Welch College Hosts Early Childhood Professional Development Seminar

by jowens | Nov 30, 2017

On October 28, over fifty early childhood educators from six area preschools met at Welch College for the first Early Childhood Educators Professional Development Seminar, according to William Slater, Dean of Enriched Adult Studies. The seminar, sponsored by the Enriched Adult Studies department, focused on Early Childhood Literacy.

The seminar began in a general session with speaker Bobbi Lussier, Executive Director, Office of Professional Laboratory Experiences at Middle Tennessee State University. Attendees then chose two of six breakout sessions whose speakers included Fran Gregory, Metro Public Schools; Diane Lytle, Preschool Director, Pleasant View Christian School; LaTrays Duplex, Preschool Teacher, Pleasant View Christian School; Shauna Williams, Adjunct Faculty, Welch College; and William Slater, Welch College.

“The response from the preschool teachers, staff, and administrators was overwhelmingly positive,” said Mr. Slater. “Our goal is to position Welch College as the epicenter of professional development for preschool programs in middle Tennessee, throughout the state, and in Free Will Baptist preschools nationally.”

To learn more about the Enriched Adult Studies department, click here 

Welch College Hires Key New Staff

by jowens | Nov 20, 2017

GALLATIN, TN—Russell Houske and Lynn Sharenberger have been hired as the new Facilities Services Manager and Receptionist, respectively, according to President Matt Pinson. The Facilities Services Manager role is a newly created position that will complement the plant operations department by managing the cosmetic aspects of maintenance and campus beautification. Sharenberger fills the vacancy left by Emily Vickery who moved with her husband to Cambridge, England.

Houske, a Welch alumnus, graduated with an Associate’s degree in Ministry in 2013 and a Bachelor’s degree in Theological Studies in 2017. He also holds a degree and licensure from Volunteer State Community College. He previously worked for the National Park Service at Fort Donelson National Battlefield and National Cemetery with grounds and facility maintenance. While there he also managed the Youth Conservation Corps student workers during the summer. He is a nationally and state licensed paramedic, and previously served as Paramedic Captain for Stewart County Emergency Medicine.

Mr. Houske, an ordained minister, served seven years as associate and youth pastor at Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Dover, Tennessee. Currently, he is pastor of Carlisle Free Will Baptist church in Dover. “The mission of Welch College is actively being carried out on campus every day, and I consider it an honor to be a part of this ministry,” Houske said. “Each day on campus is a new opportunity to engage the students and to worship alongside the faculty and staff through service. I believe that we can all be excited about the future of Welch College and its continued influence for Christ.”

Russell and his wife, Amber, have four children: Jacob, a freshman at Welch, Jackson (15), Carleigh (14), and Cayden (12).

Sharenberger, a native of Turbeville, South Carolina, graduated from Welch in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Music/Business. During college she began work as an assistant in the Trust Department of Nashville City Bank and eventually became Vice President in Cash Management Services. While homeschooling her daughter, Sharenberger also taught piano, served as a church pianist, and established the Community Kidz Choir Summer Music Camp and the eXalt Teen Music Camp. Lynn and her husband, A. J., have a daughter, Mallie, who is a freshman at Welch.

“I am excited to return to Welch and have been delighted to renew so many old friendships while making new ones,” Sharenberger said. “We believe Welch is well positioned to make a tremendous impact on this generation in times like these where truth and light is so desperately needed.”

“I’m so excited about these important new staff additions,” President Pinson said. “Mr. Houske and Mrs. Sharenberger both bring a love for Welch and tremendous expertise to what they do. We’re so happy to have them both as members of the Welch family.”

Welch College Appoints Todd and Merinda Parrish to Advancement Roles

by jowens | Nov 5, 2017

Reverend F. Todd Parrish has been named Director of Church Relations and Major Gifts Officer, and his wife Merinda has been named Major Gifts Liaison at Welch College, according to David Williford, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Parrish is currently Senior Pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church, Washington, North Carolina, and Mrs. Parrish is a national board certified English teacher at Bear Grass Charter School in Bear Grass, NC. The Parrishes will complete their current responsibilities in December of this year and will assume their duties at Welch in January.

“Todd and Merinda will bring their infectious excitement about the ministry of Welch to their new roles here,” said Williford. “Their church has sent 12 students to Welch College in the past 4 years, including both their daughters. The Parrishes have been active in fundraising, friend-raising, and alumni work for Welch for years. Now they will step into a role where they will do that professionally. I’m excited about what they’ll add to our presence in the denomination and with donors.”

A North Carolina native, Parrish has served in his current pastorate since 2012. He currently serves as Assistant Moderator of the North Carolina State Association of Free Will Baptists and Vice President of the Welch College Alumni Association. Parrish was ordained under the ministry of Dr. Malcolm C. Fry. A 1989 Welch graduate, he obtained his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2010 and is currently completing the M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Welch. Parrish started as a youth and music minister and for the past two decades has pastored Free Will Baptist churches.

Merinda, a native of Alabama, grew up in a pastor’s home. A 1991 Welch graduate, she and Todd met while they were students at Welch and married in 1990. She has taught in Christian and public schools for the past 21 years.  She holds an M.A. in Secondary Education/Literacy-Reading Specialist from the University of Alabama.

“Merinda and I are looking forward to this new challenge,” Parrish said. “We believe in the mission of Welch College and are convinced that God has used our college to set the course for the Free Will Baptist denomination by being its main source of pastors, missionaries, and key lay leaders.”

“As we begin a new chapter on a new campus, we are excited about how God will help us chart new waters while staying firmly committed to our theological tradition and heritage as Free Will Baptists,” Parrish continued. “I’m eager to meet with pastors regarding what Welch College can do for their congregations, and how they can help the college build a stronger financial base and increase enrollment, and I’m excited about the opportunity to cultivate more friends for Welch who will partner with us financially.”

The Parrish’s older daughter, Emily Vickery, and her husband Zach, reside in England, where Zach is a graduate student at Cambridge University. Their younger daughter, Ellen Stox, and her husband Kevin, reside in Bristol, TN, where Ellen serves as a social worker with Free Will Baptist Family Ministries, and Kevin teaches and coaches at the Tennessee Avenue Christian Academy.