I made it. If you have been one of my students, I guess we made it together. At this week’s Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary’s award ceremony, I received recognition for completing my 20th year of ministry as a faculty member. This Thursday will be my 20th graduation to walk in as a faculty member.
I have always wondered what 20 years felt like?! Now I know. :)
What an incredible blessing this week for me as I celebrated this milestone together with my fellow friends and colleagues from the College and Seminary, especially Ray Adams who was recognized for his 40th year of service.
What made 20 years of ministry at BBC/TS so special?
How do I capture twenty years of ministry? What made it so special? I can think of several key areas of blessing.
Teaching the Word of God
I am grateful to teach in a Bible college. Yes, we use text books – lots of them. However, the primary focus of my classes is God’s Word. Every day I go into a classroom, I get to open up the Bible and teach future biblical counselors, pastors, missionaries, church staff, and others God’s Word.
Every time I open up God’s Word with the students, my goal is for them to experience life change so that they become more like Jesus Christ. We seek to accomplish this in two different ways. First, I want them to learn the Bible text. What was the original meaning? What timeless truth did the original author intend for us to know? Where is this text located? What in the context is significant? How does this text fit the broader message of the Bible?
Second, what are the implications of this text to life and ministry? How does the meaning of this text connect with the context of the student’s life? What does wisdom look like from this text? Do we learn anything about God or man that is applicable for daily living? What are ways this text helps the student understand God, self, circumstances, or people? What implications guide ministry?
Fellow Colleagues and Staff
Over the years I have had the privilege to work with some of God’s choice servants. I will not begin to name them all here because I will miss someone accidentally and potentially offend. However, my office suite mates have included Drs. Stephen Schrader, Arnie Smith, and Greg Christopher. These men helped me learn biblical fellowship. Our time together was rich – 15 years next to each other. I am better for it. In addition to these men, Pastor Bill Kolb used to hang out with us often and eventually Dr. Wayne Slusser joined us. At present I enjoy the company of Drs. Craig Dunning and Matt Kimbrough, alongside Randy Harp.
Bill and Mary Ann Piatt stand head-and-shoulder above the rest in how they sacrificed, served, laughed, and cried alongside me these years. Words fail me to express the extent of my joy and appreciation for you both. I love you as my dear friends and co-laborers.
I have been so enriched by our staff as well. Again, it is impossible to name them all. This list could go on for paragraphs – so many of you are fresh in my mind as I write. Plus, heaven is sweeter as I consider some of my dear friends that have gone on from here to there, like Dr. Harju, Doc Boland, Leo Thompson, Dr. Sewell, Percy Phillips, and Pat Fifer.
Our current administration work diligently to serve our school, faculty, staff, and students. President Milioni, Vice Presidents Jason Todd and Nate Harmon, Academic Dean Terry Allcorn work well together to serve us.
What a joy to serve alongside Ray Adams and call Patriot basketball on the radio for the best part of ten seasons.
To all of these people, I am so grateful.
The Students
God is doing great things through so many of those who I have had the privilege to teach. Along the way, they have been part of God’s grace in my life as well. What an immense joy it is to watch God use them in His service all over the world in local churches.
We have grown together in Christ. Your questions, self-counsel projects, research, and time spent with me have benefited me. I hope I have served you well, at least that is my prayer. However, regardless of what I have done for you, just know that you have served me too. God’s grace in my life includes you.
For my graduate assistants, I am so indebted. I could spend paragraphs on each of these dear friends: Nate and Kim Young. Ellen Haley, Chad McKinley, and Tyler Shores. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The Growth
Twenty years by God’s grace has produced a different person. For that, I am grateful. God orchestrated the right class assignments, with choice colleagues, timely counselees, and many students to grow me. I am better for it. I am grateful for it. To be honest, my family and church benefit so much from this as well.
Thank You
Thank you God for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the opportunity to serve, and the patience with me to grow. Thank you colleagues, students, administration, and my family. Thank you to the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, the trustees of BBC/TS, and the administration who have trusted me with the opportunity. Thank you for the students who have walked along beside me. Thank you Sonrise for allowing me the privilege of serving at BBC/TS while serving you. Last but certainly not least, thank you Kelly and my children who have walked this journey with me.
I am a blessed man.
My Journey – as they read it at the award’s ceremony
Kevin has had the privilege of serving Christ, the BBFI, and students here as a faculty member since 1999. Kevin graduated from BBC in 1994 and the graduate school in 1996. He began working that year as a pastor at Cherry Street in Springfield. While serving there in the spring of 1999, he was contacted by Drs. Dailey, Kennedy, and Christopher and asked to consider coming to BBC to teach. He started teaching in August.
Along the journey, he and his wife Kelly have had four more children: Keaton – who graduates this year, Kara – who just turned 16, Kyler (13), and Korbin who is 7. In addition he had the privilege to team plant and still pastors the Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark. He serves as a certified biblical counselor, a conference speaker, a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and author. His joy is serving Christ while sharing life with his wife, children, church family, students, and friends – of which he counts you dear ones.
KevinCarson.com | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey
