Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary
Encyclopedia
The Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (BMATS or BMA Theological Seminary) is an institution owned and operated by the Baptist Missionary Association of America
The BMA Theological Seminary Divisions of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) to award the Associate of Divinity, Bachelor of Arts
in Religion, Master of Arts
(Religion), Master of Arts
in Church Ministries, and Master of Divinity
degrees. The SACS institutional accreditation is used by BMA Seminary to determine institutional eligibility for Federal Student Aid. BMA Seminary (Graduate Studies Division) is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States
and Canada
to award the Master of Divinity
and the Master of Arts
in Church Ministries degrees. BMA Seminary is a member of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools, the Forest Trail Library Consortium, and the American Theological Library Association
.
’s divisions of undergraduate and graduate studies is to provide accredited undergraduate and graduate theological education for equipping individuals for Christian service and leadership roles; to support the educational needs of the churches and agencies of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
and other groups who share a like commitment to the authority of Scripture; and to serve as a resource center for critical thought and research in a context which nurtures the historical, doctrinal character of the churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
.
voted to consider an invitation from the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas to make Jacksonville College
(Texas
) Seminary a project of the national association. At its next annual meeting on March 14, 1951, the association selected a committee of five to investigate proposed locations for the founding of a national seminary. Definite action was taken by the B.M.A. of America on March 17, 1954, when a committee composed of D. N. Jackson
, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Duggar, E. B. Jones and L. H. Raney was authorized to select twenty others to serve with them to draft and present at the next annual meeting a definite proposal of how and when to begin a seminary. The first trustees, elected on March 30, 1955, were D. N. Jackson
, W. J. Dorman, M. E. Childers, W. C. Lacy, A. R. Reddin, L. H. Raney, H. A. Purtle, C. O. Strong, Alfred Jones, C. L. Hall, D. D. Morgan, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Pope, J. Howard White and W. S. Gordon.
The first trustees were granted authority to select a site, acquire property, secure a faculty and solicit funds from the churches of the national association. Jacksonville, Texas
, was selected for the permanent location. A land grant of ten acres was given by Dr. J. M. Travis and William S. Gober. Another seven acres were acquired at a later date. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 15, 1956, and all but the chapel of the new seminary complex was completed in time for the first classes to begin on September 8, 1957. Fifty-seven students from six states made up the first class. There were five faculty members and one secretary in the first year of school. Dr. G. D. Kellar served as president; Dr. W. J. Dorman, as dean; John W. Gregson, as registrar; Dr. D. N. Jackson and Harold Brunson as professors. The administrators also taught. Mrs. John W. Gregson was secretary and bookkeeper. Most of the first faculty had already been serving as the faculty of Jacksonville College Seminary which by authorized arrangement was merged with the newly established national seminary.
Dr. Gerald D. Kellar served as president from June 1956, to May 1967. Dr. John W. Gregson succeeded him as president and served from June 1967, to November 1971. Dr. Philip R. Bryan, dean since 1967, served as acting president from November 1971, to March 1973, at which time Dr. John W. Duggar began to serve. A new library building was begun shortly after the groundbreaking on May 21, 1963, and was completed in time for dedication and a grand opening on February 18, 1964. It was named Kellar Library. On January 18, 1971, the seminary was granted associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools. A new library addition was begun in 1980 with the dedication and grand opening on February 17, 1981. The trustees named it the John W. Duggar Library Annex. It doubled the size of the library which now has holdings of more than 70,000 volumes. In December 1982, the seminary was designated as a Candidate for Accreditation by the Committee on Standards and Reports of the Commission on Colleges.
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
. August 1, 1983, Dr. Philip R. Bryan succeeded Dr. John W. Duggar as president of the seminary. In December 1986, accreditation was granted by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Reaffirmation of accreditation was received in December 1991 and December 2001.
In 1992, the seminary library became a member of the Forest Trail Library Consortium. A major renovation campaign was initiated during the 1993-94 school year. More than $200,000 was raised and applied to repairing and remodeling of student housing. May 18, 1999, Dr. Charley Holmes succeeded Dr. Philip R. Bryan as president of the seminary. In August 2003, the seminary received initial certification from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer graduate theological education at an extension site on the campus of Central Baptist College
in Conway, Arkansas
.
Earnestly Contending for the Faith: A Fifty-Year History of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (1955-2005) was prepared by Dr. John Gregson in 2006 in honor of the seminary’s Golden Anniversary. In January 2008, the seminary was granted accreditation in the Association of Theological Schools.
Progress has been made under every administration, and the seminary continues to grow in students, faculty, financial support, and outreach ministry to preachers, lay workers and churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
and other Christian groups.
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
The BMA Theological Seminary Divisions of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) to award the Associate of Divinity, Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Religion, Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(Religion), Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Church Ministries, and Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degrees. The SACS institutional accreditation is used by BMA Seminary to determine institutional eligibility for Federal Student Aid. BMA Seminary (Graduate Studies Division) is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to award the Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
and the Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Church Ministries degrees. BMA Seminary is a member of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools, the Forest Trail Library Consortium, and the American Theological Library Association
American Theological Library Association
The American Theological Library Association is a professional organization of religious and theological libraries in the United States with more nearly 1,000 members...
.
Purpose
The purpose of the SeminarySeminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
’s divisions of undergraduate and graduate studies is to provide accredited undergraduate and graduate theological education for equipping individuals for Christian service and leadership roles; to support the educational needs of the churches and agencies of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
and other groups who share a like commitment to the authority of Scripture; and to serve as a resource center for critical thought and research in a context which nurtures the historical, doctrinal character of the churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
.
Highlights of history
On May 26, 1950, the Baptist Missionary Association of AmericaBaptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
voted to consider an invitation from the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas to make Jacksonville College
Jacksonville College
Jacksonville College has the distinction of being one of only two private junior colleges in the state of Texas. Jacksonville College is fully accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, providing Associates Degrees in Science and Arts providing core-curriculum classes for almost...
(Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) Seminary a project of the national association. At its next annual meeting on March 14, 1951, the association selected a committee of five to investigate proposed locations for the founding of a national seminary. Definite action was taken by the B.M.A. of America on March 17, 1954, when a committee composed of D. N. Jackson
D. N. Jackson
Doss Nathan Jackson was a Baptist pastor from the United States who was fundamental in the founding of the North American Baptist Association...
, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Duggar, E. B. Jones and L. H. Raney was authorized to select twenty others to serve with them to draft and present at the next annual meeting a definite proposal of how and when to begin a seminary. The first trustees, elected on March 30, 1955, were D. N. Jackson
D. N. Jackson
Doss Nathan Jackson was a Baptist pastor from the United States who was fundamental in the founding of the North American Baptist Association...
, W. J. Dorman, M. E. Childers, W. C. Lacy, A. R. Reddin, L. H. Raney, H. A. Purtle, C. O. Strong, Alfred Jones, C. L. Hall, D. D. Morgan, G. D. Kellar, J. W. Pope, J. Howard White and W. S. Gordon.
The first trustees were granted authority to select a site, acquire property, secure a faculty and solicit funds from the churches of the national association. Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville, Texas
Jacksonville is located in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,868 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Jacksonville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Cherokee County and part of the larger Tyler-Jacksonville Combined Statistical...
, was selected for the permanent location. A land grant of ten acres was given by Dr. J. M. Travis and William S. Gober. Another seven acres were acquired at a later date. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 15, 1956, and all but the chapel of the new seminary complex was completed in time for the first classes to begin on September 8, 1957. Fifty-seven students from six states made up the first class. There were five faculty members and one secretary in the first year of school. Dr. G. D. Kellar served as president; Dr. W. J. Dorman, as dean; John W. Gregson, as registrar; Dr. D. N. Jackson and Harold Brunson as professors. The administrators also taught. Mrs. John W. Gregson was secretary and bookkeeper. Most of the first faculty had already been serving as the faculty of Jacksonville College Seminary which by authorized arrangement was merged with the newly established national seminary.
Dr. Gerald D. Kellar served as president from June 1956, to May 1967. Dr. John W. Gregson succeeded him as president and served from June 1967, to November 1971. Dr. Philip R. Bryan, dean since 1967, served as acting president from November 1971, to March 1973, at which time Dr. John W. Duggar began to serve. A new library building was begun shortly after the groundbreaking on May 21, 1963, and was completed in time for dedication and a grand opening on February 18, 1964. It was named Kellar Library. On January 18, 1971, the seminary was granted associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools. A new library addition was begun in 1980 with the dedication and grand opening on February 17, 1981. The trustees named it the John W. Duggar Library Annex. It doubled the size of the library which now has holdings of more than 70,000 volumes. In December 1982, the seminary was designated as a Candidate for Accreditation by the Committee on Standards and Reports of the Commission on Colleges.
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. August 1, 1983, Dr. Philip R. Bryan succeeded Dr. John W. Duggar as president of the seminary. In December 1986, accreditation was granted by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Reaffirmation of accreditation was received in December 1991 and December 2001.
In 1992, the seminary library became a member of the Forest Trail Library Consortium. A major renovation campaign was initiated during the 1993-94 school year. More than $200,000 was raised and applied to repairing and remodeling of student housing. May 18, 1999, Dr. Charley Holmes succeeded Dr. Philip R. Bryan as president of the seminary. In August 2003, the seminary received initial certification from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer graduate theological education at an extension site on the campus of Central Baptist College
Central Baptist College
Central Baptist College is a four-year, private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas. Majors are available within the fields of behavioral science, business, general education, missions, music, religion, and science. Located on a campus , CBC was founded in 1952 and awards both associate and...
in Conway, Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 58,908 at the 2010 census, making Conway the seventh most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had...
.
Earnestly Contending for the Faith: A Fifty-Year History of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (1955-2005) was prepared by Dr. John Gregson in 2006 in honor of the seminary’s Golden Anniversary. In January 2008, the seminary was granted accreditation in the Association of Theological Schools.
Progress has been made under every administration, and the seminary continues to grow in students, faculty, financial support, and outreach ministry to preachers, lay workers and churches of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
and other Christian groups.