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.

Pinson Speaks at Beeson Divinity School

Dr. Matt Pinson, president of Free Will Baptist Bible College, delivered a presentation titled “How to Be Confessional, Baptist, and Arminian: The General-Free Will Baptist Tradition and the Nicene Faith” during Beeson Divinity School’s “Need for Creed” conference September 28-30, 2009. He spoke Wednesday morning of the three-day conference.

Dr. Pinson said, “I was delighted to be part of this important academic gathering at Beeson and have opportunity to present the Arminian and Free Will Baptist perspective. The staff welcomed my participation and extended every courtesy to me. Several FWBBC graduates are or have been enrolled in graduate programs at the Divinity School.”

The conference was designed for theologians, pastors, and all Christians concerned with how to present faith in an age of increasing syncretism and radical pluralism. It focused on a variety of topics including the significance of the Nicene faith for pastoral work, evangelical worship, biblical exegesis, and vital expressions of orthodox Christian faith around the globe.

Pinson was joined on the program by Tom Oden, professor of theology and ethics at Drew University and director of the center for Early African Christianity; Beeson Divinity Dean Timothy George, author and specialist in church history and doctrine; and seven other speakers. Conference papers will be printed in a forthcoming book by the same title, to be published by Baker Academic.

******

Missions Conference Called ‘Uplifting’

Dozens of students responded positively to messages calling for them to shake off spiritual apathy and commit their lives to Christian service during the 2009 World Missions Conference October 4-6. Seven worship sessions and 11 seminars highlighted the three-day gathering.
President Matt Pinson said, “We hope this conference will energize our students to break away from inwardly focused lives and respond to the urgency of worldwide missions.”

The conference featured James Forlines, general director of Free Will Baptist International Missions, and Larry Powell, general director of the Home Missions Department. In addition, cross-cultural specialist Clint Morgan and Home Missions director of missionary assistance

Richard Atwood called for students to embrace the task of evangelism with tact and passion.
Other workshop participants included FWBBC Business chair Michael Walker, Wycliffe Bible Translators representative Duke Simpson, and English language Institute China representative Erin Pak.

Exhibits and displays in the Student Lounge provided printed materials for students and guests. FWBBC’s Music Department under the direction of Dr. James Stevens arranged for a variety of conference music, including performances by the College Choir as well as small groups.

******

Rachel Dennis to Teach in Laos

Rachel Dennis, 23-year-old enrollment counselor at Free Will Baptist Bible College, left the college in January 2010 to teach English two years in a Laotian university, according to Jeff Caudill, director of enrollment services. The Arkansas-born Dennis is a 2008 FWBBC graduate with a B.S. degree in International Business.

Mr. Caudill said, “Rachel plans to join English Language Institute China (ELIC). She is a gifted, passionate, and committed individual who will be greatly missed.”
Miss Dennis joined the enrollment services staff in 2008 where she planned campus events for prospective students including Welcome Days and Senior Days, and participated in nation-wide youth camps encouraging students to attend FWBBC.

“I came to FWBBC in 2004,” Miss Dennis said, "and pursued a degree in International Business. My course work and my employment at FWBBC have prepared me for the next two years. Teaching English requires an understanding of cross-cultural communication, a sound work ethic, and flexibility—all of which have been constants in my life these past five years at the college.”

For more information about English Language Institute China (ELIC), visit www.ELIC.org.

******

Michael Oliver Named Men’s Resident Director

Reverend Michael Oliver has been named men’s resident director at Free Will Baptist Bible College, according to Jon Forlines, vice president for student services. The 35-year-old Alabama native has served as administrative assistant in FWBBC’s institutional advancement office since 2008 and is scheduled to graduate with a degree in General Christian Ministries in December 2010.

Dr. Forlines said, “We are so pleased that a man with such extensive ministerial and business experience has agreed to serve as men’s resident director. He will make an immediate impact on our students. Prior to enrolling at FWBBC, he owned a trucking company and pastored a church. He served four years as associate pastor and pastor at Olivet Free Will Baptist Church (Clarksville, TN). His professional management skills, maturity as a minister who understands people, and proven ability to function within an organizational structure are exactly what we need.”

Oliver’s dual role at FWBBC includes duties as resident director and continuing responsibilities with the advancement office. His wife Kim also joined the FWBBC staff in a part-time capacity.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to mentor young men for ministry and Christian service,” Oliver said. “Everything I’ve learned as a business owner, supervisor, and pastor has prepared me for this moment. Kim and I look forward to living in Goen Hall and being available to offer support and encouragement as needs arise among the students.”

The Olivers have two sons, Seth (10) and Jon (7).

******

Kaiser to Lead Forlines Lectures

NASHVILLE, TN—Dr. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., president emeritus and distinguished professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, will serve as guest lecturer for the 2010 Leroy Forlines Lectures, according to President Matt Pinson. The lectures will be held February 23-24.

The Pennsylvania native is one of the world’s most influential Old Testament scholars. He received his A.B. from Wheaton College, B.D. from Wheaton Graduate School, and Ph.D. from Brandeis University. Kaiser taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he chaired the Old Testament Department and also served as academic dean and vice president. After serving as the first Colman M. Mockler Professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell, he filled the office of president for nine years.

“It is a great moment for FWBBC to have such a distinguished biblical scholar and preacher as Dr. Kaiser to lead the Forlines Lecture Series,” President Pinson said. “We invite professional colleagues and friends to join with our college family to hear this highly respected speaker and author.”

Kaiser is internationally known for his prodigious writings in the fields of Old Testament, ethics, hermeneutics, exegesis, expository preaching, and biblical theology. He will speak twice on February 23-24, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, in the Memorial Auditorium, addressing the subject, “Recovering the Unity of the Bible.” A book table featuring a number of Kaiser’s titles will be available for purchase.

Dr. Kaiser is known for his wry sense of humor, his passion for exegesis and exposition, and “epangelicalism”—the promise doctrine in biblical theology. He and his wife Marge live on Kerith Farm near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, where he maintains a busy schedule of research, writing, teaching, and preaching.

The Leroy Forlines Lectures began in 1993 at FWBBC as a means to bring well-known speakers to campus to address challenging issues related to theology, philosophy, and other topics.

******

Bass Resigns from Trustees

NASHVILLE, TN—Mr. Bob Bass, vice chairman of the Free Will Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees, resigned from the Board effective October 12, 2009, according to President Matt Pinson. He will continue in his role as project consultant with the Relocation Task Force. Bass was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2006 to fill an unexpired term, and was subsequently re-elected in 2008 for a six-year term expiring in 2014. In a letter to President Pinson, the 47-year-old businessman and entrepreneur said he felt it best to resign from the Board of Trustees in order to give more time to the college’s ongoing relocation efforts.

“My work with the relocation process, as well as other personal matters, has taken a toll on my available time,” Bass said. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees, but I believe the college would be best served to seek my replacement.”

President Pinson said, “While we regret losing Bob off the Board of Trustees, we are in agreement with his decision to resign from the Board. We need his expertise as a builder and his experience in construction as we move forward with plans to relocate the college to a new campus, and we are so pleased that he will continue to provide leadership in this vital area.”

Mr. Bass is a 1994 FWBBC graduate, one of three Illinois brothers to attend FWBBC. He has worked broadly as a real estate developer and investor, and has been deeply involved in construction projects, renovation of historic homes, and buying-selling-leasing properties.