news at free will baptist bible college AS THE OFFICIAL COLLEGE of the Free Will Baptist denomination, Free Will Baptist Bible College has been helping students find their place in God's world since 1942. For more information about Free Will Baptist Bible College, please visit www.fwbbc.edu Photo: President Pinson looks at a college yearbook with a student.

FORMER STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT DIES UNEXPECTEDLY

NASHVILLE, TN Gerald Turner, 2005-2006 Student Body President at Free Will Baptist Bible College, died suddenly on November 23 while visiting his wife’s family in Lake Butler, FL. The 22-year-old Mississippi youth minister was playing touch football, running after another player, when he crumpled to the ground and lost consciousness.

Bystanders administered CPR and called emergency personnel who found a faint heartbeat when they arrived. However, he was dead upon arrival at the hospital. Doctors speculate heart failure as a cause of death, since Gerald was aware that he had a heart defect.

Turner graduated from FWBBC in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a youth ministry major and had accepted the minister of students position at Tupelo FWB Church six months ago. He married the former Maci Dukes in September; Maci also graduated from FWBBC in May.

The couple had been named “Best All-Around Boy” and “Best All-Around Girl” during commencement exercises. Gerald received the Student Body President Medal and was named to the 2006 Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

FWBBC President J. Matthew Pinson said, “Gerald Turner had more promise than anyone of his generation. He was also my friend, and I was mentoring him. He was eager to learn and teachable. I am deeply saddened at his death. Young men like Gerald are rare, so rare. He brought a warm heart, a hungry, inquiring mind, and a living faith to our campus.”

During his time as Student Body President, Gerald urged students to respond financially to assist Hurricane Katrina victims. Through his leadership, students responded by giving $2,600 which was channeled through The Salvation Army. He also encouraged students to go to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast and help with clean-up. Thirty-five students and faculty members traveled to South Mississippi and spent four days cutting trees, repairing roofs, and removing debris.

One of Turner’s most satisfying moments as Student Body President came when he spearheaded an effort in 2005 to adopt a year-long theme of Excellence for the FWBBC students. A large banner citing “Excellence” greeted students, faculty, and campus visitors who entered Memorial Auditorium.

Gerald served as a summer intern at Rejoice FWB Church (Owasso, Oklahoma) in the summer of 2005 in preparation for full-time youth ministry. Earlier, he and eight other non-missions major students spent a week in Spain getting a first-hand taste of the mission field during spring break in 2004.

Athletic, with an easy-going attitude and a ready smile, Gerald impacted both fellow students and faculty members at FWBBC as he moved across campus and through the classrooms. He is remembered best for his commitment to Christ and his spirit of teamwork.

STUDENT LEADERS MEET AT FWBBC

NASHVILLE, TN Fifty students and sponsors from Hillsdale FWB College and Free Will Baptist Bible College met September 29-October 1, 2006, on the FWBBC campus for the annual three-day Joint Leadership Conference. The yearly event rotates between the two schools.

The 2006 conference included three service projects, small group activities, addresses by both student body presidents, worship services, a tour of downtown Nashville, and a schedule that did not end until midnight each day.

Dr. Craig Shaw, dean of undergraduate studies at Hillsdale, told students on the last day of the conference, “You need to dream big dreams. As you see what life is about, realize that God can do all things. Unity is a product of your following Christ. God has touched our hearts this weekend.”

Joint service projects included contacting 200 community homes on behalf of Grace FWB Church, a struggling congregation with a new pastor, as well as painting and maintenance work for the church. Students also stuffed envelopes for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Foundation and distributed flyers about upcoming events.

International Missions Director James Forlines dared student leaders to finish well, die climbing, and be the generation that carries the gospel to all nations.

During the Sunday morning message, FWBBC Professor Emeritus F. Leroy Forlines urged students to fight sexual immorality.

Group activities were led by Doug Little, director of mobilization for International Missions. He pushed students to answer the question, “Are you a follower of Jesus?” and challenged them to “step up to the plate.”

Carla Krueger, Hillsdale faculty sponsor, said, “We came to FWBBC for one purpose—to get together and learn new ways to minister on our campuses. It was a wonderful trip.”

As a symbol of unity between the two colleges, Hillsdale Student Body President Taylor Stevenson gave FWBBC Student Body President David Jones the cross he received when he was saved. Jones said, “I don’t want it to end here.”

Dr. Jon Forlines, dean of students at FWBBC, said, “Students from both colleges indicated that the training was challenging and enjoyable. We were so honored that the Hillsdale students were willing to drive such a great distance to be with us.”

CHOIR SETS SPRING SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, TN The 40-voice Free Will Baptist Bible College Choir will give seven performances March 8-13 in a whirlwind six-day tour through Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Dr. James Stevens, choir director and chairman of the FWBBC Music Department, invites area churches to join host congregations for the annual spring tour.

Spring Tour Schedule

Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., Double Branch FWB Church, Unadilla, GA

Friday, March 9, 7:00 p.m., Homerville FWB Church, Homerville, GA

Saturday, March 10, 6:00 p.m., Colquitt FWB Church, Colquitt, GA

Sunday, March 11, TBA (a.m.)

Sunday, March 11, TBA (p.m.)

Monday, March 12, 7:00 p.m., Beulah FWB Church, Pensacola, FL

Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 p.m., First FWB Church, Northport, AL

FLAMES ANNOUNCE SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, TN The Flames baseball team will play more than 16 games during the 2007 season, according to Coach Mick Donahue. While the majority of the games will be played in Tennessee, the team will travel to Georgia and Ohio as well.

Spring Kick-Off – Dayton, TN

• Feb. 23 – 24, Fri-Sat, Dayton, TN

• March 2, noon, Atlanta Christian College, Atlanta, GA

• March 3, 1:00 pm, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN

• March 9, noon, Crowley’s Ridge College, Home

• March 22, 5:00 pm, Maranatha Bible College, Home

• March 24, 1:00 pm, Atlanta Christian College, Home

• March 26, noon, Johnson Bible College, Knoxville, TN

Tennessee/Ohio Classic – Nashville, TN

• March 30, 4:00 pm, Cincinnati Christian University, Home

• March 31, 11:00 am, Ohio Christian University, Home

• April 6, 1:00 pm, Tennessee Temple University, Home

• April 7, 1:00 pm, Temple Baptist College, Home

• April 9, 1:00 pm, Johnson Bible College, Home 

Tennessee/Ohio Classic – Circleville, OH

• April 13, 3:00  pm, Cincinnati Christian University, Circleville, OH

• April 14, 11:00 am, Ohio Christian University, Circleville, OH

• April 16, 1:00 pm, Fisk University, Home

• April 17, 1:00 pm, Fisk University, Nashville, TN

• April 25-28, TBA, Mid-East Region Tournament, Circleville, OH

• May 2-9, TBA, NCCAA II Nat. Tournament, TBA        

Head Coach: Mick Donahue                 Athletic Trainer: Chris Snoddy

LIBRARIAN PRESENTS ABHE WORKSHOP

NASHVILLE, TN Carol Reid (pictured, right), Free Will Baptist Bible College librarian, will present a workshop on library guidelines during the 60th annual meeting of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which meets February 21-24 in Orlando (FL). Mrs. Reid will co-present with Nancy Olson, library director at Lincoln Christian College and Seminary and executive director of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL).

The workshop is titled, “The New ABHE Library Guidelines: How Does Your Library Measure Up?” and is in the track for academic officers (deans).

The Bible College section of the Association of Christian Librarians recently worked through the newly revised ABHE evaluation standards for accreditation and published (in conjunction with ABHE) guidelines for libraries to use as “measuring sticks” in order to rank their compliance with the new standards.  A series of questions corresponds to each of the “essential elements” of the ABHE criteria to give Bible College libraries more meaningful ways to defend their success in (or needs in) meeting the standards.

Mrs. Reid said, “Nancy and I will present these valuable new guidelines, give examples of how to use them, and encourage administrators to begin work on strengthening their libraries through them.”

Three years ago, Mrs. Reid and James Orme co-presented another ABHE workshop discussing “Paper vs. Electronic” issues in library collections. She presented a similar workshop on library guidelines at the June 2006 ACL conference with a panel of Bible College librarians (Patty Agee from Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, MO, and Tony Garrett from Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO).

Carol Reid, a 1977 FWBBC graduate with an M.L.S. degree from Vanderbilt University, has served as librarian at Free Will Baptist Bible College since 1988.

BASKETBALL TEAM RETREATS TO ALABAMA

NASHVILLE, TN The Flames’ basketball team scheduled a three-day fall retreat in Alabama that included time at the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home in Eldridge, according to Coach Rusty Campbell. The September 22-24 trip had three purposes: To serve as a team-building experience, to minister in the Children’s Home, and to serve in Winfield FWB Church.

Coach Campbell said, “This experience allowed our fellows to interact in an environment away from the basketball court. We learned a lot about each other and grew closer as a group. The Children’s Home staff and Winfield Church were open and so accommodating.”

The Flames conducted a practice session at the church Saturday where young men from the Children’s Home participated in a variety of drills, teaming up with Flames’ members in scrimmage situations.

Saturday afternoon, former Flames’ member and current house parent at the Children’s Home, Chris Willhite, led the basketball team in team-building exercises.

Mr. Willhite said, “It was great having the Flames spend time with our kids. They interacted well and were such positive role models. Our kids looked forward to the visit for weeks and were so excited to have the ballplayers here.”

The Saturday evening devotion and fellowship included staff and youth from the Children’s Home as well as visitors. Flames’ members Jacob Riggs and Bryce Jackman led the singing. Riggs brought a brief devotion.

Sunday morning found the Flames at Winfield FWB Church where Reverend Danny Williams pastors. Team members attended the 7-12th grade Sunday School class. Jacob Riggs, Bryce Jackman, and Caleb Simpkins led the class in singing, and Coach Campbell spoke about the importance of a Christian college education.

ASCAP RECOGNIZES STEVENS

NASHVILLE, TN The president of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), announced that Dr. James M. Stevens, chairman of the Free Will Baptist Bible College Music Department, has been awarded the ASCAP Plus Award for Composition. This prestigious award is given to recognize achievements of composers of traditional music whose works are featured in churches, schools, or concert halls.

Christian Today recently honored Dr. Stevens by naming him Senior Music and Culture Advisor for the international Christian newspaper based in London, England. He frequently contributes editorial articles dealing with music and worship.

His first article was about the creation of a song he co-wrote titled, "Without Love...We Have Nothing," which achieved international recognition by being recorded on 150 different CDs worldwide, originating in South Korea. This song can be heard on the latest FWBBC Choir CD, Canticles of Praise.

A composer of more that 200 published compositions with 20 national companies, Stevens continues to compose and arrange music for the church. In 2006, he published new choral compositions through GlorySound, Harold Flammer, LifeWay, and Abingdon Press, as well as several international publishers. See more information about the music of James M. Stevens and the FWBBC School of Music on his website at www.jamesmstevens.com.

SYMPOSIUM MEETS AT FWBBC

NASHVILLE, TN The 2006 Theological Symposium met October 23-24 at Free Will Baptist Bible College. The annual event is sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity in cooperation with FWBBC and Hillsdale FWB College.

Seven major papers were presented during the two-day event, according to Leroy Forlines, professor emeritus at FWBBC and chairman of the Commission for Theological Integrity. The symposium concluded Tuesday evening with a two-hour panel discussion on the subject, “Alan Wolfe’s The Transformation of American Religion.”

The symposium papers have been spiral-bound and may be ordered for $20. Make checks payable to Commission for Theological Integrity, and mail requests to:

Commission for Theological Integrity
Attention: Matt Pinson
3606 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205

One of this year’s symposium highlights included distribution of the Summer 2006, Number 3 edition of Integrity, A Journal of Christian Thought, the occasional publication of the Commission for Theological Integrity. This volume of Integrity contains eight theological papers, twelve book reviews, and a sermon.

The 220-page, soft-cover journal has been mailed to pastors throughout the denomination. Previous editions of Integrity were published in Summer 2000, Number 1 and Summer 2003, Number 2.

Additional copies of Integrity may be purchased for $6 by writing:

Dr. Robert Picirilli
301 Greenway Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205

Make checks payable to the Commission for Theological Integrity.

The 2007 Theological Symposium will meet October 22-23 at Hillsdale FWB College in Moore, Oklahoma.