Committed to the Bone

by Bill and Brenda Evans

Hidden deep within our bones—hips, shoulders, skull, legs—bone marrow is in some ways the biological essence of who and what we are. Blood platelets, red and white blood cells, and other essentials are produced in our marrow to maintain our health.

Recently, we talked with Wendell and Anna Jean Walley, president and office manager of California Christian College. They are two Christians committed to biblical education to their deepest core—to the marrow, so to speak.

Just 12 years ago, when invited to consider the presidency, Wendell’s response was “not interested.” Among his reasons was that the college did not need a pastor for its president. It needed, he said, a fundraising, friend-raising visionary. Besides, God was blessing his North Carolina pastorate. He was not eager to head west for any reason, especially for a new calling.

Nor was Anna Jean—too many unknowns. “You may be Abraham, but I’m not Sarah,” she said. All the while, she knew she would go wherever God sent her husband. Always had; always would. Still, college presidency was a “new country.”

The invitation persisted, and Wendell could not turn away. “I was compelled,” he recalls. “I felt it would be a spiritual crime not to say yes.”

In August 1999, they headed west on four wheels—no camels needed. Like Abraham, Wendell walked the length and breadth of the six-acre Fresno campus, talking to the Lord and envisioning what could, should, and would happen there.

Fresno is at the center of the San Joaquin Valley, often called the Bread Basket of the World because of its astounding fruit, vegetable, and nut production. But from the beginning, Wendell saw the college as part of the Spiritual Bread Basket of the World.
“Ethnic and cultural diversity is a force that shapes Christian ministry in California. On this campus, we are situated at a time and place to make a unique impact for Christ,” Wendell says.

“There are 35 million people in our state—1 out of 4 was born in another country; 44% speak a language other than English when they go home each evening, and 108 languages are spoken in California schools. If soul-changing revival comes to this state, it could impact the world for Christ.”

Wendell wants California Christian College to be part of that. And so he reaches into the very marrow of his soul, to his will and wit, his perspective and persistence, to lead the college well.

“Twelve years ago I thought I knew what it takes to be an effective college president. Now I know that all you need is high energy and low IQ,” he laughs. Keeping perspective and a sense of humor is seeing things God’s way, according to Wendell.
“You know it’s a God-thing when your campus population rises in hard times like this, or when online classes increase.

Unemployment in the Central Valley is 20%. When your faculty continues in spite of salary cuts while keeping up their morale, it’s a God-thing. Or when you trim staff salaries by half, and they still come to work. These people are unacknowledged heroes.”

Sacrifice is inherent in Christian education it seems. But sacrifice is not a word that Wendell uses often. Doing what you can, when and how you can—that is what a man or a woman of God does. Never mind the personal cost; never mind that many are unwilling.
Wendell’s welcome message on the college website makes that clear: “We truly are about developing contagious Christians committed to servant-leadership in the likeness of Christ.” Doing what you can with what God has put in your hand and heart is what it means to be serious servant leaders, serious stewards.

Beyond a Christ-driven perspective, however, is the issue of a Christ-driven persistence. Not one to whitewash the demands that fall on small-college presidents, Wendell says his quip about high energy and low intellect is not just for laughs. Presidents like Wendell often find themselves out from behind the desk or podium and into the trenches. Small-college presidency is a place where brawn is needed as much as brains.

Not every day at CCC is spent in white shirt and tie, even for the president. When the need for building repair is greater than the need for a presidential consultation, Wendell arrives on campus wearing his blue collar. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Across the conference table, Wendell is a gentleman with an easy smile. He is an effective communicator with a keen intellect who does not lean on platitudes. Deep inside is a rugged will, a doggedness that will not be deterred from doing what he believes God is calling him to do: grow a collegiate community serious about biblical Christian education.

Wendell’s persistence showed up early in his presidency. After a difficult struggle with contrarian opponents, Anna Jean asked, “If you had known then, what you know now...,” Wendell interrupted. “Let’s don’t go there, but the answer is yes.”
A short time later, while painting a dismal view of the college’s financial situation, an auditor asked more than once, “Have you considered closing the school?”

“This conversation is over,” Wendell responded. “I’m not paying anyone to discourage me.” And he walked out.
Of course, for California Christian College, as for most Christian colleges and universities, money is an ever-present issue. There is never enough. Wendell says financial instruction for our people is critical to turning around the deficits.

“We need to train our people to include Christian education in their end-of-life financial planning. Our colleges must have sizable gifts to survive. Our bread and butter are faithful monthly checks from laymen and women. The people who started with the college have held on to their vision. They’ve not given up, and I’m so grateful.”

“But now we need additional ways to underwrite our colleges. For most of us, that means planning to give to Christian education through our estates. We are far behind on this method. The Free Will Baptist Foundation is strategic in this shift. They are prepared, eager to guide, and give free advice on how to do that.”

“We’ve simply got to get that new vision for how to give. Until then, what keeps me going and makes me unwilling to give up and say it can’t be done is our students.”

“Gabriel, who will graduate this year, spent time in the Bulldog Gang, then got saved in prison. He is a bear of a man. Now, he’s studying here, works at Youth for Christ, and recently received a community Volunteer of the Year award. You know what he told me? ‘You all have taught me how to be a human being.’”

“Another young man spent his first two years of college here and went on to become a constitutional lawyer. A woman who was a former drug pusher heads a ministry for women coming out of prison. Another alumnus is regional director of Celebrate Recovery. The stories go on.”

Emotions glisten in his eyes. “That’s what gives you staying power—lives changed by Christ,” Wendell says in a whisper.
That—and commitment to the bone, all the way to the essence of who you are.

About the Writers: Bill Evans, former director of the Free Will Baptist Foundation, lives in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, with his wife Brenda, a retired English teacher. Visit www.fwbgifts.org for more information on planned giving that benefits your favorite ministry.