Mid-America Messenger-Winter 2023

COACHING

PREACHERS

DR. DAVID L. ALLEN PLUS SIX MORE REASONS MID-AMERICA IS STILL AMERICA’S CHAMPION FOR EQUIPPING BIBLICAL PREACHERS

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVES

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id-America Baptist Theological Seminary has been

the top theological institutions in the world, with a robust

at the forefront of educational excellence for years,

curriculum designed to challenge and inspire students. The

and it continues to shine as a beacon of knowledge

dedicated and passionate faculty foster a love of learning and

and growth in our community. As we delve into the heart of the

critical thinking that goes beyond the classroom.

academic year, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the school’s

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. Education goes beyond

remarkable achievements and the vibrant environment that

the confines of the classroom at Mid-America. The institution

empowers students to thrive. From academic excellence to

is deeply rooted in the local community, and its commitment

community engagement, Mid-America is flourishing in every

to community engagement is evident in various initiatives. The

aspect.

school organizes and participates in community service projects,

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. One of the defining characteristics

fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities that teach

of Mid-America is its unwavering commitment to the Bible,

students the importance of giving back and making a positive

missions, and evangelism. The school consistently ranks among

impact on the world around them.

The evangelistic efforts of the students show the true heartbeat of the school. In one week alone the students shared the Gospel with 22 people and saw 11 pray to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS. Mid-America’s thriving extracurricular programs provide students with opportunities to explore their passions and develop valuable life skills. From sports to music ensembles to campus-wide events, students can engage in a wide range of activities that cater to their interests and talents. The school has excelled in making a name for itself not only in academics, but also in extracurricular pursuits.

A BRIGHT FUTURE. Mid-America is not just celebrating its past successes; it is looking forward to a bright future. Plans for future growth and enhancements are underway to further elevate the educational experience and ensure students continue to thrive in an ever-changing world. The school’s commitment to innovation, a forward-thinking curriculum, and fostering a sense of community testifies to a dedication to providing the best possible education for students.

Mid-America is a shining example of an educational institution that excels in every aspect. Its commitment to academic excellence, active community engagement, and thriving extracurricular programs has positioned it as a beacon of knowledge and growth in our community. As Mid-America continues to nurture the potential of its students and adapt to the evolving educational landscape, it is poised to create a lasting impact on the lives of its students and the broader community.

MICHAEL R. SPRADLIN, PHD

PRESIDENT, MID-AMERICA SEMINARY AND COLLEGE 2

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

INSIDE

THE PRACTICE OF PREACHING “Sermons Preached” is the oft overlooked part of the Mid-America practical missions report. Students like Mark Oliver (above) preached a total of 2,610 sermons during our last academic year, in addition

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to sharing the Gospel 5,260 times and witnessing 887 professions of faith.

WINTER 2023 VOLUME 51, NUMBER 2 Published by Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Mid-America PRESIDENT Michael Spradlin, PhD EDITOR Randy Redd, PhD DESIGN Eternity Communications WEB mabts.edu collegeatmidamerica.com EMAIL info@mabts.edu SOCIAL  facebook.com/mabts.edu  twitter.com/mabts  instagram.com/mabts_

P.O. Box 2350 Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453

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PREACHING CONFERENCE

MID-AMERICA’S PREACHING COACH

ADRIAN ROGERS PREACHING CENTER

Founders’ Days and the newly resurrected Adrian Rogers Preaching Conference combined for a power-packed kick-off of the new school year at Mid-America.

Dr. David L. Allen leads the team that is championing biblical preaching and equipping the next generation of Gospel-focused pulpiteers.

The Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching has been revitalized by a chain of momentous events that have bolstered our school’s reputation as “scholarship on fire.”

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PREACHING LIBRARIES

ETERNAL INVESTMENTS

EXPERIENCING STUDENT LIFE

The Mid-America Preaching Libraries are comprised of 30,000 volumes that required two amazing lifetimes to assemble.

Investing in the next generation of biblical preachers pays eternal yields, dividends that are literally out of this world.

This high-energy photo collection tells the story of the friends, fellowship, and fun that make up the Mid-America experience.

Two major events kick off the new school year Impassioned, Christ-centered preaching was on glorious display August 14–17, 2023, as our annual Founders’ Days and the newly resurrected Adrian Rogers Preaching Conference combined to kick off the new academic year at Mid-America.

The well-attended event honored the legacy of Dr. Adrian Rogers, long-time pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, founder of Love Worth Finding Ministries, and faithful friend and champion of Mid-America Seminary.

Dr. David L. Allen used a baseball illustration to make a pitch for loving Christ and one another.

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

The Conference included worship led by Dr. Jim Whitmire and Crossroads Baptist church as well as Dr. Joshua McClain and Collierville First Baptist Church.

Dr. Bartholomew Orr

Dr. H.B. Charles, Jr.

Dr. Steven Smith

Dr. Brad Thompson, Executive Vice President and Dean of the College, signed the Articles of Belief along with the rest of the faculty.

WATCH VIDEOS OF THE FOUNDERS’ DAYS SERVICES AT MABTS.EDU/FOUNDERSDAYS

Dr. Michael Spradlin led the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mid-America Preaching Libraries. (See pages 14–15 for more details.)

MABTS.EDU

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CHAMPIONING

BIBLICAL PREACHING

BIBLICAL PREACHING

BY DR. DAVID L. ALLEN

preaching. Pop psychology substitutes for the Word

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of God in some sermons. Feel-good sermons on “Five

DEAN, ADRIAN ROGERS CENTER FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING very generation stands in need of biblical

Ways to Be Happy” and “Three Ways to Love Your

preaching and biblical preachers. That need

Mother” have become the steady cotton candy diet

has never been greater than it is today.

fed to the average church.

Recently I talked with a pastor who told me

Everyone talks about expository preaching; many

about a couple who have begun to attend his church.

assume they are doing it; but in listening to the

They were looking for solid, expository preaching.

average sermon today, I’m convinced only a few are

They had visited a dozen churches in their community

really preaching expository sermons. Sometimes

and did not find a single pastor who preached

preachers use a text of Scripture, but the sermon is

genuine expository sermons.

not derived from the text. The text of such a sermon

The church today is anemic spiritually for many

is not its source; it is only a resource. A true expository

reasons, but one of the major reasons has to be the

sermon develops a text by explaining the meaning,

loss of biblical content in so much of contemporary

illustrating the meaning, and applying the meaning.

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BIBLICAL CONTENT ACCORDINGLY MUST

Regardless of experience, no pastor or ministry leader

PRECEDE APPLICATION. Otherwise, how else can

comes naturally endowed with the ability to handle

we possibly know what to apply? Today’s sermonic

the demands of ministry in a multidisciplinary world.

focus is on application, but application without textual

Pastors recognize there is a gap between where they

warrant for such, does not “stick.” It needs the glue of

are and where they want to be in their preaching.

textual meaning.

All leaders need support to grow in their preaching

In the headlong rush to be relevant, People

conferences and workshops to assist pastors and

Scripture as sermonic resources. No wonder so many

other ministry leaders to do just that.

spiritual teeth are decaying in our churches. The

THIS IS WHY THE ADRIAN ROGERS CENTER FOR

conjuring adroitness of many preachers who keep

BIBLICAL PREACHING HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.

producing fat rabbit after fat rabbit out of an obviously

In August we relaunched our annual Adrian Rogers

empty hat is the marvel of much contemporary

Preaching Conference. The Adrian Rogers Legacy

preaching. There is mounting evidence that people are

Center, including his library and resources, are now

beginning to grow weary of these trite pop-psychology

housed at Mid-America. Along with my own preaching

sermons. Biblical preaching, especially when it is

library now at Mid-America, preachers from all over

done in a creative way, will always meet the needs of

the country can come to the Seminary for specialized

people, felt or otherwise. Only biblical preaching can

training during scheduled events every year.

meet the ultimate spiritual needs of people.

People instinctively feel and experience the

In addition to serving as Mid-America’s preaching dean and professor, Dr. Allen also has a new preaching ministry and website, preachingcoach.com, a one-stop shop for all things preaching.

and Mid-America Seminary is developing a plan of

magazine and popular television shows have replaced

For more than 35 years now I have been teaching students and pastors how to do expository preaching.

troubled times in which they live. Currents of

Sometimes preachers need some practical help in

circumstances crisscross one another in endless

developing genuine expository sermons. A good

complications in their lives. They are looking for

expository sermon should include sound exegesis

stability, for hope, for meaning, for purpose. They are

and exposition. “Exegesis” is a term that means “to

looking for a word from God. Only biblical preaching

lead out the meaning.” Exegesis is a procedure for text

meets that need.

analysis in sermon preparation. “Exposition” is a word

MID-AMERICA BAPTIST SEMINARY HAS BEEN

that means “to explain the meaning of a text.” Good

IN THE BUSINESS OF TRAINING GODLY, BIBLICAL

expository preaching lays open a text in such a way

PREACHERS since her founding more than 50 years

that its original meaning is brought to bear on the lives

ago. One of the core commitments of Mid-America

of contemporary listeners.

Seminary is expository preaching. Her graduates serve in churches of all shapes and sizes, but one thing in common you will always find among all Mid-America graduates—biblical preaching.

We are not only about training students to become

A GOOD EXPOSITORY SERMON SHOULD BE TEXTDRIVEN IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, the preacher should stay true to the substance of the text. The substance of the text includes two things: 1) What the text is about. 2) What

biblical preachers. We are also focused on equipping

the text is saying about what it is about. These two

pastors to take their preaching to the next level.

things are not identical. What a text is about is the

SIX MORE REASONS MID-AMERICA IS AMERICA’S PREMIER CENTER FOR EQUIPPING BIBLICAL PREACHERS

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THE ADRIAN ROGERS CENTER FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING honors the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential preachers by training a new generation of biblical preachers committed to the same message: “Come to Jesus!”

Through MID-AMERICA’S UNIQUE PRACTICAL MISSIONS PROGRAM our students receive real-world experience as part of their training in which they share their faith and participate in local ministries each week. Learn more on pages 12–13.

The MID-AMERICA PREACHING LIBRARIES, which were recently installed, offer students unmatched resources that include the 5,000-volume library of Dr. Adrian Rogers and the 25,000-volume library of Dr. David L. Allen. Learn more on pages 14–15.

Mid-America’s new PULPIT SUPPLY PROGRAM provides an opportunity for students to fill the pulpit of churches whose pastor is unavailable to preach or are in between pastorates. In just a short time, 25 students have preached 230 sermons in 25 churches.

The ADRIAN ROGERS PREACHING CONFERENCE is a Mid-America tradition in which impassioned, Christ-centered preaching is on glorious display as some of the nation’s most renown preachers are assembled. See highlights from this year on pages 4–5.

Mid-America offers FULLY ACCREDITED DEGREE PROGRAMS at every level (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral) to students called to preach and committed to the sufficiency of Scripture. Academic excellence is ensured by faculty with earned doctorates, local church experience, and hearts for missions and evangelism. Learn more at mabts.edu/pastoral-ministries.

question of theme or topic. What a text is saying about

that explains something. Is the text a hortatory text?

what it is about includes everything within the text that

This is any text that commands us to do something

elaborates, explains, illustrates, etc. what the text is

or not to do something. Is the text poetic or prophetic

about. Text-driven preaching attempts to stay true to

or apocalyptic in genre? Identifying the genre is

the substance of the text.

important for good text-driven preaching.

SECOND, the preacher should stay true to the

The spirit of the text also includes its emotive tone

structure of the text. This means two things: 1)

or feel. Every text conveys a certain tone. It may be

grammatical/syntactical structure. 2) Semantic

happiness, sadness, anger, or any number of emotions.

Structure. Every text has grammatical structure that

The emotional tone of the text is a part of textual

indicates main information and secondary information.

meaning and should be conveyed during the sermon.

Every text also has a structure of meaning—semantic

GOOD PREACHING IS ABOUT BIBLICAL CONTENT.

structure. The grammatical structure encodes the

What you say is important. But how you say it has

semantic structure. We derive meaning from an

never been more important. Creative sermon delivery

analysis of the grammar and syntax of the text. Text-

is almost as important as solid content. We must

driven preaching conveys the main-line information

know what to say and how to say it. These are the two

and the subordinate information in a text in a way that

wings that are critical for the sermon to fly! What do

is easily apprehended by the listener.

Pizza Hut, Federal Express, and Nolan Ryan all have

THIRD, the preacher should stay true to the spirit

in common? They are famous for their delivery. Many

of the text. By the word “spirit,” I do not mean the Holy

preachers do a good job of exposition of the text in

Spirit, though He is vital to all good preaching! Rather, I

their preaching, but they need to work on their delivery

use the word “spirit” to refer to two things: 1) the genre

for maximum impact in preaching. Things like eye

of the text, and 2) the emotive tone or “feel” of the text.

contact, rate, pitch and volume variation, the use of

Identifying the genre (literary category) of the text is

gestures and facial expressions, posture, and a host of

crucial for preaching it well. Is the text a narrative?

other things are crucial for effective sermon delivery.

Seventy percent of the Bible is couched in narrative.

Remember, it’s not a bell until it is rung; it’s not a

Is the text an expository text? All of the letters of

song until it is sung; and it is not a sermon until it is

the New Testament are examples of expository

preached! So strive to preach with clarity, competence,

genre—a literary category that consists of any text

and confidence. Preach the Word!

ARE YOU A CHURCH who could use a student preacher to fill the pulpit when you’re without your pastor?

ARE YOU A MIDAMERICA STUDENT who would like to get some preaching experience and mentoring?

Check out our Pulpit Supply Program at mabts.edu/PSP or scan the code below with your phone.

MABTS.EDU

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CENTERED ON BIBLICAL PREACHING

THE ADRIAN ROGERS CENTER FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING IS ANCHORED BY LEGACY AND BOLSTERED

BY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 10

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

At a recent event attended by Mid-America alumni

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and friends, our President, Dr. Michael Spradlin, read

here was a day when Mid-America was

a letter from the late Dr. Adrian Rogers in which he

known fondly as a “preacher mill,” rolling

wrote, “I love our Seminary…I am truly honored to be a

out preacher boys in expansive numbers—

Distinguished Professor of Biblical Preaching at Mid-

well trained men who went out into the

America.” Calling Dr. Rogers a “once in a generation

highways and byways with Bibles firmly in hand,

preacher,” Dr. Spradlin recalled a meeting with Dr.

heads filled with solid, conservative theology, and

Rogers shortly before his death in 2005 in which

hearts filled with zeal to preach the Gospel “to all the

they discussed a Center for Biblical Preaching and

world for Jesus’ sake.”

Dr. Rogers shared his “vision for preaching and for

Today, Mid-America Seminary and College still has that same solid reputation for producing well trained

teaching preachers at Mid-America.”

MID-AMERICA SOON LAUNCHED THE “ADRIAN

men with a passion for the Gospel. What’s more,

ROGERS CENTER FOR BIBLICAL PREACHING,”

the school now has a broad ministry that includes

and the Center was recently revitalized by three

39 different undergraduate and graduate degree

momentous events: 1) Dr. David L. Allen joining the

programs in diverse fields of study, such as biblical

faculty as Mid-America’s Distinguished Professor

counseling, church planting, Christian education,

of Practical Theology and Dean of the Adrian

worship, apologetics, communication, and business

Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching (see pages

administration—equipping the next generation of

6–9 for an article on preaching by Dr. Allen); 2) The

biblical leaders.

announcement of a new 30,000-volume Preaching

MID-AMERICA’S MISSION HAS NOT AND WILL

Library at Mid-America (see pages 14–15); and 3) The

NOT CHANGE. We are still a bastion for conservative

revival of the Adrian Roger Preaching Conference,

theology with an emphasis on the Bible, missions, and

which was held in conjunction with Founders’

evangelism. At the heart of the school is still a focus

Days this year on August 14–17 (see pages 4–5 for

on training men who are called to preach the Gospel,

event photos).

preparing them for a lifetime of ministry in local

BIBLICAL PREACHING

BY LARRY A THOMPSON

MID-AMERICA ALUMNUS, MDIV, 1995

These developments have further cemented

churches all around the globe, proclaiming the Word.

Mid-America as a premier school for equipping the

Our passion for biblical preaching is shared by

next generation of biblical preachers. Dr. Spradlin

many who have taught, attended, and supported

has recently remarked that the world is suffering

Mid-America over the past 50 years, and none are

from the dual maladies of a “crisis of lostness” and a

more revered than one our school’s most notable

“shortage of preachers.” With its focus on missions

benefactors, the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. Dr. Rogers

and evangelism and its excellent training programs

was the long-time pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church,

for equipping preachers, Mid-America is poised to

founder of Love Worth Finding, and faithful friend and

contribute an ever increasing army of Christ-centered,

champion of Mid-America. Referring to our reputation

soul-winning pastors and missionaries to address the

FOR A DEGREE PROGRAM HERE (SCAN

for strong academics plus practical missions and

empty hearts and empty pulpits in our world. “Lift

CODE BELOW)

evangelism, he famously referred to our school as

high the Cross, His love proclaim, Mid-America bear

“Scholarship on Fire.”

His name.”

CALLED TO PREACH?

Mid-America offers a wide spectrum of options to fit your education level—all available on campus or online.

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START YOUR SEARCH

Associate of Divinity Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministries Accelerated Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministries (MDIV in two years) Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Ministry or Expository Preaching Doctor of Philosophy in OT, NT, or Practical Theology Plus, many other degree options in Church Planting, Missions, Apologetics, Theology, Biblical Counseling, and more

BIBLICAL PREACHING

SERMONS PREACHED

THE OFT OVERLOOKED PART OF MIDAMERICA’S PRACTICAL MISSIONS REPORT

BY JOHN CHARPING, PHD

graduation. Through its practical missions programs—

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Witness One:Seven for the Seminary and the GO!

CHAIRMAN OF THE MISSIONS DEPARTMENT he Apostle Paul urged Timothy to, “Be

Program for the College—students make the

diligent to present yourself approved to

immediate connection between the classroom and

God, a worker who does not need to be

contemporary ministry. Through practical missions

ashamed, rightly dividing the word of

students are not only sharing the Gospel on a weekly

truth” (2 Timothy 3:15). There is a great need in our

basis, they are also involved in local churches and

world today for biblical preaching and teaching.

ministries in which they encourage and equip God’s

Unfortunately, we are living in a day when too many

people through the preaching and teaching of God’s

have “gone away from the truth” (2 Timothy. 2:18).

Word. Each week, across the Mid-South, Mid-America

Paul warned Timothy of a day when people will

students are involved in making an eternal difference.

“have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves

WHAT IS THE RESULT? FOR THE STUDENT, THEIR

teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the

STUDIES BECOME EXTREMELY RELEVANT, and

truth” (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Thankfully there are places

their ministry matures quickly. In terms of practical

like Mid-America who still hold to the conviction that,

theology, it does not get any better. Students grow in

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is

the application of their studies and local churches and

profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for

ministries benefit from their investment.

instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may

FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH, MINISTRY TRUST IS

be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good

BUILT because local churches and ministries are

work,” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

confident of the foundation in God’s Word that Mid-

MID-AMERICA HAS ALWAYS HELD THE

America students are receiving in the classroom. They

CONVICTION that students must not

know that the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture

delay putting into practice

are not just talking points, they are core convictions

what is being taught

that impact the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

in the classroom

When a church is centered on the Word, that church is

until after

impacted by the Word. A church that is encouraged in the Word is a church that worships God. A church that is educated in the Word is a church that walks with God, and a church that is equipped in the Word, is a church that witnesses of God.

Mid-America alumnus Mark Oliver (BA in Christian Studies, 2022) preaching at Hickory Withe Baptist Church, Eads, Tennessee. Mark will begin working on an MA in Biblical Counseling this spring.

FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, LIVES ARE CHANGED, disciples are made, and new communities of faith are planted. Students involved in the community, while getting their education, later become invested in the community because of the relationships built and ministry seeds sown.

Mid-America’s practical missions program requires students to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). In the end, the things that they have learned in the classroom, they are able to “commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

SERMONS PREACHED BY MIDAMERICA STUDENTS DURING THE PAST ACADEMIC YEAR                     

SERMONS PREACHED IN A TYPICAL CHURCH IN ONE YEAR

WITNESS ONE:SEVEN & GO! PROGRAM REPORT

168,334 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH WITNESSED BY OUR STUDENTS SINCE 1972

17, 681 5,260 NUMBER OF HOURS OUR STUDENTS SPENT DOING PRACTICAL MISSIONS

887

NUMBER OF PROFESSIONS OF FAITH THROUGH THE WITNESSING OF OUR STUDENTS THIS YEAR

NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUR STUDENTS WITNESSED TO

2,610 NUMBER OF SERMONS PREACHED BY OUR STUDENTS

Witness One:Seven and GO! Program results reported for last full academic year (2022–23), including Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023 semesters.

   = 10 SERMONS MABTS.EDU

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THEIR LEGACIES

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id-America is the recent recipient of two major collections of preaching resources: the 5,000-volume library of Dr. Adrian Rogers and the 25,000-volume library of Dr. David L. Allen.

Mid-America President Dr. Michael Spradlin described it as “30,000 volumes dedicated to preaching, making it I believe the greatest collection of preaching materials in one place.”

“There’s something special that’s coming to Mid-America,” Dr. Spradlin remembered Dr. Rogers saying in 2005, and Dr. Spradlin added, “and this is the year it has arrived,” referring to the Adrian Rogers Preaching Library coming home to Memphis, “making Memphis, Tennessee, a hub for preaching ministry.”

The magnitude of the development was enhanced by the announcement that the 25,000-volume homiletic library of Dr. David L. Allen will be housed at Mid-America. Dr. Allen serves as MidAmerica’s Distinguished Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching.

“Dr. David Allen will be reviving the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching,”

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MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

SPEAK VOLUMES

said Dr. Spradlin, and it was highlighted during the Adrian Rogers Preaching Conference held in conjunction with Mid-America’s annual Founders’ Days, August 14–17, 2023.

“The Lord has been doing a series of things in the life of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary,” said Dr. Spradlin. “God has brought us a great faculty. He has brought us a great

The Mid-America Preaching Libraries are comprised of the 5,000-volume library of Dr. Adrian Rogers (left page) and the 25,000-volume library of Dr. David L. Allen (right page).

facility. He has now brought us these great resources, and so we just need now to be faithful in what God is about to do.”

The two new preaching libraries will help Mid-America address the shortage of preachers.

“Empty pulpits can be filled if you have trained preachers,” said Dr. Spradlin. The tools are in place and now enhanced for Mid-America to continue equipping biblical preachers and leaders for the next generation.

MABTS.EDU

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Whether your calling is to ministry or the marketplace, this world is in great need of Christian communicators who know how to skillfully communicate a message and lead from a biblical worldview. That’s why The College at Mid-America created our newest degree program, BA in Communication*. Scan the code at left and learn more at collegeatmidamerica.com/BAC.

*Pending SACSCAC approval

2023 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR: JIM CUMMINGS Jim Cummings is a 2001 graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently serving as the Senior Pastor at Dotson Memorial Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee,

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

where he has served for 12 years. During the past 28 years, Jim has been blessed by God to be a part of helping to start over 40 churches around the world including Ecuador, Africa, Brazil, and the Philippines. Jim’s greatest joy In the

The Mid-America Development Council held its annual

local church is to witness the grace of God transforming lives for the glory of God through the expositional, exegetical preaching of the Word of God. Jim has been married to the love of his life, his

“Master’s” Golf Tournament on October 3, 2023, to “help raise some green for the Gospel.” The golf classic benefits the Morris Mills Scholarship which funnels funds directly to students in need. These funds help ensure that students are able to complete their education and graduate debt free— unencumbered to go wherever God sends them. Mid-America wants to thanks all the hole sponsors of the event, as well as

biggest supporter and

the lead sponsor, Artisent Floors. Also, congratulations to the

his best friend, Vikki, for 34 years. Jim and Vikki have two daughters, Malorie and Faith.

‘MASTER’S’ GOLF TOURNAMENT RAISES SOME GREEN FOR THE GOSPEL

winning team of the Tournament, Derek Ewalt, Cory O’Hara, Jay Stephenson, and Alan Swafford.

LET PREVIEW DAY LIGHT THE WAY. THURSDAY APRIL 11, 2024

THE

EXPLORE PREVIEW DAY ONLINE! MABTS.EDU/PREVIEWDAY | COLLEGEATMIDAMERICA.COM/PREVIEWDAY

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BIBLICAL PREACHERS PAYS DIVIDENDS THAT ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD

BY DR. RANDY REDD

VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS/ INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

D

o you see your donations as investments?

They are! Investing is often tied to the concept of risk. Simply put, while high risk investments offer the potential for higher

return, low risk investments often do not grow as fast as the cost of living or inflation. High risk means there is also a likelihood for loss, and conversely, low risk usually results in more stable returns on which the investor can rely. Knowing these trade-offs, the investor seeks those opportunities that provide the best returns within their tolerance for taking on risk.

Typically, investing is future-focused with the idea that investing money today will earn an expected return over time.

INVESTMENT WISDOM ALSO APPLIES TO GIVING, contributing, or donating. As you consider your donations, think of them as investments. Donating to the training of pastors is certainly a noble and worthy cause. What is the return? These investments are

who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Through the faithful preaching of the Bible, we come to know the God of the Bible and He bestows eternal salvation through His Word, He changes lives and begins an eternal work in each life.

Your gift allows those called to minister to be trained to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Your gift means that you participate in every ministry that our students will do for the rest of their lives because you helped them prepare.

YOUR GIFT DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE ETERNAL FUTURE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE who hear God’s Word. They were once lost but now will spend an eternity in Heaven!

Unlike most investments, there is no risk in making this investment. Instead, the risk is in not making this investment!

GIVE YOUR YEAR-END GIFT TODAY AT MABTS.EDU/GIVE Scan the code with your phone, or contact Dr. Randy Redd at rredd@mabts.edu or 901-751-3041.

different from other financial investments. Our future pastors have responded to God’s call on their lives to give themselves to the ministry of His Kingdom to pastor, shepherd, and preach His Word. Your donation to Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary is an investment that will yield a priceless, eternal return!

My investment advice on donating in this way is to maintain a long-term perspective because the term of this investment is eternal. The Bible is God’s Word to us, and it will last long after we are gone. His message is an eternal message about an eternal God. This is the only God Who saves lost people and gives them eternal life as well as a home in Heaven for eternity. My friend, I advise investing in biblical preachers, and the returns will be eternal.

ADDITIONALLY, CHRISTIAN INVESTORS WANT TO KNOW HOW THEIR INVESTMENT IS BEING USED. As previously stated, investing in Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary will help train and prepare pastors to boldly preach a message firmly grounded in the Bible. Such preaching is powerful. Romans 1:16 (NASB) says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone

YOUR GIFT MEANS THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN EVERY MINISTRY THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL DO FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES BECAUSE YOU HELPED THEM PREPARE. MABTS.EDU

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STUDENT

LIFE MABTS.EDU

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COUNSELING BY THE

Live!

FOUR WEEKENDS CAN IMPACT ETERNITY AND CHANGE COUNTLESS LIVES— INCLUDING YOURS. EARN YOUR CERTIFICATE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING IN ONLY FOUR WEEKENDS

COUNSELING BY THE

Live!

INTENSIVE WORKSHOP FOR BIBLICAL COUNSELING TAUGHT FOUR WEEKENDS BEGINNING THIS JANUARY BY MID-AMERICA’S DR. JOHN BABLER

COUNSELING BY THE

BOOK

On lin e

OR VIEW VIDEOS ONLINE AND WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE AS YOU EARN YOUR CERTIFICATE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING

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f you’re looking for the fastest route to becoming equipped to counsel without compromising the quality of the training, this four-weekend workshop is for you. Counseling by The Book Live! is a new biblical counseling training program developed by Dr. John Babler, Chairman of the Biblical Counseling department at Mid-America. You’ll get the comprehensive set of training sessions taught live by Dr. Babler—all condensed into four weekends: zz January 19–20 zz February 9–10 zz March 1–2 zz March 29–30 Each weekend includes Friday, 6:00–9:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Livestream option also available.

GET DETAILS & REGISTER NOW AT MABTS.EDU/CBTB Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive the Certificate of Biblical Counseling from MidAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary and Counseling by The Book.

This training also meets the Fundamentals training course requirement needed for certification by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).

DR. JOHN BABLER

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M A R C H 21–24, 2024 at Mid-America Seminary

D IR EC T E D B Y

DR. J AME S D. W HI T MIR E PRESENTING SPONSORS

P UR CH A SE T I CK E T S ONLI NE AT

midamericapassionplay.org

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 831

P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453 • info@mabts.edu • mabts.edu

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE BENEFITS OF PLANNED GIVING You decide now how you want your dollars to be distributed! “Do your giving while you’re living so you’re knowing where it’s going!” said Adrian Rogers about planned giving. It is a matter of stewardship, so don’t leave it to someone else who may not share your priorities.

You make plans to pay less in taxes! You can limit the amount of your estate that goes to Uncle Sam, so that you “dis-inherit” the government.

The specifics vary according to a range of factors, but tax breaks are a major advantage to making a planned giving arrangement.

For more information about planned giving, simply email development@mabts.edu, and we will set up a time to meet and discuss options that will provide more funds to those you want to have it and less funds to those you don’t! You can also scan the QR code below to learn more on our website, mabts.edu/give.