Department of Theological Studies
The College’s mission requires both that the entire curriculum be Bible-centered and that every student receive courses in Bible and Christian doctrine − enough to ensure a dependable and comprehensive knowledge of them. Underlying this is the confidence that the Bible is the Word of God and speaks with complete trustworthiness about the nature of man and the universe and about the meaning of human history and life. That being the case, a person is best educated who has a basic knowledge of the Bible’s teachings.
The College’s mission also includes preparing students for employment in full-time Christian ministries. Included in this category are such offices as pastor, missionary, youth minister, evangelist, church planter, and minister of Christian education.
The Department of Theological Studies offers programs of study that fulfill these two basic commitments. That Bible and ministry are linked together in one department implies: (1) that mastery of the Bible is the most important preparation for any ministry, professional or lay; (2) that the Biblical and ministry areas must directly inform each other; and (3) that all students at Welch College, regardless of vocational intention, are being prepared for professional or lay ministry.
Every bachelor’s degree program, therefore, includes a major in this area. This typically app-ears in either of two forms: (1) a major in Theological Studies, for one of the professional areas; (2) a major in Theological Studies, require d in other programs.
Programs Offered
- Pastoral Ministry
- Missions
- Youth and Family Ministry
- General Christian Ministry
Department of Theological Studies Faculty
Kevin Hester Theological Studies (Chairman), Institutional Planning and Assessment (Director)
615.844.5098
B.A., Welch College, 1993
M.Div., Covenant Theological Seminary, 1997
Ph.D., Saint Louis University, 2002
Adjunct Faculty, Saint Louis University, 2000-2002
Teaching Consultant, Reinert Center for Teaching Excellence,
Saint Louis University, 2000-2001
Faculty, Welch College, 2003-
Ron Callaway Missions (Program Coordinator)
615.844.5266
B.A., Welch College, 1975
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997
D.Miss. in progress, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional studies, Amarillo Junior College, USN Electronics School, University of Madrid
Missionary (Spain, Panama, Cuba), 1976-2003
Faculty, Welch College, 2003-
Leroy Forlines Theology (Professor Emeritus)
615.844.5263
B.A., Welch College, 1952
M.A., Winona Lake School of Theology, 1959
B.D., Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1962
Th.M., Chicago Graduate School of Theology, 1970
Faculty, Welch College, 1953-
Terry Forrest Pastoral Ministry (Program Coordinator)
615.844.5202
B.A., Welch College, 1971
M.S., Tennessee State University, 1996
Graduate studies, Liberty University
Pastor, Free Will Baptist churches, 1971-1991
Associate Pastor, Free Will Baptist church, 1991-
Dean of Students, Welch College, 1991-1999
Faculty, Welch College, 1991-
Matthew McAffee Theological Studies Program (Coordinator), Greek
615.844.5239
B.A., Welch College, 1999
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002
M.A. University of Chicago, 2007
Ph.D. in progress, University of Chicago
Interim Pastor, Free Will Baptist church, 1997-1998, 2003-2006
Part-time Faculty, Welch College, 2003-2006
2009 (Lifetime Learning program)
Faculty, Welch College, 2010 -
John Murray Director of Christian Service
615.844.5253
B.A., Welch College, 1972
M.A., Grace Theological Seminary, 1993
M.Div. studies, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Missionary (France), 1977-1989
Faculty, Welch College, 1991-
J. Matthew Pinson President, Theological Studies, History
615.844.5248
Welch College, 1985-1986, 1988-1989
B.A., University of West Florida, 1990
M.A., University of West Florida, 1993
M.A.R., Yale University, 1994
Ed.D., Vanderbilt University, 2007
Graduate studies, Regent College, Vancouver
Doctoral studies, Florida State University
Adjunct Faculty, Bainbridge College, 1996-2002
Pastor, Free Will Baptist churches, 1990-1992, 1994-2002
President, Welch College, 2002-
Barry Raper Youth and Family Ministry (Program Coordinator)
615.844.5256
B.S., Welch College, 1999
M. Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2002
D.Min. in progress, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Recruitment, Welch College, 1999
Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor, 2000-2003
Pastor, Free Will Baptist churches, 2003-present
Adjunct Faculty, Welch College, 2005
Faculty, Welch College, 2006-
Garnett Reid Theological Studies, Old Testament
615.844.5260
B.A., Welch College, 1977
M.A., Bob Jones University, 1978
Ph.D., Bob Jones University, 1991
Pastor, Free Will Baptist church, 1978-1982
Faculty, Welch College, 1982-
Adjunct Faculty Theological Studies
Randy Corn, M.A.
Richard Hendrix, D.Min.
Jeff Manning, D.Min.
Stanley Outlaw, Ph.D. (Professor-in-Retirement)
Joel Riley, M.T.S.
Robert Woordard, Ph.D. (Professor-in-Retirement)