by jowens | Dec 19, 2012
Reverend Archie Ratliff, who served on the Welch College Board of Trustees from 1996 – 2008, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2012, in Houston, Texas, after a three-year battle with cancer.
Pastor Ratliff was ordained in 1972 in Glennville, Georgia, where he served five years as pastor of Glennville Free Will Baptist Church. He also served as Moderator of the South Georgia Association from 1974 – 1976.
He returned to his home state of Indiana the following year to pastor Peace Free Will Baptist Church in Beech Grove. He also served as Moderator of the Indiana State Association for seven of his 14-year tenure there.
In 1991, Reverend Ratliff accepted the pastorate at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston, North Carolina. He served 12 years (1996 – 2008) on the Welch College Board of Trustees, including several years as vice chairman.
Pastor Ratliff was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2009. While he was able to overcome the cancer, he developed leukemia as a result of the radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
President Matt Pinson said, “The Welch College family mourns the loss of this servant of God. We thank the Lord for his service to Welch College and the Free Will Baptist denomination and will be praying for his family in the coming days.”
Pastor Ratliff is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Portia; three daughters Kim Truett, Michelle Williams, and Jennifer Carnes; brother Steve Ratliff; and nine grandchildren.
by jowens | Oct 11, 2012
Nineteen high school seniors from ten states attended the fall 2012 Senior Days on October 4-5 at Welch College. The students hailed from Tennessee (8), North Carolina (2), Ohio (2), Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Missouri (1), South Carolina (1), and Virginia (1).
The seniors participated in a number of activities representing different aspects of campus life—they attended classes, experienced dorm life, and worshipped with Welch College students in chapel. Their two-day schedule included a campus tour and “Glow-in-the-Dark Soccer” Thursday evening.
Friday morning, the visiting seniors had breakfast with President Matt Pinson and later heard about college life from Welch College students during a Q&A-style panel discussion. During the concluding Faculty Reception, seniors met with professors from their particular fields of interest.
Debbie Mouser, director of enrollment services, said, “This event gave our prospective students the opportunity to be a college student for a day. They met with an advisor, stayed with a personal host, attended classes, and learned how the enrollment process works at Welch College. Our goal is to help students to know if Welch College is a good fit for them.”
The seniors were asked to complete a survey rating their Senior Days experience. They gave high marks to faculty, staff, and students for their knowledge and helpfulness. On a scale of one to five (1 = poor; 5 = excellent), the visitors rated student and faculty hospitality 4.79 and 4.89 respectively. Regarding academics, the seniors gave a 4.68 satisfaction rating to the classes they attended. All 19 students agreed that their visit increased their interest in attending Welch College.
One student said, “Senior Days helped a lot with my decision-making. I felt like I was Welch College student while I was there and loved it.”
The Next Senior days is set for January 31- February 1, 2013. For more information, contact the Enrollment Management Office at recruit@welch.edu.
by jowens | Oct 3, 2012
Seven Welch College ministerial students travelled six hours to Columbus, Georgia, to preach in local churches belonging to Georgia/Alabama’s Chattahoochee and Twin Cities Associations.
The group left campus at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. John Murray, Welch College’s Christian service director, said, “There was excitement in the air as we left Saturday. The men kept the van buzzing about preaching, the Bible, theology, and of course, plenty of good-natured humor. They have been asking me for weeks about going on this trip.”
The Preaching Team arrived in Columbus at 2:30 p.m. and then gathered for a 6:00 p.m. rally at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. Sophomore ministerial student Stephen Bozeman led the singing, and freshman preacher Mike Hollis preached.
Sunday morning, the team split up to preach at their respective churches, ministering to more than 350 people and receiving over $1,800 for the college. The group reported one rededication as a result of their labors.
Several students commented on their experience preaching in Georgia.
Aaron Pierce (Senior): “White Rock Free Will Baptist Church (Phenix City, AL) was a very friendly congregation and receptive to the Word. It was one of my favorite preaching trips so far.
Derreck Lute (Sophomore): “I loved preaching at Turner’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church (Butler, GA). The people were willing to grow together through the preaching of the Word. Pastor Phil Bozeman was a great host. Not many things can beat good southern cooking!”
Mike Hollis (Freshman): “First Free Will Baptist in Columbus was such an encouraging church. The people were welcoming and made me feel right at home. Pastor Martin was a blessing, and I enjoyed preaching God’s Word to God’s people. We had one rededication. This was my first preaching trip with Welch College, and it was a great opportunity to grow and learn with some brothers in the faith.”
Tim Hutchinson (Junior): “Preaching trips are one of my favorite things that Welch College does. It was a phenomenal trip to Georgia. I’m thankful to spend this time with some of my closest friends. I can’t wait for more trips the rest of the year.”
Stephen Bozeman (Sophomore): “Calvary Free Will Baptist Church (Columbus, GA) was a great church. The people were receptive, encouraging, and supportive of what we did.”
Cody Balfour (Junior): “I usually learn a lot about preaching when I go on these trips. This time was different though: I learned about loving the people in the congregation.”
Phill Easley (Junior): “I loved this trip. I enjoyed getting to know some of the pastoral majors better and gain experience driving a 15-passenger van. I felt like God moved in the service mightily.”
The men returned to campus at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night bringing their trip to a close after a 700-mile round-trip. “Sunday when we gathered to return, every pastor commented on what a blessing their student-preacher had been,” said John Murray.
The group plans to make six trips this year. The next preaching trip is scheduled for November 3-4 to Kansas.
by jowens | Sep 24, 2012
The 2012 Theological Symposium will meet October 22-23 on the campus of Welch College in Nashville, Tennessee. The symposium begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, and will end at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23.
The symposium will be a time for presentation of papers and lively discussion of important issues facing the church today. This year’s program features nine papers on a variety of subjects. Three of the papers focus on specific areas of Jonathan Edwards’s theology: free will, effectual and ineffectual grace, and learning from the spirituality of Jonathan Edwards. The Commission plans to publish the papers in a book.
For more information on the symposium, contact Commission chairman Matt Pinson (president@fwbbc.edu).
The symposium is an annual event sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity of the National Association of Free Will Baptists.
Theological Symposium Presenters and Papers
Aaron Baldridge: “Reclaiming the Church‘s Mission by Rediscovering Our Understanding of Covenant”
Keith Kenemer: “The Call to Christian Education”
Greg Ketteman: “Toward a Christian View of Sport”
Denny Kuhn: “Jonathan Edwards’s Theology of Free Will”
Thomas Marberry: “The Lucan Travel Narrative: A Journey into Discipleship”
Matthew McAffee: “The Old Testament Covenant Context of the Good Word and Its Significance for Interpreting Hebrews 6:5”
Matt Pinson: “Effectual and Ineffectual Grace in the Theology of Jonathan Edwards”
Barry Raper: “Saints in the Hands of an Authentic Guide: Learning from the Spirituality of Jonathan Edwards”
Jackson Watts: “’In One Accord’: Bridging the Divide Between Doctrine and Practice”
by jowens | Sep 20, 2012
Two Welch College alumni from Arkansas, Mr. Cameron Lane and his wife Krista, donated a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban to the college in September 2012 to be used as a maintenance vehicle, according to Craig Mahler, vice president for financial affairs. The Lanes reside in Russellville, Arkansas.
The five-door, V-8, four-wheel drive Suburban is valued at $17,000-$20,000. The bronze-colored Chevy stands high off the ground with 17-inch tires and will be especially appreciated by the college’s maintenance staff during severe weather conditions. The vehicle has been professionally serviced and maintained.
Mr. Mahler said, “We are thankful for the generosity demonstrated by Cameron and Krista Lane. We hope their example encourages other alumni and friends to donate useful in-kind gifts. This is another way that supporters of the college can make a difference in a time of economic difficulty.”
The Lanes attended Welch College in the 1980s. They are members of First Free Will Baptist Church (Russellville). Mr. Lane, owner of Lane Physical Therapy Center, is a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports medicine and McKenzie Diagnosis Therapy. He also serves on the board of the 1040i mission group. Collin Lane, son of Cameron and Krista, is a sophomore at Welch College.
David Williford, vice president for institutional advancement, said, “In addition to this recent timely gift by Cameron and Krista Lane, they are also faithful supporters of Welch College’s annual fund, as well as active supporters of the college’s ongoing relocation efforts. We thank God for them and their commitment to the college.”
