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Golden Anniversary of BMA Seminary Groundbreaking
The Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary of
Jacksonville, Texas celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its original
groundbreaking ceremony during a special chapel service held October 12,
2006. The original ceremony was held on
October 15, 1956 between the current Kellar Library and Gregson Student
Center.
Dr. Harold Brunson, Pastor of Hill Creek Baptist Church in
Whitehouse, Texas and former BMA Seminary Professor of Evangelism, delivered a
chapel message entitled, “Do What You Can.”
Brunson served on the original seminary faculty.
Dr. John W. Gregson, who served as the seminary’s first
registrar, was also present for the event.
He attended the original ceremony and led this year’s student body,
faculty, and guests to the exact location of the groundbreaking ceremony held
50 years ago.
The gathering in 1956 included J.M. Travis and William S.
Gober. These two men donated the
property to the seminary. R.C. Buckner,
Jacksonville mayor, and T.E. Acker, president of Texas Bank and Trust, were on
hand for the event along with C.R. Meadows, pastor of First Baptist Church, and
Claude Banks of Jacksonville College.
Special guests attending this year’s event included Dr.
Robert Haberle, Jacksonville mayor, Dr. Wilbur Benningfield, former seminary
dean, and Pastor Vernon Lee, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville.
Baptist
Missionary Association Theological Seminary is located at 1530 East Pine Street
in Jacksonville and has an extension campus in Conway, Arkansas. Its purpose is to provide credit and non-credit
undergraduate and graduate theological education to individuals preparing for
Christian service and leadership roles.
Dr.Gregson points to the spot where the first shovel of dirt was turned fifty years ago.
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