Updates, Events, and Publications
ALUMNUS BRIAN SMITH BECOMES PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Brian Smith is the new pastor of First Baptist Church, Opp. He previously served as associate pastor of administration and discipleship at Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery. Smith has a bachelor’s degree in religion from Huntingdon College in Montgomery; a master’s degree in biblical studies from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky; and a doctor of ministry in theology.
ASBURY’S DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING AND PASTORAL CARE COMPLETED ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
The Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care has completed its Annual Assessment Report for its Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and Masters of Arts in Pastoral Care degree programs. If you would like to review the Assessment Reports you can access them on the Department’s Webpage.
https://asburyseminary.edu/
RETIRED ASBURY UNIVERSITY THEOLOGY PROFESSOR RECEIVES HONORARY TITLE
R. David Rightmire (M.Div. ATS 1979; Ph.D. Marquette University 1987), having retired in May 2020, following 35 years of teaching Bible and Theology at Asbury University, was recently granted Professor Emeritus standing by the University’s Board of Trustees.
ALUMNUS WARREN WILSON TURNS 100 YEARS OLD
Warren H. Wilson was born on May 29, 1921 in He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1947 with his Bachelors of Divinity.
ALUMNUS AND FORMER ATS PROFESSOR, DR. WILLIAM B. COKER, SR., RELEASES NEW BOOK
(April 28, 2021) Prayers For The People: from the Heart of a Pastor by author Dr. William B. Coker, Sr. and editor Ann L. Coker. At his last pastorate of 19 years, Bill Coker led in prayer during Sunday worship, connecting God with people’s needs. Prayers for the People begins with interviews on why and how Pastor Bill prepared his prayers. Sunday worship prayers form the major portion of this book, but also included are prayers for weddings, funerals, and communion. Closing EABooks Publishing out this collection are benedictions.
ISBN-10:1952369843
ISBN-13:1952369841
Endorsements:
“Dr. Bill Coker has been a colleague, mentor, and friend to me for many years…. His prayers follow his Spirit-filled heart. Bill’s writings and teaching remind me of the depth given to us from the Apostle Paul. These prayers are clearly in tune with what our Savior had in mind when He taught us to pray; and it is my prayer that Prayers for the People will be used by those hoping to increase the depth and effectiveness of their own prayers.”―Dr. Dan Willis, Senior Pastor, Free Life Community Wesleyan Church, Terre Haute, Indiana
“This book is not a fast read! Rather it is a ‘be still’ and take in the soul-touching prayers by a pastor to and for his congregation…. Prayers for the People is a glimpse into the heart of a man who has learned the secret of prayer and intimacy with God. One can only be inspired to pursue a deeper prayer life after reading this beautiful collection of pastoral prayers.” ―Jann Speidel, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Terre Haute, Indiana
‟Bill Coker has a shepherd’s heart. He understands the brokenness of our fallen world, and he is not afraid to speak with compassion even when it hurts.” —Dr. Robert E. Coleman, International Evangelist and Seminary Professor, Discipleship Trainer and Author of The Master Plan of Evangelism
Dr. William Coker, a native of New Orleans, graduated from Tulane University in 1957. Answering God’s call to preach, Bill pastored United Methodist churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Indiana. Bill finished graduate programs at Asbury Theological Seminary (B.D. and Th.M.) and Hebrew Union College (Ph.D.). He served as assistant professor at ATS and then as professor of Bible and Greek at Asbury College (University), along with two terms as Vice President of Academic Affairs. For two years Bill was Vice President for Mission Advancement at OMS International (One Mission Society). His last pastorate was World Gospel Church, Terre Haute, Indiana (1989–2008), and while there he worked on many teams with the Emmaus El Shaddai community. After retirement, Bill assisted the senior pastor of Free Life Community Church in Terre Haute. In 2020 Bill published his first book, Words of Endearment: the Ten Commandments as a Revelation of God’s Love.
Bill and his wife, Ann L. Coker, now live in Indianapolis, Indiana. They have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Ann has a BA degree from Asbury College and has made a career in freelance journalism.
Social Media and Websites
Blog: www.abcoker.blog
Facebook page: Ann Coker
Email: al2.coker@gmail.com
GOOD WORKS, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CREATING A COMMUNITY OF HOPE, IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
A note from honorary alum Keith Wasserman:
Greetings with JOY and gratitude from the community of Good Works!!!
There is a great need for volunteers, and of the open weeks of service at Good Works for small groups to come and stay with us and serve with us this summer. We are especially looking for small groups who are willing to come to Athens and work alongside us as we construct our new shelter we call Sign of HOPE.
For more information on Sign of HOPE, click here: https://good-works.net/sign-of-hope/
On a typical year, we welcome 25 to 35 different weekend or week-long service groups. 2020 was not typical and 2021 is turning into an unusual year too. We had a few of our scheduled summer volunteer groups cancel so we have several open weeks. A group can come for a whole week or a partial week. We do provide accommodations. If you would like more information reply to this email and/or call Paul Richard at 740.594.3336. Paul is overseeing the volunteers and the construction this summer.
The open weeks are:
June 27 to July 3
July 11 to July 17
July 18 to July 24
July 25 to July 31
August 1 to August 7
Typically, groups arrive on Sunday night, stay in the Good Works Hannah House, provide and prepare their own food, and work with us during the week. We are willing to talk through adjustments to this.
Earlier this spring, we had six of the seven weeks scheduled, but we have had some last-minute cancellations. This has provided quite a challenge for us because it is a little late in the season to schedule new groups. So, we are reaching out to see if you know of a small group (even 2 to 5 people) who would find JOY in coming and serving with us this summer.
Love is a verb,
Keith Wasserman
THIS LINK IS TO CURRENT NEWS ON GOOD WORKS
http://good-works.net/
WAYS YOU CAN GIVE TO GOOD WORKS
http://good-works.net/wp-
LINK TO OUR NEWSLETTERS
Leave a Reply