 WADE JERNIGAN REMEMBERED
TULSA, OK Dr. Wade Jernigan died May 15, 2006, after complications from a stroke. He was 78. The ministry of the well-known Free Will Baptist preacher and educator spanned more than 60 years. During that time, he organized 25 Free Will Baptist churches, preached more than 800 revivals, and played a major role in the development of Hillsdale FWB College and California Christian College.
Born in North Carolina, Jernigan was called to preach in 1944 and ordained in 1946. After graduating from Free Will Baptist Bible College, he moved to Oklahoma where he marrried Nettie Blair. The couple had five daughters.
Jernigan’s bold style and gift for doctrinal preaching made him a popular conference and revival speaker. He was a leader wherever he served: Moderator of the Oklahoma State Association, Executive Secretary of the California State Association, Chairman of the national Home Missions Board, member of the Commission on Theological Liberalism, Home Missionary to Idaho, member of both the national General Board and Executive Committee.
Wade was a member of the five-man committee that recommended starting in 1958 what is now Hillsdale FWB College. However, his signature work in education came during a nine-year span (1969-1978) when he served as president of California Christian College in Fresno.
A prolific writer, Jernigan produced four books, including his best-known work ublished in 1975, The Unsealed Book, an Amillennial commentary on the Book of Revelation. He also wrote 60 songs, poetry, and numerous articles.
Funeral services were conducted May 19 at Hillsdale FWB College with Jack Richey and Bob Thompson officiating. Dr. Jernigan is survived by Marguerite Hinesely Jernigan, his wife of two months, five daughters, and their families. Read a moving tribute to Dr. Jernigan from the pastor of a church he started.
 CARL VALLANCE DEAD AT 88
HUNTINGTON, WV After 68 years as a pastor, Free Will Baptist pioneer, Carl Wesley Vallance, died May 27, 2006 following an extended illness. Vallance was a popular evangelist, and he preached at revivals, conferences, and meetings across the United States and Canada. He is best known, however for his ministry in his home state of West Virginia. He was present when the West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptists was founded, and served the state in a number f capacities including moderator, parliamentarian, and board member. He founded and pastored several churches across the state, and his name became synonymous with Free Will Baptist ministry in West Virginia.
Vallance was also active in the national ministry of Free Will Baptists. He was a member of the International (Foreign) Missions Board, the General Board, and the Executive committee. Vallance began attending the National Association of Free Will Baptists in 1947, missing only three of the annual meetings until his death in 2006.
A memorial service was held on May 27 at Central FWB Church in Huntington. Vallance is survived by LaVerne, his wife of 64 years, his son James, and three grandchildren. Read more about Carl in the October-November issue of ONE Magazine in an article entitled, “The VOICE of West Virginia.”
HILLSDALE GRADUATES 46
MOORE, OK The Barber Center at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College filled with families and friends as forty-six students graduated on Friday, May 12, 2006. Two students received a Master’s in Ministry, the second graduation for the program; 28 students received bachelor degrees, and 16 received associate degrees. Rev. Keith Burden, executive director of National Association of Free Will Baptists delivered the commencement address.
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