THE MISSION OF LUTHER RICE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY IS TO SERVE THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING BIBLICALLY-BASED ON-CAMPUS AND DISTANCE EDUCATION TO CHRISTIAN MEN AND WOMEN FOR MINISTRY AND THE MARKETPLACE WITH AN END TO GRANTING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES.
Pastors are more equipped, pulpits are preaching truth, and marketplaces have a greater Christian influence because God continues to bless the ministry of Luther Rice. Pastors like Dr. Tim Mann (M.Div. ’12 – highlighted on page 4) are faithfully preaching the Gospel and baptizing new believers with boldness all over the world.
Luther Rice continues to be the trusted name in Christian Higher Education. As a result of adding multiple new programs last year, student applications increased 33%. Over the past year, we have maintained our momentum of creating new programs and accepting new students by adding certificates in biblical Greek and Hebrew and a PhD in Christian Scripture.
Just recently, our Board of Trustees approved our newest program, an Associate of Arts in General Studies. The General Studies degree will provide Luther Rice a unique opportunity to reach high school students looking to complete a biblically based general studies curriculum prior to enrolling in their desired major at another institution or Luther Rice. Our commitment to a conservative biblical worldview is a comforting alternative for many Christian parents with graduates looking to pursue higher education. We await approval from our accreditors in order to launch the program in 2024.
All the while, we continue to teach the truth of God’s Word with boldness. This is our mission, and we will not compromise. Your prayers, kind words, student referrals, and financial support have a tremendous impact on our success. We are the Luther Rice Family.
Fulfill Your Ministry,
Steven Steinhilber, DMIN President
The past year was a busy one. Our staff and faculty worked tirelessly to accomplish many milestones from our 5-Year Strategic Plan. Here are some highlights of the progress made over the past year:
• Graduated 140 students from 29 states and 7 countries
• Provided 117 students with over $183,000 in scholarships
• Received over $226,000 in gifts from our ministry partners
• 33% increase year-over-year in student applications
• Added the PhD in Christian Scripture degree program
• Added graduate certificates in biblical Greek and Hebrew
• Approved an AA in General Studies (pending accreditation)
• Launched new Moodle Learning Management System
Let us never forget our greatest calling as a college and seminary, to see the lost rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son. We do so by educating those called by God to preach and teach sound biblical doctrine.
Providence Church in Ormond Beach is an example of the Luther Rice impact in ministry. Dr. Timothy Mann, Senior Pastor of Providence Church, is a three-time graduate of Luther Rice College and Seminary (BAR ’06, MACS ’10, MDIV ’12). Dr. Mann holds a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching from Clamp Divinity School in Anderson, South Carolina. Dr. Mann also teaches as a Luther Rice adjunct faculty member.
The mission of Providence Church is to be used by God to help others become committed and mature followers of Jesus Christ. The church was founded in June 2010 with 35 members. Since then, God has blessed Providence with growth in ministry and mission to their community and around the world. The church has grown to over 450 active members, supports numerous missionaries and short-term mission trips, and works with local ministry partners to reach their community with the Gospel of Jesus. In July of 2022, Providence Church planted City Light Church in Port Orange, Florida with a church planter and 60 members.
As of August, 33 believers have been baptized for the year 2023, including 8 just recently in the Atlantic Ocean as seen in the enclosed pictures. Dr. Mann asks that you continue to pray for those in and around his community who need Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Well done Pastor and church family!
Luther Rice’s biblically based education for ministry and the marketplace has quickly become very influential in Georgia’s 23rd most populated county, Newton County. Seven graduates and one current student are actively involved in significant positions and in various ministry or marketplace settings across the county. The biblical values embraced and lived out by these men and women are undoubtedly having a considerable impact on the spiritual health of Newton County.
Many times as Christians, we find ourselves lamenting that our leaders do not hold and lead from a biblical worldview. We often wonder what it will take for leadership to affirm and lead from a worldview grounded in the Word of God. The rise of Christian leaders across multiple disciplines in Newton County provides us the evidence that it is indeed possible and sustainable.
As a Luther Rice family in Newton County, we are fighting for the life of the unborn, the curricula of our school system, the fairness of our tax system, the children in our classrooms, the quality of journalism, and the souls of men and women in our churches. “Luther Rice has trained us to be boots on the ground for Christ, not an individual in an ivory tower,” Pastor Ryan Wyatt (MAM ’23). Concerning His disciples, Jesus stated...
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your
word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
John 17:15-19
Likewise, our graduates and students are not to retreat. Instead, they are to engage the world with Truth, the Word of God, for the glory of God.
Will you pray for these bold Luther Rice graduates and students to continue their impact in Newton County, Georgia? In fact, will you pray for God to raise up many more leaders to influence communities all over the world for His Glory? We have the evidence that He will, right here in Newton County, Georgia.
Photographer: John Chambers, Jr., "Newton County Courthouse", 2019, via https://flic.kr/p/2hi2o2X
On June 20, 2023, Pastor Lincoln Connor received the Common Star of Merit (CSM). The CSM is the second highest national award conferred on citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis for outstanding work rendered to the people of the Federation in various areas. Rev. Lincoln Darrel Connor has played a tremendous role in shaping the destiny of many citizens through the effective preaching of God’s Word, social development, youth activism, and nation building.
Since the tender age of 16, he became president of the Antioch Baptist Church Training Union. For over 25 years, Rev. Connor has implemented various
It is said that what gifts Christians receive are given to be shared, not kept in isolation. This was the driving force behind Rev. Connor’s calling to Pastoral work 20 years ago and has sustained him to this day. St. Kitts and Nevis are indebted to Pastor Lincoln Connor for his ministry of love in sustaining and building on the solid foundation laid. This is evidence by the phenomenal growth which the church has experienced; as well as the role he played in the role he has played in helping our people understand that there is a better way, a higher road, a more noble path.
initiatives to develop and empower children. With personal growth as his impetus, he wrote grants to USAID and successfully transformed the lives of at-risk youths within the village community. His certification in non-Governmental Organizational Professional Management has further afforded him opportunities to facilitate and sponsor numerous youths toward higher education in Universities across the world. Men's Health Forums, back to school Expos, Youth Turn Around Agenda Conferences, and Keen Agers Feeding Programs are but a few testimonials of his commitment to the community.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Peter 4:10
Antioch has an impressive tradition of strengthening and advancing our nation in ways too numerous to count. Pastor Connor creatively uses his natural gifts and resources to positively impact the members of the Antioch Baptist Church, and by extension the nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
In his recent COVID pandemic season, Rev. Lincoln Connor rose to the occasion and under his unique management, he orchestrated a virtual system of worship and outreach that injected countless citizens with hope and sustenance to keep them fed and fully functioning.
Lincoln is a current D.Min. student and a 2003 MABS graduate.
Joseph Tunji (MAL, MDIV ’09)
is currently an online adjunct professor in business at Liberty University School of Business and serves as a doctoral chairperson for six candidates’ dissertations. Additionally, Dr. Tunji is a Continuing Education Instructor at Gwinnett Technical College, a seasoned consultant with Creighton University, the Center for Promoting Health, and Health Equity, CHW-TAPP, Omaha, Nebraska. Tunji designs and delivers workforce development curriculum and modules for CHW-TAPP training, apprenticeship, and placement program – Performance Pathway. As an advisory council member of the Harvard Business Review, Tunji served on the panel in January 2023 to select three finalist articles to win HBR’s most prominent prize, the HBR McKinsey Award. Tunji is a mentor, life coach, liaison, and panel member in the Youth Diversion Program of Gwinnett County Juvenile Court Lawrenceville, Georgia. He and his wife Bukky reside in Dacula, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Their son Daniel, his wife Naomi, and daughter Corlette live in New York.
Anthony Russo (MABC ’15; MDIV ’21)
had a third book released in August entitled “Love, Lead, Serve: The Christian Man's Call to Serve His Family and His Church” published by Broken Road Books. Anthony is the creator and cohost of the Christian podcast, Grace and Peace Radio. He has also written “Jesus Changed Everything” and “Pleasant Places: Reflections on the Christian Life.”
William McLeod (MDIV ’10)
works for the City of North Myrtle Beach as a police officer and was just promoted to police Lieutenant. He has also served as a Chaplain with the police department for the past eight years. William serves as associate pastor for the Chapel by the Sea Baptist Church
’16)
is currently planting Pillar Church of Norfolk (Virginia) alongside his planting partner, Jonathan Rivera. Public services are set to begin in the Fall of 2023, and in the meantime, they are gathering as a launch team, hosting public interest meetings, and connecting with their community through outreach events. The church plant is through Pillar Church of Dumfries, and the Praetorian Project, a family of multiplying churches in military communities worldwide, whose mission is to provide long-term discipleship for highly transient people.
For more information, scan the QR codes below.
Jasper Risenhoover (MAL ’23)
started a new job as the Content and Web Creation Coordinator at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas after graduating from Luther Rice in May.
Connie Johnson (MAA ’13) teaches religion and philosophy classes at Hampton University and Saint Leo University. Connie has continued to pursue her education, earning a Master of Theology from South African Theological Seminary and is currently awaiting her defense date for a PhD of Theology, also from South African Theological Seminary. Much of Connie’s time is spent in land development and construction, and her ultimate career goal is to "make a living" through the land and construction endeavors so that she may provide churches and other organizations with quality apologetic training at no cost to them.
Dr. Sandra Littles Tyler (MDIM ’12; DMIN ’14) serves as Chaplain at Piedmont Columbus General Hospital and recently published a book entitled, “Overcoming Feelings of Guilt and Shame,” based on her doctoral dissertation and personal testimony.
Delano Miller (BAR ’07; MAL ’08; MDIV ’09; DMIN ’15)
was appointed Executive Director for the Carolina Collaborative Community Care (effective March 1, 2023) which is a Non-Profit Healthcare Organization based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Wendy Darr (MABC ’20) recently published a children's book about salvation. The book is inspired by her grandson, Gideon. Wendy is also a part-time instructor at Grace College.
Justin McKay (MAL ’18)
serves as the pastor of The Local Church in Arvada, Colorado. The Local is a church plant that is part of the SEND Network. Since launching on 2/22/22, the church has baptized five adults and seen twenty-one people come to know Jesus.
Noah Leighton (BARA ’21)
is currently the Student Pastor at First Baptist Church, Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Read the article at baptistandreflector.org or scan the QR code to see how God is blessing this ministry.
104 YOUTH, 23 DECISIONS... AND 1 HAIRCUT
The prophet Amos said, “I am not a prophet, nor a prophet’s son.” Dr. Gene Williams, a former president of Luther Rice, seemed to have been a bit of a prophet. In 1987 he wrote, of the desire to offer a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion (i.e., Christian Studies). “Now is the favorable time,” for those words to come to fruition. Yes, you read that correctly, after many years of great visions and dreams by many in the Luther Rice family, we proudly introduce a PhD in Christian Scripture.
The ultimate purpose of this program is to train students in the rigor and skills necessary to become competent scholars in the areas of Old Testament/Hebrew, New Testament/ Greek, and Biblical Theology. The outcome of this degree will not only better equip graduates with high levels of scholarship but will lead to greater performance in contexts such as pastoral ministry, teaching, research, and writing. We believe the balanced nature of this PhD will avoid over specialization yet provide skills necessary to better interpret and apply any portion of the Christian Scripture, especially in their original languages and context.
I hope this wonderful new direction for further study interests many. If you feel called to pursue this degree, I encourage you to check out the descriptions of the program, the required courses, and the entrance requirements on the Luther Rice website. If you would like to speak with me about the PhD in Christian Scripture please call or email, I would enjoy being a part of working through your decision. Please join us in this long-anticipated degree program.
NOVEMBER 11, 1948 - OCTOBER 28, 2022
Dr. Dennis Dieringer, lovingly known as “Dr. D,” was gathered up into the loving embrace of Jesus Christ on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Dr. Dieringer served as a pastor for 13 years before God changed his direction and brought him to Luther Rice College and Seminary, where he completed his Doctor of Ministry. Having distinguished himself as a very capable Bible teacher, he was invited to join the faculty at Luther Rice in March 1985. He served faithfully for 37 years in several positions, including Professor of Bible and Theology, Professor of Pastoral Ministry, Registrar, Director of Admissions, Director of Student Affairs, Undergraduate Dean, Vice President for Student Development, and Assistant to the President for Institutional Relations. Even after retiring at age 70 in 2018, Dr. Dieringer continued to teach as an adjunct professor and serve as an auditor on accreditation visiting teams. He taught his last class during the Spring 2022 semester before he passed away in October. Dr. D’s passion was teaching the Word of God, whether it be in the classroom or within the church.
He was a caring and considerate man. He was often soft-spoken, but anyone who knew him well knew he was the consummate jokester. He is widely remembered for his wry sense of humor
accompanied by a straight face or subtle, sly smile. One of his greatest traits was his ability to artfully intertwine levity with more somber, serious discussions. After all, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff” was his motto.
Dr. Dieringer leaves behind his devoted wife of 50 years, Joyce. They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. Despite decades of chronic underlying health conditions, Dr. D reveled in God’s constant provision of grace. In his weakness, Jesus was strong. Full of confidence in his Savior, he finished his race well. The prize he longed for is now his--to rest against Jesus, whom he loved and who loved him.
Because of Dr. Dieringer’s work in building relationships with other schools and his commitment to students, the Admissions Office was named the Dieringer Office of Admissions on May 18, 2023.
“He is now with the One he taught about and loved.”
- A FORMER STUDENT
