Commencement Week 2023

Graduation Week at Heritage has become a much anticipated occasion full of outstanding events. We are looking forward to a safe & wonderful time of blessing (Tuesday evening - Thursday)..

Everyone is invited to participate in the various activities: Spring Graduation Banquet, Wednesday Night Rally, Alumni Fish Fry, and the Commencement Exercises. The date of the banquet this year is Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. on the Hopewell Campus. There will be plenty of room with small groupings of tables. Besides the good food, Dr. Tom Wallace will bring a special message that will encourage your heart.

Commencement will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Hopewell Campus. Pastor Sam Gentile of Ellsworth, Ohio will be the Graduation speaker that evening. Pastor Gentile is the founding pastor of Heritage Baptist Church and has served there for 36 years. All are invited.

The President's Perspective

The old saying states: “educators make simple things complex – but teachers make complex things simple.”

A few weeks ago my last Bible college teacher, Dr. Gerald Stokes, graduated to heaven. When I heard the news, I had to stop and reflect. He had greatly helped me as a young student at Heritage. A Baptist pastor for most of his life, he also fit the image of a great teacher.

John Milton Gregory (1822-1898), was a pioneer Baptist teacher. After Bible college, he felt the call and became a Baptist pastor. Traveling out to the Midwest, his preaching skills opened up into teaching, and he showed forth his great talent. As a young man he became the Michigan Superintendent of Public Education, and later the President of Kalamazoo College, earlier founded by a group of Baptist pastors.

In 1867 the state of Illinois sought to establish what became the great University of Illinois. Some opposed the hiring of John Gregory since he was only 44 years old. One of his detractors thinking he would not last, stated: “How long, how long, how long, an ex-superintendent of public instruction and a Baptist preacher. What could be worse?” As the first president, Gregory directed the school for over a decade, and he is buried on the campus. His plain marker reads, If you seek his monument, look about you.

John Gregory is recorded in the Baptist Encyclopedia of 1881 using these kind words, “No man is more welcome in Baptist pulpits than Dr. Gregory.” (p. 474)

Later in life, John Gregory wrote the famous book, The Seven Laws of Teaching. That book has helped thousands. This Baptist minister “enjoyed the privilege of extended usefulness as a Christian minister.” (p. 474)

Useful - such were my past teachers at Heritage.

Graduation Week

“Only men of great heart, great preparation, and great power with God achieve anything worthwhile in the ministry.” - B.H. Carroll Famous Texas Preacher

Meet a Student

De Von Rawls grew up in Chicago, the oldest of four children. His home was not Christian based, and he did not have a spiritual father figure to mentor him. As Brother DeVonputit:“Iwasonthepathof being a juvenile delinquent.”

He was introduced to Christ as a teenager in a progressive Baptist church, but he did not commit himself to follow the Lord.

As he continued searching for a purpose in life, De Von pursued an education in the medical and then psychology fields of study at a couple different Midwest colleges.

Still, he found no satisfaction. A stint in the Marine Corps was his next endeavor, and although it was physical, it was not spiritual. “Meeting my wife in California was the best part,” he stated.

The Lord knows how to get our attention, just like He did with Paul. After De Von lost all his worldly goods, except family, he gave his life over to the Lord.

The mentoring of godly men is what attracted De Von to Heritage. Seasoned teachers are a blessing!

Wednesday Night Rally

For the sixteenth year, Heritage will host a special Wednesday night rally for the churches. All are encouraged to attend. There will be special music also that night.