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For more information about Free Will Baptist Bible College, please visit www.fwbbc.edu

AS THE OFFICIAL COLLEGE of the Free Will Baptist denomination, Free Will Baptist Bible College has been helping students find their place in God's world since 1942. The college exists "to equip men and women, through Bible-based education, to serve Christ and His Church."

TRUSTEES AUTHORIZE RELOCATION STUDY

NASHVILLE, TN The Free Will Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees authorized the administration to conduct a feasibility study that could result in the college relocating within two years, according to President J. Matthew Pinson. 

“We have an offer in progress on our West End Avenue campus,” Pinson confirmed.  “Now, with the Board of Trustees’ approval, we will enter into a six-month feasibility study to investigate the possibility of relocating the campus.  We have been praying for an opportunity to proceed with relocation plans that were placed on hold in 2002.”

Mark Johnson, son of FWBBC’s first president, Dr. L.C. Johnson, will lead the feasibility study.  Mark served 36 years (23 years full-time) with the Air National Guard before retiring and starting a consulting firm.  His military responsibilities included overseeing and negotiating construction contracts, and determining financial policy for a $42 million annual budget.  An FWBBC alumnus, Mr. Johnson taught 10 years at the college.

Trustees voted unanimously in December to launch a feasibility study and to sell the 123-acre Joelton property that was purchased in 1994.  The vote came three years after they placed earlier relocation plans to Joelton on hold.  The decision to postpone relocation was made when costs of developing the Joelton property (16 miles from Nashville) surged from $2 million to more than $5 million, and a prospective buyer withdrew an offer to purchase the FWBBC campus.

President Pinson said, “If the offer to purchase the campus remains firm and other important elements of the feasibility study led by Mark Johnson come together, and if we can locate suitable property, we would move within two years.  This means that we would need to sell our West End campus and the Joelton site, locate new property, build a campus, and complete the relocation process by the summer of 2008. 

“As you can see, this feasibility study is vital to any decision we make about future relocation.  We believe that with Mark Johnson’s leadership skills and experience, we have the right man in place to find the answers we need.”

FWBBC has continued renovating the college’s West End property to increase its value in anticipation of a new feasibility study and relocation campaign.

Funds raised (approximately $1.2 million) during the 1998-2001 Relocation Campaign were invested in site development, engineering fees, architectural drawings and campaign expenses.  The value of the improved Joelton property increased as a result of site-development efforts and appreciation in the real estate market.

Retired FWBBC Chancellor, Dr. Tom Malone (president when the Joelton property was purchased), said, “I am in complete agreement with the Board of Trustees’ decision to sell the Joelton property and look for another campus relocation site.  My commitment has always been to the idea of relocation, rather than to a particular piece of property.  The college can count on my support in the continuing relocation effort.”

Dr. Malone will serve in a part-time capacity as Field Representative to raise funds for the relocation effort.

 

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MINISTRY TEAMS AVAILABLE

NASHVILLE, TN Two Free Will Baptist Bible College ministry teams, Rejoice and Cornerstone Quartet, will tour extensively this spring and summer, according to Russell Cooper, institutional advancement assistant.

Rejoice is a six-person vocal ensemble composed of two men and four women, while Cornerstone is a male quartet. Both groups present a variety of music and have been welcomed in Free Will Baptist churches across the nation.

Spring schedules for both ministry teams have already been set. However, they still have open dates available for their summer tours.

Pastors interested in scheduling Rejoice or Cornerstone in their churches this summer should contact Russell Cooper at (615) 844-5244.

REJOICE PHOTO: (left to right) Matthew Price (pianist), Ashley Vandivort, Jeremy Crittenden (sound technician), Casey Deel, Ashley Gladson, Nic Skaggs, Stephanie Whitt, Shane Huey.

CORNERSTONE PHOTO: (Left Clockwise) Tyler Hudson, Kyle Saunders (sound technician), Matt Morrell, Derek Lewis, Robbie Smith, David Gibson (pianist).

CHOIR SETS SPRING SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, TN The 40-voice Free Will Baptist Bible College Choir will give eight performances March 9-14 in a whirlwind, six-day tour through four states. Dr. James Stevens, choir director and chair of the FWBBC Music Department invites area churches to join with host congregations for the vocal presentations as the College Choir swings north for its annual spring tour.

Spring Tour Schedule 

*Thursday, March 9 - 7 pm        
First FWBC, Mt. Vernon, IL

*Friday, March 10 - 7 pm         
Hillview FWBC Reynoldsburg, OH

*Sat, March 11 - 9:30 am         Heritage FWBC, Columbus, OH,  (Franklin District Meeting)

*Sun, March 12 - 10:30 am      Westerville FWBC, Westerville, OH

*Sunday, March 12 - 6:00 pm      Woodhaven FWBC, Woodhaven, MI

*Monday, March 13 - 7:00 pm Emmanuel FWBC, Wabash, IN

*Tuesday, March 14   
Emmanuel Christian School   
Wabash, IN

*Tuesday, March 14 - 7:00 pm    First Bible FWBC, New Castle, IN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FWBBC GIVES $2,600 TO HURRICANE RELIEF

NASHVILLE, TN The Free Will Baptist Bible College family—students, faculty and staff—took an offering to help the recovery effort last fall after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. The entire college family was concerned about those left in desperate need.

On October 14, 2005, Mr. Gerald Turner, president of the FWBBC student body, presented a $2,600 check to Major Ron Raymer, regional commander for the Salvation Army.

Five days later, 35 FWBBC students and faculty went to Mississippi during their fall break (October 19-23) to work in the hard-hit area and to encourage those directly affected by the hurricane.

PHOTO CAPTION: Gerald Turner, FWBBC student body president, presents check to Major Ron Raymer.

COLLEGE RECEIVES $20,000

NASHVILLE, TN Free Will Baptist Bible College recently received a gift of common stock for the general fund from Mrs. Sarah Newberry of Tallahassee, Florida, according to Treasurer Tom Sass. At the time of the gift, the stock was valued at $20,000.

President J. Matthew Pinson said, “We are always pleased to receive gifts in the form of stock from donors, as well as cash gifts or gifts of property. This is another excellent way the Lord has enabled our friends to assist the college. I thank God for Sister Newbury and her generous gift.”

Mrs. Newberry and her late husband Frank were members of New Salem Free Will Baptist Church in Colquitt when Pinson pastored in Georgia prior to being named president of FWBBC. Sarah Newberry has been active in local, district, and state Women Active for Christ outreach.

“Sister Newberry is a long-time friend and encourager,” said President Pinson. “She is a committed Christian who faithfully discharges her stewardship responsibilities. I hope that her innovative example will inspire others to consider new ways and different ways that they can support FWBBC.”

The college presented a plaque to Mrs. Newberry in recognition of her gift.

FLAMES ANNOUNCE BASEBALL SCHEDULE

NASHVILLE, TN The Free Will Baptist Bible College Flames will play more than 16 games during the 2006 season, according to Coach Joey McGlashan.  While the majority of the games will be played in Tennessee, the team will travel to Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio as well.

At this point, the Flames are scheduled to play at home six times, which means they will be the visiting road team in most of their games.

*March 11 Tennessee Temple

*March 15 Southeastern College
Lakeland, FL

*March 18 Clearwater College
Clearwater, FL

*March 23 Maranatha College

*March 25 Cincinnati Christian

*March 27 Johnson Bible College
Knoxville, TN

*March 31 Circleville Bible College
Knoxville, TN

*April 1 Cincinnati Christian
Knoxville, TN

*April 4 Johnson Bible College

*April 7 Tennessee Temple
Chattanooga, TN

*April 8 Southern States College

*April 10 Circleville Bible College

*April 14 Oakland City University
Oakland City, IN

*April 15 Mid-Continent College
Mayfield, KY

*April 21 Circleville Bible College
Circleville, OH

*April 27–29 Regional Tournament
Knoxville, TN

 

 

 

©2005 ONE Magazine, National Association of Free Will Baptists