Although it has not rained where I live for 59 straight days up to the day of my writing, the showers of God’s blessings on B. H. Carroll have come often and in refreshing amounts. As we look forward to the fall terms of study and ministry, we remember God’s goodness in our immediate past. The days ahead are filled with hope, and we are ready to continue our mission to equip men and women who are called to serve Christ in the diverse and global ministries of his church. Join me in celebrating God’s provisions and embracing the hope we have in Christ Jesus.
A Well-Earned Rest
When B. H. Carroll began in 2004, Dr. Stan Moore was one of four founding senior fellows. He worked tirelessly to obtain Carroll’s initial accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education and the Association of Theological Schools. He served as registrar. He headed the Master’s Program Council. He was the proverbial man of many talents. Earlier this spring, Dr. Moore announced his retirement. Any attempt to put into words what he has accomplished at the Lord’s direction would be feeble, indeed. He will be missed. We thank him for his service and wish him the best as he writes his next chapters.
Other Staff News
Jeremy Varnell has joined B. H. Carroll as director of admissions after Michelle Martin’s departure to pursue private practice in Christian Counseling (another Carroll counseling program success!). Jeremy was previously the children’s pastor at Irving Bible Church. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a master’s of educational administration degree from Lamar University. He is married to Jill Varnell, who leads Carroll’s development efforts. Jeremy is a warm, talented professional who will ably lead our recruitment efforts into the future. Jen Worsham, who led our social media and blogging efforts, has also stepped away from her role at Carroll to pursue a business opportunity she called a “lifelong dream.” Over the past few years, Jen has focused our social media efforts and helped us maintain a quality presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms.
Ukrainian PhD
On Tuesday, July 26, B. H. Carroll held a private doctoral “hooding” ceremony for Dr. Slava Gerasimcuic, who was unable to attend our May commencement due to the war in Ukraine and COVID travel restrictions. He finally made it to the United States and we were pleased to gather in our academic regalia to present his degree and hood formally. Dr. Gerasimcuic is professor of Old Testament at Odessa Theological Seminary. Forced to flee to the country in which he was born, Moldova, Dr. Gerasimcuic continues to teach and pray with his Ukrainian students virtually. Asked by NBC 5 reporter Noelle Walker how he reconciled the war and his faith, Dr. Gerasimcuic said, “I immediately think of Psalm 57. There is David, hunted by Saul, living in a cave, and he looks up to the sky and laments. His enemies are all around. Yet he concludes his song with hope and praise for his God. … We are in a ‘school’ now. God is using this to teach us how to follow him in the midst of some very difficult circumstances.” Indeed, God taught us all something through Dr. Gerasimcuic’s visit. You can watch the NBC 5 news report here.
Lilly Grant
B. H. Carroll Theological Institute has received a grant of $827,746 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish its Hispanic Theological Education Program (HTEP). Carroll’s HTEP is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future. Among those challenges is the rapid growth of the Hispanic population and the absence of trained ministers to serve expanding congregations. Carroll’s program, under the direction of Dr. Adlin Cotto, is designed to provide access to theological education programs and services in the heart language of current and future ministers. In particular, the grant will help fund the employment of professors who teach in Spanish, make possible the creation of course materials in Spanish, enhance Internet access in locations where classes are offered, and assist in obtaining theological library resources for Spanish speakers. The HTEP program is also being funded by a grant from the Christ is Our Savior (CIOS) Foundation. Click here for more on the Lilly Endowment grant.
Accreditation News
Dr. Greg Tomlin, Carroll Fellow and Associate Professor for Faith and Heritage, and I recently attended the biennial meeting of the Association of Theological Schools in Pittsburgh. The trip was fully funded by an ATS grant. During the meeting, we discussed the changing landscape of theological education and the need to offer new and innovative models of learning and credentialing. B. H. Carroll will submit its application for reaccreditation and its self-study to ATS in Summer 2023.
We’ve Published!
The Marsh Center for Chaplain Students has produced its first book, The Heart of a Chaplain: Exploring Essentials for Ministry. It is a much-needed, 376-page primer on chaplain ministry. With 37 contributors who hold nearly 1,000 years of combined experience in chaplaincy, the book provides insight into the growing fields of military, health care, correctional, business and private chaplaincy. You can order the book here. All proceeds benefit the Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies at B. H. Carroll. Also, our resident expert on all things related to Baptist Heritage, Dr. Karen Bullock, has published her biography of Dr. John Newport, who taught so many of us in the field of Philosophy of Religion. Bullock describes Dr. Newport as a legendary “Baptist statesman, scholar, peacemaker, and transformational professor.” Like a River Glorious is published by 1845 Books, an imprint of Baylor University Press. It can be ordered here.
As you can see, great things continue to happen at B. H. Carroll because of the Lord’s abundant mercy and his continued provision through Carroll’s faithful donors. I hope you will partner with us as we partner with others in the work of the gospel and in preparing the called to serve in the global and diverse ministries of Christ’s church.
Serving Him With You,
Gene