Julianne Burnett & Dr. Richter w/ state legislator Nick Bain

Ms. Julianne Burnett, WBS student and Dr. Sandra Richter, Professor of Old Testament received special recognition from the Mississippi Legislature on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Ms. Burnett and Dr. Richter are recipients of the Outstanding Faculty and Student Honoree Award from the Mississippi Higher Education Appreciation Day Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE).

HEADWAE was established in 1987 to annually honor the academically talented students and faculty members of Mississippi’s higher education institutions. Ms. Burnett and Dr. Richter join students and faculty members from 34 Mississippi public and private universities and colleges.The Appreciation Day is hosted by the Legislature as a way of saying “thank you”.

Ms. Burnett and Dr. Richter were welcomed by the Lieutenant Governor and recognized in each chamber of Legislature. A luncheon was held afterwards to recognize by name the honorees in front of institution leaders, corporate sponsors and legislators. A tour of the state capitol was held afterwards.

Wesley Biblical Seminary would like to congratulate Ms. Julianne Burnett and Dr. Sandra Richter for their commitment to academic excellence.

Previous WBS recipients of the HEADWAE Award

Wesley Biblical Seminary is partnering with the AME Zion Church to pray for revival and renewal in the church and our seminary. President Jim Porter and Bishop Darrell Starnes announce a united prayer vigil for the week of February 19 through 25.  All seminary faculty, staff, students and alumni have been challenged to take an hour during this week to fall before the Lord in worship and petition for His healing and power in our churches and our land.

“God not only gives us answers to our prayers, but with every answer gives us something of Himself.”

Mr. Stephen M. Smith, a 2007 honors alumnus of Wesley Biblical Seminary, died last week. Stephen had just returned to the country in which he had served as an intern when an undergraduate at Kingswood University (graduated 2004). He had overcome many challenges in order to enter this long-anticipated ministry. We rejoice that Stephen is with Jesus, but he will be sorely missed by his colleagues, by his friends in the country where he was serving, and by his many friends among the faculty and alumni of Wesley Biblical Seminary, as well as by his family. He joins the company of Henry Martyn and David Brainerd who shone brightly but died young in the service of Christ. Please pray for his family and friends, for his colleagues, and for those he was serving. May Christ be glorified even in his death. The question that remains for the rest of us is, “Who will take his place?”

The tuition of Wesley Biblical Seminary will increase to $400 per credit hour for the 2012-2013 academic year. The increase is predicated on the basic cost of operation which has continued to increase due to the conditions present in the general economy. Even with this tuition increase, WBS remains in the lower 1/3 of its peer institutions, offering degrees of the highest quality at the most competitive prices. When coupled with the faculty and ministry opportunities WBS offers, we are still dollar for dollar the most compelling value in formative Christian education.

With this nominal increase, WBS would like to reaffirm some ideas you may already know and share some of our heart with you as well.

1) How tuition dollars are used at WBS

Your tuition dollars go to both the operations and ministry of Wesley Biblical Seminary. The operating budget consists of not only academics, but also “invisible” services and functions such as information technology, student development, library services, maintenance/facilities, general operations, and administration. Your tuition dollars account for less than 30% of the total cost of providing the quality education found at WBS. The remainder of the balance comes from the gifts and donations of generous friends, supporters, and alumni who believe in the mission of WBS and its students!

2) The tangible value of WBS to our students and alumni

One of the greatest values at WBS is the way the faculty offer their lives to both the students and community they serve without reservation or trepidation. Our full-time faculty members are dedicated scholars, yet they are regularly engaged in Christian ministry that is truly passionate about people. They are easily accessible and have a desire to pour their lives into their students through caring mentorships and one-on-one interaction.

Furthermore, Wesley Biblical Seminary’s Distance Learning program, which extends the seminary classroom beyond the confines of the brick-and-mortar campus, is simply revolutionary for continuing education beyond the campus experience, or as a primary method for those serving in ministry contexts which precludes relocation. Through our asynchronous online campus, students from all over the world can complete their seminary degree while remaining in their current ministry setting, and those who have already achieved a seminary degree can augment both their resumes and ministry with additional education!

3) Benefit of a degree from WBS

WBS’ rich heritage of making a difference in the world is evidenced by alumni and current students serving the kingdom in 50 countries on 6 continents across the globe as pastors, missionaries, church planters, teachers, professors, and administrators in both the church and higher education. More than just an education, Wesley Biblical Seminary was a life changing experience for these world-changers! In their own words, listen to what just a few of WBS’ alumni and students are saying.

“In my fourth year in the pastorate it has been exciting to take part in the learning, discipleship, and outreach ministry that goes on at Wesley Biblical Seminary. It is enriching my life and ministry.”
– Peter Lanigan, WBS Student

“Wesley Biblical Seminary has provided such excellent education and training for me, and in the context of a supportive community.” – Julianne Burnett, WBS Student

“I know firsthand from the conversations I have had with fellow seminarians how much Wesley Biblical Seminary is cherished and how much it changes our lives. It is a blessing to have such an institution that is enriched in the deeper learning of God’s word.” – Shawn Earles, WBS Student

“WBS has been key in my spiritual/intellectual formation, and has fully equipped me to minister in the local church and teach other ministry students on the college level.” – John Phillips, Class of 2006

“The seminary’s emphasis on Trinitarian holiness has radically changed the way I relate to my wife, children, and parish. I wish I had come here twenty years ago!” – Randy Wilson, Class of 2010

“God used WBS to shape the evangelist and missionary in me, and prepared me to lead a church whose different kind of life functions as a draw to the neighboring community.” – Dock Cooper, Class of 2007

Please know that we take the sacred trust our students place in us seriously. It has only been with a cautious hand and a “pastor’s heart” these changes have been made, and then only after careful and deliberate prayer. It has been our mission at WBS to make “ministers and missionaries” for almost four decades. Through God’s grace, and your faithfulness, He will continue to touch the world through Wesley Biblical Seminary!