Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - Video Resource Podcast

03.28.2012 - Steve Dighton

28 Mar 2012 18:12:27 GMT

Steve Dighton has been the senior pastor at Lenexa Baptist Church since 1990. Prior to Lenexa, he served as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Piedmont, Okla. Before being call to the ministry, he enjoyed a career in the men's clothing business. While serving as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher at his home church, First Baptist of Ada, Okla., he felt God's call to full time service. The Dighton family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, so he could follow God's leading and attend seminary. Since that time, God has confirmed that calling in many ways. Dighton received his education at Dallas Baptist University and holds two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife, Mary Dighton, D.D.S., is in private practice in Lenexa. The Dightons have two sons, Chase and Derek. They also have three grandchildren, Cooper, Allison and Johnathan.

03.21.2012 - Wade Akins

23 Mar 2012 17:02:08 GMT

Wade Akins has served the Lord as a Missionary for 40 years, being appointed by both NAMB and the IMB. He retired from the IMB in 2007 after 26 years and is currently with “Pioneer Missions,” which is headquartered in Jackson, Tenn. The major focus of his current ministry is East Africa and India. Akins ministered in Brazil for 17 years, where the Lord led him to develop a Church Planting Strategy called “Pioneer Evangelism.” The IMB decided to use this strategy on a Global level, and he now trains all SBC missionaries in Pioneer Evangelism before they go overseas. He and his wife have been doing the Pioneer Evangelism Training on a worldwide level since 2000, and have trained over 100,000 pastors and leaders in 64 nations throughout the world. In other SBC work, Akins has served as an evangelist and as a director of missions. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College, earned his master’s degree at New Orleans Seminary and received a D.Min. in Missions from Southwestern Seminary. Akins is married to Barbara, and they have three children and six grandchildren.

03.20.2012 - Wade Akins

20 Mar 2012 18:01:27 GMT

03.07.2012 - Jerry Sutton

7 Mar 2012 18:55:57 GMT

Jerry Sutton serves as Midwestern Seminary’s dean and vice president of Academic Development. Previously, he was the senior pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., for 22 years and has taught courses at multiple SBC seminaries. Since his retirement from Two Rivers, he has served in the classroom as associate professor of Christian proclamation and pastoral theology at Liberty Seminary. A Southwestern Seminary graduate, Sutton earned his Ph.D. in church history with minors in preaching and Greek New Testament. In other denominational service, Sutton served as first-vice president of the SBC in 2005, has been a trustee at LifeWay Christian Resources, and presided over the SBC Pastors’ Conference. Sutton has authored the authoritative account of the conservative resurgence, The Baptist Reformation. He has published a resource for individuals seeking spiritual rededication entitled The Way Back Home, and his work, A Matter of Conviction: A History of Southern Baptist Engagement with the Culture, stands as both a historic description and centennial commemoration of the denomination’s interaction with American culture. His latest book is entitled, A Primer on Biblical Preaching. He and his wife, Fern, have two adult daughters.

03.06.2012 - Andrzej Seweryn

6 Mar 2012 17:20:48 GMT

Andrzej Seweryn serves as Rector of the Warsaw Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, he pastored in local Baptist churches in the cities of Bialystok and Ketrzyn and was president of the Baptist Union of Poland from 1999-2007. Seweryn holds a Doctor of Theology from the Christian Academy of Theology in Warsaw, and earned master’s degrees from the University of Warsaw and the Baptist Theological Seminary of Poland. Besides writing numerous articles and reviews, he has authored the books: On the Way of Dialogue, The Ecumenical Involvement of the Baptist Union of Poland as a Member of the Polish Ecumenical Council over the Years 1945-1989 (2006), Lexicon of the Baptists in Poland after 1945 Year (2007), The History of the Baptist Church in Ketrzyn over the Years 1898-2008 (2008), The History of the Baptist Church in Chelm over the Years 1910-2010 (2010), Love, Truth and Peace, and The history of the First Baptist Church in Warsaw over the Years 1871-2011 (2011). He and his wife, Ewa, have three children: Adam, Kamil, and Monika, who is a master’s student at Midwestern. They also have three granddaughters.

02.29.2012 - Richard Blackaby

1 Mar 2012 17:53:20 GMT

Richard Blackaby has served as the president of Blackaby Ministries International since July 2006. In his role, he speaks internationally on the Christian life, spiritual leadership and revival. Previously, he served as senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then as president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta, for 13 years. Blackaby earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Saskatchewan as well as a M. Div. and a Ph.D. in Church History from Southwestern Seminary. He was also awarded a Doctor of Divinity by Dallas Baptist University. He has co-authored several books with his father, Henry, including: Experiencing God: Revised Edition, Fresh Encounter: Revised Edition, When God Speaks, and Experiencing God Day by Day. Blackaby was also the managing editor and contributing author of The Blackaby Study Bible. Additionally, he authored Putting a Face on Grace: Living a Life Worth Passing On, Cross Seekers: Discipleship Covenant for a New Generation and Unlimiting God: Increasing Your Capacity to Experience the Divine. He has been married to Lisa since 1983, and they have three children: Mike, Daniel, and Carrie.

02.28.2012 - Kevin Shrum

28 Feb 2012 17:44:19 GMT

Kevin Shrum has been in ministry 29 years, the last 15 at Inglewood Baptist. He is a graduate of Missouri Baptist College and obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. In denominational service, Shrum has been president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (2002) and is currently a trustee for Union University and interim chairman of the trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the co-author of a newly released book, The Fear Killer, and has written numerous opinion pieces and journal articles. He is presently working on his second book. In his spare time, Shrum has been involved in coaching football. He is a preacher/theologian who happens to be a recovering athlete. He and his wife, Janet, have three children: Sarah, Caleb, and Isaac.

02.22.2012 - Mike Hawkins

22 Nov 2012 18:14:48 GMT

Mike Hawkins serves as the Interim Registrar at Midwestern Seminary. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the title of his ministry project was “A Plan of Spiritual Growth.” He also received his Master of Divinity from MBTS and a Bachelor of Arts from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. Hawkins has served as a pastor in Missouri for over 25 years. During that time, he also served as an adjunct professor for MBTS and for Southwest Baptist University. In addition, Hawkins has served two terms on the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention. His first book, Detour, was published in 2009. Hawkins and his wife, Elisa, have three children – Cody, who passed away at the age of 13, and two grown daughters, Kelsey and Kristen.

02.21.2012 - Ted Davis

21 Feb 2012 18:09:00 GMT

Ted Davis serves Midwestern as the director of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program and as assistant professor of Christian education. He and his wife, Kathie, served in Kenya with the International Mission Board for 23 years before coming to MBTS. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2000. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1984 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Theology degree from Hannibal LaGrange Baptist College in 1980. He gave his life to Christ as a young teen. Davis and his wife have been married for 30 years. They have two children, Joshua and Kristina. Joshua is a student at Maplewood Community College in Kansas City. Kristina is a sophomore at Oak Park High School.

02.15.2012 - Steve Gaines

15 Feb 2012 18:06:56 GMT

Steve Gaines is known as a man of prayer and a preacher of God’s Word. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before coming to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. He received a bachelor’s degree from Union University and a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from Southwestern Seminary. Gaines has served on denominational boards and committees, most notably the Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee. He was president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2005 and has been the keynote speaker at many denominational events. His two books—Morning Manna and When God Comes to Church—reveal the heart of a man who walks with God and longs for genuine spiritual awakening “when the glory of God once again fills the house of God.” His passion for evangelism has galvanized his congregation to reach their city with the Gospel in unprecedented ways by meeting practical needs throughout Memphis. Gaines’ bold, straightforward preaching is often punctuated with singing in spontaneous joyful praise to the Lord. He enjoys playing guitar, spending time with his family, and leading trips to the Holy Land. Gaines and his wife, Donna, have four children: Grant, Lindsay, Allison, and Bethany. They also have three grandchildren.

02.14.2012 - Steve Gaines

14 Feb 2012 17:57:59 GMT

02.07.2012 - Richard Hamlet

7 Jan 2012 18:32:06 GMT

01.31.2012 - John Morgan - Convocation

31 Jan 2012 18:36:01 GMT

John Morgan was called to pastor Sagemont Baptist Chapel, a mission of the First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas, on June 1, 1966. Over 45 years later, Morgan and the nearly 18,000-member Sagemont Church still share a passion for winning people to Christ locally and around the world. At Sagemont, Morgan has seen much change and growth since the church began. Throughout, he has always stood firmly in his commitment to preach the message of the cross and salvation to all. His goal as pastor has been to lead an effective church rather than a successful church. The hallmark moment in his ministry came in 1975 when he realized through his study of Scripture that the church, according to God’s Word, should owe no one anything. That principle changed the way Sagemont did ministry, and Morgan has taught the “Financial Freedom Seminar” to over 1,000,000 people nationwide. Morgan grew up in Pasadena, Texas, and studied at Baylor University (B.A. 1963) and at Southwestern Seminary (B.D. 1966). Post-graduate degrees include a Lit.D. from the California School of Theology (1982) and a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Southwest Baptist University (1986). He and his wife Beth have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren

12.06.2011 - Carl Alexander

6 Dec 2011 22:11:29 GMT

11.30.2011 - Kevin Ezell

30 Nov 2011 17:21:11 GMT

Ezell is president of the North American Mission Board.

11.16.2011 - Robert Matz

16 Nov 2011 17:57:49 GMT

Robert Matz teaches Christian Doctrine and Preaching in the College at Midwestern Seminary. He received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Engineering from Vanderbilt University. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics with a cognate in Practical Theology at Liberty University. Matz has pastored churches in Texas and Virginia as well as served on two church staffs in Tennessee. He has contributed sermons to Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Source Book 2012 edition. He is married to Jessica, who serves as an adjunct professor for Liberty University’s Counseling Program. They have two children, Andrew and Katie Beth.

11.09.2011 - Fusion

9 Nov 2011 16:42:25 GMT

Director, Shawn Branscum, and members of the FUSION team will share what the program is all about, how they became involved, and how you can encourage and support the group during this special chapel service. The team has worked hard this semester in preparation for Phase II, which includes international mission experience for each student during the Spring semester in places such as South America, Asia, and Africa. The goal for students who participate in FUSION is to develop the skills necessary to lead a mission team around the globe and empower them to passionately serve in the name of Jesus Christ as they partner with missionaries and local believers. As they put it, FUSION is the ultimate freshman experience. Come and be blessed by what these students are learning and accomplishing for our Lord Jesus Christ!

11.02.2011 - Lou Fortier

2 Nov 2011 17:34:00 GMT

Lou Fortier came to know Christ personally more than three decades ago, and says his life has never been the same. He is motivated by a love for God and compassion for people. The idea that, “Nothing is impossible with God” is a driving factor for helping people really find Jesus and grow strong in faith. Teaching the Bible with clarity, enthusiasm, and creativity is his passion. In his natural habitat you might find him playing with his family, exploring the great outdoors, skiing, checking out a movie, cooking, reading, working out, connecting with missionaries all over the world, cultivating one of Johnson County’s smallest gardens, teaching Greek/biblical studies, or even soaking up the sun on the beach! He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and New Testament Greek from Palm Beach Atlantic University, and M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Southwestern Seminary. His dissertation title is “Congregational Worship Renewal in the Light of Spiritual Gifts.” Fortier and his wife Michele married in 1985, and they have three children: Brennan, Karis, and Jonathan.

11.01.2011 - Mark Penick

1 Nov 2011 17:00:28 GMT

Mark Penick began serving Lenexa Baptist Church as Associate Senior Pastor in June of 2011. His role is to expand the reach of LBC and prepare the church for the future. Coming to LBC is a fulfillment of the calling he received during his teen years to pastor and to spend his life connecting people to Jesus Christ, to one another, and to the world that God loves. Penick earned dual degrees in Religion and Business Administration at East Texas Baptist University, and a M.Div. at Southwestern Seminary. Dallas Baptist University is where he is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership Studies. Prior to Lenexa, he served on the ministerial team of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, for six years after completing a year-long mentorship with Pastor Johnny Hunt of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga. Additionally, the first church Mark served after college was FBC Longview, Texas. It is where he was ordained into ministry and married his college sweetheart. Penick’s wife, Starrla, is the National Director of Programs for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where she develops and oversees MADD’s underage drinking prevention programs nationally. To the Penicks, ministry is joy; ministry is life. They truly enjoy loving and serving the church together.

10.19.2011 - Timothy Chong

19 Oct 2011 17:42:14 GMT

Timothy Chong serves as the director of Korean studies (doctoral and KMATS) and associate professor of theology at Midwestern. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Liberty University, Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Master of Sacred Theology and Doctor of Philosophy from Dallas Theological Seminary. His experiences include over 25 years of various pastoral ministries ranging from youth and young adult to senior pastorate. He previously taught both residential and online theology and Bible courses at LBTS. He has preached at churches and led seminars in countries all over the world, including America, Korea, Japan, China, Ukraine, Thailand, Nepal and India. His short-term mission teams over the years have shared the gospel message with thousands of people and have seen hundreds receive Christ in Japan, Thailand, Nepal and India. In addition, he advises and provides consultation for international Christian schools and institutes. He and his wife, Julianne, have two daughters, Jamie and Priscilla.

10.18.2011 - Tom Elliff

18 Oct 2011 17:24:22 GMT

Tom Elliff is the president of the International Mission Board. He is a third-generation pastor, with his father and grandfather having served as pastors and associational directors of missions. Prior to this position, he ministered through “Living in the Word Publications,” a speaking, writing and conference ministry focused on the necessity of spiritual awakening. He also served as vice president of Spiritual Nurture and Church Growth for the IMB from 2004-2009. Elliff is a widely recognized and highly respected leader among Southern Baptists. Having pastored churches for 42 years, he has also served as president of the SBC Pastors Conference and two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Seminary, a M.Div. from Southwestern Seminary, and a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. Elliff also holds honorary doctorates from Southwest Baptist University and Mid-Continent Baptist Bible College. The author or contributor to 14 books, Elliff has spoken in conferences and crusades around the world. Blessed with four children and 25 grandchildren, he and his wife Jeannie have been guests on such widely received programs as Family Life Today, Focus on the Family, and For Faith and Family.

10.06.2011 - John Morrison

7 Oct 2011 16:50:59 GMT

John Morrison has served as professor of theology and philosophy at Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Va., since 1983. In his position, he is responsible for the instruction of doctrinal areas to the entire Seminary and university population, as well as teaching biblical and systematic Theology to pastoral and Theology majors at both the graduate/seminary and upper-undergraduate levels. He has over 22 years in professional education, three of these in public education and the balance in Biblical and Theological education. Also during this time, he served as an associate pastor for four years. Morrison holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Montana, a M.Div. in Pastoral Studies and a Th.M. in Biblical and Systematic Theology from Western Seminary in Portland, Ore., and a Master of Arts as well as a Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology and Philosophy of Religion from the University of Virginia. He has published numerous articles, and in 2006, “Has God Said? Scripture, the Word of God and the Crisis of Theological Authority” was published through Pickwick Publishing. Morrison and his wife, Ellen (Teichrow) have two children. His interests include: hiking, travel, reading, golf and tennis.

10.05.2011 - John Morrison

5 Oct 2011 16:49:38 GMT

10.04.2011 - Steve Gaines

4 Oct 2011 16:43:33 GMT

Steve Gaines is known as a man of prayer and a preacher of God’s Word. Since 1983, he has pastored churches in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama before going to Bellevue Baptist Church in 2005 as Senior Pastor. He received a bachelor’s degree from Union University and a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Gaines has served on denominational boards and committees, most notably the Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee. He was president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2005, and has been the keynote speaker at many denominational events. His two books – Morning Manna and When God Comes to Church – reveal the heart of a man who walks with God and longs for genuine spiritual awakening “when the glory of God once again fills the house of God.” Gaines and his wife, Donna, have four children. He enjoys playing guitar, spending time with his family, and leading trips to the Holy Land.

09.28.2011 - Jerry Sutton

28 Sep 2011 17:03:26 GMT

Jerry Sutton, accomplished Southern Baptist Convention pastor and administrator, joined the executive staff at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as interim dean and vice president of academics in February. The “interim” in Sutton’s title means that he’s MBTS President Phil Roberts’ selection until the trustee meeting in April, at which point the trustees will be asked to ratify the decision. Sutton brings to Midwestern extensive experience from a variety of ministerial spheres. A Southwestern Seminary graduate, Sutton earned his Ph.D. in church history with minors in preaching and Greek New Testament. He served as the senior pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., from 1986 until 2008 and has taught courses at multiple SBC seminaries, including an adjunct professorship at Midwestern. In 2005, Sutton became the first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since his retirement from Two Rivers, he has served in the classroom as associate professor of Christian proclamation and pastoral theology at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Graduate School in Lynchburg, Va. He has also served as a trustee at LifeWay Christian Resources and as president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference. A respected historian, Sutton authored the authoritative account of the conservative resurgence, The Baptist Reformation. He has published a resource for individuals seeking spiritual rededication entitled The Way Back Home, and his work, A Matter of Conviction: A History of Southern Baptist Engagement with the Culture, stands as both a historical description and centennial commemoration of the denomination’s interaction with American culture. His latest book is entitled, A Primer on Biblical Preaching. He and his wife, Fern, have two adult daughters.

09.27.2011 - Darrell Robinson

27 Sep 2011 17:58:11 GMT

09.21.2011 - David McAlpin

21 Sep 2011 17:11:15 GMT

David McAlpin serves as vice president for Student Development and as associate professor of Biblical Interpretation at MBTS. He has over 25 years of experience as a senior pastor, having served churches in Tennessee, Florida and Missouri. During his 14-plus-year tenure at the First Baptist Church of Harvester in St. Charles, Mo., he co-founded the Center for Christian Ministry Studies at Lindenwood University, also serving as the Center’s executive director from 2002 to 2006. As both pastor and academician, McAlpin has been committed to interpreting the Bible with accuracy and preaching it with passion and clarity. Helping those called into Christian ministry to develop these same gifts energizes and animates his life. McAlpin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Berry College, a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy from Mid-America Seminary. He served on Midwestern’s Board of Trustees from 1995 until 2000, and has served in various denominational capacities on the state, national levels.

09.20.2011 - Blake Hearson (Restricted)

20 Sep 2011 17:31:41 GMT

Blake Hearson serves as assistant professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at MBTS. He earned his doctorate and Master of Philosophy degrees in Hebraic and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., and Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Wheaton College, in Wheaton, Ill. Hearson has served as an associate pastor of small groups at Crossroads Community Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been a member of the faculty at Columbia Evangelical Seminary. His research interests include “Sacred Space in the Bible and Rabbinic Literature" and "the problem of evil in the prophetic literature.” He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters.

09.14.2011 - Frank Page

14 Sep 2011 17:48:54 GMT

Frank S. Page has been president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee since Oct. 1, 2010. He was president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2006-2008. Prior to moving to Nashville, Page served as V.P. for the Evangelization Group at NAMB. He has also served as pastor for Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., and churches in Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina for the past 34 years. Page was born in North Carolina and educated at Gardner Webb University and Southwestern Seminary. He is the recipient of a Bachelor of Science degree with honors as well as M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees. He is an author, has traveled extensively and spoken on every continent. He is married to the former Dayle Gibson of Huntersville, N.C., and they have three daughters and three grandsons.

09.13.2011 - Steve Dighton

13 Sep 2011 17:15:27 GMT

Steve Dighton has been the Senior Pastor at Lenexa Baptist Church since 1990. Prior to coming to Lenexa, he was the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Pastor Steve received his education at Dallas Baptist University and holds two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Steve's wife, Mary Dighton, DDS, is in private practice in Lenexa. The Dightons have two sons, Chase, who is a dentist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Derek, who lives in Shawnee, Kansas. They also have three grandchildren, Cooper, Allison and Johnathan. Having been raised in a Christian home, it is not surprising that Pastor Steve gave his heart to Jesus when he was nine at a church camp in Southern Oklahoma. When he was 25 years old, he rededicated his life to Christ, and that decision was a pivotal point in his walk with the Lord. Before his call to the ministry, Pastor Steve enjoyed a career in the men's clothing business. But, while serving as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher at his home church, First Baptist of Ada, Oklahoma, he began to feel God's call to full time service. The Dighton family then moved to Fort Worth, Texas, so that Steve could follow God's leading and attend seminary. Since that time, God has confirmed that calling in many ways.

09.07.2011 - Greg Matthei

7 Sep 2011 17:49:10 GMT

Greg Matthei was born in 1958 and grew up in a racially divided, segregated South Africa. He came to faith in Jesus Christ at age 19 and says his life was radically transformed. Matthei was called to ministry almost immediately after surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He studied at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Athlone, Cape Town. Now several years later, Matthei serves as one of the Directors of the Seminary. Additionally, he and his wife have been in fulltime ministry for the past 27 years, having pastored at Beacon Valley Baptist Church, Westend Baptist Church and currently at Athlone Baptist Church. The pastor says he strongly believes “that the Gospel we are privileged to proclaim must be demonstrated in practical ways in the communities where we live and where the local church is strategically placed by the head of the Church, Jesus Christ.” Matthei is married to Ursula. They have two children, Yolanda and John, and two granddaughters, Candice and Larna.

09.06.2011 - John Marshall

6 Sep 2011 17:46:24 GMT

John Marshall was born Dec. 22, 1951, in Sikeston, Mo., a sixth generation preacher. At age 23, he became the youngest person ever to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree from a Southern Seminary. Marshall came to Springfield Second in 1995. In 1997, a missions revival began there, and it continues to be the main emphasis of the church. He and his wife, Ruth, have two married children and four grandchildren.

08.31.2011 - Darrel Gabbard

1 Sep 2011 17:39:53 GMT

Darrel Gabbard has pastored Dublin Baptist Church since 1989. He is an Ohio native, who was saved at age 10 and ordained into the ministry in 1967. Since then he has pastored one church in Kentucky and four others in Ohio. Gabbard earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in Ohio, a M.Div. from Southern Seminary. In denominational service, he has spent time as President, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, as a member of the Committee on Committees for Southern Baptist Convention, as a member of the Executive Board, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and as a trustee at Golden Gate and New Orleans Seminaries. Gabbard is married to Brenda, and they have three children: Christopher, Kimberly and the late Kevin, and one granddaughter, Samantha Ashley.

08.30.2011 - Wade Akins

30 Aug 2011 17:36:41 GMT

08.24.2011 - Paige Patterson

24 Aug 2011 17:45:13 GMT

As the eighth president of Southwestern Seminary, Dr. Paige Patterson brings to the position three decades of experience in the education of pastors and missionaries. After 17 years as president of The Criswell College in Dallas, he served for 11 years as president of Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. The focus of Dr. Patterson's leadership is an intense commitment to evangelism and the task of global missions, based on a foundational component of demanding research and rigorous academic preparation. Patterson earned a bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from New Orleans Seminary. Southern Baptists elected him to two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1998–2000. During those years he appointed a committee to revise the Baptist Faith & Message, the confession most widely employed by Southern Baptists. The long-time Southern Baptist leader has also pastored churches in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Patterson is married to Dorothy, and they have two children and two granddaughters.

08.23.2011 - Phil Roberts - Convocation

23 Aug 2011 17:42:49 GMT

Dr. Phil Roberts is the fourth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, celebrating 10 years of service to the Seminary in February. He previously served as vice president with the North American Mission Board. Among other publications, Roberts’ doctoral dissertation was published as, “Continuity and Change,” and he has co-authored two books, Mormonism Unmasked and The Counterfeit Gospel of Mormonism. He has also contributed to a number of Christian and evangelical journals and publications, and assisted in the production of two videos, “The Cross and the Crescent” (2001) and “The Mormon Puzzle” (1997).

05.11.2011 - Music Chapel

11 May 2011 18:38:46 GMT

Come join the MBTS church music department as we gather together in praise and adoration of our Lord, Jesus Christ! This vocal and instrumental worship service will be highlighted with performances by The Midwestern Singers, Praise Team, Midwestern Ringers, and a piano/organ duet by Dr. James Cockman and Susan Braams. We look forward to seeing you during this special time of worship!

05.10.2011 - R.T. Kendall

10 May 2011 17:37:14 GMT

R.T. Kendall is the director of R.T. Kendall Ministries. He is a Christian writer, speaker and teacher who pastored Westminster Chapel in London, England, for 25 years. He is author of more than 50 books, including Total Forgiveness. Kendall is currently listed as part of the Word, Spirit & Power team, a non-denominational Charismatic ministry. According to his testimony, Kendall came to a conviction regarding Calvinist theology and his own eternal security in 1955. He received degrees at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., (A.B., 1970), Southern Seminary (M.Div., 1972), and the University of Louisville (M.A., 1973) before earning a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) at Regent’s Park College, a hall of the University of Oxford. He later received a Doctor of Divinity from Trevecca Nazarene University (1988).

05.04.2011 - Josh McGuire - Student Preaching

4 May 2011 17:17:24 GMT

Josh McGuire serves as the assistant pastor at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., where he often preaches when the senior pastor, Monte Shinkle, is away. McGuire graduated with his M.Div. from Mid-America in May of 2010 and came to Midwestern to take more preaching classes, hoping to pursue a Ph.D. and to eventually plant a church. Prior to moving to Jefferson City, McGuire spent three years involved in inner-city ministry in Memphis, Tenn.

05.03.2011 - Daniel Watson - Student Preaching

3 May 2011 17:04:26 GMT

Daniel Watson is a native of Gladstone, Mo. He grew up in a Christian family, attending Providence Baptist Church while in high school. At 16, Watson felt God’s calling toward international missions. After graduating from high school, he spent a summer living with a NAMB missionary in Gallup, N.M., and working with the Navajos in that area. This experience increased his desire to do missions work with those of different cultures. For his first year of college, Watson went to Word of Life Bible Institute in upstate New York. He then transferred to Midwestern, and he finished his B.A. in biblical studies in 2007. Watson is currently working on a M.A. in biblical languages and plans on graduating this May. He is also finishing up the classwork for a M.Div. in international church planting, which he will complete after two years of practicum classes overseas. Watson currently attends Birchwood Baptist Church where he enjoys teaching and working with the youth. He has been married to MariaLe for almost four years; and this September, they plan on going to India for three years with the IMB.

04.27.2011 - Martin Pohlmann

27 Apr 2011 16:45:30 GMT

Martin Pohlmann is president of the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a national executive member of the Baptist Convention. He has also served as president of the Baptist Convention and as a lecturer in systematic theology and homiletics.

04.26.2011 - Bryant Wright - Q&A

26 Apr 2011 19:41:20 GMT

Bryant Wright serves as President of the Southern Baptist Convention and as senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. He was a successful businessman before answering God’s call to ministry. He is a respected Bible teacher, pastor, husband, father and community leader. Wright uniquely connects God's unchanging truth with a diverse culture through compelling and creative teaching. He has authored four books, One Minute of Your Time, Another Minute of Your Time, One Minute of Your Day and Seeds of Turmoil. He received a B.A. in English from the University of South Carolina and a M.Div. from Southern Seminary. In 2007, Wright received an honorary doctorate from SEFOVAN, a seminary in Madrid, Spain.

04.26.2011 - Bryant Wright - Spurgeon Pastors' Conference

26 Apr 2011 16:36:45 GMT

04.20.2011 - Richard Land

20 Apr 2011 18:20:27 GMT

Princeton (A.B., magna cum laude) and Oxford (D.Phil.) educated, Dr. Richard Land has served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission since 1988. During his tenure as representative for the largest Protestant denomination in the country, Dr. Land has represented Southern Baptist and other Evangelicals’ concerns in the halls of Congress, before U.S. Presidents, and in the media. In 2005, Dr. Land was featured in Time Magazine as one of The Twenty-five Most Influential Evangelicals in America. As host of For Faith & Family, For Faith & Family’s Insight, and Richard Land Live!, three nationally syndicated radio programs, Dr. Land speaks passionately and authoritatively on the social, ethical, and public policy issues facing our country. The For Faith & Family Broadcast Ministry is heard by listeners each week on over 600 radio stations across the country and throughout the world on the Internet. Dr. Land’s latest book, The Divided States of America? What Liberals and Conservatives are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match! is published by Thomas Nelson. Dr. Land takes those on the right and the left to task for misstating God’s role in America’s affairs, suggesting instead that it is possible to “affirm and practice belief in God while simultaneously practicing a rigorous separation of church and state.” The book has earned accolades from a diverse audience, with endorsements from Madeleine Albright, Peter Gomes, Michael Novak, and Peter Berger, among many others. Senator Joseph Lieberman penned the foreword to the book. Dr. Land has also recently authored Imagine! A God-Blessed America (Broadman & Holman, 2005) and Real Homeland Security (Broadman & Holman, 2004). Dr. Land is also Executive Editor of FFV, a national magazine dedicated to coverage of traditional religious values, Christian ethics, and cultural trends. Dr. Land’s record as a pro-family advocate is capped by his proudest accomplishment—his over 30-year marriage and personal investment in the lives of his three children and his wife, Dr. Rebekah Land, a psychotherapist in private practice.

04.19.2011 - Jerry A. Johnson

19 Apr 2011 17:45:43 GMT

Jerry A. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in biblical studies at Criswell in 1986; a Master of Arts from Denver Seminary in 1997, where he majored in historical and theological studies; and a Doctor of Philosophy from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003, where he majored in Christian ethics and minored in systematic theology and philosophy. Associated with Southern Seminary in various roles for 14 years, Johnson was dean of Boyce College, served on the seminary's executive cabinet, was assistant director of development and was a trustee from 1989-98, serving as board chairman two of those years. Johnson served as vice president for academic development, dean of the faculty and professor of ethics and theology at MBTS from January 2009 to December 2010. Of particular import is his track record when he served as president of Criswell College, from 2004 to 2008. Johnson reassumed this presidency in December of 2010, after his time at Midwestern. Johnson has traveled on a dozen international mission trips, written and delivered numerous theological position papers, and has published various articles, editorials and studies of interest to Southern Baptists. His pastoral and ministry experience include a pastorate at Ireland Baptist Church, an internship at FBC Dallas and service as a youth pastor at Central Baptist Church in Aurora, Colo., where he later became pastor. He also served as pastor at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Littleton, Colo., and has held interim pastorates in Indiana, Kentucky and Texas.

04.13.2011 - Mark Hoover

13 Apr 2011 18:36:53 GMT

Mark Hoover is a straightforward communicator who is known for making the truth of God’s Word understandable for everyone through compelling and creative teaching methods. He has served NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kan., for over 25 years, leading it during times of transition and explosive growth. Hoover is also seen on NewSpring’s weekly television broadcast which airs throughout the region. He is originally from Fort Worth, Texas, where he grew up in a pastor’s home. He first began preaching at the age of 16. After several years of youth meetings and frequent preaching opportunities, Hoover entered full-time ministry in 1977. He earned his Bachelor of Science in pastoral studies from Arlington Baptist College, graduating in 1978. From 1977-1985, Mark served as associate pastor at churches in Mansfield, Houston and Fort Worth. Hoover and his wife, Mary Alice, have been married since 1977, and they have three sons, two daughters-in-law and two granddaughters.

04.12.2011 - Gus Suarez

12 Apr 2011 17:58:50 GMT

Gus Suarez teaches church planting and church growth at Midwestern Seminary and serves as the director of the Center for North American Missions and Church Planting and as a professor of church planting. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Golden Gate Seminary and earned a M.Div. from Mid-America Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in physical education from the University of Maryland. Prior to accepting his position at Midwestern, Suarez was the executive director and treasurer for the Northwest Baptist Convention. He served in state conventions for 22 years and has been a North American Mission Board-appointed missionary for over 25 years. He served as a pastor and church planter in Buffalo, N.Y.; a language catalytic missionary for the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware; a language missions director for the Baptist Convention of New Mexico; and director of the Division of Mission Ministries, Baptist Convention of New Mexico. Suarez’s research interests include selected topics in the areas of cultural issues and the church. He and his wife, Diana, have two sons, Philip and Matthew, and one grandson.

04.06.2011 - Anthony Jordan

6 Apr 2011 17:58:50 GMT

Helping coordinate the work of more than 1,790 Oklahoma Baptist churches, Jordan has served as the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma since 1996. Born in Ponca City, Okla., Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Baptist University, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to his work in the lead role of the BGCOK, Jordan served as a pastor for more than 29 years. He’s also held many posts within the Southern Baptist Convention, including terms of service on the Executive Committee and the Resolution Committee. He was chair of the Committee on Committees, and was chair of the Baptist Faith and Message family study committee. He is an outspoken advocate for the denomination’s Cooperative Program and has led national efforts to expand Southern Baptists’ shared ministry efforts. Together, Jordan and his wife, Polla, have two daughters, Adrian and Alisha.

04.05.2011 - Neil Franks

5 Apr 2011 17:58:49 GMT

Neil Franks moved with his wife, Kendra and two boys, Nathan and Travis to the Ozarks in 2007 to serve as lead pastor of First Baptist Church in Branson, Mo. Known for his unique teaching style, the church has experienced significant growth. More importantly, the church has reached out to the community with events that share the love of Christ while bringing the people of FBC Branson together as they serve others. Franks strives to develop a multi-generational congregation that is gospel-centered and serves God by serving the world. He is originally from Arkansas where he attended college at Henderson State University. Franks completed his M.Div. at Southwestern Seminary and his D.Min. at Midwestern. An avid sports fan, he loves to watch football He also enjoys researching, reading on his Kindle and dreaming about tomorrow.

03.30.2011 - Jerry Sutton

30 Mar 2011 18:32:30 GMT

03.29.2011 - Jerry Sutton

29 Mar 2011 17:29:13 GMT

03.17.2011 - Debate: Which Way America:The Bible or the Qur'an? - Jay Smith and Khalil Meek FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY

18 Mar 2011 01:05:00 GMT

Debate: Which Way America:The Bible or the Qur'an? - Jay Smith and Khalil Meek *FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY*

03.16.2011 - Jay Smith

16 Mar 2011 17:26:21 GMT

Jay Smith serves as the director of Ploughshares International, a Muslim ministry in London. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. dissertation entitled “2,000 years of Christian/Muslim apologetics/polemics, and their efficacy post 911,” at the Guthrie Center of Islamic Studies at the London School of Theology. In addition to his own studies, he has taught classes in advanced Islamics and apologetics/polemics and has provided training in Islamics for evangelists in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, as well as for missionaries entering the Muslim world. Since 1995, he has participated in over 40 formal debates with distinguished Muslim scholars, statesmen and apologists. Smith also leads a weekly workshop that prepares Christians who are interested in publicly engaging Muslims and provides such opportunities on Speaker’s Corner in London.

03.15.2011 - Brad Waggoner

15 Mar 2011 17:23:49 GMT

As executive vice president, Brad Waggoner oversees LifeWay’s daily operations and works directly with President Thom Rainer in the strategic leadership of the organization. His role includes supervising all divisional vice presidents, developing policies and goals in line with the president’s larger objectives, and assisting the president in the development of strategic plans and annual budgets. Waggoner came to LifeWay in 2006 as the inaugural director of LifeWay Research. Prior to that, Waggoner served as dean of the School of Leadership & Church Ministry at Southern Seminary. He joined Southern’s teaching faculty in 1999 and assumed the deanship in 2001. During his tenure as dean, Waggoner developed and taught several classes on leadership and discipleship in addition to his administrative responsibilities. Waggoner has served on staff at three Southern Baptist churches, including eight years as executive pastor at Far Hills Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio, then the largest Southern Baptist church in Ohio. He received a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Seminary; a Master of Arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago; and a Ph.D. from Southwestern. Waggoner is the author of The Shape of Faith to Come and numerous other publications. He and his wife Patti have two sons, Brandt and Blake.

03.09.2011 - Charles Briscoe

9 Mar 2011 18:20:44 GMT

Charles Briscoe is pastor emeritus of Paseo Baptist Church in Kansas City. He is a native Kansas Citian and has been involved with community services most of his life – including Goodwill Industries, the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance and the Young Men’s Christian Association. From 1970 to 1974, he worked as president and later chairman of the Kansas City, Mo., school board. Retired since February 2003, Briscoe was the senior pastor at Paseo Baptist Church for 35 years. He’s made mission trips with the church all over the world – including Africa, Israel and Jamaica. He has also participated in a work and witness trip to South Africa, where along with his wife, Georgia Mae, and six other Paseo Baptist members, he helped start up their sister church in Johannesburg and conducted Vacation Bible schools for area youths. Briscoe is still involved with Paseo Baptist and serves on the board of directors for the Salvation Army and as secretary for the Carver Foreign Missions Board. He was appointed co-chair of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association’s 2004 Heart of America Campaign, which came through Kansas City.

03.08.2011 - Ron Huggins

8 Mar 2011 18:14:59 GMT

Ron Huggins teaches New Testament and Greek and serves as associate professor of New Testament and Greek at MBTS. He received his Doctor of Theology from Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto, his Master of Christian Studies from Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Idaho. Huggins comes to Midwestern after eight years at Salt Lake Theological Seminary in Salt Lake City, Utah. There he served as professor of historical and theological studies and as the director of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program. Prior to that, Huggins taught at Moody Northwest in Spokane, Wash., and as a Latin teacher at private Christian schools in Spokane and in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. Huggins is the author of Roman Catholicism and the Evangelical Conscience (1981). His scholarly articles have appeared in a number of settings, including the Journal of Biblical Literature, Westminster Theological Journal, Revue de Qumran, Novum Testamentum, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, and Eerdman's Dictionary of the Bible. His cartoons have appeared in Christianity Today and in the Wittenburg Door.

03.02.2011 - Brett D. Yohn (Restricted)

2 Mar 2011 17:17:55 GMT

Online Publication rights prohibited. Please contact avdept@mbts.edu or 816-414-3727 for information about obtaining this sermon presentation.

03.01.2011 - Philip Roberts - Day of Prayer

1 Mar 2011 17:16:48 GMT

Phil Roberts surpassed 10 years of serving as president of Midwestern Seminary on Feb. 12. Roberts arrived at MBTS after a seven-year tenure with the North American Mission Board, where he served as vice president for the Strategic Cities Strategies Group, director of the Interfaith Evangelism Department and later as vice president for urban evangelism and church planting. In carrying out these duties, Roberts often taught seminary students to understand the perspectives of other religious groups in order to witness more effectively. Roberts served as professor of missions and evangelism at Southeastern Seminary from 1990-1994 and co-directed the Lewis Drummond Center for Great Commission Studies. In addition to pastoring international churches in England, Germany and Belgium, Roberts has extensive experience leading and teaching evangelism and discipleship courses throughout Europe. The president received his Ph.D. from the Free University of Amsterdam, conducted post-graduate research at Oxford University, earned a M.Div. from Southern Seminary and a B.A. from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. He is the author of several books, including Mormonism Unmasked and The Counterfeit Gospel of Mormonism, and has served as executive director of The Mormon Puzzle and The Cross and the Crescent interfaith videos. In April 2010, he was elected as president of the International Society of Christian Apologetics. He and his wife, Anja, have two grown children, Naomi and Mark.

02.23.2011 - Thor Madsen

23 Feb 2011 17:56:47 GMT

Thor Madsen serves as dean of Midwestern College, SBC, and associate professor of New Testament, ethics and philosophy of religion. Madsen’s rich academic background prepares him for this uniquely varied faculty position. He was first a philosophy major at Wheaton College. From Wheaton, he went on to earn a Master of Arts in philosophy at Western Kentucky University and to spend a year in the doctoral program in philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With that base, he sensed God’s leading into biblical studies, and he enrolled at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he earned a Master of Divinity. He then went to the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament in 1998. His dissertation explores the relationship between the fact of the new life in Christ and the obligation of Christians to rise to that reality.

02.22.2011 - Alan Branch

22 Feb 2011 17:44:06 GMT

Alan Branch teaches Christian Ethics at Midwestern Seminary as well as Wisdom and Poetic Literature and Prophetic Literature for Midwestern Baptist College.   He received a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having a special interest in medical ethics, he titled his dissertation “The Challenge Posed by Autonomy in Medical Ethics.” Branch earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State College in Georgia. Prior to joining the Midwestern staff in 2001, he served as a pastor for eight years at Turner Memorial Baptist Church in Garner, N.C. Branch has served as the interim pastor for both McCarthy Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Mo., and Immanuel Baptist Church, in Wichita, Kan. He currently serves as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserves. His research interests include abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research and the ethics of Gnosticism. Branch and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Joy and Anna Beth.

02.16.2011 - Elmer Towns

16 Feb 2011 17:53:51 GMT

Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works, the editor of two encyclopedias, a popular seminar lecturer, a dedicated worker in Sunday school and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College in St. Louis for three years and was not satisfied with the textbooks, so he began writing his own. He was president of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees. He also taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in greater Chicago, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism. He co-founded Liberty University with Jerry Falwell in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of its existence. Today, the university has over 11,400 students on campus and 39,000 in Liberty University Online. He further serves as dean of the School of Religion. Towns’ personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minn., a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a M.R.E. from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. His wife of 55 years, Ruth, teaches classes at Liberty, and they have three children and 10 grandchildren.

02.15.2011 - Kevin Hamm

15 Feb 2011 17:24:03 GMT

Kevin Hamm has been the senior pastor of FBC Gardendale in Gardendale, Ala., since April 2006. The church averages 3,500 in worship and is consistently among the state leaders in baptisms. He previously served nine years as the senior pastor of Valley View Church in Louisville, Ky., which grew from 300 to 2,700 weekly worshippers during his tenure. Hamm preaches all over, including evangelism conferences in Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi. In denominational service, he has served on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and as president of the Alabama Pastors’ Conference. His articles have been published in Growing Churches, Leadership and Leader Life. He has a B.A. from Western Kentucky University, a M.Div. from Mid-America Theological Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Seminary. Hamm has been married to Kim for 23 years, and they have three daughters: Lindsey, Lauren and Kayla.

02.09.2011 - James Merritt

9 Feb 2011 16:02:22 GMT

02.08.2011 - Todd Fisher

8 Feb 2011 17:54:27 GMT

12.07.2010 - John Serworwora

7 Dec 2010 17:27:21 GMT

John Serworwora has served as president of the Jakarta Baptist Seminary in Indonesia since 2005. He has also served in different capacities prior to his calling to the ministry including project manager for the Disaster Relief Ministry of the IMB Office in Indonesia. In January 2000, God called him to full-time ministry, and Serworwora earned a M.Div. from Mid-America Baptist Seminary in 2005. Preaching and teaching about how to preach are two of his favorite things to do in ministry, and they lead him to numerous opportunities to preach revival all over Indonesia — mainly to the younger generations. In 2008, he established the Vision of Jakarta 100 at JBTS. It is a vision of planting 100 new churches throughout the city of Jakarta within five years. Seeing the great needs for quality theological education in Indonesia, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Serworwora and his wife Lena have three daughters, Michelle, Maureen and Marianne.

12.01.2010 - Anthony George

1 Dec 2010 17:25:21 GMT

Anthony George is pastor of the Aloma Church, where he has served since 1997. The church has experienced consistent growth under his leadership, requiring extensive expansion and property acquisition. He currently serves as a trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, and as a member of the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions. George is 40 years old and has served the Lord as a single adult for his entire ministry. He is an avid reader of history and theology and enjoys spending time at the beach or in the mountains of east Tennessee. He is a graduate of Criswell College in Dallas and of Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.

11.30.2010 - Clyde Meador

30 Nov 2010 17:41:40 GMT

Clyde Meador has served as interim president of the International Mission Board since Aug. 1 and has been an executive vice president there since 2003. Prior to the IMB, he was a career missionary since 1974, working with the peoples of the Pacific and Southern and Southeast Asia. He also pastored churches in Tracy and Weston, Mo., and worked in the information technology field in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. Meador received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Canyon College in Phoenix; a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife Elaine have two grown children and four grandchildren.

11.17.2010 - Ben Awbrey

17 Nov 2010 17:08:33 GMT

Ben Awbrey teaches expository preaching at Midwestern Seminary. He recently completed a yearlong service as interim pastor at Summit Woods Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He received a doctor of Theology in leadership from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He did graduate work at Talbot Theological Seminary and earned a B.S. from Central State University. Prior to coming to Midwestern, Awbrey served as both pastor and adjunct professor of preaching at The Master’s Seminary in California, and he has also pastored in Oklahoma and Louisiana. Awbrey completed his dissertation on the expository preaching of John MacArthur.

11.16.2010 - Fusion Chapel

16 Nov 2010 17:08:45 GMT

Director Shawn Branscum and members of the FUSION team will share what the program is all about, how they became involved, and how you can encourage and support the group during this special chapel service. The team has worked hard this semester in preparation for Phase II, which includes international mission experience for each student during the spring semester in places such as South America, Asia, and Africa. The goal for students who participate in FUSION is to develop the skills necessary to lead a mission team around the globe and empower them to passionately serve in the name of Jesus Christ as they partner with missionaries and local believers. As they put it, FUSION is the ultimate college experience. Come and be blessed by what these students are learning and accomplishing for our Lord Jesus Christ!

11.09.2010 - Rodney Harrison

9 Nov 2010 17:53:54 GMT

Rodney Harrison serves as vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, director of Doctoral Studies and as an assistant professor of Christian Education at MBTS. He comes to Midwestern following a fruitful ministry in church planting and mission service in California, the Dakotas and Minnesota. Prior to coming to Midwestern, he served as the New Church Extension associate for the California Southern Baptist Convention. Harrison is the author of two books on church planting and has written material for LifeWay Christian Resources and the North American Mission Board. Harrison holds a D.Min. in Mission Administration from Golden Gate Seminary and has done post-doctoral studies at Oxford University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Harrison and his wife Julie have 3 children, Joshua, Cassandra and Gabrielle.

11.03.2010 - G.K. Beale

3 Nov 2010 17:57:45 GMT

Inaugurated Eschatology and Ecclesiology. Midwestern is proud to welcome Dr. G.K. Beale, professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Penn., as the guest lecturer for this year’s Sizemore Lectures on Nov. 2-3. The lectures will be held during the 10 a.m. chapel services on each of those days. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Beale is a respected evangelical leader and renowned scholar. He has published both for the evangelical constituency and for the mainstream academy. His commentary on Revelation (Eerdmans) sets the standard for the field. Beale is a scholar with a heart for the church and the desire and the ability to interact outside of the normal boundaries of broad evangelical discourse and publishing. His recent co-edited book, A Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker, 2007), was a finalist in the 2008 Christian Book Award in the Bible and Reference Category, winner of the 2008 Christianity Today Award of Merit in Biblical Studies, and named Academic Book of the Year (2008) by the Association of Theological Booksellers. The title of the series is: Inaugurated Eschatology and Its Implications for the Church

11.02.2010 - G.K. Beale

2 Nov 2010 17:55:53 GMT

The Inaugurated Eschatological Indicative and Imperative in Relation to Christian Living and Preaching. Midwestern is proud to welcome Dr. G.K. Beale, professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Penn., as the guest lecturer for this year’s Sizemore Lectures on Nov. 2-3. The lectures will be held during the 10 a.m. chapel services on each of those days. A former president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Beale is a respected evangelical leader and renowned scholar. He has published both for the evangelical constituency and for the mainstream academy. His commentary on Revelation (Eerdmans) sets the standard for the field. Beale is a scholar with a heart for the church and the desire and the ability to interact outside of the normal boundaries of broad evangelical discourse and publishing. His recent co-edited book, A Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Baker, 2007), was a finalist in the 2008 Christian Book Award in the Bible and Reference Category, winner of the 2008 Christianity Today Award of Merit in Biblical Studies, and named Academic Book of the Year (2008) by the Association of Theological Booksellers. The title of the series is: Inaugurated Eschatology and Its Implications for the Church

10.27.2010 - Larry Cornine

27 Oct 2010 17:09:46 GMT

Larry Cornine teaches Pastoral Care and Counseling classes at the graduate level and selected Christian Education and undergraduate classes. Along with his teaching responsibilities, he directs the Master’s in Counseling (MACO) program. Cornine has earned four degrees in education: a B.S.Ed., M.S.Ed., and Ed.Sp. at the University of Central Missouri, and an ED.D. from the University of Kansas. Additionally, he has a M.A. in Counseling from Liberty Baptist University and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Golden State University. He began his professional career as a biology teacher in the North Kansas City School District at Oak Park High School. Interrupted by service in the U.S. Army, Cornine returned to the NKC District as a teacher, became an assistant principal at Oak Park High School, where he served for eight years and became the principal of Kearney High School. Leaving education, he established Diakonos Counseling Center, consulted with area in-patient psychiatric hospitals and retired from clinical practice in 2000. Cornine taught as an adjunct for many years before being elected to the faculty in 2008.

10.26.2010 - Jerry Johnson

26 Oct 2010 17:40:00 GMT

Jerry Johnson serves as vice president for Academic Development, academic dean, and professor of Ethics and Theology at MBTS. He came to Midwestern from Criswell College in Dallas, where he served as president and professor of Theology and Ethics. Prior to Criswell, he was dean of Boyce College at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has over 15 years of pastoral experience in Texas, Colorado and Kentucky. Johnson holds a B.A. from Criswell College, a M.A. from Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary and a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary. Johnson’s leadership in the SBC includes chairmanship for both the Board of Trustees of Southern Seminary and the SBC Committee on Order of Business. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two children.

10.20.2010 - Ed Meyers

20 Oct 2010 17:38:52 GMT

After serving as a senior pastor in Southern Baptist churches for 32 years, Ed Meyers formed Bridge Pastoral Ministries, Inc., through which he continues to serve churches and pastors on a temporary basis. He has held pastoral positions in Roswell and Farmington, N.M., as well as in Redlands, Calif., and Florissant, Mo. Meyers led the Baptist Convention of New Mexico as president from 1986 to 1988. He is the chairman of the Executive Board of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico and chairman of the Property/Finance Committee of the state’s convention. Meyers graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of arts degree and earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been an MBTS trustee since 2003. Meyers currently serves as the transitional pastor of First Baptist Church, Carlsbad, N.M. He and his wife, Jan, have three married children, Carrie, Jason and Jennifer.

10.19.2010 - Jack Pogue

19 Oct 2010 17:35:59 GMT

Chairman of the W. A. Criswell Foundation

10.06.2010 - Bill Harrell

6 Oct 2010 17:11:25 GMT

Bill Harrell has served as senior pastor at Abilene Baptist Church since January 1981. He received an associate degree in business administration from Abraham Baldwin College in Georgia; a B.S. in business administration from Valdosta State College; attended Southeastern Seminary working toward a M.Div. with a pastoral care and the prophets concentration; and earned a Doctor of Divinity from Southern California Theological Seminary. In Convention service, Harrell has held numerous positions within the Georgia Baptist Convention, including Vice President in 1987-88. He has also served on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Committee on Committees and multiple terms on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee (1986-1994 and 2003-Present), where he has acted as chairman and vice chairman. He and his wife, Carolyn (Gibbs), have three grown daughters.

10.05.2010 - John Lee

5 Oct 2010 17:31:00 GMT

John Lee is the newest member of the Midwestern faculty, having served here since Aug. 1. He arrived on campus after completing his doctoral research at Edinburgh University, which was combined with a teaching position at King’s Evangelical Divinity School and studies at Tubingen University. His recent research interests include Mark’s Gospel and New Testament Christology. Lee studied Music Composition at Seoul National University in Korea and then began his theological education at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He has also served in pastoral ministry for three Korean congregations, including the Korean Baptist Church of Indianapolis (SBC). John and his wife, Sunny, have a five-year old son, Joshua.

09.29.2010 - Jim Anderson

29 Sep 2010 17:57:47 GMT

Jim Anderson teaches Biblical Studies and Aviation at Midwestern and serves as the Chancellor Pro Tem of Midwestern Baptist College, SBC. He received a Doctor of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after earning his M.Div. there as well. He received his B.A. from Ottawa University. Anderson has been in the full-time ministry for more than 50 years having served as a pastor for 13 years and brings with him 32 years of teaching experience. From 1996-1999, he was the president of Calvary Bible College and Seminary and has been honored with the Calvary Bible College Alumnus of the Year Award. He has led tour groups to the Holy Land and taught aviation classes, as a Certified Flight Instructor, to train missionary pilots. Anderson is currently involved in evangelistic meetings, Bible conferences, camps, revival meetings, Bible studies, and aviation – teaching, flying, ministry and mercy flights, and some test flights. His research interests include archaeology. He and his wife, Diana, have four children – Rebecca, Bill, Jonathan and Dan – and 10 grandchildren.

09.28.2010 - John Mark Clifton

28 Sep 2010 17:49:15 GMT

John Mark Clifton has been lead pastor of Wornall Road Baptist Church in Kansas City since 2008. A veteran pastor and church planter, Clifton has served in and planted churches for more than 30 years in Missouri, Georgia, and Kansas-Nebraska. His roles have included Church Planting Missionary for the Home Mission Board in Atlanta, Ga., Director of Church Planting Projects for the HMB, and State Director of Missions, for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention. More recently he worked as Associate Director of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association and as Executive Director of the Light House – a maternity home and adoption agency in Kansas City. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from William Jewel College and earned a M.Div. from Midwestern Seminary in 1985. He is a second-generation MBTS graduate as his father, Rev. Harry Clifton, is a 1969 graduate. Clifton and his wife, Jill (Adams), have two married sons, Jordan and Trenton.

09.22.2010 - Roger Spradlin

22 Sep 2010 19:08:40 GMT

Roger Spradlin has served as the senior pastor of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, Calif., since 1983. Prior to Valley Baptist, he pastored churches in Texas and California. He also directed the California Southern Baptist Convention’s Baptist Student Union program. He earned his D.Min. from Southern Seminary in 2002, a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Criswell College in 1983, and a B.A. in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1977. In Southern Baptist service, Spradlin is the SBC’s chairman of the Executive Committee, a member of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, a past president of the California Southern Baptist Convention and a Board of Trustees member at Southern Seminary. He and his wife, Ginger, have four children: Matthew, Andrew, Faith, and the late Charity.

09.21.2010 - Tony Preston

21 Sep 2010 19:07:49 GMT

Tony Preston teaches pastoral leadership at Midwestern. He received a Doctor of Ministry at Reformed Seminary and has earned a M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.A. from William Carey College – all while pastoring. Preston is a veteran pastor, having served for 22 years in churches in Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas. He continues to pastor on a very regular interim basis. In addition to pastoral experience, he was professor of Evangelism at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and served on the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. His research interests are all in the field of pastoral ministry and leadership. Preston and his wife, Brenda, have two grown children, Brandon and Angela.

09.15.2010 - Rustin Umstattd

15 Sep 2010 18:09:05 GMT

Rustin Umstattd currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Theology and Associate Academic Dean at Midwestern. He earned his doctorate and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia Southern University and B.B.A. from Georgia Southwestern University. Umstattd came to Midwestern after serving 15-plus years in student ministry, with the last 10 being served at Matthew Road Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. His research interests include the theology of both the Trinity and the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, Leslie, have two daughters.

09.14.2010 - Tom Hatley

14 Sep 2010 18:44:52 GMT

Tom Hatley has served as pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark, since 1992. Prior to his time at Immanuel, he has pastored churches in Oklahoma and Texas since 1972. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies and a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Criswell College, as well as a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Baptist University. Hatley earned his D.Min. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994. During his Southern Baptist service, Hatley has held positions on the SBC Nominations Committee, as President of the Arkansas Baptist Pastors Conference in 1999, and in various leadership positions as a trustee on the International Mission Board for eight years. He and his wife, Peggy Jean, have two grown children, and four grandchildren.

09.08.2010 - Bill Darnell - One Great Day of Sharing

8 Sep 2010 22:41:21 GMT

Bill Darnell currently serves as president of People Sharing Jesus Ministries and pastor of First Baptist Church of Counce, Tenn. After receiving a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lamar University in Beaumont, Tex., Darnell attained his M.Div. degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He has served as pastor or interim pastor at numerous churches in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee since his call to the ministry at age 20. He has also participated in revivals and missions work throughout South America. Darnell and his wife, Gaye, have two sons — William and Daniel.

09.07.2010 - David Tolliver

7 Sep 2010 22:38:06 GMT

David Tolliver was elected Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention on Feb. 3, 2009. Previously he served as Assoc. Executive Director over the Communications/Development Team and as Cooperative Program Specialist. Prior to joining the MBC staff, Tolliver served for almost 20 years as pastor to three Missouri churches. Tolliver is a native of Missouri and a fourth generation Missouri-Southern Baptist pastor/preacher. He has also served in leadership positions within the Southern Baptist Convention, MBC and three Missouri Baptist Associations. Tolliver received his undergraduate degree from Dallas Baptist University. He also studied at Southwestern Seminary before earning a M.Div. and D.Min. from Midwestern. Tolliver and his wife, Myra, have two grown children, Terra Jo and Adam, and two grandchildren, Jordan and Camilla.

09.01.2010 - Bryant Wright

1 Aug 2010 18:35:20 GMT

Dr. Bryant Wright serves as President of the SBC, and as senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. He was a successful businessman before answering God’s call to ministry. He is a respected Bible teacher, pastor, husband, father and community leader. Wright uniquely connects God's unchanging truth with a diverse culture through compelling and creative teaching. He has authored four books, One Minute of Your Time, Another Minute of Your Time, One Minute of Your Day, and Seeds of Turmoil (to be released this Fall). He received a B.A. in English from the University of South Carolina, and a M.Div. from Southern Seminary. In 2007, Wright received an honorary doctorate from SEFOVAN, a seminary in Madrid, Spain. Wright and his wife, Anne, have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

08.31.2010 - Akec Khoc

31 Aug 2010 18:02:45 GMT

Dr. Akec Khoc has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to the U.S. since September 2008. His other political duties have included Deputy Permanent Representative from Sudan to the U.N. and Deputy Director of the International organizations Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—Khartoum, Sudan. Prior to his political endeavors, Dr. Khoc served as a physician in a major Sudanese refugee camp in Ethiopia, and as the Humanitarian Service Coordinator in Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-controlled areas. The Ambassador holds degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the Khartoum Medical School and remains a licensed physician. Dr. Khoc is a Christian who “embraced the Savior, Jesus Christ, in 1985.” He actively participates in the weekly Ambassador’s prayer breakfasts in the Washington, D.C. area. He and his wife have seven children.

08.25.2010 - Doug Munton

25 Aug 2010 18:59:41 GMT

Chapel Service for Wednesday, August 25, 2010.

08.24.2010 - Philip Roberts - Convocation

24 Aug 2010 18:47:06 GMT

Fall 2010 Convocation

03.09.2010 - Gordon Fort

9 Mar 2010 17:47:22 GMT

Dr. Gordon Fort serves as Vice President of the Office of Global Strategy with the IMB. He was born in Zimbabwe, where his parents served as missionaries. Fort received a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and the M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He has served as a summer staff worker at Glorieta in New Mexico and as pastor of Macedonia-Hix Baptist Church in Caldwell, Texas. Fort was appointed as a missionary in Feb. 1985, and served as a general evangelist in Botswana. While on the mission field, he has served in such leadership positions as Associate to Area Director for Southern Africa and Regional Leader for Southern Africa. In 2004, Fort resigned from missionary service to join the IMB home office staff. Fort and his wife Leigh Ann have five children, Sarah, Giles Harrison, Kathryn, Elizabeth, and Ann.

03.03.2010 - New Chapel Groundbreaking Ceremony

3 Mar 2010 17:30:08 GMT

The Midwestern Family welcomes our guests as we break ground on a 1,000-seat chapel complex that will also include a welcome center, additional classroom space and corridors connecting the Administration Building to the Trustees Classroom Building. MBTS will team with J.E. Dunn Construction Company, serving as general contractor, and with the volunteer construction group, Builders for Christ, to accomplish the project. After the groundwork is prepared, the volunteer construction effort begins on May 26. Thank you for sharing in this special occasion with us today!

02.24.2010 - Phil Roberts

24 Feb 2010 17:24:20 GMT

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees unanimously elected Dr. R. Philip Roberts as the fourth president of the Kansas City-based Southern Baptist seminary in Jan. 2001. Since arriving, Roberts has overseen steady growth in MBTS’s student population, assembled a top-tier faculty, launched Midwestern Baptist College, SBC, implemented a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program, and expanded the school’s campus by purchasing the Koehn-Myers building, constructing housing facilities and renovating many of the campus’ existing buildings. Roberts began his duties in Feb. 2001, after a seven-year tenure with the North American Mission Board, where he served as vice president for the Strategic Cities Strategies Group. In addition to pastoring international churches in England, Germany and Belgium, Roberts has extensive experience leading and teaching evangelism and discipleship courses throughout Europe. Roberts received his Ph.D. from the Free University of Amsterdam, conducted post-graduate research at Oxford University, received the M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and the B.A. from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. He is the author of several books, including Mormonism Unmasked and The Counterfeit Gospel of Mormonism, as well as having served as executive director of the Mormonism Unmasked and The Cross and the Crescent interfaith videos. He has also contributed to numerous theological journals, opinion pages and Christian publications. Roberts and his wife, Anja, have two children, Naomi and Mark.

02.23.2010 - Steve Dighton

23 Feb 2010 17:21:26 GMT

Rev. Steve Dighton has been the Senior Pastor at Lenexa Baptist Church since 1990. Prior to Lenexa, he was the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Piedmont, Okla. Dighton received his education at Dallas Baptist University and holds two degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before his call to the ministry, he enjoyed a career in the men's clothing business. While serving as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at his home church, First Baptist of Ada, Okla., he felt God's call to full time service. The Dighton family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, so he could follow God's leading and attend seminary. Since that time, God has confirmed that calling in many ways. His wife, Mary Dighton, D.D.S., is in private practice in Lenexa. The Dightons have two sons, Chase and Derek. They also have three grandchildren, Cooper, Allison and Johnathan.

02.17.2010 - Dick Eastman

17 Feb 2010 17:19:08 GMT

Day of Prayer Service

02.10.2010 - Anthony Allen

10 Feb 2010 16:56:00 GMT

Mr. Anthony W. Allen serves as Senior Vice President for Administration and COO at MBTS. He has extensive development skills and experience from his previous 16 years of work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) as Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and then Vice President for Financial Development. Allen holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Religion from Duke University in Durham, N.C., a Master of Divinity degree with Biblical Languages, and a Master of Theology degree from SEBTS. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. Allen and his wife, Stacy, have five children, Bethany, Evan, Leighton, Annaliese and Brinley.

02.03.2010 - Lawrence Corley

3 Feb 2010 17:44:05 GMT

At today’s service, Midwestern will host a presentation by Lawrence Corley, Director of Builders for Christ, based in Birmingham, Ala. The BFC network of volunteers will join hands with MBTS between Memorial Day and Labor Day to assist in the construction of the Chapel at Midwestern complex. During the presentation, students, faculty, staff and visitors will receive up-to-the-minute insight into the details of the upcoming construction project. Since 1982, Corley and the BFC network have spearheaded efforts to assist Southern Baptist churches and organizations primarily in the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. to build quality facilities with the goal of reaching people in those areas with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to his work with BFC, Corley is the President of CTSM Architects, Inc., in Birmingham.

02.02.2010 - Jerry Johnson

2 Feb 2010 17:21:36 GMT

Dr. Jerry A. Johnson serves as Vice President for Academic Development, Academic Dean, and Professor of Ethics and Theology at MBTS. He comes to Midwestern from Criswell College in Dallas, where he served as President and Professor of Theology and Ethics. Prior to Criswell, he was Dean of Boyce College at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has over 15 years of pastoral experience in Texas, Colorado, and Kentucky. Johnson holds a B.A. from Criswell College, an M.A. from Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary. His leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention includes chairmanship for both the Board of Trustees of Southern Seminary and the SBC Committee on Order of Business. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two children.