more than a job!

by Kevin Hester

The old Navy recruiting poster said, “It’s not just a job; it’s an adventure!”

For laymen employed at Free Will Baptist Bible College, their labor is more than a job; it is a vocation. The English word vocation is taken from a Latin root which means calling. The concept of seeing one’s work as a calling comes from Protestant reformer Martin Luther who said every Christian is called to serve God in all that he does. Thus, he ennobled all occupations.

The Puritans recognized this truth and pointed out that even our most menial tasks perform an important function in glorifying God and building His kingdom.

Theology of Laymen

The theological truth behind this principle is the priesthood of all believers. First Peter 2:5 says that as we come to God we are “built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Verse nine says we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

When the apostle Peter used these words to describe those who believed (verse seven) that Jesus was the Messiah, he outlined the priesthood of believers. These verses teach us that through Christ we have both a marvelous privilege and an awesome responsibility of holiness and service.

In salvation, God works to build us into a spiritual temple. He has drawn near to us and consecrated us with His presence. In response, we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices. Our role as priests requires us to engage actively in God’s kingdom building on this earth. We are responsible for the spiritual condition of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are commissioned to carry the gospel to our friends, our neighbors, and around the world. Being priests means we should commit ourselves to using our spiritual gifts in God’s service, seeing every aspect of our lives as an act of spiritual worship.

The doctrine of universal priesthood empowers the laity for ministry. Ministry is the calling of every believer whether ordained or not. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the edification of the body. Spiritual gifts may be localized in the individual, but they belong to the believing community and must be used. FWBBC looks for ways to encourage all its employees to engage actively—both in their ministry here and in broader ministry to the world. We believe it is only as we empower and employ every Christian to do the work of the ministry that we will find success in building God’s kingdom.

Layman on Patrol

It is for this reason that FWBBC has always done more than train preachers and missionaries. Our mission is to “educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through Biblical thought and life.”

Free Will Baptist laymen have a welcoming place to serve at FWBBC. They keep the doors open, the lights on, the buildings warm, and the campus safe. Those same laymen make a difference in the Nashville community, in local churches, and in their homes.

FWBBC isn’t about training scientists, businessmen, and educators. We train Christians who happen to be scientists, businessmen, and educators.”

Their names are many and their tasks manifold, but Free Will Baptist laymen are the backbone of FWBBC. For instance, Charles Wise keeps the computers working. Sandy Goodfellow oversees plant operations for the nine-acre campus. Missouri-born deacon Ernie Thompson supervises a crew that keeps campus buildings clean and functional. Bruce Bilbrey is a master of all trades, fixing what’s broken, painting what’s peeling, and happily throwing himself into a thousand other duties.

Free Will Baptist laymen fill indispensable roles in the Administration Building. Greg Ketteman plans curriculum and oversees the faculty. Former Navy seaman Tom Sass makes sure we can keep the lights on. Jeff Caudill brings in the students and helps them pay for college. The Rolling Deacon, Wayne Spruill, surveys everything on campus and has statistics for questions you haven’t even asked yet!

Free Will Baptist laymen offer their sage advice and share their learning throughout Johnson Classroom Building. Thurman Pate is training a new generation of teachers and school administrators. Floridian Darrell Holley offers incisive critique of literature from a Christian worldview. PK (Preacher’s Kid) Michael Walker shares a wealth of business experience with a heart overflowing for missions.

Creationist Ian Hawkins uncovers the intricacies of God’s creation for wide-eyed students in his science classes. High-tech guru Rusty Campbell shares technological expertise to make sure FWBBC can reach beyond our campus to non-traditional students.

Laymen Beyond the Campus

But in addition to these important roles, FWBBC laymen step out from these buildings into their communities and into the world to minister. They serve as deacons and trustees in local churches. They teach Sunday School classes and lead worship. They work on Free Will Baptist boards and for the Rescue Mission. They lead mission trips in America and around the world. They work to train Free Will Baptist youth in missions and leadership. But there’s more! They are wonderful fathers, fine husbands, and good men. Best of all, they are my friends.

It is largely because of them that Free Will Baptist laymen have a welcoming place to learn at FWBBC. The same laymen who have poured their service into foundations, budgets, and reports are eager to pour their lives into a new generation. They want to teach them by word and by example what it means to be a husband, a father, and a Christian.

Whether over coffee, in prayer groups, or while stripping floors, the laymen of FWBBC are faithfully serving God by serving as priests to others. What they have learned they want to commit to faithful men who will teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). FWBBC isn’t about training scientists, businessmen, and educators; we train Christians who happen to be scientists, businessmen, and educators.

There are priests at Free Will Baptist Bible College teaching, serving, and praying for others. God has redeemed a kingdom of priests for Himself and He has redeemed us for His service. Let us all live our lives as spiritual acts of worship. The work of God in this world is in and through His priests. God is building His kingdom and we all have work to do. Will you join us?

About the Writer: Dr. Kevin Hester is a member of the Bible faculty at Free Will Baptist Bible College where he has taught since 2003.