news at free will baptist bible college Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1951. To find out more information about the school, visit their website at www.fwbbc.edu.

CHARLES HAMPTON DEAD AT 68

Dr. Charles Hampton, who served 25 years at Free Will Baptist Bible College (1974-2000), 20 years as registrar, died March 5 at age 68.  He retired in 2000 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

President Matt Pinson said, “When Dr. Hampton joined the FWBBC faculty in 1974, he was unique with his Ph.D. in mathematics and his warm heart for the work of God.”

Pinson continued, “More important, he was a godly man, a loving husband and father, and a man who chose to invest his life in the mission of Free Will Baptist Bible College.  He had such an impact on so many of our lives.  Thank God for his spiritual and educational legacy.”

After graduating from FWBBC with a B.S. degree in 1960, Dr. Hampton went on to earn three more degrees—B.S. (Oklahoma Baptist University, 1963), M.N.S. (University of Oklahoma, 1966), and Ph.D. (University of Texas, 1970).

During “Charles Hampton Day” at FWBBC in September 2000, Dr. Robert Picirilli, longtime friend and professional colleague said, “With his credentials and love for teaching, Dr. Hampton could have been on the faculty of almost any university in this country or anywhere, making multiples of the money he’s made here and earning considerably more prestige. Instead, he has chosen to make higher Christian education his ministry, his service to the Lord and the Church.”

Dr. Hampton was one of four sons of the late Ralph Hampton, Sr. Three sons became Free Will Baptist ministers.  His older brother Ralph chairs the Biblical and Ministry Studies Department at FWBBC; younger brother Larry is an adjunct faculty member at FWBBC and an editor at Randall House Publications.  The fourth son (James) is deceased.
Charles was active in the Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers at both the state and national levels.  He also chaired both the Research Commission and the Commission on Professional Activities (now the Association for Biblical Higher Education).

In addition, he was a member of the adjunct mathematics faculty at the University of Tennessee branch in Nashville, and its replacement, Tennessee State University.  Charles was a recipient of National Science Foundation Grants at the University of Texas and Vanderbilt University, and was an N.D.E.A. Fellow.

In broader denominational work, Dr. Hampton was moderator of Oklahoma’s First Mission Association (1968-70) and chaired the state Mission Board (1972-74).  He was elected president of the Free Will Baptist Music Ministries organization in 1977 and wrote articles for Contact magazine, stirring interest in the music fellowship.  He pastored in Oklahoma and Texas, and served as minister of music in several churches.

He is survived by his wife Peggy; sons Brian and Joel; daughters Mrs. Shari Windom, Mrs. Jennifer Bowen, and Mrs. Leslie Hester; and 15 grandchildren.

STUDENTS ELECT OFFICERS

The following five students at Free Will Baptist Bible College were elected to serve as 2007-2008 student body officers:

Matt Bracey, junior history major from Ashland City, Tennessee, was elected president.  The vice president is junior Hannah Postlewaite, English major from Florence, South Carolina.  Kristen Edwards, a sophomore from Turveville, South Carolina will serve as secretary-treasurer.

Two pastoral ministry majors complete the new slate of officers.  Junior Ezra Caynor from Rittman, Ohio, was elected chaplain and will provide spiritual leadership for the student body.  Sophomore John Landing from Dearborn, Michigan, will serve as worship leader.

Photo (left to right): Ezra Caynor, Hannah Postlewaite, Matthew Bracey, Kristen Edwards, and John Landing

FWBBC RECEIVES $20,000 GIFT

Free Will Baptist Bible College recently received a gift of common stock valued at $20,000 for the general fund from Mrs. Sarah K. Newberry of Tallahassee, Florida, according to Tom Sass, vice president for financial affairs.

President Matt Pinson said, “We are always pleased to receive gifts in the form of stock from donors, as well as cash gifts or gifts of property.  This is an excellent to assist the college.  I thank God for Sister Newberry and her generous gift.”

Mrs. Newberry and her late husband Frank were members of New Salem Free Will Baptist Church in Colquitt Georgia where Pinson once pastored.  Sarah Newberry has been active in local, district, and state Women Active for Christ outreach. “I’m just glad I can help support FWBBC,” Mrs. Newberry said.  “God makes it possible for me to do this.”

President Pinson said, “Sarah Newberry is a long-time friend and encourager. She is a committed Christian who faithfully discharges her stewardship responsibilities.  I hope that her example will inspire others to consider new ways that they can support FWBBC.”

JETS PUBLISHES PINSON AND REID           

The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS) published book reviews by two Free Will Baptist Bible College personnel in the December 2006 issue.

President Matt Pinson’s review of Roger E. Olson’s 250-page Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities stretches more than four pages.  He praises the ground-breaking work, observing how rare it is for a book to discuss traditional theological issues in a way that respects tradition yet brings fresh, constructive insight to the contemporary theological scene.
Pinson concludes: “Everyone interested in evangelical theology needs to read this work….Reading this book will help Calvinists to move beyond the caricatures of Arminianism found in Calvinistic theological literature.  Arminians and other non-Calvinists will be introduced—most for the first time—to a more grace-oriented stream of Arminianism with which they were formerly unfamiliar.”

FWBBC Old Testament professor Garnett Reid delivers a hard-hitting critique of The Original Story: God, Israel, and the World, a 318-page paperback co-written by John Barton and Julia Bowden.  Although Reid takes the authors to task in five areas, he acknowledges, “It is hard to imagine a more reader-friendly layout than they provide…(including) wide margins for note taking as well as sidebars with additional data on key terms, people, and subjects.”

Dr. Reid confronts the authors for giving no quarter to readers who take seriously the OT’s testimony regarding its nature as revealed truth from the mouth of God.  He cites five points.  First, “…the authors’ unabashed devotion to the arbitrary, much-discredited conclusions of modernistic source criticism.”

LADY FLAMES WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Free Will Baptist Bible College Lady Flames basketball team made history March 3 when they won the Association of Christian College Athletics (ACCA) Division II national tournament in Bethany, Oklahoma.  This marks the first time that any FWBBC team has won a national championship.

Athletic Director Mike Phillips said, “I am so happy for our women’s team and Coach Nathan Willhite.  I congratulate them for what they did this year for our program and college.  Most important, I thank them for their Christ-like attitudes this season.”

The Lady Flames came back from a 31-28 halftime deficit to defeat Emmaus Bible College in the championship game 56-51.  They opened the second half with a 10-0 run and never lost the lead.

Freshman forward Lindsay Wolf, was named ACCA Division II National Player of the Year and National Tournament MVP.  Freshman guard Katy Cobb was named to the National All-Tournament Team.

Coach Willhite, now in his fourth year, knew that this was a special team.  “They never quit.  We were a young team, and we had our frustrating moments, but we came together and worked through it.  Win or lose, we remained a team.

Willhite continued, “I am excited about the national championship, and what it means to our team, program, and college.  My sister Elizabeth is our only senior and four-year starter, and she went out on top.  I’m thankful not only for the players but for their parents who encouraged them to attend FWBBC.”

Women’s basketball at FWBBC is in its 10th year of competition.

Photo: (Left to Right) Assistant Coach Emily Edwards, Coach Nathan Willhite, Amanda Fretter, Jacquelyn Jackson, Amanda Ellison, Katy Cobb, Elizabeth Willhite, Lindsay Wolf, Kristyn Baumann, Mary-Catherine Thompson.

RALLY WEEKEND RAISES $35,000

Two Tennessee rallies on the same weekend in February raised more than $35,000 for Free Will Baptist Bible College, according to David Williford, vice president for institutional advancement.

The 25th annual Northern Quarterly Rally met Sunday evening, February 25, at Pleasant View Christian School with more than 400 people attending, including students and staff from FWBBC.  President Matt Pinson gave an update on the college’s relocation efforts and future plans.  The College Choir, under the direction of Dr. James Stevens, provided the musical program.
Moderator Randy Riggs announced that the Northern Quarterly’s 22 churches raised almost $30,000 for the college and that more funds would be arriving after the rally.

Earlier that weekend, Liberty Association’s annual FWBBC Rally met at Cookeville FWB Church on Friday evening, February 23.  Association spokesman Jack Taylor officiated, welcomed nearly 100 people to the event, and introduced New Mercy, a mixed trio from FWBBC, to sing for the worshipers.  FWBBC’s director of communications, Jack Williams, gave a brief update about the college and then preached.

Reverend Taylor indicated that more than $5,300 had been raised for FWBBC among the association’s 19 churches, with additional funds expected.

“We thank the Lord for the friendship, the financial support, and the year-round encouragement that we receive from the Northern Quarterly and the Liberty Association,” David Williford said.  “I hope that other associations will follow their example and schedule an FWBBC Rally Day every year.”

Senior Class Presents Plaque to FWBBC

The 2007 senior class at Free Will Baptist Bible College presented a plaque to President Matt Pinson during Bible Conference honoring former student body president Gerald Turner who died in November 2006.

President Pinson said, “Gerald Turner was a leader on this campus and a good example for all of us.  He demonstrated what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He also loved the students and the college.  We will be honored to hang this plaque on the FWBBC campus.”

The plaque includes a picture of Gerald with the words “Loving God, Loving People” and a scripture quotation (Matthew 23:37-37) above the picture.

Photo:  Senior Aaron Pontius presents plaque to Matt Pinson.