Mid-America Messenger-Spring 2019

MID-AMERICA

SPECIAL EDITION

Dr. B. Gray Allison 1924–2019 Founder of Mid-America

LIFT HIGH THE CROSS HIS LOVE PROCLAIM

SPRING 2019

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

TRIBUTE TO DR. B. GRAY ALLISON: NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES

P R E S I D E N T ’ S Page

obvious to all who met them. Gray’s

evangelism. Dr. Leavell’s passion for

love for his children knew no bounds.

personal soul-winning became Gray’s

Throughout his ministry, his family

passion and practice the rest of his life.

remained his rock.

Gray embraced the life of a scholar,

DURING THE WAR, GRAY HAD A GROWING SENSE OF URGENCY

but he never let that dull his focus on

that the Lord was calling him into the

his preaching schedule and leading the

ministry. Finally surrendering to the call

school’s evangelism training program,

to preach, he enrolled in New Orleans

Gray wrote his doctoral dissertation in

Baptist Theological Seminary in his

one week. Asked about this amazing

Born in small-town America to a family

home state of Louisiana because of his

feat later, he stated that he knew what

of simple means, Beverly Gray Allison

belief in training for ministry. As he

he wanted to say and had already done

survived the depression and a world

would tell his own students later, “The

the research; he just needed time to

war to found and lead as president a

Holy Spirit has a strange affinity for a

write it down. One of the professors

theological seminary with graduates

trained mind.”

who commended the excellence of his

serving all over the world. While great is

ONE OF THE GREAT INFLUENCES ON HIS LIFE was the

dissertation was Dr. Roy Beaman, later

often overused of those who have gone on, Gray’s legacy will be as multicultural

school’s president, Dr. Roland Q. Leavell.

Mid-America Seminary.

as it is multifaceted. His passion for

Dr. Leavell was not only the president

missions and evangelism touched the

of the seminary but also a professor of

BY DR. MICHAEL SPRADLIN

evangelism. In a busy time of life due to

one of Gray’s founding professors at Now officially Dr. B. Gray Allison, he would be known as “Dr. Gray”

world.

by friends and associates

Called Boo by his

because several of his siblings

family (because that was

earned doctorates through the

the way his brother, Phil,

years. He served on faculty

pronounced Beverly), Gray

at his alma mater and later

grew up in a loving home

left to join the Home Mission

where faith in the Lord was

Board of the Southern Baptist

a centerpiece of family life.

Convention, promoting

When Gray was 18, the death

and teaching evangelism.

of his father was a tragic

Ultimately, he followed his

introduction to manhood

passion and became a full-

and came at the brink of his

time vocational evangelist.

entrance into the maelstrom of World War II. He soon

DR. GRAY LOVED HIS DENOMINATION, the

found himself as the 19-year-

Southern Baptist Convention,

old crew commander of a

but he became increasingly

B-24 bomber and headed

concerned about the

to war in the Pacific where

theological liberalism in the

he flew 16 combat missions.

seminaries. In the 1960s, he

Among other recognitions,

began to meet with friends

Gray was awarded the Air

praying the Lord would raise

Medal for bravery in combat.

up the right kind of seminary

Returning home after the war, Gray married his sweetheart, Voncille. Their love for each other was

FROM FOUNDING PRESIDENT TO FUTURE PRESIDENT: Dr. B. Gray Allison awarded two degrees to Michael Spradlin. Here, Dr. Gray awards him the MDIV in 1987.

In 1991, Dr. Gray awarded him the PHD.

where the truthfulness of the Bible was taught and where the priorities of missions and evangelism were practiced.

In 1972, Dr. Gray started Mid-America

amidst the rushing crowd, was a man

Baptist Theological Seminary and

in a nice suit sitting on the curb by the

became the school’s founding president

street. My eyes were drawn to him, and

and first professor of evangelism. For

I saw that he was talking with a man

over 40 years, students would sit in class

who had obviously fallen on hard times.

under the spell of his steel blue eyes and

I recognized the man in the suit as a

hear one heart-gripping word—“lost.” Dr.

seminary president, Dr. Gray B. Allison.

Gray lived by the mantra that evangelism

He had taken out a pocket New Testament

was more caught than taught, and he

and was witnessing to the man, ignoring

passed on the fire to share the Gospel to

the crush of the bystanders. Dr. Gray was

all people. He inspired all who sat in his

more interested in sharing the Gospel

classes to go because a lost and dying

with this poor, lost soul than whatever

world desperately needed Jesus Christ

taught thousands in the classroom,

comfort the noon meal could provide. Dr.

as Lord and Savior.

and witnessed to all who would listen.

Gray’s life mirrored the words of Jesus

Dr. Gray never cared about titles and

in John 4:32, “I have food to eat that you

Bible-believing seminary, Dr. Gray

awards. He once said that all he wanted

do not know about.”

experienced the distancing of friends

on his tombstone were the words

who wanted no part of controversy and

“Baptist preacher” and “U.S. Air Force

DR. GRAY’S HEART IS THE HEART OF MID-AMERICA. He

the rejection by many in the leadership

pilot.”

blazed the trail and cast the vision.

As a leader of a conservative,

of the denomination he so loved. He

Perhaps the best summary of his

Mid-America will stay the course on

always wanted to be known by what he

life comes from an observation on a

our core beliefs: the inerrancy of the

was for more than what he was against,

hot, Southern, summer day. It was at the

Bible, the importance of missions, and

so he persevered and stayed positive.

annual meeting of the Southern Baptist

the necessity of personal evangelism.

TO HAVE PREACHED ALL OVER THE WORLD, Dr. Gray was

Convention in June, and the morning

Our passion will be to live out the words

session ended. Thousands of preachers

of Mid-America’s Alma Mater in the

a humble and surprisingly introverted

and denominational leaders streamed

twenty-first century: “To all the world for

man. He was amazed that God would

out of the convention center, rushing to

Jesus’ sake/where bodies hurt and sad

call an introvert like him into the

get something to eat before the afternoon

hearts ache/lift high the Cross/His love

ministry. He counseled with many,

session began. On the street corner,

proclaim/Mid-America bear His name!”

HOW YOU CAN HELP CARRY ON THE LEGACY OF DR. GRAY No one has asked more people to support the mission of MidAmerica than Dr. B. Gray Allison. His request was three-fold:

PRAY—Pray for students, faculty and staff, and those with whom students and alumni will share the Gospel.

SHARE—Share the story of how God is using Mid-America to equip the next generation, especially with potential students and donors.

MEET THE NEED—Dr. Gray was never shy about sharing Mid-America’s great need for financial resources. Yet he lived by the conviction that God would always provide. He never directly asked anyone to give though he famously stated he often “came dangerously close.” God honored his approach in miraculous ways.

FREE Book with Your Gift You can carry on this legacy by praying, sharing, and giving as God leads. As a token of our appreciation, Mid-America will send a free copy of To All the World, an early history of Mid-America, (while supplies last) to everyone who gives using the enclosed donation envelope or online at mabts.edu/support (specify gift: In Honor & Memory of Dr. Gray Allison). Your gift will help carry on the legacy of Bible preaching, Missions, and Evangelism for which Dr. Gray and Mid-America steadfastly stand.

A MAN OF THE GREAT GOD: THE LIFE 1954 Earns Doctor of Theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and joins the faculty of NOBTS shortly after.

1943–1945 1924 Born in Ida, Louisiana, on May 7.

1934 Accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior.

Serves as a U.S. Air Force pilot in World War II. Lt. Allison flew 16 combat missions in the Pacific.

1946 Marries Voncille Cruse Allison.

1949 Surrenders to preach the Gospel at age 25.

1952 Earns Bachelor of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and pastors a local church.

1960–1972

“THAT IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.” COL. 1:18

Forms Allison Evangelistic Association and preaches in conferences and revivals around the globe as a full-time evangelist.

1966–1967 Serves with the SBC Home Mission Board.

AND MINISTRY OF DR. B. GRAY ALLISON 1981 Leads Mid-America to gain SACS accreditation.

1972 Founds Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas, with four professors and 28 students.

1975 Leads Mid-America to relocate to Memphis on Poplar Avenue.

1987 Establishes the Northeast Campus of Mid-America in Schenectady, New York.

1994 Mid-America reaches 100,000 professions of faith in its practical missions program.

The total surpasses 165,000 today.

1996 Leads MidAmerica to move to new campus in Germantown, Tennessee.

2017 1997 Retires as President and continues to serve as President Emeritus and Professor of Evangelism.

Succeeded by Dr. Michael Spradlin, Mid-America double alumnus and former Northeast Campus Director.

2006 Mid-America moves to an allnew campus in Cordova, Tennessee, including adjoining student housing.

Continues to teach his Personal Evangelism course through the Fall semester 2017.

2017 Preaches his final “The Miracle of MidAmerica” message at Founders’ Days.

2019 Graduates to Heaven on February 12.

Survived by his wife of 72 years, Voncille; daughter, Suzanne Grigsby (Charlie); daughter, Charlotte Miller (Rama); son, Gray M. Allison (Anita); six grandchildren and their spouses; 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

MEMORIES OF AND TRIBUTES TO DR. GRAY FROM THE MID-AMERICA FAMILY

Dr. Gray has been a spiritual hero of

During lunch in early 1972, he

mine since my father studied at Mid-

influenced me toward Mid-America

America Baptist Theological Seminary

Baptist Theological Seminary. As he

in the ‘80s. I have always admired his

cast the vision for MABTS, my heart

boldness for Christ and dedication to the

leapt with joy: evangelism, scholarship,

Word of God—no matter what others

theology, and missions. I received his

or popular opinion said. As a professor,

instruction in Personal Evangelism,

he had high expectations and a deep

Church Evangelism, and Theology of

desire for his students to learn, but it

Evangelism in the MDIV and History

No man on earth had a greater influence

was clear he genuinely cared for each

of Christian Missions in the PHD.

in my life than Dr. Gray. He blessed

of us. I respected him, and I wanted the

Personal conversations impacted me

me, challenged me, taught me, and

consistency and strength of character he

most. He was a great preacher, scholar,

befriended me. Every time he spoke to

modeled for us every day. I’m grateful for

teacher, and witness who spoke with

me, he asked about my wife and sons. He

the opportunity I had to observe, know,

authority under the anointing of the

was genuinely interested in the entire

and study with Dr. Gray. His character

Holy Spirit. Yet, in personal conversation

family of every student past and present.

and passion are an enduring positive

his delightful humor and profound

He was a man of unwavering conviction

influence in my life.

compassion penetrated the depths of my

and heartfelt compassion. He was the

CARY BETH DUFFEL

soul. He set the mark high: “That in all

most faithful witness and personal

MMISS, 2006

soul-winner I ever knew. His presence

things He might have the preeminence.”

Through the influence, instruction, and

will be missed, but he will forever live in

The first time I saw Dr. B. Gray Allison

impact of Dr. B. Gray Allison, I continue

the hearts of those who knew him and

was at Camp Zion in Myrtle, Mississippi.

to press toward that mark.

loved him.

He brought the Biblical Exposition Study

BOB PITMAN

from the Book of Jude. God put in my

JACKIE PRIOR KWOK

MDIV, 1977; PHD, 2004 Evangelist, Muscle Shoals, Alabama Dr. Gray influenced my life in many ways, but the most influential time was the second hour of the day in his Personal Evangelism course. Dr. Gray would religiously tell the class stories of his witnessing opportunities during the years, and he would conclude each story with, “Boys, they are lost. We gotta go get ‘em.” The Lord used Dr. Gray as an instrument to start revival within my heart to be a faithful soul-winner to this lost and dying world. I pray that we have more God-fearing men like him. He was a man who had a heart for missions, evangelism, and the Word of God. Dr.

heart to attend Mid-America. I was a pastor in Northeast Louisiana, and I drove to Memphis starting the day in Dr. Gray’s Personal Evangelism class. It was everything I dreamed seminary would be. Eventually I realized the distance was too far. My family and church came first, so I dropped out. I received my MDIV from another seminary. When I pursued my doctorate, Mid-America was the only seminary I considered. Dr. Gray’s impact on my life continued through his teaching, love for Jesus, and passion for souls.

JAMES (JIM) W. RICHARDS

DMIN, 1994 Executive Director, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention

MDIV, 1978; PHD, 1986 Executive Director, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio Daddy was a man of integrity. He was the same at home as he was in the pulpit and the classroom. He and Mama modeled witnessing for us everywhere we went. Their example made me keenly aware of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in all my interactions.

Daddy led me to the Lord when I was 7 years old. The next week I led one of my best friends to the Lord while playing together after school. I was just copying what I had been taught by their example.

He shared with me his burden for a lost world. He gave us a heart for missions and for sharing our faith. Because of his

Gray will be missed, but his legacy will

example, generations of our family are

live on.

serving Christ, too.

KENZIE FLIPPO

CHARLOTTE ALLISON MILLER

Mid-America student

Daughter of B. Gray and Voncille Allison

Mid-America hosted two special services in memory of Dr. Gray—the funeral on February 18 for family and friends and a Celebration Service on February 25 for the greater Mid-America family.

Bro. Gray Allison was my dearest

like. He deftly navigated Mid-America

and kept him faithful to God’s Word

friend. Over the years, we grew closer

through airspace riddled with opposition

whether popular or not.

together. Our Lord used him to bring

from every direction—enemy fire from

STEPHEN R. MILLER

forth a seminary that is Christ-centered,

those who vigorously oppose the Gospel,

proclaiming the inerrant Word of

friendly fire from those afraid to take

God, and witnessing to God’s saving

strong stands, and cultural fire from

grace. Bro. Gray’s whole life was telling

those who seek to weaken the hands

people, “Jesus saves,” and what a

of God’s servants. And he managed

Gray Allison’s friendship was a true

marvelous thing it is to know Jesus as

it all with dignity, poise, grace, and

blessing in my life. He was always a

your Savior. Gray Allison’s life was a

unswerving fidelity to his resurrected

strong Christian witness to my husband

testimony of God’s saving grace, but

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Neil and became like a brother to me.

nothing exemplifies this more than his

ROGER S. (SING) OLDHAM

Neil would often say, “Gray, I can’t

work to establish a witnessing light in the Northeastern United States—the Northeast Campus of Mid-America.

Vice President for Convention Communications and Relations, Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

My heart is with Bro. Gray—so let us

Associate Dean of Doctoral Programs, Chairman of the Old Testament and Hebrew Department, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

witness like those preacher boys, but I’ll do anything I can to help you and Mid-America.” Seeing Gray’s ability to understand people and discern their

continue to “send the light, this blessed

Dr. Gray was one of my heroes in the

life’s story was amazing. God gifted him

Gospel Light.”

faith and was one of the most gifted men

to connect and influence almost anyone.

BEN JOHNSON III

I have ever met. He was an excellent

Only God knows the global impact his

scholar, professor, preacher, and

life had on the church and the lost. I’m so

administrator who loved his family

thankful for the spiritual encouragement

and was loyal to his friends. He was

I gained from Gray, and I will truly miss

comfortable with scholars or persons

my friend.

with little education, with the wealthy

ELIZABETH GRIFFIN

or those with little of this world’s goods.

Friend

Friend

Dr. Gray never lost sight of the mission.

In a world broken by sin, he consistently pointed people from every kindred, tongue, and race to the one and only solution to their heart’s deepest longings—redemption through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Yes, he taught personal and church evangelism; but, more importantly, he modeled what investing the Gospel in others looks

Dr. Gray was one of the greatest soulwinners I have ever known, yet was a man with a humble spirit. In the 40 years I knew him, he never wavered in his beliefs. Those beliefs led him to understand the danger of compromise

VIEW MORE TRIBUTES ON MID-AMERICA’S WEBSITE MABTS.EDU/DRGRAY. ON SOCIAL MEDIA, USE #MABTSDRGRAY

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‘‘

GOD WANTS US TO BE WISE IN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD— HELPING PEOPLE COME TO KNOW JESUS....ASK GOD TO HELP YOU SAY THE RIGHT THING, AT THE RIGHT TIME, IN THE RIGHT WAY. CLAIM GOD’S PROMISE OF WISDOM.

‘‘

DR. B. GRAY ALLISON WINSOME WORDS FOR WILLING WITNESSES