news at free will baptist bible college     Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1951. To find out more information about the school, visit their website at www.fwbbc.edu.

Harmon and Hall to Address FWBBC graduates

Two leading Free Will Baptist pastors, Will Harmon (Arkansas) and Tim Hall (Kentucky) are scheduled to challenge the 2010 Free Will Baptist Bible College graduating class May 6-7.
Reverend Will Harmon, senior pastor at Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church in Fort Smith, will address the graduates during 10:00 a.m. commencement exercises Friday, May 7. Kentucky pastor Tim Hall (First FWB Church, Owensboro) will bring the baccalaureate message Thursday evening, May 6, at 7:00 p.m.

President Matt Pinson said, “Every year we look forward to this special time of celebrating with our graduates as they complete their FWBBC studies. The entire college family comes together to honor them for their years of academic rigor. Several of the graduates will step directly into ministry roles and begin making a difference in some local church. Others will shift gears and pursue master’s degrees or other professional training. We’re proud of all of them, and we hope you can join us in this salute to some of the finest young men and women in America.”

Texas native Will Harmon formerly chaired the Board of Trustees at Hillsdale FWB College and the Executive Board for the Arkansas State Association of Free Will Baptists, and served as vice chairman of what is now the Board of Randall House Publications. He graduated from Hillsdale College in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree, and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Will was converted at age six and began preaching at age 12. He has pastored four churches in 26 years in Texas and Arkansas, and has led the Cavanaugh Church since 1997. Will and Angie Harmon have three children.

Tim Hall, an FWBBC alumnus and Kentucky native, began pastoring in 1978, and has invested his entire pastoral ministry in two churches—First Free Will Baptist Church in Owensboro (1978-1982, 1989-present) and First FWB Church in Glasgow (1982-1989). He served 11 years as moderator of the Kentucky State Association and five years as moderator of Green River Association. National responsibilities include current duties on the Board of Retirement and previous service on the General Board. Converted in 1970, he was called to preach in 1977 and ordained in 1978. Tim and Jana Hall have two adult sons.

87 Attend FWBBC Fall Welcome Days

Seventy-one prospective students from 12 states and 26 churches attended Fall 2009 Welcome Days November 19-21 at Free Will Baptist Bible College, according to Jeff Caudill, director of enrollment services. With parents and sponsors, the campus visitors numbered 87 for the three-day event.

Mr. Caudill said, “We were delighted to have such a promising group of high school students on campus and look forward to a number of them enrolling, several as early as next fall. The college community really came together to host the event with current students sharing their rooms with guests and answering questions. Faculty and staff assisted with the Friday evening meal and prepared desserts. We couldn’t have asked for better cooperation.”

Visiting high school students attended classes and chapel, interacted with FWBBC students, enjoyed a performance by the music and drama department, participated in Friday evening’s Low Country Boil, attended a financial aid seminar, and more.
“I have decided to come to FWBBC,” said Ron Carter, a visiting student. ”I tried to get away from the idea of attending FWBBC. However, coming to Welcome Days helped me decide that I want to be here as a student.”

Provost Greg Ketteman hosted a Friday reception for high school seniors, recent graduates, sponsors, and parents.

Kevin Hester Publishes Book Review

The Journal of Early Christian Studies (Winter 2009 issue) published a two-page review by Free Will Baptist Bible College professor Kevin Hester in which he examines Bernard Green’s 2008 book, The Soteriology of Leo the Great. Green’s volume is part of the Oxford Theological Monograph Series (Oxford University Press).

Dr. Hester concludes that while the cost of Green’s book ($130) limits its classroom use, “it sets out a good beginning for what I hope will be a new flurry of scholarship on the long neglected topic of Leo as a theologian.”

Hester identifies chapters four through six as the strongest part of the work and the most germane to Green’s thesis that Leo’s soteriology is focused on the unity of two natures in the one mediator. The first two chapters present the historical background, describing the growing Christian presence in Rome as well as damage done by clerical and monastic infighting, the influence of Ambrose, waffling on the Pelagian issue, and the debate on Nestorianism.

Appointed program coordinator for Biblical and Theological Studies at FWBBC in 2008 where he also teaches History courses, Dr. Hester is a regular presenter at theological and educational forums. His first book, Eschatology and Pain in St. Gregory the Great: The Christological Synthesis of Gregory’s Morals on the Book of Job, was published in 2007 by Paternoster Press.
Hester graduated from FWBBC with a B.A. (1993), earned an M. Div. at Covenant Seminary (1997), and a Ph.D. at Saint Louis University (2000). He joined the FWBBC Bible faculty in 2003.

Flames Benefit Raises Almost $2,500

The Flames hosted a December 7 benefit basketball game to raise funds for Matt and Amanda Dunlap, FWBBC alumni who lost all their belongings except for a few photographs in a December 5 house fire, according to FWBBC men’s basketball coach Nathan Willhite. The event raised $2,482 for the Dunlaps.

Coach Willhite said, “It turned out to be a great evening. I’m glad we could help a family in need. Matt Dunlap and I have been friends since our college days at FWBBC, and Amanda and I grew up together. Their lives reflect the type of students FWBBC is proud to graduate. This was an opportunity for the college community to express support and appreciation for the Dunlaps and their ongoing ministries.”

Due to a facilities conflict at nearby Pleasant View Christian School where Matt Dunlap serves as athletic director and men’s basketball coach, the December 7 game between PVCS and Aaron Academy had already been moved to Picirilli Activities Building on the FWBBC campus. With assistance from PVCS athletic department personnel, Willhite organized the benefit evening.

The FWBBC men’s basketball team sold admission tickets and concessions. Coach Willhite’s father grilled burgers, and the game officials (Bill Harris, Jeff Keith, Sam Young, and Tim Arrington) donated their services. FWBBC students, faculty, and staff pitched in with their time and money. All gate and concession proceeds for the event went to the Dunlaps.

Matt Dunlap graduated from FWBBC in 2007. His wife Amanda, who works at Next Door (an organization that helps women in times of crisis), graduated in 2005.

Garnett Reid Revises ETA Bible Survey Book

Dr. Garnett Reid, chair of the Biblical and Ministry Studies Department at Free Will Baptist Bible College, served as revision editor for the 2009 update of Evangelical Training Association’s Old Testament Survey, Part 1: Genesis-Esther. The 12-chapter, 128-page soft-cover volume is part of ETA’s ongoing Bible and Theology Series.

“I was honored to be part of this effort to keep biblical study materials relevant and fresh,” Dr. Reid said. “This book is one of ETA’s basic curriculum tools for Bible students. The revisions provide a look through ‘new eyes’ at Old Testament history and the unfolding story of redemption. It is more than a rehash of previous materials, and includes expanded sections and upgraded language that connect with today’s complex culture.”

The latest revision under Dr. Reid’s direction retains the original classic outlines of Dr. Samuel Schultz, but 90% of the content is new. The volume remains sensitive to the adjustments necessary to streamline and expand the commentary. The Old Testament has come under closer scrutiny than ever in recent years, and the relevance of studying the Old Testament must be reaffirmed to Christians in each generation.

Dr. Reid has been a member of the FWBBC faculty since 1982. He writes the “Intersect” column for ONE Magazine and is a frequent conference speaker. He publishes regularly in professional journals such as Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, Integrity: A Journal of Christian Thought, and others.

96 Students Make President’s/Dean’s Lists

The fall 2009 semester at Free Will Baptist Bible College ended with 96 students earning academic recognition, according to Provost Greg Ketteman. Nineteen students made all As and were placed on the President’s List—five seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and seven freshmen. Seventy-seven students earned a B average or higher and were placed on the Dean’s List—20 seniors, 19 juniors, 16 sophomores, and 22 freshmen

President’s List: “A” Honor Roll

Anderson, Cason (Jr.) - Antioch, TN
Baumann, Kristyn (Jr.) - Marietta, GA
Brand, Briley (Fr.) - Chocowinity, NC
Carpenter, Elijah (Fr.) - Church Hill,TN
Caudill, Allison (Sr.) - Paintsville, KY
Clem, Kristina (Jr.) - Decatur, IL
Downing, Jennifer (Sr.) - Blytheville, AR
Driggers, Maggie (Fr.) - Turbeville, SC
Driggers, Mary Kathryn (Jr.) - Turbeville, SC
Gitschlag, Eric (Fr.) - Dickson, TN
Higgins, Miranda (Sr.) - Cookeville, TN
Howard, Thomas (Fr.) - Troy, MI
Hunt, Michael (Fr.) - Wagoner, OK
Inman, Brett (Sr.) - Lebanon, MO
Jolly, Lauren (Jr.) - Glasgow, KY
Moore, Jeffrey (Fr.) - Rogersville, MO
Speer, Katie (Sr.) - Nashville, TN
Trimble, Rachel (Soph.) - Nashville, TN
Willaford, Jason (Soph.) - Jacksonville, NC

Dean’s List: “B” Honor Roll

Seniors

Atkins, Alyssa - Chapmansboro, TN
Caudill, Alice - Pierceton, IN
Cobb, Kathryn - Columbus, IN
Collins, Rachel - Harrisonburg, VA
Cox, Allison - Antioch, TN
Crozier, Joshua - Lancing, TN
Crozier, Megan - Lancing, TN
Davis, Randi White - Florence, AL
Drake, Eric - Cedar Hill, TN
Eller, Mary - LaVergne, TN
Enger, Tricia - Pace, FL
Gillikin, Paul - Harkers Island, NC
Hajek, Samantha - St. Charles, MO
Huey, Shane - Tupelo, MS
Owens, Bethany - Garner, NC
Owens, Jesse - Franklin, TN
Pool, David - Aulander, NC
Pool, Elizabeth - Aulander, NC
Provow, Joshua - Fredericktown, MO
Ward, Kurston - Van Buren, AR

Juniors

Benninghoff, Samuel - Smyrna, TN
Bequette,Rachel - Marquand, MO
Brown, Rachael - Dearborn Heights, MI
Dennis, Nicholas - Vilonia, AR
Fawver, Rachael - Knoxville, TN
Forrest, Lauren - Ashland City, TN
Franks, Nathan - Mt. Olive, AL
Garner, Ashley - Homerville, GA
Harden, Kimberly - Kirksville, MO
Kernan, Christopher - Desloge, MO
Kyburz, Faith - DeSoto, MO
Munsey, Juliana - Antioch, TN
Munsey, Matthew - Antioch, TN
Nelson, Megan - Old Hickory, TN
Price, Lacey - Wheelersburg, OH
Reyes, Amanda - St. Genevieve, MO
Shaffer, Hannah - St. George, WV
Stokes, Sara Ann - Nashville, TN
Williams, Paige - Florence, SC

Sophomores

Ayers, Rebekah - Moundville, AL
Boney, Marshall - Virginia Beach, VA
D’Ablaing, Andrew - Lawrenceburg, TN
Douglas, Thaddeus - Macon, GA
Gaddis, Kayla - Marion, NC
James, Rebecca - Manor, GA
Jeffreys,Georgia - Red Bay, AL
Jones, Caleb - Olive Branch, MS
Nelson, Stephen - New Bern, NC
Ouding, Andrew - Delton, MI
Pickens, Robin - Nashville, TN
Ramos, Leigha - Ashland City, TN
Reeder, Steven - Doe Run, MO
Richards, Shawn - Joelton, TN
Smith, Gregory - Whittemore, MI
Snow, David - Old Hickory, TN

Freshmen

Catinella, Natalie - Madison Heights, MI
Creech, Deborah - Macon, GA
Culwell, Jacob - Greenbrier, TN
Cyrus, Robert - Louisa, KY
DeLong, Terry, Jr. - Millersville, TN
Dingus,David - Nashville, TN
Fite, Morgan - Mt. Juliet, TN
Hobbs, Brittany - Farmville, NC
Johns, Matthew - Ashland City, TN
Munsey, Rachel - Newport, TN
Norris, Sarah Jo - Chesterfield,MI
Parsell, Laina - Ina, IL
Pierce, Aaron - Tupelo, MS
Pointer, Christen - Russellville, AR
Risden, Megan - Clinton, TN
Suggs, Jeremy - Columbus, GA
Thornsbury, Frank - Oil Springs, KY
Tolbert, Phillip - Paw Paw, MI
Ward, Hannah - Van Buren, AR
Weeks, Bradley - Nashville, TN
Weeks, Jonathan - Nashville, TN
Wilkerson, Allison - Coker, AL