School of Divinity Archives - ��ӴӴ

��ӴӴ Hosts Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal for Greene Lectures on March 3

Office of University Communications — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:06:58 +0000

Duke Divinity Professor to Present on Creation Justice and Congregational Leadership Amid Climate Change

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at ��ӴӴ will host noted homiletics professor Jerusha Matsen Neal for The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship in Ministry on Tuesday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Dover Chapel. The lectures will develop the theme “Grounded Hope: Creation Justice and the Place of the Local Congregation.” There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We are pleased to host Dr. Neal for the Greene lectures this year,” said interim dean Jim McConnell. “I am confident she will challenge us to consider how scripture compels local congregations to act in the face of climate change.”

The climate crisis raises theological questions about human purpose, the nature of hope, and the character of God. Drawing on biblical texts compiled through experiences of exile and loss, Neal’s lecture series reflects on where local congregations stand in this crisis—and where God is standing.

The schedule for these lectures is as follows:

10 a.m. – Lecture 1: “Exilic Hope: Preaching Scripture in the Climate Crisis.”
11 a.m. – Q&A.
11:45 a.m. – Lunch.
1 p.m. – Lecture 2: “New Creation Hope: Resistance and Restoration in the Face of Apocalypse.”

Neal, an associate professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., is an ordained American Baptist pastor who has spent her ministry preaching in cross-cultural spaces and bridging denominational communities. Her most recent book, “Holy Ground: Climate Change, Preaching, and the Apocalypse of Place” (Baylor University Press, 2024), engages the climate crisis through the sermons of South Pacific communities displaced by rising tides. In her earlier book, “The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation” (Eerdmans, 2020), Neal challenges faith leaders to leave behind false shadows of approval and embrace the overshadowing Spirit of God.

A former actress and playwright, she has also authored a collection of dramatic monologues, “Blessed: Monologues for Mary” (Cascade Books, 2012). She speaks regularly to faith communities across the country on the intersection of courage and hope in the face of the climate crisis.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4270 or email disabilityservices@gardner-webb.edu with your request.

About the Greene Lectureship

The Rev. and Mrs. C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship was established in 1993 to preserve the legacy of excellence in pastoral ministry characterized by Greene, who served for approximately 14 years as director of Missions for the Kings Mountain Baptist Association (now Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association). Prior to that ministry, Greene served as pastor of four churches in Cleveland County and of two other churches in North Carolina. The Lectureship is administered by the Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment and funded by family members, friends, and members of churches where the Greene served as pastor. Held annually on the GWU campus, the Lectureship’s purpose is to address various dimensions of pastoral ministry.

About ��ӴӴ

��ӴӴ is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., ��ӴӴ prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become more at .

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��ӴӴ Recognizes Nearly 300 Graduates in 2025 Fall Commencement

Office of University Communications — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:13:36 +0000

Ceremony on Dec. 12 Awards Degrees and Honors Scholastic Achievements

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—��ӴӴ celebrated the achievements of nearly 300 graduates in Commencement Ceremonies on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. in Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center. Students who completed the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees during the 2025 Fall Semester were recognized.

��ӴӴ President Nate Evans

��ӴӴ President Nate Evans noted the significance of the event as he welcomed the graduates, their families and friends. “Commencement is always one of the most joyful days of the year because it reflects the very heart of our mission: Students pursuing their calling, growing in knowledge and character, and preparing to make a difference in the world,” he asserted. “And so, we gather today to celebrate you…and, perhaps most importantly…to honor the promise you carry forward from this moment and this place: the promise of a bright and rewarding future.”

Senior Scholastic awards were presented to traditional undergraduates:

Carley Brooke Lawter
Kalem Darius Griffin
Caitlin Mackenzie Hines
Jacob P. Jensen

The online senior scholastic awards were present to Tona Deann Marlow, who completed her degree in the fall semester, and Donna Denise Woody for the summer semester.

Doctoral candidates and those receiving their master’s degrees received their hoods. Evans conferred undergraduate and graduate degrees on all graduates.

Dr. Robert Canoy

The featured speaker was Dr. Robert Canoy, who served as dean of the ��ӴӴ M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years. This semester, he taught part time and will retire on Dec. 31.

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000. Through the years, he led classes in Christian theology, Greek, eschatology, the Revelation of John, and The Ministry of Worship, a Doctor of Ministry seminar. In addition, Canoy regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Rome.

Canoy’s primary area of research is New Testament theology, having written articles and books on eschatology, and Eucharistic theology. He is the author of “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Exposé of the Defeat of Evil.”

He served as pastor in Shelby, N.C., Maryland (in the Washington D.C. area), Iowa, Missouri, and Kentucky before returning to an academic career. His teaching experience began at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as a doctoral student and then Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.

Canoy spoke about recognizing and celebrating new beginnings, and he offered examples—from biblical characters to historic figures and recent celebrities. “The Bible is an honest book filled with ‘begin-again’ stories, if I can use that phrase,” Canoy related. “That’s because life has always been about beginning again, over and over again, since each step that we take leads to the next step. And some steps that we take require some serious recalibration. Truth is, in this life there are no last steps.”

He discussed Simon Peter, who had boasted that he would never betray Jesus. “But he denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times, which Jesus had predicted,” Canoy observed. “But Peter ‘began again.’ He made a new start on the banks of the Sea of Galilee…Jesus gave him a new beginning, a fresh start, after his past failure.”

His list of famous “do-overs” included Thomas Edison, who failed more than 100 times before finding a filament that would sustain a light bulb, and Michael Jordan, who was famously cut from his high school basketball team before becoming one of the sport’s greatest players. Canoy ended with the most remarkable “begin-againer,” Jesus Christ. “He died at 33 before making the first of its kind—the greatest historical comeback ever—called resurrection,” Canoy stated.

Concluding his remarks, Canoy observed, “Graduation from ��ӴӴ means being prepared for life’s ups and downs, highs and lows. Today’s commencement from GWU means that nothing is more important than knowing that God is all about getting us back up when we throw ourselves down or when life knocks us down. So, let us commence today to do even better tomorrow what we may have done well, or not so well yesterday, Pro Deo et Humanitate!”

Video of the commencement ceremony is available on The University’s and channel.

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Four Dedicated Employees Retire After Decades of Service to ��ӴӴ

Office of University Communications — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:15:40 +0000

Their Contributions to the Campus Community Have Shaped Generations of Students

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Four longtime employees are retiring from ��ӴӴ after the Christmas holidays. Their dedicated service has impacted students through academics, Christian Life and Service, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for learning and community.

Retiring on Dec. 31

Susan Manahan, Assistant Professor of Biology, 31 years

During her tenure at ��ӴӴ, Manahan has championed scientific exploration and community service. After graduating with degrees in microbiology and nutrition from Penn State University, Manahan’s first job was working as a quality control technician for Bachman Pretzel Company in Reading, Pa. She joined the GWU faculty shortly after obtaining her master’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte.

Manahan’s dedication to students extended beyond the classroom. A highlight of her career has been mentoring undergraduates in their independent research and helping them achieve their goals. Her students have pursued various professions in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, and wildlife biology. Manahan has been granted the rank of Faculty Emeritus status upon her retirement. Read more here.

Dr. Robert Canoy, Professor of Historical Theology, 25 years

Canoy joined the School of Divinity faculty in 2000 and has regularly led study tours to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. His primary area of research is New Testament theology. He is the author “Atonement in the Apocalypse: An Expose of the Defeat of Evil.” Before joining the faculty of the School of Divinity, Canoy was pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. His academic career includes teaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. He has also served as pastor, interim pastor, and guest teacher in churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa, and Missouri. He is married to Cynthia and they are the parents of two adult sons. His hobbies include bicycling, basketball, baseball, hunting, woodworking, and traveling. Read more here.

Teresa Davis, Administrative Assistant for Office of Christian Life and Service, 22 years

Davis began working at ��ӴӴ in 2003 in the Office of Christian Life and Service/Campus Ministries. She enjoyed working with and around college students and ministering to them during these formative years. She had the opportunity to lead mission trips for college students and has traveled in the states as well as over six countries. She has been involved in ministry with her husband, Eric, for 46 years, and is the founder of Fragrance Ministries, which exists to encourage and empower women to know Jesus Christ personally.

Retiring on Jan. 5

David Wacaster, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, 27 years

Wacaster has a Bachelor of Science degree from ��ӴӴ and joined the University in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was captain of University Police when he was tapped to be the director of Environmental and Occupational Safety at GWU. In 2020, he became the director of Operations for Facilities and Maintenance. Before coming to ��ӴӴ, Wacaster had served six years with the Shelby Police Department, where he held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT Team member, and detective. He is married to Tonya, who received her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from ��ӴӴ. His daughters also graduated from GWU. Kaylee earned a sports management degree and is a fifth-grade teacher at Township Three Elementary. Jenna graduated with an education degree and teaches second grade at Springmore Elementary. They both played softball at ��ӴӴ and were recognized as Big South All Conference players. Kaylee holds six career hitting records for the Bulldogs. Jenna is married to Caleb Webber and they have a son named Riggs. When he’s not at GWU, Wacaster likes to ride the trails in West Virginia while running his off-road touring business. He also enjoys spending time with family and spoiling Riggs.

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Theologian Peter Enns to Speak at ��ӴӴ on Oct. 28 for Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

Office of University Communications — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:23:32 +0000

Open to the Public, Free Sessions Examine the Topic: ‘Reading the Bible Prayerfully with Eyes Open’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The School of Divinity at ��ӴӴ presents theologian and author, Peter Enns, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Faith Hall, Tucker Student Center. The program, “Reading the Bible Prayerfully and with Eyes Open,” is part of the Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is included.

“We look forward to hosting Dr. Peter Enns for the Mary Washburn Wilson lectures,” asserted Interim School of Divinity Dean Dr. Jim McConnell. “Dr. Enns is a biblical scholar known for his insightful reading of scripture, both the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Enns will encourage us to read the Bible with our eyes open to the challenges that these texts present, but also open to the promises of hope found within them.”

Enns earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University and is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa. He has written several books including “The Bible Tells Me So,” “The Sin of Certainty,” “How the Bible Actually Works,” and his latest “Curveball: When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming.”

He is also cohost of the popular podcast “The Bible for Normal People.” The focus of his work centers on understanding the Bible as an ancient text and thinking through what it means to read that ancient text well today.

The Mary Washburn Wilson lectures are supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, which was established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift by her daughter, the Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, along with her husband, Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and to make them aware of ideas not previously thought about in an intentional way.

The schedule follows:

Session One: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., The Challenge of Reading The Bible In The Modern World
Lunch: 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Session Two: 1 to 2 p.m., Reading The Bible With Open Eyes And Humble Hearts.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

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��ӴӴ Divinity School Dean Dr. Robert Canoy Announces Retirement

Office of University Communications — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:17:08 +0000

Through the Last 16 Years Under His Leadership, School of Divinity Has Gained Funding for Students; Maintained High Academic Standards

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Robert Canoy, dean of the ��ӴӴ M. Christopher White School of Divinity for 16 years, will retire at the end of the 2025 Fall Semester. Canoy will serve as a part-time faculty member until Dec. 31, and also offer guidance to Professor Dr. Jim McConnell, who has been named interim dean of the School of Divinity.

“Dr. Canoy’s leadership has shaped the School of Divinity and strengthened ��ӴӴ’s mission for nearly three decades,” shared Interim GWU President Nate Evans. “His commitment to preparing ministers, scholars, and servants of the Church has left a lasting mark not only on this institution but also on congregations and communities across the globe. We are deeply grateful for his visionary leadership and steady presence, and we celebrate both the legacy he leaves and the foundation he has built for the future of theological education at ��ӴӴ.”

Dr. Robert Canoy in 2010

Canoy’s affiliation with ��ӴӴ began in 1997, shortly after he was called as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. Invited by Dr. Wayne Stacy, then dean of the School of Divinity, Canoy served as an adjunct faculty member and as an ecclesiastical representative for the school’s first accreditation self-study. In 2000, Canoy joined the faculty full time as associate dean. When Stacy departed, Canoy stepped into interim leadership, guiding the school through its initial 10-year accreditation, granted in 2004 by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

In 2005, with the appointment of Dr. Chuck Bugg as dean, Canoy resumed his role as associate dean. After Bugg’s departure, Canoy once again provided transitional leadership until 2009, when he was named the divinity school’s fourth dean. Since then, he has led the School of Divinity through two additional accreditation reviews, in 2014 and 2024.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nicole Waters commended Canoy for his exemplary service to the University. “I extend heartfelt gratitude to Dean Robert Canoy, whose faithful and visionary leadership has blessed the School of Divinity and ��ӴӴ for many years,” she praised. “Throughout his tenure as dean, Dr. Canoy has provided unwavering guidance, steadfast advocacy, and wise counsel. His dedication to faculty, staff, students, and alumni has strengthened and enriched our community.”

Dean of the School of Divinity Dr. Robert Canoy speaks during the school’s 20th anniversary.

Waters added, “I am especially grateful for his continued presence and influence during the fall semester as he transitions from the role of dean to a part-time administrator and professor, and I appreciate Dr. Jim McConnell’s willingness to serve as the interim dean. During this transition, we celebrate a legacy of faithfulness and excellence and anticipate the ways it will continue to shape the future of the School of Divinity.”

McConnell also praised Canoy’s skillful leadership of the School of Divinity. “While Dr. Canoy served as dean, the influence of the School of Divinity has spread throughout our region and beyond, including internationally,” McConnell asserted. “Dean Canoy has maintained our school’s focus on its mission, ‘the preparation of persons for Christian ministries,’ recognizing that God’s call to ministry in the local church extends to a diverse group of people. I am humbled to follow Dr. Canoy as interim dean of the school. At the same time, I am thankful for the strong foundation on which Dr. Canoy has established the school. Because of his leadership we are well positioned to continue to train men and women for Christian ministries of all types into the future.”

Under Canoy’s guidance, the divinity school has received numerous gifts. An endowment of more than $1 million given in 2006 by Joyce Earnhardt was particularly meaningful, because it allowed divinity school students to study overseas. “It allows for students to travel to the Bible lands,” Canoy related. “I have been leading those groups for 20-something years. That’s been a real highlight to watch students go to the Bible places and to connect the Bible with that part of the world for their own preaching and teaching.”

Dean Dr. Robert Canoy poses with a graduate at the
Divinity School Recognition Ceremony in 2023.

In addition to trips to Israel, Greece and Turkey, divinity students also have the opportunity to participate in mission immersion trips and have served in Cuba, the Balkans, and Africa. The Charles B. Keesee Educational Fund also helps students pay for their theological education, and other grants to the divinity school support hands-on programs and academic enrichment opportunities. With these funds and assistance provided by the Christian Service Organization, as well as churches from across the nation, divinity students are able to obtain their degree without taking on additional educational debt.

Canoy is thankful for the administrative assistants who have provided stability to the School of Divinity over the years, especially the current assistant, Lisa Hollifield. He also praises the highly-qualified faculty who prepare students from their various areas of expertise in historical theology (Dr. Steven Harmon), missions (Dr. Terry Casino, originally from the Philippines), counseling (Dr. Hebert Palomino from Colombia and Dr. Doug Dickens), New Testament interpretation (McConnell), and biblical studies (Dr. Cal Robertson).

Because of the faculty’s dedication, 90% of students who want to go into a church-related ministry obtain a position after graduating. In addition, many churches that employ a ��ӴӴ student will contact the divinity school when the student is called to serve elsewhere. “They say, ‘Please send us another one like that,’” Canoy shared. “That means we’ve done something well.”

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The Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. Elected First African American Chair of ��ӴӴ Board of Trustees

Office of University Communications — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:26:27 +0000

In his New Role, Pastor, Teacher and Leader will Focus on Transparency, Accountability and Communication

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Rev. Dr. M. Lamont Littlejohn Jr., pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., is a trailblazer “Pro Deo et Humanitate” (for God and humanity). A three-time graduate of ��ӴӴ and the first African American chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, he approaches each situation with the same mindset.

“What I’m learning to do is embrace every door that’s open and even embrace the doors that are closed,” Littlejohn reflected. “Whatever stage I’m at, whatever door I get to enter into, whatever room I’m sitting in, that’s an opportunity for me to show them God and to glorify Him and put a smile on someone’s face. I just believe that whatever room I’m in, I’m there for a purpose: to help people. That’s my goal. That’s my passion.”

In the last six years, the open doors have led to history-making appointments. In 2019, he became the first African American chair to lead the Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees. In January 2025, he began his term as chair of ��ӴӴ’s Board of Trustees.

The two roles have another similarity. Littlejohn was on the search committee when Cleveland Community hired a new president, and now he will help lead ��ӴӴ’s search for its next president. “That gives me a little experience,” Littlejohn remarked. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to go through that search.”

In his role as chair of the ��ӴӴ Board of Trustees, Littlejohn emphasized that his goals will be transparency, accountability and communication. He wants to foster unity among board members and keep them informed about campus, community and University life. He hopes to establish a board retreat, so members can have more time to engage and learn more about the University.

“I think the more you can communicate, have transparency and accountability, if you do well in those areas, you tend to be successful,” he said. “If you don’t do well in those areas, then you have low morale and just confusion. I want to get ��ӴӴ back to understanding our Christian identity. We’re not like other universities. We are not so much very conservative or very liberal. I think we’re moderate.”

The Rev. Dr. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. presides over the Board
of Trustees April meeting.

Another priority is to make ��ӴӴ a place where faculty and staff are eager to get to work every day. “I don’t want it to feel like a job,” he asserted. “I want to make sure the atmosphere and the environment of the ��ӴӴ campus—from faculty, staff, students, and alumni—is that you know you’re coming back to the family. It’s about community, building those relationships, and showing our students, our faculty, and our staff their value and their meaning. I think I can play a role in bridging some gaps, helping people understand that we can do this together. We want God to be glorified in the Springs.”

Before his service in higher education, Littlejohn made history in 2003 when he became the senior pastor of Shelby’s Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. He was 26 years old with a bachelor’s degree from GWU and following in the footsteps of a ministry giant, Dr. Samuel A. Raper. He had served as Mt. Calvary’s pastor for 35 years and was a civil rights leader. He also served as a city councilman for 25 years. “He was a huge figure, 91-years-old,” Littlejohn related. “I was not trying to fill his shoes but make my own shoes.”

In assuming the role, Littlejohn often felt like Joshua, the young man in the Bible who succeeded Moses and led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. For the first five years he was at Mt. Calvary, Littlejohn began every Sunday service by honoring God first and then acknowledging Raper, who sat in the first row, as the pastor emeritus. “This new phase of ministry would be a journey,” Littlejohn assessed. “I had to be strong and courageous, but I also had to learn to be patient, to love people, and how to love my predecessor.”

He also knew early on that he needed to increase his knowledge to help his congregation grow in their faith. He went back to school for his master’s when his wife, Nikki, was pregnant with their son, Lamont III, and their daughter, L’mia was 2 years old. Although the time was a blur, he gives God praise for sustaining them.

“I loved learning about the narrative of the Bible and how could I help people through this narrative,” Littlejohn reflected. “It was not me collecting a degree on a wall. Through preaching, through pastoring, I knew I had to get better for the people I was leading.”

While he could have gone anywhere, he chose to come back “home” to ��ӴӴ. “It was really about the relationships that were established from undergrad to divinity school,” Littlejohn affirmed. “I talk about the Koinonia Lounge—that was a safe place in Lindsey Hall. It was truly what that lounge is, a fellowship, a melting pot. We learned about each other, and we learned about each other’s journeys. It was fun times, sad times, even frustrating times there.”

The Rev. Dr. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. spoke at ��ӴӴ’s 2019 Fall Commencement ceremony

The Rev. Dr. Lamont Littlejohn Jr. earned his doctorate in 2016.

Further, Littlejohn knew the professors at ��ӴӴ would motivate him to go above and beyond his best. “They understood my potential,” he related. “They would know when I wasn’t giving my best work. They wouldn’t just say, ‘Hey, great job.’ No, they would challenge me. I stand on their shoulders. I believe that I am who I am because of those relationships and that pushing.”

He earned his Master of Divinity in 2007 and his Doctor of Ministry in 2016 and is an adjunct professor at ��ӴӴ. Whether serving in the church or the community, Littlejohn lives out his challenge to his church members and the Mt. Calvary motto, “Living Beyond Familiar Every Day and in Every Way.” He explained what it means: “You are living by faith, living by a substance that is uncomfortable and you are trusting God to take you places that you can’t imagine you will go.”

An example of how the church has “Lived Beyond Familiar” is when they purchased the former North Shelby School building for $550,000 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The church was holding virtual services at the time. “Now, three and a half years later, we have community partners and partnerships,” Littlejohn shared. “We are doing ministry beyond familiar with a health clinic, after school care, the Partnership for Children, Feeding Kids and Reading Kids Cleveland County, and a food ministry with Second Harvest. Most anytime during the week, there are between 100 and 150 people on that campus. We are doing ministry beyond Sunday. You could say at Mt. Calvary, we are open 7 days a week, not just two.”

However, Littlejohn and the church are not finished. “As we continue to grow, we are far from finished,” he stated. “I still have some passion to do some other things that are beyond familiar.”

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��ӴӴ Divinity School Professor Dr. Steve Harmon Featured on Spectrum Local News

Office of University Communications — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:29:05 +0000

Harmon Shares About Meeting Pope Francis in 2022

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square this week to pray for Pope Francis, ��ӴӴ Professor of historical theology Dr. Steve Harmon remembered meeting the Pope in 2022 and joined the world in praying for the Pope’s recovery.

Harmon reflected on the time he spent with Pope Francis in a story by Spectrum News Anchor Rachel Loyd. The segment aired on Feb. 25 on Spectrum Local News. Harmon met the Pope through his work with the Baptist World Alliance. Read more here.

“It was certainly an honor to meet Pope Francis,” Harmon said.

Their 2022 meeting was just as Harmon imagined it would be.

“Pope Francis was as many people experienced—warm, very personable, very engaged with the people and concerned about them,” he said. “Pope Francis was as many people experienced—warm, very personable, very engaged with the people and concerned about them.”

Watch the Spectrum story

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Local Baptist Leader, Jason Ballard, Featured Speaker for ��ӴӴ Greene Lectureship

Office of University Communications — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:13:00 +0000

Mission Strategist will Discuss ‘Leading Change in the Local Church’

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Jason Ballard, associational mission strategist for the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association (GCCBA) in Shelby, N.C., is the speaker for the C.O. and Eliza Greene Endowed Lectureship on Tuesday, March 4, at ��ӴӴ. His topic is “Leading Change in the Local Church.”

Morning and afternoon sessions will be held in Dover Chapel. The first one is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Ritch Banquet Hall, Dover Campus Center. The afternoon session is from 1 to 2 p.m. The lectures and lunch are free. Please RSVP to Lisa Hollifield at lhollifield@gardner-webb.edu.

Jason Ballard

“God has called us to become healthy churches that engage His Great Commission with all our passion and energy,” Ballard observed. “I can’t wait to see what He has in store for our future.”

The C.O. and Eliza Greene Endowed Lectureship was established in 1993 in honor of the Rev. and Mrs. C.O. Greene of Lawndale, N.C. C.O. Greene served for 14 years as the director of missions for the Kings Mountain Baptist Association. Prior to that ministry, he served as pastor of six churches, four within Cleveland County and two others in North Carolina. The lectureship is administered by the GWU School of Divinity’s Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment and is funded by family members, friends, and members of churches where Greene served as pastor. Established to preserve the legacy of excellence that characterized Greene’s ministry, the lectureship addresses various dimensions of pastoral ministry.

��ӴӴ School of Divinity Dean and Professor of Christian Theology Dr. Robert Canoy noted that inviting Ballard to speak for the Greene Lectureship is especially appropriate. “We are delighted to have him lead this year’s C.O. and Eliza Greene Lectureship, especially so, since the Rev. C.O. Greene (and wife Eliza) was long-time Director of Missions for the Greater Kings Mountain Baptist Association (now Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association),” Canoy shared. “Jason Ballard has been good for Baptists in greater Cleveland County since his arrival in 2022. His primary agenda is to help local churches serve our Lord and His Kingdom more faithfully and more successfully—particularly through times of change. He knows how diverse Baptist churches are and he has the unique ability to relate well to all kinds of Baptists.”

Ballard, a native of western Gaston County, N.C., has served GCCBA since 2022. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 2000 with a degree in biology and took a job in the biotech industry before surrendering to the ministry. In 2002, just six months after he and his wife, Laura, were married, they began his theological studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Ballard studied church planting while in seminary, and upon graduation with his Master of Divinity, was called to a young church in Cold Spring, Ky., just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, as the minister of students and missions. During his time in Kentucky, he led the youth ministry of Christ Baptist Church and became heavily involved in multiple mission programs throughout the United States and in Africa.

In 2011, he was called into the senior pastor role of Christ Baptist Church where he led a revitalization effort to reorganize and reprioritize the church mission. It was also during this time that God blessed the Ballards with their three daughters—Lucy Wren (18), Tess (15), and Ruby (13).

In 2014, Ballard was called to First Baptist Church of Stanley, N.C., as senior pastor, and began the responsibility of pastoring a new congregation and leading another revitalization effort. During his time there, the church experienced transformation in staff structure, church culture and organizational emphasis.

Since beginning his ministry at the GCCBA, Ballard has led the renovation of the GCCBA building, and reoriented the GCCBA around six missional values that guide the Association in its activity and planning. He has also begun piloting new programs such as the Transitional Interim Ministry and the Foothills South Residency Project—a pastoral leadership development program for new pastors, associate pastors and aspiring ministers. In 2023, Ballard began his studies in the PhD program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the field of Christian leadership.

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Guided by Faith: Annagrace Earwood’s Dedication to Serving Others

Office of University Communications — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:11:34 +0000

2024 Dean’s Scholar Embarks on a Dual-Degree Journey

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—As an undergraduate student at ��ӴӴ, Annagrace Earwood’s favorite memory involves an act of service. She was vice president of the Religious Studies Association and volunteered with members at the Washington Outreach Ministry, a food pantry in Cherryville, N.C.

“We went one Friday and spent the morning packing and handing out food to those in need,” Earwood stated. “This is a very important memory to me, because I was able to serve the local community with my peers. This was truly a blessing.”

Earwood sensed God’s calling on her life when she was a teenager. “I know I am called to minister to people in whatever capacity the Lord opens up doors for,” she acknowledged. “I especially have a heart for children and believe that I am supposed to minister to them in some way.”

Annagrace Earwood preaches at a conference for DreamGirls
Ministry, which is based in Greenville, S.C.

She followed her instinct to help children by volunteering two years with the mission team from the Office of Christian Life and Service that served critically ill children at Give Kids The World Village in Orlando, Fla. In a ��ӴӴ Newscenter story about the trip, Earwood said the children taught her a very important lesson. “I learned that there are 5-year-olds out there who are emotionally stronger than I am at 18 years old, simply because they don’t let their circumstances define them, and even in the unknowns of life, they can find great joy,” she noted.

Earwood is a dual enrollment student in the School of Divinity at ��ӴӴ pursuing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Christian studies with a concentration in Discipleship in May 2024. She was recognized at the Student Volunteerism, Service and Leadership Awards Ceremony for her work with the Religious Studies Association.

Annagrace Earwood, second from right, helps pack food bags with other members of the Religious Studies Association.

Earwood is also the recipient of the 2024 Dean’s Fellowship Scholar Award, given annually by the GWU School of Divinity. Each year, the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy selects a graduate of the program to receive the full-tuition scholarship for the complete course of study in the Master of Divinity degree at ��ӴӴ. The recipients, known as “Dean’s Fellows,” are chosen for exceptional academic performance and call to ministry.

Although Earwood grew up in Shelby, N.C., and was familiar with ��ӴӴ, she didn’t experience the University for herself until she came for a visit. “I felt God’s peace as soon as I came to campus the first time I toured,” she reflected. “I have enjoyed everything about my ��ӴӴ experience. I loved my department, my professors, my peers, and my classes. I think what really makes ��ӴӴ home for me is the sense of community that is here, as well as the support by the community to follow the calling God has on my life.”

With the support of friends, family and her professors, Earwood has felt confident and prepared for her graduate studies and ministry, especially in the area of discipleship. “All of the professors in the religious studies department are especially meaningful to me,” she affirmed. “They all had a tremendous impact on how I approach theology, ministry, and biblical study. I appreciate them all deeply and do not think they will ever know the extent of their impact on my life.”

Learn more about the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Learn more about the School of Divinity.

Annagrace Earwood worked at the Vacation Bible School at Double Shoals Baptist Church.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University’s tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University’s official Admissions page.

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��ӴӴ Hosts National Advocate for Faith Freedom on Oct. 22

Office of University Communications — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:06:25 +0000

Executive Director for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty Amanda Tyler Featured Speaker for Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Amanda Tyler, the executive director for the Baptist Joint Committee (BJC) for Religious Liberty will be the featured speaker for the ��ӴӴ School of Divinity’s Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series. The free event will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. in Dover Chapel. Tyler’s topic will be “How to End Christian Nationalism.”

Dean of the School of Divinity Dr. Robert Canoy praised the work of Tyler and her predecessors. “The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) has been blessed with great leadership for many decades,” Canoy noted. “James M. Dunn and J. Brent Walker, leaders since 1981 and 1999 respectively, have been joined by current Executive Director Amanda Tyler since 2017. As an alumna of the University of Texas School of Law, Tyler’s leadership of the BJC continues its founding focus on religious liberty for all people without which Baptists could easily be silenced in America.”

Tyler is also lead organizer of the campaign and co-host of the podcast. As executive director of BJC, Tyler upholds the historic Baptist principle of faith freedom for all. Her constitutional law analysis and advocacy for religious freedom have been featured by major news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC.

In these roles, Canoy further recognized Tyler’s “exceptional capacities for looking past short-sighted rhetoric that seems to favor Baptists, but that unfortunately could lead to a loss of Baptist freedoms should others from other backgrounds and beliefs become the majority or more powerful religious voices in America.”

He continued, “Amanda Tyler understands that religious freedom for one means religious freedom for everyone. She promotes that message and principle wherever she goes and in everything that she writes.”

Religion News Service named Tyler one of “2022’s rising stars in religion,” and she regularly preaches in Baptist churches, speaks at denominational gatherings, and leads sessions on college campuses and with community groups of all sizes. She testified before Congress in 2022 about the ways in which Christian nationalism proves cover for white supremacy, and in 2018 she spoke about threats to religious liberty around the world.

A member of the Texas and U.S. Supreme Court Bar, she has experience working in Congress, in a private legal practice and serving as a law clerk for a federal judge. Tyler is a graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: @AmandaTylerBJC

About the Mary Washburn Wilson Lecture Series

The lectures are supported by the Mary Washburn Wilson Visiting Scholar Endowment, which was established in honor of Mary Leigh Washburn Wilson (1922-2003) through a generous gift by her daughter, Rev. Tillie Duncan, a member of the GWU Gallery of Distinguished Alumni, along with Rev. Duncan’s husband Shannon Duncan. The lectureship is designed to expose students to new ideas and to make them aware of ideas not previously thought about in an intentional way.