Inside - Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College

Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College
PO Box 7208
Moore, OK 73153
www.hc.edu • (405)912-9000
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Insight
Summer 2006
Hillsdale Hosts French Basketball Team and Missionary Dennis Teague
For a good number of years our ministry has involved
us in trying to find methods that effectively bring
people to the Lord, especially in France. In doing so
we have observed that as people move into the city
they lose ready access to the natural revelation of
God in nature. Rather than seeing the wonders of
God’s creation and looking for the one responsible
for such marvels, they constantly see the creations
of man and are not so easily touched by the splendor
of His creation. Of
course this does
not surprise God
nor does it mean
that we should
not live in cities.
God provided for
this by giving
His people the
commission to go
into the cities of
the world and be
the salt and light
through
which
He could reveal
Himself to city
dwellers.
Ministering in a country where a good percentage of
the population live in cities, and being called of God
to start a church in a population of about 600,000
inhabitants, we have looked for ways to begin the
process of people coming to a true knowledge of
Jesus as Lord and Savior. Considering the fact that
most of the youth of France have actually been
deliberately deprived of any kind of knowledge
of God and have been told that the church offers
nothing relevant for their lives, one begins to look
for ways to open the door to their hearts. One
looks for ways to say to them that maybe there
are some answers out there and even among
Christians. This is where coaching basketball and
Hillsdale come in.
I recently had the privilege of being part of bringing
14 of such young people to the campus of Hillsdale
for nearly two weeks. My goal was that my young
Frenchmen and lady would see something about the
students at Hillsdale. They would see something
attractive, something that says that perhaps these
young people have found answers to some of life’s
serious questions. They would see something that
would say that perhaps there is Someone up there,
a nudge toward
checking out the
possibility that He
is really there.
During
our
two-week
stay
there was much
interaction
between
the
students and the
basketball team.
Out of these times
together
came
comments by my
young “Frenchies”
about how really
nice everyone was and how they could have so
much fun without being half-drunk. They enjoyed a
chapel service where the team was presented with
Hillsdale jerseys, and I spoke about the existence
of God, first in French and then in English. some
even discussed with Hillsdale students what they
believed about God. The hospitality and love of
the Hillsdale staff and student body had the impact
for which we had prayed. The witness of the staff
and student body through their transformed lives,
has already and will continue to open doors for
more witness. How thankful I am to all for their
contribution in being salt and light for French city
dwellers. In closing I just want to say thanks so
much, and I’m looking forward to what He is going
to do through these efforts in the near future.
Dennis Teague, Missionary to France and proud alumni
Inside:
• Wade T. Jernigan - Retires to Heaven
• Hillsdale’s Year of Transition
• NewLife and Players Finish a Successful Year
The President’s Perspective
Transitions
I have thought to myself even before
people have asked, “How are you
going to replace all these people?” A
casual reading of this issue will reveal
the obvious: Hillsdale is in a season
of transition. Wade T. Jernigan,
who served on the committee that
recommended
that
Oklahoma
Pres. Timothy W. Eaton
Free Will Baptists begin a college,
was memorialized on the campus of
Hillsdale in May (almost 48 years after the recommendation was
adopted). Dan Arnold has been an employee over 30 years. The
many familiar faces will be missed by students and colleagues.
The fact is that due to budget constraints many will not be
replaced. Like those who are retiring and/or moving to other
jobs, those who join the College must share common qualities
with current and former employees. The commitment to the core
values of Hillsdale binds the college leadership to her mission.
This corp of Christian educators work twice as hard as others and
get half the credit. This work has built the College through sweat
equity and endeared them to scores of alumni. They teach, train,
and test contenders and pretenders for the Faith.
What are the qualifications for service at Hillsdale FWB College?
For every opportunity of service the College seeks Christian men
and women who are committed, cooperative, and competent.
Each must be committed to serving Christ through the faithful
support of a local church (Free Will Baptists are preferred without
apology). These individuals are expected to be cooperative in their
efforts to support the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and
specifically show a pattern of support for Hillsdale. Finally, a
person must be a competent professional who is equipped by
education, experience, and expertise to serve in higher education.
The measure of capacity in higher education is a degree from
an institution that is accredited through an agency recognized
by the U.S. Department of Education. The minimum credential
is a masters degree (a doctorate is preferred) and 18 graduate
hours in more than one field is the pattern for the majority of our
faculty. The experience may come from varied arenas such as
education, business, government, or ministry where an individual
can demonstrate people skills and the ability to solve problems.
Expertise is demonstrated by excellence in one special area of
value to Hillsdale (e.g., management, publications, technical
skills, etc.)
This is not a task for the faint of heart; the purpose is critical to the
work of Christ. In the words of the Psalmist: “That the generation
to come might know . . . That they might set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments”
Psalm 78:6-7.
If you desire to join or recommend someone for this band of
committed, cooperative, and competent Christians at Hillsdale,
send your resume or curriculum vita for inclusion in our talent
pool for future consideration. You can address it to: Hillsdale
FWB College, Attn: President, P.O. Box 7208, Moore, OK 73153
or president@hc.edu for email with attachments.
HILLSDALE 2006 GRADUATES
Master of Arts Degrees
Name (Major)
James Kyle Howell (Ministry)
Manoel Porfirio Dos Reis Filho (Ministry)
Baccalaureate Degrees
Name (Major)
Scott Allen Blair (Ministry and Leadership)
Melody Ann Brown (Business and Leadership)
Jessica Lynn Cooper (Missions)
Fern M. Druley (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Megan R. Gaulrapp (Business)
Matthew L. Gillentine (Pastoral Ministry)
Antony Gomez (Business)
*Michael L. Grubbs (Ministry and Leadership)
Harmony Faith Hankel (Teacher Education)
Sheila Kaye Howard (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Linda Jackson Philemore (Business & Leadership/Biblical Studies)
Barbara A. Jensen (Business and Leadership)
*Stephen Lynn Kellogg (Ministry and Leadership)
Matthew R. Loafman (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Tyra D. Massey (Business and Leadership)
Chanelle Maston (Business)
Jason W. Maxwell (Christian Education/Youth Ministry)
Jonathan McEntire (Pastoral Ministry)
Lori Lynnette Odom (Teacher Education)
Kimberly C. Roberts (Missions)
Anita Sue Robinson (Interdisciplinary Studies)
*Mariah Lee Sandiford (Interdisciplinary Studies)
*Tina Lynn Shaw (Business and Leadership)
Kristi Denise Smith (Missions)
Katie Burden Stokes (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Lacey Noel Trosper (Teacher Education)
John Francis Wilkerson (Theology)
Dustin H. Williams (Youth Ministry)
Allison Joy Bookout (Pre-Education)
Beth Marie Phillips (General Studies)
*Scott Cushman (General Studies)
Courtney Rose Garner (Missions)
Sean Garner (General Studies)
Antony Gomez (Physical Education)
Hazel Juanita Hart (Pre-Education)
David Calvo Ruiz (Mathematics)
Danielle A. Scott (General Studies)
Garrett Scott (General Studies)
Laura Denise Shotzman (Pre-Education)
Allan David Smith (General Studies)
Patricia E. Trammell (General Studies)
Ryan Allen Vandenberg (General Studies)
Haley Jill Williams (General Studies)
Andeana Renee Wright (Missions)
Associate Degrees
Name (Major)
President Eaton Receives Doctorate
Hillsdale President Timothy Eaton is pictured with University of Oklahoma President, David
Boren, during the spring commencement ceremony after receiving his Ph.D. in Adult and
Higher Education. Since graduating from Hillsdale FWB College in 1975 with a Bachelor of
Theology degree, Dr. Eaton has amassed over 200 graduate hours. During his studies he has
also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
and a Masters of Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Beyond the doctorate and masters, Dr. Eaton meets the standard requirements for college
teaching in eight areas. The standard is a Masters plus 18 graduate hours in the area of
instruction. Dr. Eaton meets this standard in the following areas: Old Testament, New
Testament, Theology, Christian Ministry, Education, Adult Learning, Higher Education
Administration, plus Research and Statistics.
Correction: There was a misprint in the spring
issue of the Insight the article about Alumnus
Dennis Staggs. His last name should have read
Staggs, not Skaggs. We apologize for the mistake.
Thank You to everyone that made the 2006 “Bid
for the Future” Auction a success. We hope that
you are making plans to attend next year.
The Insight is the official publication of Hillsdale FWB College. If you are not on the mailing list and wish to
be, please contact the Office of Development at 405-912-9458 or email development@hc.edu.
Andrea Douglas - Director of Publications
(l-r) Garrett Scott, Trisha Tramell, Haley Williams, Beth Phillips,
Allison Bookout, and Allen Smith
(l-r) Kyle Howell and Manoel Porfirio Dos Reis Filho
Congratulations
Graduates
NewLife and Players Finish a Successful Year
Our Lord says, “For the son of man came not to be ministered to but to minister…” Hillsdale has adopted that as one of our mottos
“service to Christ with integrity.” Every semester you can find our students fulfilling scriptures and our motto by their faithful
service to Christ. We see them working in the local churches, traveling to preach the gospel, or spending their summer vacation in
a foreign land to share Christ.
Each year we choose two groups to travel for Hillsdale: NewLife singers and Players drama team. They traveled as far west
as Arizona and east to Mississippi. They ministered to local churches with the gospel, through singing and in dramatic presentations
of Biblical truths. We appreciate the faithfulness of these students and we honor their commitment to Christ and Hillsdale.
NewLife
Players
(l to r) Rocky Logan, Bethany Posner, Mandie Holder, Jeremy Campbell, Brittany Craft,
Ryan Bilby
(l to r) top row: Adam Blehm, Jennifer Martin, Kim Roberts, Eric Whelan;
bottom row Casey Jones, Kristi Smith
Alumni Film Nominated for Best Family Picture
The Scot & The Aussie: First Meeting, a comedic short
film produced by and starring Norman resident Travis Palmer
(2004 Hillsdale alumnus)
and Lawton resident Jerome
Bethea of Goin’Fishin’
Productions. The film was
shot on location at Hillsdale
Free Will Baptist College,
and has been accepted to
the Barebones International
Film Festival, where it
has also been nominated
for Best Family Picture.
The film premiered at the
festival Friday, April 21,
at the Roxy Theatre in
Muskogee, OK.
“I was delightfully surprised
to hear we were nominated
for ‘Best Family Picture,’” says Palmer, who not only starred but
also served as director of photography and sound composer for
the film. “It was very encouraging to know that the festival sees
what we’re trying to do with The Scot & The Aussi. It explores
the themes of brotherhood and communication in an exciting
adventure of survival… who wouldn’t want to watch it!”
Palmer’s long-term vision to create his own production
company came to fruition in the fall of 2005 after he met partner
Bethea in a film direction class. The two, united by their faith and
love for film, founded Goin’ Fishin’ Productions and shot The Scot
& Aussie as their first film collaboration.
Palmer is the founder of ImproVision, a video ministry
through which he serves missionaries by creating promotional
videos of their mission field for them to use to raise awareness
and support in churches. He has created videos for missionaries to
China, Vietnam, and Romania and will be going on a short mission
trip to Romania this summer. He plans to pursue his degree in
foreign missions at Hillsdale upon completion of his film degree at
Oklahoma City Community College.
Palmer and Bethea share the vision to bring Light to the
movies through the Goin’ Fishin’ Productions with films that are
uplifting, inspirational, thought-provoking, and entertaining. The
“Best Family Picture” award was presented Sunday, April 23 at the
Barebones Awards Gala in Muskogee.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Annual Hillsdale Golf Classic. We look forward to seeing everyone next year.
GOLF SPONSORS
Breeden Painting - Midwest City, OK
Calvary Free Will Baptist Church - Norman, OK
Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church - Ft. Smith, AR
Community Church - Pocola, OK
El Reno First FWB Church - El Reno, OK
First Oklahoma Mission Board
Hilltop Free Will Baptist Church - Wewoka, OK
Newcastle Free Will Baptist Church - Newcastle, OK
Oklahoma Literature Center - Moore, OK
Pyle Law Office - Ardmore, OK
Riverview Fellowship - Hot Springs, AR
A Year of Transition for Hillsdale
This is a year of transition for Hillsdale with three of our fam- taught from 1977 to 1980. Dorthy has taught business and computer
ily retiring and four members moving on to begin different chapters of courses, as well as Yearbook Editing. She has also been the sponsor
their lives.
for our yearbook, Harvester, which was recognized this year as being
Dan Arnold came to Hillsdale in 1974, and has served faith- in the top 10. She and her husband Ken live in Mustang and are active
fully in various positions during these 32 years. He has served as Reg- in the ministry of Clear Springs FWB Church. Dorthy teaches a middle
istrar, Academic Dean, and Business Manager, as well as instructor in school age Sunday School class and serves on the Outreach and Educathe areas of government and health sciences. His duties as Business tion Board. She is planning to help form a senior’s ministry in the days
Manager involved administrator of finances, oversight of the campus ahead. Thank you Dorthy for your dedication to Hillsdale - we wish you
maintenance and beautification of the grounds. His efficient labor and the very best.
his conscientious application to his task are commendable.
Jami Kay has been working at Hillsdale since 2003. She
Dan has looked upon his time with Hillsdale as a ministry. His has taught Introduction to Algebra and Intermediate Algebra and Math
faithful service here is an example of the effectiveness a dedicated lay- Concepts; she has also worked in the financial aid office. She earned a
man contributes to his church,
bachelor’s degree in business
denomination and the Kingfrom Hillsdale in December
dom of God. Dan’s winning
2002 and a B.S. in Math
personality has endeared him
from the University of Scito the student body, and his
ence and Arts of Oklahoma.
associates. Congratulations
Jami has accepted a position
and best wishes are extended
at METI FAA Engineering
to Dan as he enters into reSupport Contractors in Oklatirement. May God bless him
homa City, OK.
and his wife, Marty, in this
Kenny Myers became our
new chapter of their life.
Director of Student RecruitLarry Cariker is
ment and Campus Pastor
Dan Arnold
Larry Cariker
Melinda Denton
retiring after a long and disin May of 2003. During his
tinguished career in education. He taught
tenure he faithfully worked
29 years in the Owasso public school sysfor Hillsdale and the kingdom. He worked
tem, teaching social studies and coaching
to recruit students who met the academic
football, basketball, softball, and track and
and spiritual qualifications of Hillsdale.
field. He influenced many future coaches
As campus pastor, he reached out to all of
and teachers in remarkable ways (e.g., the
the student body in chapel as well as on a
noted head football coach of the 6 A Jenks
personal level. Bro. Kenny will be missed.
state champion team told the Daily OklaHe has resigned to begin a House Church
homan that Larry was the most influential
ministry and work with Covenant Remarperson in his life). He also served as an adketing.
ministrator for four of his years in Owasso.
Chaplain William M. Stewart,
Dorthy Harris
Jami Kay
Larry has taught eight years at
better known to us as Bill, arrived on our
Hillsdale where he has blessed both faculty
campus in January, 1989 to continue his edand students. He helped close our 2005-06
ucation. He received his B.A. in Theology/
school year with a wonderful and hilariChristian Education in December, 1990 and
ous chapel as he taught us spiritual lessons
went on to Southwestern Baptist Theologiwhile humbly recounting his victorious adcal Seminary, receiving a master’s degree in
ventures in a boxing tournament.
Religious Education with a concentration in
In retirement he will teach social
Missiology, then to Oklahoma City Universtudies and Bible part-time and coach girl’s
sity receiving a master’s degree in Educabasketball at Rejoice Christian School in
tion, concentrating in teaching English as a
Owasso. Thank you, Brother Larry, for
second language. Bill returned to Hillsdale
blessing all of us at Hillsdale.
in 1994 where he taught Computer Science,
Melinda Denton has been our
Linguistics, TESOL, Student Success
Kenny Myers
Bill Stewart
full-time Mathematics Professor since
Skills, American Culture and Communi1991. During her tenure she has upgraded
cation and worked with our international
the mathematics curriculum to the degree that The University of Okla- students. Bill became MIS Director in 1996 and served in that capacity
homa recognizes Hillsdale’s math sequence in their engineering, gen- until he was deployed to Iraq in 2005. Chaplain Stewart served with
eral education, and education programs. Melinda has served on the Cur- NMCB-22 (the Seabees) and the Marines. While in Iraq, he was known
riculum and Instruction and Assessment Committees while at Hillsdale. to his unit as “Chaps”. Bill will return to active duty as a Chaplain in the
She and her husband, Rod, will be living in Thayer, MO. She plans to near future, adding to the 22 years of service he has already completed.
take some time off from teaching to spend more time with her three year He will serve in the capacity he does best: listening with an attentive
old son, Matt. Melinda will be missed by her students, for whom she ear, caring with a compassionate heart and counseling with wisdom that
always made time to explain a mathematical problem, and each of us at only God can give, to those servicemen and women who need that atHillsdale. God bless you as you begin a “new” career – a stay-at-home tentive ear and compassionate heart. We pray God’s blessings on you,
Mom!
your calling, and your family – but Chaplain Stewart, we will definitely
Dorthy Harris, professor at Hillsdale since 2000, has retired. miss you.
This was Dorthy’s second stint of teaching at Hillsdale. She previously
Dr. Wade T. Jernigan, Claremore, died Monday,
May 15, in Tulsa. Services were held Friday,
May 19 at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College
in Moore, with the Revs. Jack Richey, Jack
Williams, Roy Dale Smith and Bob Thompson officiating. Burial was at Willow View
Cemetery in Slaughterville, under the direction
of Mark Griffith Memorial Funeral HomeWestwood Chapel in Tulsa and Wilson-Little
Funeral Home in Purcell.
Dr. Jernigan is survived by his wife Marguerite;
five daughters Nora Mae Hampton of Kemp,
Texas, Rhonda and Bob Thomas of Noble,
Debe and Dave Taylor of Hot
Springs, AR, Verla and Dennis
Fletcher of Locust Grove, and
Vicki and Mike Hall of Midwest
City; three step-daughters Charlyne and Steve Shotsky, Sue Ann
Hinesley and Katheryn Hinesley,
all of Claremore; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren;
beloved nieces and nephew Paula
Price, Sherry Kish and Larry
Price, all of Oklahoma; sister
Huldah and Clifton Kinlaw,
Bladenboro; brother Wilkie and
Marie Jernigan, Norfolk, VA,
two stepgranddaughters, three
stepgreat-grandchildren and
countless family and friends
across the nation. Bro. Jernigan
was proceeded in death by his
wife of 57 years, Nettie Jernigan
who passed away in March 2006.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
Wade T. Jernigan Memorial Scholarship
PO Box 7208, Moore, OK 73153.
The Preacher Who Dared
By Jack Williams
raising hogs, a calf, and running a Grit route on
Friday and Saturday.
After graduating from Bladenboro High School
at age 16 ½ in 1944, young Wade Jernigan was
a typical teen—dissatisfied with life on the
farm and resentful of his dad because of strict
discipline. Two weeks after graduation, he did
what another well-known younger son did; he
“…gathered all together and took his journey
into a far country.” The far country in this case
was 65 miles away in Warsaw, North Carolina.
But he “came to himself” three months later on
Sunday morning, August 19, when he walked
Wade began making plans to attend Free Will
Baptist Bible College the next fall. He was
subsequently licensed to preach in 1945 and
ordained in 1946.
Wade lived and breathed free will, free grace,
and free salvation. He’d look you right in the
eye and tell you that feet washing was part of
being a Free Will Baptist—and that it should be
practiced at night, and only at night, following
the Lord’s Supper.
Whirlwind Ministry
That began a remarkable 60-year ministry
that would see him earn four college degrees
(including a Ph.D), and receive three honorary
doctorates. He would pastor 20 years in four
states (12 in Oklahoma) before beginning
his signature work as president of California
Christian College in 1969.
For nine whirlwind years,
he led campus renovations,
oversaw building programs
that resulted in a new
dormitory and a chapel,
and established himself
as an innovative educator.
Twenty
years
before
external education/distance
learning programs swept the
nation’s universities, Wade
embraced the concept and
urged students to harness
the coming technology.
When he was 19 and a
student at Free Will Baptist
Bible
College,
Wade
pastored his first church.
Appropriately
enough,
the church was named
Hurricane Chapel Free Will
Baptist Church.
Photo courtesy of Ahh Shoot Photography www.ahhshootphotography.com
into the church his dad pastored, where father
and son had a Luke 15 reunion. Walter didn’t
kill the fatted calf, but they both understood that
Wade had come to the great crossroad in his
life.
college.
Most preachers spend their lives in one area
of ministry, such as pastoring, evangelism,
education, church planting or denominational
leadership. But not Wade Jernigan. He was into
everything. He organized 23 Free Will Baptist
churches, which is a lifetime work for any
minister. By age 37, he was a home missionary
to Idaho, and on the Board of Trustees at what
is now Hillsdale FWB College. He served on
the General Board of the National Association of
Free Will Baptists at 25.
Conversion and Call to Preach
He was a Jernigan by birth, a Christian by new
birth, a Free Will Baptist by choice, a preacher Five weeks later as his dad preached, 17-year-old
by calling, an Amillennial by hard study, and a Wade Jernigan went to the altar. He said, “There
trout fisherman every day except Sunday.
was weeping, praying, singing and shouting
Wade Thomas Jernigan was born in a slab shack when I prayed through.” He joined the church
He chaired the national Home Missions Board
at his grandpa’s sawmill in Bladenboro, North and started paying tithes the next Sunday. His
at 33 and was moderator of the Oklahoma
Carolina, on September 25, 1927. He was the son dad baptized him in a mill pond near his home.
State Association at 31. He was elected to
of a Free Will Baptist preacher, and he grew up Six months later as Wade and a friend walked
the denomination’s Theological Liberalism
following his dad around the Atlantic coastline home from church after prayer meeting,
Commission (now the Commission for
as he moved from one pastorate to another.
something happened that changed his life. It Theological Integrity) at age 29. He was a
Walter Lee Jernigan (Wade’s father) pastored as seemed that God spoke out and said, “Go ye college president at 41, Executive Secretary for
many as four Free Will Baptist churches at the into all the world and preach My gospel to every the California State Association and editor of
same time, and his distinctive preaching style creature.” Tears poured down his face. Wade the state paper at 51, and a pastor-evangelistimprinted his second son whom he had dedicated asked his friend if he knew what was wrong, educator until the day he died.
to God on a lonely cart road in the swamp near and he answered, “Yes, you have been called to
He returned to Oklahoma and poured himself into
preach.”
a sawmill camp.
Hillsdale FWB College as a fund raiser, trouble
Wade said, “That night when we got to the shooter, and homiletics professor. While doing
Boy from Bladenboro
swamp, instead of taking the foot log, I walked that, he also organized more churches, counseled
Wade changed schools eight times during right on through the water without even removing
college presidents, caught as many fish as was
elementary and high school days. And since all my shoes.” When he got home and told the folks
legal, preached revivals and conferences, and in
of Walter Jernigan’s churches were part-time, about his call to preach, to his surprise, nobody
general made full proof of his ministry.
money was scarce. From age 10 until he left was surprised except him.
Wade was a prolific writer. He could turn a phrase
home for college, he bought his own clothes by
He believed in the possibility of apostasy so
strongly that some mistakenly thought that
he believed in the probability of apostasy. He
thought that tithes and offerings was God’s way
of financing His work, and he practiced what he
preached.
that would stick in the reader’s mind. He wrote
an astonishing range of material…songs, poetry,
sermons, position papers on doctrinal issues,
classroom lectures, magazine articles, books
(The Unsealed Book, Faith of Our Fathers),
and more. The more includes letters—boxes of
letters, many hand-written on a Big Chief tablet.
Oh, and he was absolutely sure that the General
Resurrection would one day vindicate his view
of eschatology and convince all his Premillennial
friends how wrong they were on Revelation 20.
hearing Wade preach, I assumed that if he had
a dog, it would be a Russian Wolfhound or an
85-pound bulldog with an attitude. When we
arrived at his home, he couldn’t understand my
laughter when a ball of white fur came yapping
through the house. I just wasn’t ready for Wade
Jernigan the poodle man!
Whatever It Takes
My favorite “Wade” moment happened on
the outdoor basketball at California Christian
College on a cold, gray Monday morning. I had
gotten up early, gone for a jog and was feeling
my oats.
Wade, on the other hand, had just pulled in from
a grueling three-day run to Arizona where he
spoke five times, drove 1,200 miles, and barely
made it back for his 8:00 a.m. class. When I
spotted him crossing the free throw line, he
looked like nine miles of bad road. So I chirped,
“Morning, Wade! How are you today?”
He rolled two blood-shot eyes at me and growled
in a scratchy, irritated voice, “I feel awful, thank
the Lord!”
The Preacher
Wade had the ability to squeeze more from a
verse of scripture than other men. His sermon
outlines consisted of a few easy-to-remember,
alliterated words or phrases. Then he’d stand in
the pulpit, rarely glance at his outline, and preach
the stars down…to the amazement of his friends
and to the irritation of his critics.
Conclusion
He had his own unmistakable style of delivery. Photo courtesy of Ahh Shoot Photography www.ahhshootphotography.com
When he hit his stride, he machine-gunned words
with a boldness that electrified the congregation.
The Jernigan Difference
Nobody went to sleep when Jernigan preached.
He brought volume and sizzle wrapped in a sense
At Home Anywhere
of humor and fresh-from-the Bible insight about
Wherever Wade was, he seemed to fit in. Put a
human nature and theology.
shovel or hammer in his hand, and he was at home
He preached with an eastern North Carolina with the working Joe. Appoint a committee to
twang and an Oklahoma oil field twist. He spoke study some controversial issue, and he could cite
with authority, with a sense of history, with an book, chapter and verse on how to resolve the
awareness of God’s presence. He was unique; matter. He understood the art of getting along
he was distinctive; he was different. Nobody got with those who disagreed with him. He was
a discount when he stepped into the pulpit.
unfailingly courteous to everyone he met.
That was Wade Jernigan. He went even when
it hurt and was inconvenient. If he pushed you,
he pushed himself harder. He showed up first,
stayed later, and gave whatever it took to get the
job done. No church was too small; no task too
big.
Maybe that larger-than-life legacy ran in the
family. His great-great grandfather lost his
circuit-riding horse to General Sherman in the
Civil War. His grandfather was known in North
Carolina as “The Old Stump in the Pee Dee
Association.” It was said of his father, “Preacher
Jernigan, preachingest man on New Land.”
Wade Jernigan raised five daughters, no sons, and
two generations of Free Will Baptist preachers
who stand up across America to carry on the work
he began, to preach the doctrine he defended, to
champion the denomination he loved.
ABOUT THE WRITER: Jack Williams is
director of communications at Free Will Baptist
He was a defender of the underdog. If you had Bible College.
a problem, you always got
a fair hearing from Wade
Jernigan. He never, ever
accepted gossip, rumor or
hearsay against a preacher
brother. With Wade, if a critic
The Free Will Baptist
did not have the courage to
Above all else, Wade Jernigan was a Free Will write out charges and sign
Baptist. He loved the name and expected to see it them, he didn’t want to hear
prominently displayed on every church sign. He about it.
believed it was three words—Free Will Baptist,
Man of
not two words and certainly not just Baptist.
He was John the Baptist in a black suit and
cowboy boots. But he was also John the Beloved
watching with a broken heart as Jesus died at
Calvary, and he always seemed to have the last
word from God. If you can imagine Rambo with
a King James Version of the Bible waving a Free
Will Baptist Treatise, that was Walter Jernigan’s
boy.
Defender of Underdogs
Contradictions
He taught churches to use Free Will Baptist
literature and work together through the
Cooperative Plan. He wanted Free Will Baptist
high school graduates to consider a Free Will
Baptist college first before looking at any other
He
had
one
glaring
contradiction
that
I
discovered late one night in
Fort Smith, Arkansas. After