news at welch college   Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit www.Welch.edu.

Forlines Retires From Welch College

Gallatin, TN — Dr. Jon Forlines (below) has retired after more than 24 years of full-time service as vice president for student services and dean of students. He will continue as special advisor to the college president, according to Welch President Matt Pinson.

Forlines has been on leave of absence from Welch since suffering a stroke in July 2025. “Welch is so thankful for the prayers of its alumni and supporters for our dear friend Jon Forlines for the past few months,” Pinson said. “Dr. Forlines has been such a key member of the Welch leadership team for nearly a quarter century, and such a loving, Christlike mentor to our students. It’s going to be hard to replace him.”

A 1980 Welch graduate, Forlines grew up on the Welch campus, the son of theology professor Leroy Forlines and his wife Fay. Following graduation, he served as an associate and youth pastor in North Carolina for many years. After that, he began doctoral studies in psychology while living in Polston Hall, the women’s residence hall on the West End campus, where his wife Susan, dean of women, served as women’s resident director. Completing a Ph.D. from Tennessee State University in 1998, Jon served as a psychological examiner in the Tennessee Prison system until beginning his current role in 2001. Jon and Susan have four children: Stephen, who died in childhood, Joel, Jared, and Anna — all three Welch graduates.

“No one is more committed to Welch than Dr. Forlines,” Pinson said. “Having served as president of the student body as a student and as president of the Alumni Association for the last few years, he has always been one of the college’s greatest supporters. He brought this love and commitment for his alma mater to his work as vice president and dean of students.”

“His quiet, kind, and affable manner, together with his Christ-centered love for students and desire to see them grow in their faith and commitment to Holy Scripture, has been nothing short of life-changing for countless Welch students.” Pinson continued. “He will be sorely missed, and we ask the wider Welch family to continue praying for him as he recovers.”

“Compassionate, concerned, and committed are three descriptors that come to mind when I think about Dr. Jon Forlines,” Welch Provost Matthew McAffee said. “Over the years that I’ve known and worked with Dr. Forlines, he has consistently shown deep compassion and concern for students, faculty, and staff alike. One major unifying thread running throughout his life’s work and ministry here has been his loyal commitment to our rich institutional heritage and its ongoing investment in the transformation of students for Christ’s Kingdom. We will miss him deeply and pray for God’s blessings upon him and his family in this new season of life.”

Dr. Daniel Webster, director of enrollment services, will serve as interim director of student services, with the assistance of Susan Forlines, Whitney Lute, and additional support staff.
Pinson said, “Welch College extends its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Forlines for his dedicated service to this institution. We will be praying for him and supporting him in the days ahead.”

Ministerial Students at Welch at a 40-Year High

Gallatin, TN — Welch College recently announced that enrollment of ministerial students in the 2025 fall semester reached the highest number in 40 years. This parallels the college’s overall fall enrollment, which was also the highest in 42 years.

Welch has 118 students training for ordained local church ministry. Ninety-five are degree-seeking students, while 23 are studying for the online ministry certificate.

This represents an increase in the enrollment of ministerial students resulting from the awarding of a $10,000-per-year scholarship for every Free Will Baptist ministerial student, which the Welch Board approved just weeks before the COVID pandemic. Welch’s recently started M.Div. degree program is also growing, with more than 25 students enrolled.

President Matt Pinson said, “The National Association of Free Will Baptists has more open pulpits than ever before, and we need more pastors than ever. But God is still calling young men to the ministry, and we are so thankful to our Free Will Baptist churches for sending them to Welch!”
To recommend potential ministerial students to Welch, please email recruit@welch.edu.