Commencement Week 2015

by Russel Dennis, Jr.

Graduation Week at Heritage has become a much anticipated occasion full of outstanding events. This year is no different, with more scheduled preachers and more events than ever.

Indianapolis Baptist Temple. Besides the delicious food, Dr. Randy Parker will encourage us with his special message.

The Commencement service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Hopewell Campus. Pastor Harry Strahan of Ashland, OH will be the speaker for the evening. We look forward to another wonderful graduating class.

The President's Perspective

Russell Dennis, Jr.

In March, I had the chance to visit the University of Chicago. This college is unique among all the Baptist colleges that have ever been founded.

In the late 1880’s, Baptist businessman, John D. Rockefeller became interested in building a premier Baptist school in the< Midwest. His initial gift towards the University of Chicago in 1889, equaled almost 10 million present-day dollars.

Architect Henry Ives Cobb completed 10 major buildings in two years, and the University of Chicago opened on October 1, 1892 with some of these buildings still under construction.

Rockefeller’s choice for president was a young theologian named William Rainey Harper. Harper, from southeastern Ohio, had entered college at 10, received his BA at 14, and completed his Ph.D. at 18. This prodigy was teaching in seminary at 22, and a few years later was on staff at Yale. At 35 years old, he accepted the presidency of the new school.

President Harper negotiated 120 faculty appointments, which included 9 former college presidents. Harper signed up John Dewey, and so many professors from Ivy league schools, that the eastern universities complained heavily.

Beginning on day one, the University of Chicago boasted 750 students. Almost unlimited money built a Baptist University. In the first two decades, Rockefeller gave over ½ billion dollars, and in the next 20 years his charities equaled that again. Sadly, Rainey Harper was a Liberal theologian, and led the University of Chicago into Higher Criticism and the Social Gospel. (Chernow, Ron. Titan. New York: Random House. 2004 p. 300-329).

The University of Chicago was the only Baptist school to begin on such a grand scale, and also to be started by Liberals. In the history of Baptist colleges in America, most were founded by Bible believing Christians, that sacrificed, starting small. Yet, it was this dedicated group that reached America with the Gospel.

Student Spotlight

by Russell Dennis, Jr.

Gowing up in the home of a Baptist deacon, Ben Locke received the benefits< of a God-centered family. Attending Christian school, Ben was saved in Junior High, and continued to grow spiritually.

After graduating from a Christian High School, Ben enrolled in Bible College, and in the summer of 2006, he answered the call of God to preach.

In 2010, Ben finished his bachelor degree, but in those intervening years, other desires had filled his heart. Eight years after his initial call to minister, Ben renewed his commitment to preach. Ben gives the date as June 18, 2014.

Ben had been a friend of President Dennis’ boys, and was well known to the family. He inquired about taking classes at Heritage, and a course of study was created.

Besides the family connection, Ben chose Heritage because of their stand on Biblical truth and the affordability for a working student.

Ben looks forward to serving God as He leads him into ministry.