INFORMATION - Trinity Baptist College

Trinity Baptist College’s Alumni Newsletter • SPRING 2013
INFORMATION
I am originally from Michigan where my parents still live in the same
house in which I grew up. It was in the front room of this house where
my parents helped start a small Baptist church that I attended until I left
for college. I attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida. Initially,
I went as a classical piano major, but when I found out I would have
to practice 20 hours a week, I changed to Business Administration!
During my second semester, the college began a new major in computer
Dr. Matthew A. Beemer science. I enjoyed the process of programming and figuring out systems
Senior Vice President and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in
1984. During my time as a student I was very active in fine arts – plays, music, contests, etc.
Because of this, during my senior year the college asked me to stay on to earn my Master’s
in Interpretive Speech with the goal of becoming the college’s first Dean of Fine Arts. Shortly
after completing my M.A., I began working on a Ph.D. in Communications from Louisiana State
University and assumed the role of Dean of Communicative Arts overseeing the art, music,
speech, and broadcasting areas of the college as well as fine arts productions. Later I became
the Vice President of Academic Affairs with responsibility for the undergraduate, graduate and
seminary programs. I also spent four years as Executive Assistant to the President, providing
assistance in all areas of the organization including the book publisher, television outreach, radio
station network, advertising, and day school, among other things.
I met my wife, Judy, while completing my Master’s degree and we were married in 1992. The
Lord has blessed us with three great kids – Haylie, a freshman at Appalachian Bible College,
Mackenzie, a sophomore in high school, and Brady, a freshman in high school.
In 2006 the Lord closed the door at PCC and we moved to Atlanta where we helped care for
my wife’s parents and waited on the Lord to open up our next ministry opportunity. While
there, we were able to be actively involved in a small Baptist church in Gainesville, Georgia
teaching Sunday school, leading music, and handling finances. My father-in-law passed away from
leukemia in 2009 and we spent the next year caring for my mother-in-law and helping prepare
her to move from Georgia back to West Virginia where they were from originally. The day
everything fell into place for her to move was the day Trinity contacted me about joining the
college!
A mutual friend gave my name to Pastor Messer to consider for staff. After a series of meetings
and interviews, it became evident to me that Trinity was the next stop on our journey. I moved
to Jacksonville in April 2010 to begin work. Immediately I jumped into preparations for TBC’s
reaffirmation of accreditation. I also became a commissioner with TRACS, our accrediting body.
The potential at TBC is what initially attracted me and still does. We have a great faculty that is
dedicated, caring, and hard-working. The Lord has brought us great students as well. Seeing the
increase in enrollment has been gratifying, but we still have a long way to go. I’m thankful for
the opportunity to be a part of this ministry and look forward to what the Lord will bring as
we continue seeking Him.
HOMECOMING 2013
In January, TBC had its first homecoming
celebration, which we would like to make
a continuing tradition. We have decided to
move it to the fall to better fit everyone’s
schedules. Homecoming will be our yearly
focus on alumni instead of graduation, so
that there will be more time for fellowship.
During homecoming we will present the
alumnus of the year. Please prayerfully
consider making plans to join us in the fall.
Here are a few quotes from alumni that
came this year.
“It was incredibly enjoyable. Dee and I especially
enjoyed the chapel message; we returned to our
field of service refreshed and re-invigorated for
the work.” – Mac McMillan ’87,’08
“The college homecoming was a great event.
It was a blessing to connect with friends and
teachers from the past and meet grads from
more recent years. It was great to see the
diversity of how God is using TBC grads and I
hope to see more of you next year.” - Dale
Hardy ’92
“We had a great time at the dinner. The dinner
had a comfortable and casual feel that made
it nice to reconnect with old friends.” - Steve
House ‘04
BIRTHS
Jason and Jennifer Dunn (00) Martin, daughter
Annali Janelle, May 16, 2012, Raleigh, NC
Michael (03) and Stephanie Harris (03) Ash,
daughter Jadyn Reese, October 26, 2012,
West Raleigh, NC
Jason (04) and Maria Patricia Sares (04)
Tracht, daughter Evangeline, October 29,
2012, Jacksonville, FL
Warren (07) and Brittany Murnahan (08)
Holmes, son Judah Eli, November 1, 2012,
Palm Bay, FL
Albert and Maegan Simon (04), daughter
Cordelia Annabella, November 19, 2012,
Atlantic Beach, FL
Mark (07) and Caroline Lawson (05) Wulf,
daughter Harper Tara, January 31, 2013,
Navarre, FL
Yuya (09) and Laurel Smith (08) Shishiga,
son Jaden Jin, February 10, 2013, Kako-gun,
Hyogo, Japan
Jacob and Sarah Paiko (05) Vorpahl, son
Andrew Hudson, February 20, 2013,
Jacksonville, FL
Rob (09) and Megan (10) Russo, daughter
Violet Charene, March 8, 2013, Jacksonville,
FL
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Jonathan Norman (08) received his Master of
Education degree from the American College
of Education.
John (10) and Emily Harvey (11) Slater,
daughter Abigail Grace, January 3, 2013,
Marion, IN
MARRIAGES
Nate Ball and Brittany Mallon
November 3, 2012, Chattanooga, TN
(08),
Thomas Latos (11) and Aubrey Hudson (10),
November 3, 2012, Callahan, FL
Chris Newton and Ashley Midgett (11),
December 1, 2012, Palatka, FL
George Carnicle (12) and Kathryn Moncus
(12), February 23, 2013, Eufaula, AL
POSITIONS
Joshua Hamilton (01), Minister of
Administration and Education, Calvary
Baptist Church, Melbourne, FL
Stephen Sapp (09),Youth and Music Director,
Saks Baptist Church, Anniston, AL
2013 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
The Trinity Baptist College Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes
individuals or teams who have made outstanding contributions
to TBC athletics and have helped bring excellence and distinction
to the college and its athletic program. With its establishment in
2012, many exceptional individuals or teams who helped bring
excellence and distinction to the college and its athletic program
will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the coming years.
Categories:
Student-Athletes: Any alumna or alumnus who actively
participated in athletics at Trinity Baptist College. In order to
be eligible for this award, five years must have passed since the
alumna or alumnus’s time of graduation.
Teams: Any team that has brought recognition and honor to
Trinity Baptist College by its outstanding achievements. In order
to be eligible for this award, five years must have passed since the
time of the accomplishment.
Administrator/Staff: Any staff member of the Trinity Baptist
College Athletics Program. In order to be eligible for this award,
the individual must have served as a member of the staff for at
least five years.
Special Recognition: Any other individual who does not meet
one of the aforementioned categories but has made outstanding
contributions to TBC athletics and has helped bring excellence
and distinction to the college and its athletic program.
To nominate someone for future consideration, email their name
and supporting information to TBC Athletic Director John D.
Jones at [email protected].
Jonathan Milligan - Men’s Basketball
Jonathan was a member of the 1995-99 men’s basketball team. He is a member of the
elite 1,000 Point Club, scoring over 1,487 points in his career. While at Trinity, Jonathan
was nominated to the NCCAA All-American Team in both 1996 and 1997. He was also
the team captain of the first Trinity Baptist College team to reach the NCCAA National
Tournament in Oklahoma, in which they finished 3rd place. He has been married to his
wife Charity for 14 years and has two children, Kayla and Jordan.
Ryan Cosson - Men’s Basketball
Ryan was a member of the 2002-2006 men’s basketball team. He was the team captain of
the 2006 NIT National Championship team, which was the first national title in athletics
for Trinity Baptist College. That same year, Ryan was nominated to the NIT All-American
Team. He is also a member of the 1,000 Point Club, scoring a total of 1,325 points. He
has been married to his wife Janette for 1 year in March.
Dr. Charles Davis - Administrator
Charles Davis became the Vice President of Trinity Baptist College in January of 1980. Dr.
Davis understood that intercollegiate athletics would enhance the college and would be
beneficial in the growth of Trinity. In 1981, Trinity dressed its first Men’s Basketball Team.
The college added Men’s Soccer and Baseball during the 1982-83 school year. That same
year, Dr. Davis hired Tom Messer as the Eagles Basketball Coach. The sports programs
quickly became highly competitive and the visibility of the college was greatly enhanced.
Dr. Davis was later named the college’s 2nd President and remained with the college until
his retirement in 1995.
Dr. Davis now enjoys his time with his 19 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids. His love for
Eagle Athletics remains and he considers himself their greatest fan.
MESSAGE
Greg Peters (92)
Lead Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Palm Coast, FL
In large part the quality of our life is based
on the quality of our relationships! In John
10:10, Jesus said that, “he came to give life
and life more abundantly”. Jesus spoke about
Christ followers being able to experience
the abundant life, and certainly a part of us
experiencing the abundant life involves us
Peters Family
being in life-giving relationships within our spiritual family.
Greg (92) Denise (96),
What Christ gives to us, is often even through others. In
and Seth
fact, when we spend time in Christ-centered relationships
those relationships, should not only be an opportunity to engage with others, but
we ought to also be engaging with Christ. I believe very strongly that as I engage
with fellow alumni I ought to be simultaneously engaging with Christ. I also live by
the mantra that anything done for the glory of God is an act of worship. So, for
me, engaging with the many incredible people that I have within the Trinity sphere
affords me an opportunity to engage with Christ and worship God. At the risk of
getting too theological, (we are all TBC alumni A) engaging in those relationships is
also an opportunity to bear the fruit of the Spirit. What a thrill to just think of the
prospects of bringing the Trinity to the table in every conversation within Trinity!
My above stated beliefs thrill me because of the season of life I find myself in these
days. I currently feel as if I have the largest amount of relationships with fellow alumni
as I have ever had; but what excites me most is the quality of those relationships. I
also believe that Christ-centered, life-giving, quality relationships require a couple
of key components. The first thing that the aforementioned type of relationships
requires is forgiveness. No relationship goes very far or very deep without significant
forgiveness. Because of our sin nature and our personal dysfunction, we do a fair
job at hurting others and damaging relationships. Therefore, we are going to need
to be in relationships that have a strong two-way flow of forgiveness. I would like to
personally thank the leaders of Trinity for fostering a richer environment of grace
and forgiveness then what has perhaps existed in the past. The second thing that
the aforementioned type of relationships requires is shared experiences. You see,
I believe forgiveness and shared experiences forge incredibly strong relationships!
Earlier in this article I referenced this season of my life. As I return to that same
thought and combine with it my current shared experiences, I can’t seem to
adequately describe my involvement in or my enjoyment in so many friendships
surrounding Trinity. My relationship with Pastor Messer has never been stronger or
healthier. My love for Mac is deep and I am so grateful for his leadership at TBC. I
was humbled and honored to begin serving as a trustee of the college in 2012. My
admiration of the faculty and staff grows from semester to semester. I have worked
hard at continuing to strengthen my relationships with current students and am
ecstatic about leading a spring break mission trip to Philly with 15 college students.
Through the Alumni and Friends Broadcast, I have reconnected with many alumni.
By co-leading a senior pastor coaching network with Pastor Messer I am getting a
front row seat to the phenomenal work of many of our graduates.
I could continue to elaborate but will simply conclude with a heart of gratitude
towards the life-giving relationship that I am privileged to experience within the
Trinity arena. I need to run because I need to call one of my fellow alumni for some
advice – no joke!
INFORMATION
Trinity Baptist College
2013 Graduation Conference
Wednesday, May 1:
11:00 a.m.
Senior Honors Chapel Service
6:30 p.m.
TBC night
Thursday, May 2:
7:00 p.m.
Graduation Conference Concert
Friday, May 3:
11:00 a.m. Chapel
12:00 noon
Graduation Celebration Picnic
(dorm side of campus)
2:00 p.m.
Alumni/Faculty vs. Student Softball
5:30 – 6:30 pm. President’s Reception
(B/C Dining Hall)
7:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate
Saturday, May 4:
9:30 a.m.
Commencement
TBC Alumni Association’s Newest
Silver Member
Dale Hardy (92)
Do you know of an alumnus
serving in ministry that should
have their story shared here?
Nominate them to be highlighted
by sending an email to
[email protected].
Get more news on what’s going on in the
lives of fellow alumni and here at Trinity!
Send your email to [email protected].
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Trinity Baptist College’s Alumni Newsletter • Spring 2013
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