Volume 37, No. 1 Fall 2008

CORDOVA, TN & SCHENECTADY, NY VOLUME 39, NO. 3 • SPRING 2011

From the President

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So many great reasons exist to praise our Lord Jesus. When the Bible speaks of mighty acts we realize that He is the Lord of all creation. Every day we continu-ally see the Lord at work in our lives, our families, and our churches.

As the 2010-2011 school year prepares to move into the summer months, we can thank the Lord for a wonderful display of His special work. He brought us students ready to step up and prepare for the future. He provided the resources that we needed to accomplish our mission: to train pastors, church staff leaders, and missionaries. He kept us grounded on our convictions on the Bible, personal soul winning, and the Great Commission. Indeed, we serve a great God.As we come near our spring graduation, another band of God-called ministers are ready to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Even though we are always sad to see them go, we realize that they came to be trained and sent. Do keep us in your prayers as we seek to be faithful to the calling that the Lord Jesus has placed on Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. We know that the Lord uses so many people to make this happen. Thank you for your love, encouragement, and support for the ministry here at Mid-America. Together we will continue to see the mighty works of the Lord.

Michael Spradlin

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excel-

lent greatness(Psalm 150:2).

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Vol. 39 No. 2 WINTER 2011

CONTENTS

FeaTuReS 10 Branching Out: The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

Dr. Kirk Kilpatrick

12 The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies Curriculum

Dr. Jimmy Millikin

20 Academic Excellence: The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

Dr. Brad Thompson

30 Faith in a Turbulent and Unpredictable World

Mr. Jim Shoemaker

DePaRTmeNTS 4 Editor’s Anecdotes

7 Faculty Focus

8 Alumni News

24 Northeast News

28 Chaplains Corner

Contents

Practical missions ReportAugust 2010 - April 11, 2011

Cordova NY Total

Practical Missions 9,692 1,005 10,697Persons Witnessed to 7,147 865 8,012Professions of Faith 647 72 719Sermons Preached 2,613 116 2,729Professions of Faith since August 1972 152,992 3,564 156,556

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Vol. 39 No. 3 SPRING 2011

Editor’s Anecdotes

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extension programs, call Dr. Phillips @ 901-751-3035 or send an email to jphillips@mabts.edu.

We will begin a new undergraduate degree program next fall on the main campus! After much planning and preparation, Mid-America will offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian studies. This degree program will give an option to study at Mid-America to graduating high school seniors who are called to vocational ministry. This is a big academic step for us and one that we trust the Lord will use to bring dozens of young students our way who are hungry to learn about the Word of God, soul-winning, and to train for ministry. If you know of any graduating high school seniors who are called into ministry, please direct them to our admissions office @ 901-751-3072 or email info@mabts.edu

Truly, these are exciting days. Pray for us and pray that God will be busy leading new students our way who de-sire to serve the Lord Jesus and reach the world with the gospel.

Blessings,

Mike HaggardDirector of Development and Communications

This is an exciting time to be at Mid-America because great things are hap-pening both on our main campus and at our branch campus in New York. We have begun teaching classes at an MABTS extension in New York City! God opened this door that will enable us to provide graduate-level training to God-called ministers all over the New York City area. We have high expectations on the long-term impact of teaching the Word of God, promot-ing soul winning and church planting among those who live and minister in the New York City area.

We are also starting an extension center in St. Louis, Missouri, that will offer classes toward the Master of Divinity degree. God has allowed us to expand our academic offerings to a new geographical spot and we hope to provide training to those preparing for ministry or currently in minis-try. For more information on our

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Options...

For almost 40 years, Mid-America has been providing God called men and women with an exciting option for their theological training.

Think of it like this, in 1972 Mid-America emerged as the conservative option for preachers and missionar-ies to continue their training. Mid-America later added the Associate of Divinity track and Doctor of Philoso-phy programs…options. In the mid 1980’s, we began a Monday schedule of classes. That was the option that began my Mid-America journey. Later, we established a Northeast branch to provide an option that would be better accessible for a fourth of our national population.

In recent years, we’ve added mis-sions degrees, Christian education degrees, and a Doctor of Ministry degree. Again, we’ve not only broad-ened our influence, we’ve provided ministers with options. Now we’re also meeting the demands of many online, and we’ve begun branches in Oxford, MS, in St. Louis, MO, and in New York City. Our alma mater is unfolding before our very eyes “To All the World for Jesus’ Sake; where bod-ies hurt and sad hearts ache…”

Today, we are beginning to offer an-other exciting and needed option… a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies.

The idea of options is very much com-mon in our world and vernacular. For instance, you get a bad report from your doctor and you ask, “What are my options?” Or you are approached about a failing business situation, but before you can make a decision you wonder, “What are our options?” Perhaps you are a military strategist or commander and you hear that the enemy has planned a surprise attack. You’ll probably begin to ask, “What are our options?”

In a world that is constantly chang-ing, altering, or fluctuating, it is cru-cial for us to offer or provide options that will meet the growing needs and demands of our society. This is not only true in the world of healthcare, cellular service, cable TV providers, E-Readers, or sources of power; it is also true in education.

Dr. Roger mardis(‘91 MDIV; ‘02 DMIN)

MABTS Alumni President

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A few years ago, there were two young men in my church who wanted to be-gin their training but they lacked their bachelor degree. They both ended up going to school in North Carolina where they finished their bachelors and masters level work. Today, there are two more young men in our church who have felt the call of God and they know “the call to preach is the call to prepare.” Both are planning to move to Memphis this summer and begin the bachelor’s program at Mid-America in the fall. We now have an option that can further meet the needs of God called men and women. Alumni, let me encourage you to en-courage those who are in your circle of influence to consider Mid-Amer-ica’s Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies for their theological train-ing… it is a new and needed option. I trust you are planning to join other alumni, administrators, faculty, and friends at the Mid-America luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix this June. You will be able to hear from pastors, Vance Pitman and Dean Fulks, SBC Pastor’s Conference President and Vice President, other Mid-America

Alumni and Dr. Spradlin. We are having a luncheon this year instead of a breakfast. Just consider it a more family friendly time… and option.

I hope to see you in Phoenix.

Become a fan of Mid-America! http://www.facebook.com/midamericabaptist

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Faculty Focus

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Dr. John mahonyChairman of the Department of Theological and

Historical Studies

of New Testament and Greek and was moved to the Theology Department in 1988.

Since assuming a faculty position at Mid-America, Dr. Mahony has also served a number of churches as interim pastor. “Being at Mid-America is really the best of both worlds. I am given the opportunity to teach theology, the most important course at the Seminary (in my humble opinion). And I also enjoy preaching and serving in the churches. Voca-tionally, teaching and preaching are the loves of my life.” Although he has written numerous journal articles and periodical literature for Lifeway, a new venture is Dr. Mahony’s contri-bution to a book being published by Zondervan.

Dr. Mahony and his wife, LeEtta, have been married for forty years (in May) and have five children: Amy (and Jeff, who have Lillian), John, Jr. (and Sydney, who have Addison, Elizabeth, and Jack), Devin, Colin, and Caitlin. They are members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Indepen-dence, MS.

DDr. John Mahony is a Professor of Theology at the Seminary. He has been on the faculty at Mid-America since 1985. Before coming to teach, he had served as pastor of three churches for sixteen years.

After finishing his college work at Ouachita Baptist University in 1972, he enrolled at Mid-America as one of the first twenty-eight students. He completed two degrees at the seminary (Th.M., ’75 and Th.D., ’82). During the years of doctoral studies, he was a teaching fellow under Dr. Gray Allison, Dr. C. E. Autry, and Dr. Reginald Barnard. He was given the opportunity to teach for the Seminary in the Monday evening program from 1978-1980. Dr. Mahony came to the Seminary as the Assistant Professor

CONTENTSAlumni News

1976 Dennis Ellis (THM) was elected president

of the Sweetwater Baptist Association Pastor’s Conference in Madison, TN. He also serves as professor in the Seminary Extension classes of the Sweetwater Baptist Association.

1983Michael Johnson (MDIV) is serving as

headmaster of Cair Paravel Latin School in Topeka, KS.

1998Teryl Herndon (MDIV) is serving as a profes-

sor and administrator at Wildwood Bible College in Tupelo, MS.

2002Paul Mathenia (MDIV) is serving as pastor of

Faith Baptist Church in Laurel, MD.

2003Chris Allred (ADIV) is serving as pastor of

First Baptist Church in Bruceton, TN.

Jason Marlin (MDIV), and his wife, Sarah, were appointed to serve as IMB missionar-ies in South Asia.

2005Alfred V. Jurkowski (MDIV) is the pastor of

Bible Baptist Church in Lake Katrine, NY.

2006Reed Dillahunty (MDIV) is pastor of Pine Tree

Baptist Church in Colt, AR.

2008David Young (ADIV) is pastoring Grace

Baptist Church in West Memphis, AR. Ingram Blvd. Baptist Church relocated and changed their name to Grace Baptist Church.

2009Melissa Collins (MMISS) is serving as a

teacher at Lincoln School in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Mid-America family would like to offer our deepest sympathy to:

Bobby Willard (ADIV ‘08) and family in the death of his wife, Christine on March 10.

Jana Coleman and family in the death of her husband, Randy (MDIV ‘00) on April 3.

Please call the alumni office at 901.751.3037, send us an email at alumnioffice@mabts.edu, or complete the alumni update form on our website at

www.mabts.edu regarding updates, praises, prayer requests, or family news.

The Mid-America family wishes to express condolences to the Hight family in the passing of Dr. Tommy Hight on April 15, 2011.

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CONTENTSUpcoming Events

Northeast Campus Graduation May 13

Cordova Campus Graduation May 20

Fellowship Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention June 14

Founders’ Days August 15 - 17

Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching Conference September 26 - 28

Donors’ Banquet October 20

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Branching Out: The Bachelorof Arts in Christian Studies

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Dr. Kirk KilpatrickDean of the Masters and Associates Programs

Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew

consider Mid-America for a Bach-elor’s degree? After all, there are many options out there for earning a Bachelor’s degree…but what about the relevance to God’s call?

I remember the years in my life leading up to college. I sensed God’s call in my life when I was just fifteen years old. By the age of sixteen I was certain of it. I went forward during a church service and later preached on “Youth Sunday.” At school, my fellow students elected me class chaplain. On standardized tests and career days I was already indicating that I knew that my future vocation would be in the ministry.

But the path that I took went through a secular University where I was kicked out of a speech class for giving a speech on a Christian topic. At other times I was harassed by some of the professors—among whom were homosexuals while others were com-munists, relativists, or simply hostile to Christianity altogether. While such experiences served to strengthen my faith, nevertheless I found myself much of the time just “jumping through hoops” to earn a Bachelor’s degree so that I could move on to Seminary.

How I would have loved to have had a place to go where there was a

AAugust of 2011 will mark the begin-ning of an exciting option for some of God’s choice, called servants to obtain quality, affordable training. It will also be an excellent opportu-nity for many of our current Associate level students as well as alumni of our Associates programs. Mid-America’s newest degree offering, the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, will offer an excellent start for incoming college freshmen to prepare for ministry. At the same time, it will provide our Associate students the possibility for Bachelor’s degree completion here—an option that has not been available at MABTS until now.

Why should someone who is called by God into the gospel ministry

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Christian worldview held by profes-sors who would help equip me to deal with the hostility to the gospel that is growing stronger in our world today! I believed then (as I still do) in the inerrancy of the Scriptures at a time when that belief was under heavy as-sault—not only in the world, but even in my denomination. Mid-America has been the flagship among Southern Baptist seminaries when it comes to the doctrine of inerrancy. MABTS was conservative when conservative wasn’t “cool.”

I would have loved to have had the option to attend a Seminary for my undergraduate work where they em-phasized Bible preaching, missions, and evangelism—where all of the professors believed the entire Bible and the ratio of professor to student was generally as low as one professor to about fifteen to twenty students in a class.

In addition to these kinds of practi-cal benefits that our students will enjoy in the BACS, they will also find

how blessed our school is because of the generous gifts of our donors. Mid-Ameri-ca’s donors helped me by underwriting much of the expense for my Masters and PhD de-grees. I am still grate-ful for their sacrifices to this day.

When I came to Mid-America in 1987,

I found a school that had a wonderful balance between academic study and practical requirements. That balance is still part of Mid-America today. Our Practical Missions program is one of the main reasons why I believe such a high ratio of our graduates are serving in churches and are on the mission field.Perhaps you know someone who needs to know about this degree so that they may pray about God’s will. For those young, God-called students who are praying about where to at-tend college—if you don’t want to “just jump through some hoops to get a Bachelor’s degree” before seminary, if you want to earn a Bachelor’s degree that will be relevant to your call, if you want to be taught by professors who believe all of the Bible and who have served as pastors and missionar-ies and are ready to help equip you for service, if you want to study at a school where the academic and the practical are in balance…Mid-Amer-ica’s Bachelor of Christian Studies is coming in August, 2011.

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The Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

Dr. Jimmy a. millikinAcademic Vice President

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies Program is designed to guide students to understand and interpret the Christian faith in the light of its bibli-cal, theological, and historical dimensions and to utilize insights gained from these disciplines for the effective practice of ministry in the church, community, and world. Two tracks of study are offered in the program, the Pastoral Track and the Education Track.

Each student must complete 120 se-mester hours of courses for both tracks. One hundred and eleven semester hours of required core courses and electives and nine semester hours of free electives. The following are the courses for the two tracks, and the suggested year in which they are to be taken:

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Course Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

(Pastoral Track)

FIRST YEAR

Old Testament Survey 1, 2 OT 2101-2102 6English Grammar 1, 2 CS 4901-4902 6Introduction to Christian Education CE 4484 3Evangelism EV 3200 3Spiritual Formation PM 4300 3Basic Bible Interpretation BH 2100 3Basic Bible Doctrines TH 3701 3Introduction to Computing CS 4950 3Sub Total 30

SECOND YEAR

New Testament Survey 1, 2 NT 2601-2602 6Biblical Preaching 1, 2 HM 4001-4005 6Principles of Southern Baptist Missions MS 3370 3Pastoral Ministries PM 4200 3Ministerial Counseling CN 4100 3History of Christianity CH 3001 3Principles of Financial Management PM 4235 3Biblical/Theology Elective 3Sub Total 30

THIRD YEAR

Introduction to Mathematics CS 4970 3English Composition CS 4913 3World History 1, 2 HS 4960-4961 6Contemporary World Views PH 4960 3Introduction to Literature CS 4914 3Religion in the Public Square PM 4304 3Elective 3Language 1, 2* See below 6Sub Total 30

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FOURTH YEAR

Marriage and the Family CN 4114 3Introduction to Philosophy PH 3901 3Contemporary Issues in the Church PM 4306 3Music Appreciation CM 4701 3World Religions/Cults MS 4402 3Introduction to Ethics PH 3911 3Introduction to Political Science SC 4980 3Free Electives 9Sub Total 30

Total Semester Hours Required for Graduation 120 Hours *For 2011-2012, students may choose between Greek or Spanish. *For 2012-2013, students may choose between Hebrew and Latin.

Course Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

(Education Track)

FIRST YEAR

Old Testament Survey 1, 2 OT 2101-2102 6English Grammar 1, 2 CS 4901-4902 6Introduction to Christian Education CE 4484 3Evangelism EV 3200 3Spiritual Formation PM 4300 3Basic Bible Interpretation BH 2100 3Basic Bible Doctrines TH 3701 3Introduction to Computing CS 4950 3Sub Total 30

SECOND YEAR

New Testament Survey 1, 2 NT 2601-2602 6Principles of Teaching 1, 2 CE 4450-4451 6

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(Continued from page 15)

Principles of Southern Baptist Missions MS 3370 3Church Ministries PM 4200 3Ministerial Counseling CN 4100 3History of Christianity CH 3001 3Principles of Financial Management PM 4235 3Biblical/Theology Elective 3Sub Total 30

THIRD YEAR

Introduction to Mathematics CS 4970 3English Composition CS 4913 3World History 1, 2 HS 4960-4961 6Contemporary World Views PM 4960 3Introduction to Literature CS 4914 3Religion in the Public Square PM 4304 3Elective 3Language 1, 2* See below 6Sub Total 30

FOURTH YEAR

Marriage and the Family CN 4114 3Introduction to Philosophy PH 3901 3Contemporary Issues in the Church PM 4306 3Music Appreciation CM 4701 3World Religions/Cults MS 4402 3Introduction to Ethics PH 3911 3Introduction to Political Science SC 4980 3Free Electives 9Sub Total 30

Total Semester Hours Required for Graduation 120 Hours *For 2011-2012, students may choose between Greek or Spanish. *For 2012-2013, students may choose between Hebrew and Latin.

(Continued on page 18)

MARCH MISSIONS EMPHASIS

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Dr. Kevin Ezell, President, NAMB

MARCH MISSIONS EMPHASIS

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J. Hudson Taylor IV4th Generation Missionary to China

Sean Pierce

Director of Associational Development

Hudson Baptist Association of New YorkDr. Kevin Ezell, President, NAMB

The Christian studies portion of the curriculum for the Bachelor degree remains the same as the curriculum for Associate of Divinity and the Associate of Christian Education degrees. The major change is the addition of another sixty semester hours, most of which fall under the category of general education courses. Of these general education courses, twenty-four semester hours are already a part of the Associate of Divinity or Associate of Christian Education degree.

The purpose of the general educa-tion courses is to give the student a balanced and well-rounded education of the world in which he or she will be ministering. Each student is required to complete at least one course in each of four areas: the humanities or fine arts, the social or behavioral sciences, the natural sciences or mathemat-ics, and languages. These general education courses may be transferred from another postsecondary institu-tion, or they may be completed within the required course structure of the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies Program at Mid-America. It is highly recommended that students complete the general education requirements here at MABTS because each subject will be taught from a biblical world-view. Even though general education credits earned at public secular ac-credited institutions are transferrable to the Bachelors of Christian Studies

Degree, the subjects most likely will not have been taught from a Christian perspective.

Many of the general education courses are designed to enhance one’s preparation for Christian ministry. Courses such as Marriage and the Family, Religion in the Public Square, Contemporary Issues in the Church, Contemporary World Views, and the language courses are especially relevant to Christian ministry. But even those courses that do not have a religious implication in the title are very necessary in preparing for Christian ministry. It is important that students desiring to serve in church positions know how to write and speak well, hence the courses in English Composition and Literature. Character and integrity are vital quali-ties for Christian ministry. The course in Ethics will aid in developing these attributes. Finally, the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Stud-ies is designed to prepare a student for more advanced study. When a student graduates with the BACS de-gree, he will be prepared to apply for any of the Masters Programs here at Mid-America or any other institution. Hopefully, it will be MABTS.

The Bachelor of Arts Curriculum (Continued from page 15)

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Faculty Preaching Schedule

Dr. Jeff Brawner Pastor, Island Community Church, Harbor Town, Memphis, TN

Dr. Van McClain Interim Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Niskayuna, NY

Dr. Jere Phillips Transitional Pastor, Oakhurst Baptist Church, Clarksdale, MS

Dr. David Shackelford Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lakeland, TN

Dr. Steve Wilkes Interim Pastor, Second Baptist Church, W. Helena, AR

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Academic Excellence: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

Dr. Brad ThompsonExecutive Vice President

MABTS

salvation and baptism experience, call to ministry and purpose for seeking admission to the school.

The primary purpose of Mid-Amer-ica Baptist Theological Seminary is to provide graduate theological training for effective service in church-related and missions vocations through its main campus and designated branch campuses. Other levels of train-ing are also offered. The Seminary attempts to guide 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. Further preparation is offered through instruction in preaching, counseling, administration, and cross-cultural ministry. In addition, all students are required to participate in the Practi-cal Missions Program of the school and are encouraged to be involved in churches during seminary days.

The Seminary has offered under-graduate training from its first day of operation in 1972 beginning with the Associate of Divinity degree. The As-sociate of Applied Science was added at the Northeast Campus for those called to pastor and the Associate of Christian Education and the Certifi-cate of Ministry (Northeast Campus) for those called as church staff, mis-sionaries and Christian educators.

MMid-America Baptist Theological Seminary will offer a new Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies (B.A.CS) de-gree starting fall 2011 at the Cordova campus.

This four-year 120 hour degree is designed for students called to voca-tional gospel ministry. Tuition cost is less than $5,000 dollars annually and is guaranteed not to increase during a student’s course of study if full-time status is maintained (at least 12 hours per semester). The minimum age for enrollment is 18 years of age and students must submit a high school or college-level transcript and an SAT or ACT score. In addition to the ap-plication for admission, students must submit an autobiographical statement, including a statement concerning

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies will be the fifth undergradu-ate degree offered by the school and is also intended for students who feel called to serve the Lord vocationally. It is designed in such a way that those who have already earned an Associ-ates degree from Mid-America or any other institution can add 60 hours (20 classes) to complete the degree.

Mid-America is in a unique posi-tion as a graduate school to offer un-dergraduate training to students from professors who are lifelong Southern Baptists involved in local church ministry. Receiving bachelor-level training from graduate-level faculty enhances the learning experience and the quality of the classroom instruc-tion helps students in their calling to train for ministry and in their per-sonal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Undergraduate students will participate in the Practical Missions program of the school as students are expected to fulfill the biblical com-mand to witness and thus are required to meet mission assignments each week, share their faith, and report on the work completed. This link-ing of the classroom to the practical aspects of ministry and evangelistic zeal is one of the unique identities of Mid-America. The late Adrian Rog-ers aptly described the Mid-America experience as “scholarship on fire.”The Seminary is operated through funds received from student tuition and fees, endowment income, income from wills and trusts, direct gifts from interested individuals, and designated

gifts from churches to the general scholarship fund. Only one dollar in five of the school’s budget comes from tuition. The Seminary’s low tuition is made possible through the regular gifts of individuals and churches that include supporting the Seminary as part of their financial plans. Although the annual cost of one bachelor student’s education exceeds $15,000, each student pays less than $5,000 of this amount. In effect, the student’s education is underwritten by friends of the Seminary at the equivalent of a scholarship of above $10,000 each year. Because tuition remains so af-fordable, Mid-America does not par-ticipate in state scholarship programs or federal loan or grant programs, but does allow students to pay tuition in ten monthly installments through the FACTS tuition management program.

Undergraduate student housing for the Cordova Campus is located at 1975 E. Beaman Circle, which is part of the master campus. Arrangements for student housing are made through the Mid-America Student Housing (MASH) Office. Rent for undergradu-ate student apartments is limited and ranges from $475 to $635 monthly (not including utilities). Undergradu-ate dorms are furnished and range from $350 to $440 (utilities included). All degrees offered by Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary are ac-credited by the Commission on Col-leges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501).

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Mid-America Annual Fellowship Luncheonat the Southern Baptist ConventionTuesday, June 14, 2011 • 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Phoenix Convention CenterNorth Building, Rooms 124 A/B on Level 100

Phoenix, Arizona

All friends and alumni of Mid-America are cordially invited to attend the Annual Fellowship Luncheon on June 14, 2011, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Please fill out the form below and send it with a check in the envelope included in this issue. Your ticket(s) will be mailed to you.

Your check must be received before May 31 to have your tickets mailed.

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: _______ Zip: ______

Phone: _______________________________________________________

Ticket Order: Please send me _____ticket(s) at $5.00 per person.

Mail to: Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary c/o Betty Bailey P. O. Box 2350 • Cordova, TN 38088-2350

Please make checks payable to: Mid-America Seminary or MABTSYou may register online at mabts.edu

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a Selection from the archives of the Robert G. lee Collection

Consider the Good Book

ROBERT G. LEE, D.D., LL. DL,PASTOR, BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

A good book is a ship of thought, voyaging to us with precious cargo of truth and beauty. A good book is an artist painting the vision splendid in various colors before the dullest eyes—an orator speaking with power—a soloist singing a song that, passing from itself, enters the memory with great transfiguration. A good book is an author, writing the literature of godliness on the fleshly tablets of human hearts—a jeweler, adorning the mind with thoughts that give light. A good book is a comrade giving instructions, continuing with us on the intellectual road, in mute fidelity, from childhood to the end of life. A good book is a tailor, keeping the rustle of divine garments in the ear—a musician, building before the eyes of the soul rhythmic palaces of melody—a pilot, guiding away from the shallows into the deep things of life, of history, of love, of God. A good book is a telescope and microscope in one—showing us God’s signature, written sometimes hugely large and sometimes very small, on every page of this universe—God’s vast autograph album. Wait a minute! Consider the wonders of the Bible. It is wonderful in its inspiration, in its translation, in its preservation, in its unification, in its salvation, in its sanctification, in its consummation. Addressing itself to the universal conscience as no other book does, it creates lives and alters destinies. Speaking with binding claims, it inaugurates worldwide movements and gives birth to immortal works. Commanding the obedience of mankind, it comes into communities of unrighteousness as the leaven of regenerative force.

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

sites in NYC. At one site, students are studying Evangelism. At the second site, students are studying Evangelism and Principles of Southern Baptist Missions. The classes are really going well. In fact, let me share the follow-ing story about our classes in Brook-lyn. This report comes from Dr. Dan Sheard, our instructor at that site. Dan explained:

“. . . on Saturday, something hap-pened in class that I have not seen in 30 years of higher education.  I was lecturing on evangelism and work-ing my way through some scriptures, when we fell on Matthew 7:7—ask, seek, knock.  I asked the men if a prayer that God would give us souls was a prayer that He would answer.  They said, ‘yes.’” So, I said, “Why don’t we take some time to pray about that.” I thought a few would pray and we would be finished.  An hour later, they were still praying.  I know Hai-tians fairly well.  They don’t cry. One man started to cry, I started to cry, several others as well, more prayed for homosexual coworkers; the prayers went on and on. It was not a typical Haitian prayer meeting.  I have been to many of those. Lunch was sup-posed to start at 12:00, but we went on to 12:15 and someone interrupted the prayers with a hymn.  They could have prayed for another hour, I am

Dr. Shawn BuiceDirector, Dean of Students, MABTS Northeast Campus

Northeast News

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GGreetings from the Northeast Cam-pus of Mid-America! As I write this article, it is the first full day of spring. For many of you, that means warmer temperatures, flowers blooming, and green grass. Here on our campus, though, spring greeted us with a snow storm and temperatures in the mid-30’s! We are, however, seeing signs of life after a long winter season. Allow me to share some of the good things happening around here.

Off and Running

I realize that many of you have heard about our classes in New York City. It is exciting to see the doors that the Lord has opened for us there. We currently have 71 new students enrolled in classes at two different

sure. When it was all over, everyone was in shock I guess. They had never interrupted a class to pray for an hour.  Frankly, I had never seen it either—genuine concern for lost people and our own lack of care in evangelism. It was one of the most amazing classes I have ever taught—well, participated in.”

I am grateful for an adjunct profes-sor like Dr. Sheard who has the sen-sitivity to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to lead the class to pray for the lost. Please continue to pray for both of our classes in New York City.

Spring Events

Speaking of praying, let me mention a couple of events that will be taking place on our campus this semester for you to pray about. First, we will have a preview day on our campus in April. Please pray for the prospective students who will be coming to visit us. Second, Dr. Danny Sinquefield will be with us in April to lead our second Pastor’s conference. He will be en-couraging pastors and church leaders in this area to have “kingdom minded churches.” I am excited about his coming. Third, Dr. Spradlin will be on our campus on April 20 to preach. It is always good to have Dr. Spradlin on our campus to share with our stu-dents. Finally, as you pray, please pray for one of our graduates, Ben Collins. Ben and his wife, Kumiko, and their

family serve the Lord in Japan. They do not live specifically in the northern part of the country where the earth-quake and tsunami hit. However, their ministry has certainly been impacted.

Thank you for your prayer support. God is at work in the northeast and, He is at work on our campus. Come and see!

Dr. Shawn BuiceDirector, Dean of Students, Northeast Campus

2810 Curry Road s Schenectady, New York 12303 s 800.209.3447 s 518.355.4000

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Distance Education Ministries Provide Ministry Opportunities for Students

Dr. Jere PhillipsDirector of External Programs and Professor of

Practical Theology MABTS

St. Louis, Missouri

A prospective student in Illinois who is finishing a diploma course with a seminary extension of the SBC recently contacted MABTS. He holds a Master of Business Administra-tion, but has been called to ministry. After pursuing continuing education through the SBC, he wants to extend his training through the new Mid-America extension courses which will begin in St. Louis in August.

Other prospective students have ex-pressed enthusiasm and appreciation that the Seminary will be offering a quality education in the St. Louis area, permitting them to continue their ministries. Three ministers who are involved in challenging new church plants in urban St. Louis have shared their desire for formal training to help them with skills needed for successful ministry in their setting.

New York City

In New York City, over 100 ethnic students (Haitian and Hispanic) have applied to the Seminary for courses which began this spring under the direction of Dr. Shawn Buice, with the assistance of Dr. Joe Hernandez (a consultant with Baptist Missions and the Baptist Convention of New York). The Seminary will conduct classes

SThe Oxford CenterOxford, Mississippi

Students involved in Mid-America’s distance education ministries do so in order to continue their ministries while pursuing their education. One recent prospective student said: “I know I am getting started late in life for a degree.  At forty-four, things don’t operate as fast as they use to. I hope I can do this but it is not easy for a bi-vocational country preacher. I have been pastoring for sixteen years now and have grown during the process.  I constantly thirst for the knowledge of God’s promises and Word.  It is nectar to my soul.” This pastor is interested in our extension at The Oxford Center located at the First Baptist Church, Oxford, Mississippi.

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in two locations: the French Speaking Baptist Church, Brooklyn, a prominent Haitian church and the First Spanish Baptist Church Manhat-tan, a prominent Hispanic church. These students are enthusiastic about pursuing a seminary education while continuing their ministries in NYC.

Online

This year, six courses have been offered with a total enrollment of 81, representing 54 different students from diverse locations including Bruceton and Middleton, TN; San Antonio, TX; Jonesboro, Marion, and Almyra, AR; W. Monroe, LA; New York, NY; Tallahassee, FL; Columbus and Oxford, MS. Several students, such as a businessman living in Col-lierville, TN, are online only students. These students participate in an online version of Mid-America’s Prac-tical Missions Report Hour. Recent testimonies include:

• “This past Sunday my father-in- law responded to the LORD in faith. My wife and I have shared the gospel with him several times over the years, but the LORD worked through the preaching of His Word this past week. Next week he will be baptized! We must remain faithful, for the LORD’s arm is not too short to save!”

• “I’m currently serving a church in South Memphis, and part of our weekly ministry to the community is to feed the homeless every

Sunday following our morning ser- vice.  While I was cleaning up the church after the meal, a homeless gentleman had finished his meal and while taking his plate to the garbage can he said to the minister’s wife, ‘I’m LOST!’ I then walked up to him and said, ‘Would you like to know how you can be found?’  He said, ‘Yes.’  I took him aside and he began telling me about himself about how he’s been a Muslim for many years, and how it wasn’t working for him.  I shared with him. Unfortunately this gentleman did not accept Christ.  He attends our fellowship meals often and I will continue to speak with him about saving faith in Jesus.”

• “An older gentlemen I had shared the gospel with a month or so ago came forward Sunday and I was able to lead him in the sinner’s prayer and he accepted the Lord.” Please keep our distance education students in prayer as they minister, share the gospel, and pursue their education. Also, please share these opportunities with other prospective students and refer them to our admis-sions office and the office of distance education @ 800-968-4508.

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Tby Chaplain (Captain) Nyhl Irvin

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The Army Chaplaincy implements its mission through the ministry of pres-ence and living out our service motto of “going where others cannot go.” For me, one of those places has been in combat zones both geographically and spiritually in today’s personal, work, marriage, and family relation-ships.

I am currently serving as the Battalion Chaplain of the Special Troops Battal-ion, 1st Armored Division, located at Wiesbaden, Ger-many. The Lord has led me through a journey of being present with Soldiers and civilian contractors where most cannot go.

Confirmation of the call to military chaplaincy was a work in progress. During my academic training at Mid-America, the Tuesday morning Chapel testimonies of wit-nessing experiences and the Mission-ary Days gave me a love for the souls of people. The personal soul win-ning course with Dr. B. Gray Allison equipped me with both a plan and the knowledge of how to lead people to faith in Christ. The practical missions program thrust me out of my comfort

zone and into the personal spiritual combat zones of people. Throughout my military career, God in His grace provided many different military mentors and a wealth of military ex-periences to guide me to this ministry.

The primary means to provide the ministry of presence and minister to Soldier needs is through military

chapels. I served as the Officer in Charge of our Division Chapel during our last deployment. Though serving as OIC of a chapel was demanding, God placed me in several divine ap-pointments through that experience. The Division Chapel was a landmark where I encountered Soldiers and civilian contractors struggling with internal and eternal battles of life.

Chaplain Irvin

Chaplain’s Corner

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This taught me to be content where the Lord has planted me and to be ex-pectant of God’s divine appointments. The Lord allowed me to lead several Soldiers to faith in Christ Jesus and to baptize two Soldiers during this tour of duty.

When Soldiers deploy to an area where combat is likely, we refer to it as being “down range.” The Lord taught me an important principle while providing

ministry down range as a chaplain. Reaching souls for Christ’s kingdom was a team effort. A chaplain’s suc-cess in military ministry is wrapped up in being a team player with other chaplains because when down range, chaplains lean on each other for sup-port.

A Soldier once visited my office struggling with personal and fam-ily issues. As I listened, the Soldier shared a witnessing encounter with a pastor during her return flight to

theater. I seized the mo-ment to clarify the Soldier’s questions and lead her to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. After the Soldier prayed, I confirmed it with her with Scripture and chal-lenged her to Bible study

to strengthen her new faith walk. I recalled hearing Dr. Adrian Rogers comment that people often respond to God’s invitation after being witnessed to by others. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, the Apostle Paul stresses God’s plan of us-ing several individuals to bring souls to faith in Christ. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” It is Whom we serve that matters not where or what part. Just be faithful. God will give the increase.

Faith in a Turbulent and Unpredictable World

Word of God” (Isaiah 66:2). Recogni-tion is also given to the often treach-erous journey of managing God’s resources. The world is coming at us quickly and we would do well to study and meditate on both the attitude and prayer of Augur.

1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us, “Humble your-selves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” We are be-ing prideful when we worry. It takes a humble person to trust that God will take care of the needs.

1 Peter 5:8 states, “Be self-controlled and alert, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The enemy will employ many devices to draw us from God’s chosen path for our lives. He will appeal to the cravings of our sin-ful nature, the lust of our eye, and the boasting of what we have and do (1 John 2:15). Awareness of our vulner-ability is essential. We are to “resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9).

IIn Proverbs 30, Augur, son of Jakeh, admits his lack of wisdom and under-standing with a deep sense of humil-ity. In verse 5 he declares, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

After this admission and his declara-tion of his faith in God and in His Word, Augur is led to pray. “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die; keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; but give me daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.” The attitude and prayer of Augur show a man of a broken and contrite spirit “who trembles at the

Jim ShoemakerRegistered representative and investment advisor representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc.

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Like Augur and Paul, we must, with humble and contrite spirits, depend on and trust in God. With content-ment, gratitude, integrity, alertness, focus and a sense of higher calling, we must commit our way to the Lord so the devil will be vanquished and ulti-mately “the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

In this turbulent and unpredictable world, we must rest on God’s absolute promise. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Paul goes on to tell us in Philippians 3:13 “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” What an example of focus and concentration. Paul was determined to be all he could be for Christ in his turbulent and unpredictable world.

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