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Evangelical University Dedicated

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2007

Updated: 09/06/2007 05:33 pm

PLANT CITY - A school for Christian studies that includes the area's first Christian seminary has opened its doors.

About 50 students are registered for undergraduate, graduate and seminary studies at Evangelical University and Seminary, 105 E. Baker St. Late registration continues through Monday; first semester tuition is free.

Trustees, educators, staff members, students and guests joined Tuesday in dedication ceremonies at the university, headquartered on the campus of First Baptist Church of Plant City. School officials, including the senior pastor of First Baptist, Ron Churchill, president; Leslie Keylock, vice president for academic affairs; and Robert Westlake, vice president for student affairs, and former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, spoke at the service.

'There is a great deal of interest and enthusiasm being shown by ministers, students and the general public about our opening,' Westlake said. 'We are pleased with the applications received thus far. But we are streamlining the registration form that we modeled after other universities. Ours was a bit too detailed. I think the response will increase as time goes by.'

Courses in the undergraduate studies include New Testament survey, Sunday school teaching, youth leadership, the life of Christ and keys to happy family living.

Saturday courses are also available to students in the master's program, including courses in the New Testament, church leadership and the life and teachings of Christ.

'How will this university and seminary be identified is a question we have considered as we organized,' Westlake said. 'It shouldn't be the founders, or administrators or teachers that define us. It should be the students who gain knowledge from our efforts that identify the school. We also asked ourselves to what extent will the students develop in the learning of a biblical attitude.'

'We will teach individual humility throughout the curriculum. We will teach the word of God, the love of God, the contentment and joy found in knowing God and in finding peace with others.'
Keylock said the university's 'task is to improve the teaching and training of our fellow ministers and students in Christ.'

'This is it. After eight long years this dream is now a reality. We dedicate the Evangelical University and Seminary to God, asking the great teacher to guide us in our teaching of his word.'

Dicks, a lifelong member of First Baptist, said it was important for the community to see the Christian base grow in Plant City.

'There is a strong Christian heritage and tradition that exists within our city,' Dicks said. 'In my family, and for many families in this area, those traditions date back many generations. One of the traditions is to teach the word of God. The Evangelical University and Seminary will play a large role in fulfilling that tradition.'

Students registering for classes include those who live outside Plant City.

'My interest is in the master's degree classes in church leadership and in pastor's spiritual life,' said the Rev. Clive Samuels of the Church of Brandon, 1106 Rolling Hill Blvd., in Valrico.

The Rev. Leslie Williams, pastor and founder of Christ's Bethlehem Church, 3010 Amber Oak Drive, Seffner, has a dual purpose in attending Evangelical University.

'My studies will not only strengthen me, but will also benefit those in my congregation. I teach them what I learn,' Williams said. 'The university will make it convenient for me to attend. And the faculty there seems to have a deep commitment to sharing the word of God.'

The Rev. Bobby Freeman has been the pastor at El Bethel Baptist Church in Tampa's Seminole Heights area for more than seven years. His community church, 6611 N. 15th St., is enjoying resurgence as the demographics in that area evolves.

'I'm excited about the future of our church,' Freeman said. 'New families are moving in. The area is experiencing a new vitality.'

Freeman said that although there are online options for religious studies, he prefers to interact with the professors in a way that computer courses can't allow.

'I'm studying to acquire a master of arts within the next three years. The pricing is really affordable when you consider the high tuition of other Bible colleges in the area,' he said. 'I want to learn and grow spiritually. And I am comfortable with the quality of the teaching faculty at this school.'

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Evangelical University and Seminary, offering undergraduate, graduate and seminary studies
WHERE: 105 E. Baker St. (in First Baptist Church of Plant City's singles ministry building)

TUITION: Free for university's fall semester; registration continues through Monday. In the spring semester, it is expected the cost for classes will be $35 per semester hour. Second-year costs are expected to be $70 per credit hour, with gradual increases until the fourth year of operation when the rate rises to $200 per semester hour.

INFORMATION: For a list of courses and an application form, call the school at (813) 704-4404 or go to www.EvangelicalU.org.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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