Pioneer Magazine, Fall 2022

THE MISSION OF LUTHER RICE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY IS TO SERVE THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING BIBLICALLY-BASED ON-CAMPUS AND DISTANCE EDUCATION TO CHRISTIAN MEN AND WOMEN FOR MINISTRY AND THE MARKETPLACE WITH AN END TO GRANTING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES.

FROM THE PRESIDENTA MESSAGE

5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

Thank you all for your prayers, kind words, and support for our wonderful institution over the past year. July 1, 2022 marked my one-year anniversary as the fifth President of Luther Rice.

As promised, we remain committed to being the trusted choice in Christian Higher Education. While the enemy is raising up teachers to accommodate those who will not endure sound doctrine, Luther Rice remains actively engaged in raising up teachers who are faithful to God’s Word and His sound doctrine (2 Tim 4.3-5).

We will not let our eyes wander from the ministry that God has entrusted us to serve. Our mission is clear, our ministry is fruitful, and our foundation is rooted firmly on the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. All new programs or initiatives launched by Luther Rice will be designed to support the firm foundation of God’s Word, not compromise it.

Wherever you may be serving, please know that we are your partner in ministry. I would love to hear from you about how we can better serve you. You can trust

OUR PROGRESS

The past year was a busy one. Our staff and faculty worked tirelessly to accomplish many milestones from our 5-Year Strategic Plan. Here are some highlights of the progress made over the past year:

• Graduated 157 students from 26 states and 5 foreign countries

• Provided 562 students with over $235,000 in scholarships

• Enrolled 907 students in 3,091 classes

• Launched the Ministry in the Marketplace initiative

• Added the BA in Psychology degree program

• Added the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership degree program

• Added 9 new Certificate offerings

• Added an 81 Hour Master of Divinity program

• Added the Master of Arts to Doctor of Ministry Bridge

• Received over $225,000 in gifts from our ministry partners

A Passion ...for Reaching the Lost

A young Christian man, encouraged to find the most “lost” person and tell him about Jesus, trembled, and knocked on the door of a teenage boy’s home. As the door opened, the young Christian told the lost teenager, “Everything you’re looking for can be found in Jesus,” and then took off. As the lost teenager closed the door, he thought, “What was that about?”

The words stuck in his head like a great song. Later, the lost teenager would find himself in deep trouble. He was stabbed three times with a 9-inch butcher knife. He ran to a local parking lot, grabbed a light pole, and while choking on his own blood, he remembered those words, “Everything you’re looking for can be found in Jesus.” At that moment, he asked Jesus to come into his life and save him, knowing he would die soon.

A miracle happened and the young boy lived.

There were only 32 people in attendance on that first Easter Sunday. They were in great debt and didn’t even have enough to afford to pay him a salary. But this man, Bill Purvis, knew he was called to Cascade Hills Church to reach lost people just like he was lost a few years prior.

His passion to reach the lost never faded. Going from 32 people to over 10,000 in membership, Cascade Hills grew exponentially over the next 36 years. Finally, the time came to pass the baton to his co-pastor and son, Brent Purvis. Both men have the same passion, “To Make Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus Christ out of Irreligious People.”

Cascade Hills is now debt free, able to give abundantly to missions, and is still growing just as much today. One of the greatest blessings is witnessing the baptisms of new believers! Since 2015, Cascade Hills has baptized on average a new convert every single day of the week! Rain, sleet, snow, or shine, there are baptisms almost every single day at Cascade Hills in its outdoor baptismal pool. God is so good!

Because of this, Cascade Hills was awarded the Great Commission Award from Luther Rice College and Seminary this past spring. Accepting the award on behalf of the church, Pastor Brent Purvis stated, “It is such an honor to receive this award and knowing we are doing all we can to tell the world that, ‘Everything they’re looking for can be found in Jesus!’,” Pastor Brent Purvis.

A few years would pass, and this young man would be called to pastor a church in Columbus, Georgia.

MA KING A WAY

For those who have been on the Luther Rice campus, you’ve likely met, conversed with, and prayed with Luther Rice graduate Dr. Roe Nall (MDIV ’98; DMIN ’99; Alumnus of the Year 2020). Dr. Nall, his family, and their ministry, Reaching and Meeting Needs Worldwide Ministry, Inc., are long-time ministry partners with Luther Rice.

Dr. Nall and his wife Mayfred were reared by parents whose only source of income was from domestic work. Neither mother ever made over $18.75 a week. Roe, an only child, obtained earned degrees through the doctoral level. Mayfred was the first among her seven siblings to obtain a bachelor’s degree and an advanced degree. Mayfred went to be with the Lord on May 31, 2015.

As he and Mayfred sought to establish a ministry to help others, Dr. Nall stated, “We had a God-given desire to help struggling individuals by doing all the good we can, by all the means we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as ever we can.”

On Friday, November 29, 2013, through a great desire to help others who may be struggling with a need for food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance, or spiritual guidance, Reaching and Meeting Needs Worldwide Ministry, Inc. was officially founded. The Nall family made the initial gift. God has honored their faith as the ministry now functions through the loyal support of many sponsors.

Dr. Roe Nall, Jr. a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, acknowledged his call to preach on Thursday, March 4, 1971, and has been active in ministry for over fifty-one years. Dr. Nall has adopted his motto “The World is My Parish” and foundational scripture Matthew 25:40 for the ministry. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Reaching and Meeting Needs Worldwide Ministry, Inc.

The Lord blessed Dr. Nall and Mayfred Nall with two wonderful daughters, Dr. Tamara Nall-Ezeanii and Dr. Rachel Dunbar, and one grandson E.J. Dunbar. In addition to their roles with the ministry, Tamara is founder and CEO of TLN Worldwide Enterprises, Inc. (dba: The Leading Niche), Rachel is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, and E.J. is currently studying in the 7th grade.

In 2019, Dr. Nall and family established the Roe and Mayfred Nall International Scholarship Fund at Luther Rice. The Fund provides 100% tuition and fee scholarships to eligible international students. To date, 15 international students have benefited from the family’s generosity by completing their degrees 100% online without the need to leave their families, ministries, and countries.

Thank you Nall family.

SCHOLARSHIP ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EARN DEGREES WHERE THEY SERVE

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ˮ

Matthew 25:40 ESV

Alum Brings Gosp e l healing

Through Global Medical Missions Outreach

Joseph Wicks graduated from Luther Rice in 2019 with a Master of Arts in Leadership. Since graduation, Joseph has joined a nonprofit ministry, Medical Missions Outreach, as an International Teams Coordinator. The ministry partners with missionaries around the world to provide free medical, optical, dental, and surgical clinics in developing countries. Although providing quality, ethical medical care is the outreach’s priority, the central focus of these clinics is to share the Gospel. Wicks stated, “we know medicine is helpful for temporary healing, but we fully recognize the love of Christ is the message that provides eternal life. God has used this ministry to reach thousands of people with the good news of the Gospel.”

Joseph is thankful for his time at Luther Rice where he was “equipped to lead within the organization and understand leadership in a global context, preparing him for such a unique calling.”

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’

Jamie Baker (BARC ’20)

Works as the Youth Director at her church and leads the ladies Jail Ministry, conducting a monthly church service for the female inmates. Before the pandemic, Jamie traveled to Ghana, Africa for a 10 day mission trip (pictured below).

Steven Bates (BARC ’19)

Serves the Outreach Ministry for Cross Culture Church in Lithonia, Georgia.

Dr. Kevin Bussey (DMIN ’21)

Works as a full-time Professor of Biblical Studies at Highlands College in Birmingham, Alabama.

John Donahue (MAA ’16; MDIV ’18)

Currently serves as the senior pastor at Rowlesburg Southern Baptist Church.

Dr. Karlos Felton (MAM ’18)

After graduating with a Masters in 2018, Dr. Felton applied and was admitted in the Doctoral program at Southern Theological Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. On December 10, 2021 he graduated with a Doctor of Educational Ministry with a concentration in Leadership.

Tim Gaynor (MACS ’19)

Begins his 22nd year working at Southeastern Free Will Baptist College in Wendell, North Carolina as the Dean of Students, and full-time professor of Old and New Testament Survey. Gaynor has been married to his wife, Lynnette, for forty-one years, has three children, and six grandchildren.

Justin Meyer (MACC ’06)

Recently joined the staff at Living Hope Christian Counseling Services in El Paso, Texas as a pastoral counselor.

Joshua Peterson (DMIN ’20)

Serves as the Director of HOLA Ministries, which he founded with his wife, Rosy, in 2017. The ministry works with and disciples to Latinos and Americans in western Wisconsin. In the last five years, over a hundred Latinos and dozens of Americans have received Jesus after hearing the gospel. Dr. Peterson has also written a book, The Life Changer: Finding Joy, Peace, and Your Purpose by Discovering Truth (2022, Covenant Books). Visit the author’s website for more information: joshpeterson.org.

Ron Price (MAM ’20)

Currently serves as an adjunct professor at a Bible college in the Metro-Atlanta area. Price recently published a book titled, The Comforter Has Come: A Manual for Enhancing Your Fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Anthony Russo (MABC ’15; MDIV ’21)

Besides co-hosting a weekly podcast, Grace and Peace Radio, Russo just finished writing a new book, Jesus Changed Everything: He Changed History; He Can Change Your Story

Eric Seibold (BARM ’19)

Recently accepted a job as a Worship/Youth Pastor at a church in Dayton, Tennessee. Eric was ordained for ministry in September 2022.

Dennis Sutherby (BARM ’15; MABC ’19)

Hosts a podcast called Faith in Focus as part of his ministry as a missionary with InFaith. Sutherby (pictured right) also serves as a biblical counselor both online and in person.

SP O TLIGHT

Julio Val (MAM ’19)

Wears many hats at the Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church, serving as pastor, teacher, trainer, worship leader, and deacon (pictured below). Julio was a recipient of the Roe and Mayfred Nall International Scholarship.

Roy Wade, Sr. (MDIV ’91)

Recently published two books entitled, The Seven Pieces of Armor of God (e-book) and Blow the Trumpet in America

Patrick & Keisha Wheeler (MABC ’20)

See Alumni Spotlight on page 8

Joseph Wicks (MAL ’19)

See Alumni Spotlight on page 13

Patrick and Keisha Wheeler, husband and wife, graduated together from Luther Rice in May 2020 with Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degrees. Patrick, who founded Preservation Church in Tampa, Florida, unexpectedly passed away in December 2021 at the age of thirty-nine. The Wheelers have seven children who have participated in the ministry every step of the way. Although the family is still healing and grieving, the Christian counseling community and their family of faith continues to show up for the family in amazing ways.

Keisha currently runs the outreach portion of the ministry and maintains a blog sharing her story in hopes that it will help others. The children continue to volunteer at local food banks and other ministries of that nature. An award was given in Patrick’s honor to a local foster/adoption agency.

Before Patrick’s passing, and with Keisha’s encouragement, he had begun to write a men’s devotional that initiated from encouraging text messages that Patrick would send to other men of faith. The devotional, Good Morning, Men of God, has been published and can be purchased on Amazon or simply scan the QR Code below.

RENEWED FOCUS ON THE

LOCAL CHURCH

Twenty-two years ago, I was the pastor of a local church and an on-campus student at Luther Rice College and Seminary. As a pastor, I appreciated the focus the school had on ecclesiology. After all, the Great Commission is to be carried out by the church – not the academy. My professors had served in the local church themselves and understood that their job was to equip the next generation of God-called pastors. Like the Apostle Paul, they encouraged me to, “Keep watch over yourself and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20:28.

Today we have a new president, new regional accreditation, and new energy, but our focus remains on equipping men and women to serve in various leadership roles within the local church. Luther Rice understands the pressures and expectations of ministry, along with the toll it can

exact from ministers and their families. For this reason, Dr. Steinhilber has instituted a series of luncheons designed to uplift and encourage pastors and ministry leaders. The luncheons have been dubbed, “Lecture & Luncheon” and our first installment was held last May. The theme of the first was, Avoiding Ministry Burnout, and it was attended by about seventy pastors and ministry leaders.

Dr. Steinhilber and I both received positive feedback from participants who were blessed and encouraged by the gathering.

"The Lecture & Luncheon was indeed a motivating experience to know that a seminary could focus not only on the training of future ministers but also on the well-being of those presently serving in pastoral ministry. On a personal level, I was encouraged by the messages preached calling us pastors to develop healthy ministry relationships and to value our own families. I commend LRCS for such a visionary endeavor."

On October 25, we held our second in the Lecture & Luncheon series. The theme was, The Pastor as a Life-Long Learner. The large crowd heard lectures from Dr. Joshua Stewart and Dr. William Wilson before enjoying a cookout on the lawn. The next Lecture & Luncheon will be held in the spring of 2023.