Founders' Days 2016 program

2016 MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

AUGUST 15–16, 2016 | CORDOVA CAMPUS

President’s WELCOME

Dear Friends and Family, Welcome to Founders’ Days 2016 on our beautiful campus. The Miracle of Mid-America continues as we prepare our hearts for another great fall of training pastors, church staff leaders, and missionaries for service.

I hope you enjoy these days of Bible preaching, sound encouragement, and fellowship. The Lord blessed our school significantly this last year, and we await this upcoming year with great anticipation as our dear Heavenly Father provides for His work here at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

In Christ,

Michael R. Spradlin

MICHAEL SPRADLIN Dr. Spradlin is president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

He serves as chairman of the faculty and professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, evangelism, and practical theology. Dr. Spradlin has served as a pastor, church planter, associate pastor, youth minister, and chaplain. Dr. Spradlin and his wife, Lee Ann, have three children.

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Practical Missions YEAR-END REPORT | AUGUST 2015–JULY 2016

Practical Missions Persons Witnessed to Professions of Faith Sermons Preached Professions of Faith since August 1972

MEMPHIS

NY

TOTAL

12,471 9,161 917 2,078

741 416 142 199

13,212 9,577 1,059 2,277

158,839

4,744

163,583

From the beginning, Mid-America has believed students shouldn’t just hear about how to witness and minister to their communities effectively, but should witness and minister as part of their training. From that belief, the Practical Missions program was born. Beginning Fall 2016, our Practical Missions program will have a new name. It will now be called Witness One:Seven, a name reflecting that students witness to one person every seven days and a reference to the one:seven theme verse, John 1:7, “He came as a witness to testify about the J o h n 1:7 light, so that all might believe through Him.”

witness

WORSHIP LEADER: JIM WHITMIRE Dr. James D. Whitmire serves Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary as an instructor in music and worship. He previously served as Executive Pastor of Worship at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He has also served at First Baptist Dallas and Germantown Baptist in the Memphis area. Dr. Whitmire is Minister of Music Emeritus of Bellevue Baptist, where he retired in December 2005 after 30 years of service. He and his wife Linda have six children and nine grandchildren.

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Monday EVENING | 7:00 P.M.

Crossroads Baptist Orchestra and The Messiah Orchestra

PRELUDE

Choir, Crossroads Baptist Church arr. Marty Hamby

CALL TO WORSHIP “Jerusalem”

Ensemble: Charis Floyd and Greg Sims Family (Greg, Rushey, Casey, and Josiah)

“Take Me to the King”

Solo: Kirsten Newton

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING “I Stand Amazed Medley”

Solo: Scott Sturtevant

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SPECIAL MUSIC

arr. Bradley Knight Dr. James D. Whitmire arr. Scott Sturtevant Dr. Michael R. Spradlin Mrs. Voncille Allison

THE MIRACLE OF MID-AMERICA Dr. B. Gray Allison “...that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1:18 OFFERING

Greg Sims Family

SIGNING OF THE ARTICLES OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF PRESENTATION OF "ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD" Dr. Spradlin SPECIAL MUSIC MESSAGE BENEDICTION 4

Greg Sims Family Dr. Jim Collier

Speakers B. GRAY ALLISON Dr. Allison is President Emeritus, Professor of Evangelism, and Founder of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored three churches in Louisiana and has conducted missions work, Bible conferences, and international evangelistic meetings by invitation of International Mission Board missionaries all over the world. Dr. Allison and his wife Voncille have three children, six grandchildren on earth and two in Heaven, and six great-grandchildren.

JIM COLLIER Dr. Jim Collier is the Senior Pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis. He and his wife Myra have been married for 23 years and they have two children, Rebecca (20) and Joshua (16). Jim is an alumnus of Columbus State University in Georgia and also of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to answering God’s call to preach, Jim spent 12 years in the Army.

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Tuesday MORNING | 9:30 A.M.

Scott Sturtevant, Pianist

PRELUDE CALL TO WORSHIP

Rev. Ken Reich and Dr. Spradlin

PRAYER AND WELCOME CONGREGATIONAL SINGING “I Sing the Mighty Power” “Indescribable” “I Need Thee Every Hour”

Trombone Duet

Dr. Michael R. Spradlin Dr. James D. Whitmire arr. Scott Sturtevant

TESTIMONY TIME SPECIAL MUSIC MESSAGE CONGREGATIONAL SINGING “Blessed Be Your Name” “Jesus Messiah”

Mitch Kimbrell, Tenor Soloist Ronny Serworwora Dr. James D. Whitmire arr. Scott Sturtevant

PRESENTATION OF GREEK AWARD SPECIAL MUSIC MESSAGE BENEDICTION

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Ken Bourgeois, Bass Soloist Dr. Charlie Barnes

Speakers RONNY SERWORWORA John Henry Serworwora (Ronny) is a native Indonesian who is pursuing a PHD in Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Soon after completing his MDIV at Mid-America, Serworwora served as the president of Jakarta Baptist Theological Seminary from 2006–2010. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Living Stones Indonesian Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

Serworwora and his wife Lena have five children: Michelle, Maureen, Marianne, Miracle, and Micah.

CHARLIE BARNES Dr. Charlie F. Barnes, Sr., is the Pastor of Mount Peiler Baptist Church in Starkville, Mississippi.

A two-time graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, he received his MDIV from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002. He has also earned his DMIN from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, and is married to the former Dovie V. Gray. They have two daughters, Erika and Contesta, and one son, Charlie F. Barnes, Jr. 7

Tuesday EVENING | 7:00 P.M.

PRELUDE CALL TO WORSHIP “Declare His Glory”

Mr. Mark Brannon, director

Messiah Choir and Orchestra

PRAYER AND WELCOME

Messiah Orchestra

arr. Bradley Knight

Dr. Michael R. Spradlin

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING Dr. James D. Whitmire “How Great Is Our God”/”How Great Thou Art” arr. Edson Dickinson SPECIAL MUSIC Veritas Jeff Anderson, James Berrian, Andrew Goodwin, Jordan Johnson, and Lucas Scott Lawrence See bio and photo on page 10

MESSAGE

Vance Pitman

SPECIAL MUSIC Veritas MESSAGE MINI CONCERT BY VERITAS BENEDICTION

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Fred Luter

Speakers VANCE PITMAN As a seasoned church planter in the West, Vance responded to God’s call to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2000, and now as a national mobilizer for NAMB, Vance speaks all over the nation to stimulate awareness that the Gospel is critically needed in our own country as well as all over the world.

Vance holds an MDIV from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He resides in Henderson, Nevada, with his wife Kristie. They have four children: Hannah, who is married to Christian, Caleb, Elijah, and Faith.

FRED LUTER Pastor Fred Luter, Jr., the first African American President of the Southern Baptist Convention, is the Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has served there as Pastor since 1986, when the church had only 65 members. One of Pastor Luter’s famous sayings at Franklin Avenue is, “It’s not about the pastor. It’s all about the Master.” He and his wife Elizabeth have one daughter Kimberly, one son Fred “Chip” Luter, III, daughter-in-law Jasmine, and one grandson, Fred Luter, IV. 9

Musical Guests Driven by a passionate spiritual and musical message imparting faith, hope, love, and a commitment to ongoing musical excellence, five-piece vocal powerhouse Veritas brings a fresh, dynamic twist to the contemporary classical genre.

While all the members of Veritas have the same vision for the group and seek to convey the same overriding message, the group’s powerful chemistry emerges in part from five distinctive personalities that bring different musical/cultural tastes, sensibilities, and experience to the mix.

The multi-talented members of Veritas include Jeff Anderson (first tenor), James Berrian (baritone), Andrew Goodwin (second tenor), Jordan Johnson (first tenor), and Lucas Scott Lawrence (bass). Since their official debut concert in Albany, Georgia, in September 2012, Veritas has performed more than 200 shows everywhere from Washington, DC, Atlanta, Colorado, and Alaska. Now headlining regularly at Performing Arts Centers and diverse venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall, the group has a full tour lineup scheduled throughout each year.

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Recognition FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY The Founders’ Society recognizes those individuals who have included MidAmerica as a beneficiary in their estate planning through a bequest or a deferred gift such as a trust or charitable gift annuity. If you have included Mid-America in your estate plan through a bequest or trust, please let us know so that we may include you in the Founders’ Society at Mid-America.

We are also grateful for the many individuals who give regular monthly contributions and gifts to scholarships and special programs, such as the Adrian Rogers Center or student aid. Monthly gifts help us meet our ongoing operating expenses, and designated gifts benefit our students through scholarships and additional resources.

If you have questions about estate planning, charitable gift annuities, or other ways to support theological training at Mid-America, contact Duffy Guyton, Chief Development Officer, at 901-751-3037 or dguyton@mabts.edu.

ALUMUS OF THE YEAR Dr. Edd Lawrence Associate Pastor, Kirby Woods Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee

ANNIVERSARIES OF SERVICE STAFF

FACULTY

Dr. Gray Allison Mr. Terry Brown Dr. Jere Phillips

45 years 35 years 15 years

TRUSTEE

Mr. Keith Noble

Mrs. Cathy Rech 15 years

Mrs. Mary Hannold 15 years

Mrs. Doris Foster 10 Years

Mrs. Rose Mink 5 Years

5 years

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Articles of Belief ARTICLE I: THE BIBLE

We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, wholly without error as originally given by God, and is sufficient as our only infallible rule of faith and practice. We deny that other books are inspired by God in the same way as the Bible.

ARTICLE II: GOD

We believe in the one true and living God, the creator and sustainer of all things. He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the head of the Godhead, and into His hands the kingdom shall be delivered. The Son is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ, who was born of the Virgin Mary, hence the God-Man. He died on the cross to redeem man, rose again from the dead to justify the believer, ascended to the right hand of God where He intercedes for us, and in the Father’s own time will return in visible, personal form to overthrow sin and judge the world. The Holy Spirit is the one sent from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, of judgment, to regenerate and cleanse from sin. He is the resident guide, teacher, and strengthener of the believer.

ARTICLE III: SATAN AND SINFUL MAN

We believe that man was created innocent, that he was tempted by Satan and sinned; because of this men have been born in sin since that time and are by nature the children of wrath. We believe that Satan is a personal devil who with his angels carries on the work of iniquity in this world. Sin is basically rebellion against God, and the end of sin is eternal separation from God.

ARTICLE IV: SALVATION

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only Savior from sin. He atoned for our sins on the cross and rose again for our justification. Apart from Jesus Christ there is no salvation. All men are under condemnation through personal sin, and escape from condemnation comes only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This righteousness is imputed to the believer by grace through faith. The Holy Spirit regenerates the one who makes the life commitment to Jesus, and the life begun in regeneration is never lost.

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ARTICLE V: RESURRECTION

We believe in the final resurrection of all men, just and unjust. We believe that those who commit their lives to Jesus Christ during this life will be raised to everlasting life, but those who are not committed to Jesus Christ in this life will be raised to everlasting condemnation.

ARTICLE VI: THE CHURCH

We believe that a New Testament church is a voluntary association of baptized believers in Christ who have covenanted together to follow the teachings of the New Testament in doctrine, worship, and practice. We believe that the only two church ordinances are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We likewise believe that only those who are committed to Jesus Christ as Lord are scriptural subjects for baptism and that immersion is the only proper mode of baptism. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the Lord’s death. The bread symbolizes His body which was given for us. The fruit of the vine symbolizes His blood which was shed for us. We believe that a church is a democratic organization served by two types of officers, pastors or bishops and deacons.

ARTICLE VII: CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that God established civil government. We likewise believe in the complete separation of church and state.

ARTICLE VIII: BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES

We are Baptists because we believe that Baptists stand for distinctive truths to which other denominations do not adhere. We believe that we cannot compromise these truths without being disloyal to our Lord and to His Word. We do seek to cooperate with all others who are committed to Jesus Christ as Lord.

ADDENDUM: TO BE SIGNED BY ALL PROFESSORS

I do solemnly promise and engage not to inculcate, sanction, teach, or insinuate anything which shall contradict or contravene, either directly or implicitly, any element of the foregoing statement of religious beliefs. Now, therefore, the undersigned in the presence of God declares that he consents, agrees, and binds himself to all of the foregoing without any reservation whatsoever. He further agrees that he will immediately notify in writing the administration of the Seminary should a change of any kind take place in his belief that is not in accord with this statement.

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Upcoming Events SEMINARY STUDIES FOR ADULTS

Adults may audit classes at Mid-America for $50 per class. For information, call the Admissions Office at 901-751-3060. Regular classes begin August 22. A special reception for all auditors will be held August 22.

OLD TESTAMENT (GENESIS)

Led by Dr. Kirk Kilpatrick, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, this course is from August 22–November 30 and is available for non-credit students or for three academic credits for currently enrolled students on Monday nights.

LIVE BY THE WORD

Tune in to Live by the Word with Michael Spradlin on WCRV 640 AM, Saturdays and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

SONRISE BREAKFAST AND BIBLE STUDY

Led by Dr. Michael Spradlin, Wednesday morning breakfast and Bible study begins September 7. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m. Bible study begins at 7:00 a.m. in the Betty Howard Special Events room.

MABTS WIVES’ MINISTRIES

Led by Mrs. Lee Ann Spradlin and Mrs. Susan Thompson, these classes are available to wives of current students and alumni as well as female students at MABTS as part of the Mid-America Women’s Institute. Classes meet Monday nights from 6:00–8:00 p.m. and will begin on August 29. A kickoff dinner will be held for all attendees on August 22 at 6:00 p.m.

LADIES PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Led by Mrs. Sanrea Seal, this special luncheon and program, followed by prayer time, meets on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Betty Howard Special Events Room.

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DONORS’ BANQUET

The Lord has used His mighty servants to carry out His mission of training His called through sacrificial giving. The Seminary is eternally grateful for its donors and looks forward to seeing these honored guests on Thursday, October 20.

SEMINARY PREVIEW DAY

Prospective students and their families have an opportunity to discover MidAmerica’s love for the Lord, His Word, the lost, and missions. Preview Day guests will enjoy a visit to student housing, tour the campus, attend chapel, meet students, observe classes, and meet the president of the seminary. The next Preview Day will be Tuesday, October 11. Go to MABTS.edu/PreviewDay for more information.

MABTS FEST

A fun-filled family event for all faculty, staff, students, and their families will be held on November 4. We will have a bonfire, movie, prizes, free T-shirts, and games for the kids all on the MABTS lawn.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

On Tuesday, December 6, Dr. Jim Whitmire will lead a combined choir and orchestra in excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. Join us in the Gurley Chapel at the Cordova campus at 7:00 p.m.

LADIES’ WINTER WONDERLAND TEA

Female students, staff, faculty, and wives of students, staff, and faculty are invited for a time of food, fun, fellowship, and worship at the Ladies’ Winter Wonderland celebration on Monday, January 23, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the Campus Life Office at 901-751-3079.

FALL GRADUATION

The Seminary will hold the fall semester graduation ceremony on December 2.

For more information, please contact the Campus Life Office at 901-751-3079.

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CORDOVA CAMPUS

2095 Appling Road Cordova, TN 38016 901-751-8453 • 800-968-4508 901-751-8454 (Fax)

NORTHEAST CAMPUS

2810 Curry Road Schenectady, NY 12303 518-355-4000 • 800-209-3447 518-355-8298 (Fax)

MABTS.EDU