CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa.—Baptist Bible College & Seminary recognized 215 graduates during a commencement program held at the Phelps Student Center on May 7. Diplomas ranged from one-year Bible certificates to doctor of ministry degrees. Graduates, including five international students, hailed from 28 states and 12 other nations.
- View BBC commencement photos.
BBC&S President Jim Jeffery encouraged graduates, families, friends, faculty, and staff through his commencement address. His message, “Living and Leading as Christ Followers,” focused on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the contemporary world as believers live under His Lordship and serve others according to His commission. Drawing on the potential gathered among the graduates, President Jeffery encouraged them to “go beyond” the satisfactory in their service and leadership of others, striving for excellence in all they do: “Christ followers are those who have put their faith in Christ as Savior, are learning to grow in Christ likeness, have a deep commitment to take up their cross and follow Christ, are engaged in serving Christ by serving others, and are becoming leaders who maximize their influence and multiply in others what Christ has done in their lives.”
- Listen to President Jeffery’s commencement message.
The 78th commencement program included the presentation of an honorary doctor of divinity degree to R. Craig Golden, state representative of the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches. Golden, a former trustee of BBC&S, was recognized for his leadership in New York State and longtime faithfulness in ministry.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jeremiah Tomasetti, a U.S. Army chaplain candidate, who was commissioned earlier in the week at a ceremony on campus. Tomasetti, a youth pastor major from Elizabethtown, Pa., and president of the senior class, was in the ROTC program at BBC.
John Greening, national representative of the GARBC and vice chairman of the BBC&S Board of Trustees, gave the invocation. The BBC Concert Chorale, directed by Dr. Larry Kauffman, performed music including “In Christ Alone” and “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel.” Associate Professor John Jackson gave the prayer of dedication, and Dr. David Mappes, associate professor of systematic theology and Bible exposition, read the Scripture passage.
The commencement exercises took place as work continues on the new Kempton Athletic Center. Named after the late Dr. Wendell Kempton, a longtime administrator and benefactor, this $4.5 million, 62,000-square-foot facility will include new recreation and training areas. It is expected to open in fall 2011.
