEARNED AT MABTS. Studying theology, church history, missions, and the Bible at MABTS laid a foundation in my life that I am still building on today. That time of preparation has no doubt made me a better pastor, missionary, and disciple of Jesus Christ. In February 2016, God led my family to leave the field and return to America. We count our 14 years of overseas service as one of the greatest privileges of our lives. We are not sure what lies ahead, but we trust the One Who holds our future in His hands.
By Jackson Lee Class of 2000—MDIV
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New
i b x l e e l F degree options
NEW BACS PROGRAM FOR ALL STUDENTS
Mid-America is expanding our ministry to equip all students with a biblical education, both those called to pastoral ministry and those preparing for other vocations, such as a guidance counselor at a Christian school. The new Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies degree allows students who may not feel a call to vocational ministry to earn a BACS degree. Our fullyaccredited BACS offers course options such as “Biblical Preaching” and “Pastoral Ministries” for ministerial students and “Principles of Teaching” and “Church Ministries” for other students. Filling a need for biblically trained graduates that is underserved in today’s world, our new BACS is designed to help all students develop a Christian worldview.
NEW! ACCELERATE YOUR DEGREE WITH DUAL CREDIT OR CBE
Our new Dual Credit option will be available to BACS students who desire to do the extra coursework in designated courses to get both BACS and Master level credit. By doing so, the student will not have to take the Master level course later, avoiding redundancy and accelerating the process of earning degrees. The new Credit by Examination (CBE) option is designed to alleviate redundancy for students who have taken a course previously at the Bachelor level which is also required for their Master degree. There will be 14 classes available within the Credit by Examination option; students may choose to test out of up to eight of those 14.
NEW! MODIFIED RESIDENCY FORMAT FOR PHD PROGRAM
Beginning fall 2016, Mid-America will begin offering the Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) degree in a modular format that offers ultimate flexibility for students. PHD seminars will be offered in a new modified residency format which allows students to complete their degree without having to leave their current place of ministry. As with all Mid-America courses, excellent faculty teach PHD courses and maintain high standards for academic excellence in these intensive classes. Fully accredited, the Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to equip students for creative scholarship, independent research, graduate-level teaching, and specialized leadership.
LEARN AND EARN ONLINE WITH MABTS CONNECTED CAMPUS
With Mid-America’s “Connected Campus” you can take one course or earn an entire degree—100% online, 100% accredited, and 100% Mid-America. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about connections—whether you’re in Memphis, Tennessee, or Memphis, Egypt. You not only get access to a world-class education—anytime, anywhere—you’re also connected with MABTS faculty who are committed to being involved in students’ lives. And you’re networked into the student community, a family you take with you as you explore your future. For more information, visit mabts.edu/ConnectedCampus.
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green for the gospel The 2016 MABTS Development Council Golf Classic was held April 16 and raised some “green for the Gospel.� The annual event helps fund the Morris Mills Scholarship which assists students in need, ensuring they graduate debt-free, unencumbered and free to serve wherever God sends them.
fall preview day Registration is now underway for our Fall Preview Day, October 11. To register or for more info, visit mabts.edu, email dsneed@mabts.edu, or call 901.751.3060.
the miracle of mid-america continues with significant donation Mid-America recently received an exceptionally large donation, the latest in a 44-year legacy of God providing in miraculous ways for the seminary and its global ministry. This significant contribution along with other recent outstanding developments regarding accreditation and new academic options are making 2016 a year of true celebration and thanksgiving to God.
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The Witness | FALL 2016
Mid-South Small Church Celebration You’re invited to a FREE conference hosted by MABTS and sponsored by the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network. The two-day event is October 28–29, 2016. To register or for more info, email ashley@midsouthbaptist.com.
Mid-America at SBC Mid-America hosted a record 170 alumni and friends on June 14 at our annual SBC luncheon. Dr. Steve Gaines, later elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, addressed the group during the event. Also, the MABTS booth in the Exhibit Hall was well-received with its theme: Preach, Teach, Reach.
BEING A BARNABAS
CHURCH MID-AMERICA
THE CHURCH
STUDENTS
SEE HOW ONE CHURCH IS ENCOURAGING MABTS STUDENTS AS AN INTEGRAL PARTNER IN EDUCATION
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he Lord used Barnabas in a dynamic way as a catalyst in launching Paul’s ministry. God’s Word describes him in Acts 4:36 as “the son of encouragement.” He demonstrated love, compassion, boldness, and leadership by introducing Paul, who once persecuted believers, to the afraid and hesitant apostles. Barnabas was a God-fearing man who also demonstrated His passion for Christ through the heart of giving as he sold his land as stated in Acts 2:37 and “brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” THE SEMINARY IS GRATEFUL for the many churches that have come alongside students and have invested in their lives during their seminary training through monthly financial gifts, ministry opportunities, and through many acts of provision. One such church is Lucy Baptist in Millington, Tennessee, under the leadership of pastor, David Lawrence. They provide opportunities for students to sharpen their ministerial tools through staff positions, internships, and tuition scholarships. For example, Hunter Ferguson, a recent May graduate (Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies), serves as Associate Pastor of Student and Discipleship Ministries. Blake Gower, a current Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies student serves as a Youth Intern. Hunter’s family has the pleasure of living in the church’s mission home. Hunter shared, “The financial burden is lightened through the entire seminary
By Duffy Guyton Chief Development Officer MABTS
process. The church has contributed to providing for one to two classes per semester. They have gone above and beyond.” Blake has opportunities to spend meaningful time with the pastor, and he receives practical ministerial experience through hospital visits and evangelistic opportunities. Hunter and Blake are honored to be part of a “Barnabas” church like Lucy Baptist Church that strengthens their spiritual walk and gives them much needed ministerial experience. AS BARNABAS PAVED THE PATH FOR THE LORD’S WORK through Paul, it set the stage as “the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied” (Acts 4:31). Please pray with me that the Lord will raise up more churches to encourage students and graduates. As Hunter expounded, “Lucy Baptist Church is not only investing in my seminary education, but for future generations of ministers, as well.” To learn more about becoming a “Barnabas” church in the lives of our faithful students, please contact Duffy Guyton, Chief Development Officer, at 901497-4404 or at dguyton@ mabts.edu.
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ALUMNI & FRIENDS DINNER, MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 6:00 P.M. REGISTER AT MABTS.ORG
BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2016, 7:00 P.M., IN THE CHAPEL CONCLUDES TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 16
MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
2016
P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, TN 38088-2350