The First Road Warrior

Paul Ketteman was the first student at Welch College (formerly Free Will Baptist Bible College). As L. C. John- son, founding president of the college, drove up to 3609 Richland Avenue for the first time in September 1942, Paul Ketteman was sitting on the doorstep waiting.

Paul J. Ketteman was from a strong, Illinois Free Will Baptist family. His father was a preacher and leader, a man with a pronounced sense of humor and dedication to God. No one in the community was surprised when he announced his call to preach and went off to Nashville to prepare for the ministry at the brand new “Bible School.”

Three years later, in May 1945, Paul graduated from the new school’s two-year program after working hard to pay for his education. He immediately enrolled in Columbia (SC) Bible College (now Columbia International University) to finish his degree. While there, he met Helen Johnson, who would become his wife, and he began serving Mt. Elon FWB Church (Pamplico, SC) as part-time pastor.

Paul pastored first at Mt. Elon FWB Church, then at Edgemont FWB Church in Durham (NC), then back to Mt. Elon (full time), and then at First FWB Church in Columbus (MS). He was the kind of pastor who got out among the people in the community and got to know them where they lived. He confronted those who needed Jesus over and over.

Paul loved Welch College. When Dr. Johnson asked him to devote his full attention to promotion and fund-raising, he didn’t hesitate. He spent the last 25 years of his life on the road representing his alma mater, the denomination’s flagship institution.

He didn’t just give out information and take up offerings but encouraged pastors and leaders everywhere he went. He did the same thing on campus, sensitive to a student’s homesickness or need. Many students recall his hospitality and gifts when they needed help the most. He was the eminent practical jokester. Even when he was nowhere around, people wondered if something suspicious was his doing.

Cancer took Paul from us sooner than we wanted, but he left behind a legacy. His influence survives him in his God-fearing family, in the students and pastors he encouraged, in his friends, in his denomination, and most of all, in the college he helped build from the very beginning.

Paul had a godly jealousy for Welch College. He wanted, more than anything else, for the school to be strong, growing, and faithful to training young men and women for ministry to the church and to Free Will Baptists.

He began the annual Christmas fund drive given his name after his death. He understood better than most how costly it is to provide quality Christian education, how important it is for churches and individuals to provide regular and generous support. More than anyone else, probably, he made us conscious of that.

Article adapted with permission from ONE Magazine: www.onemag.org.

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