Florida School of Preaching

On September 15, 1969, brother B. C. Carr’s dream of a preacher training school in Lakeland became a reality when the Florida School of Preaching began its first semester as a night school. This beginning resulted from the encourage-ment and support of many members of the church of Christ in Florida and elsewhere. Included among these initial sup-porters were the elders of the South Florida Avenue church of Christ, who at that time were M. B. Chambers, W. E. Dampier, Charlie Deal, and Lester J. Whitlow. Since this time the South Florida Avenue church of Christ has continued to support the school financially, by allowing the school to use its facilities, and by providing the utilities necessary to operate. The school will be forever grateful for this church.

In June 1972, the school was issued a charter by the State of Florida. In that same year, the school began offering day classes five days per week in addition to its night classes. Since the 1993-1994 year, the school has offered computer classes, which show the practical value that computers offer to preachers. In 1998, the school resumed offering extension classes in strategic cities. At the present time, extension classes are offered in Alachua, Auburndale, and Jacksonville.

Purpose

Since its inception, the purpose of the Florida School of Preaching has not changed. The catalog states,

The purpose of the Florida School of Preaching is to train preachers and Bible class teachers for the churches of Christ. There are men who desire to preach, but have been deprived of a college education. Some have said this is the only way they can receive the needed training. This school encourages individuals to pursue education to the highest extent possible.

Board of Directors and Faculty

Florida School of Preaching is governed by a board of directors, consisting at this time of the following men:

Gordon Methvin, Chairman, Clearwater, FL
Denny Smitherman, Vice-chairman, Jacksonville, FL
J. H. Blackman, Jr., Secretary, Lakeland, FL
Greg Littleton, Treasurer, Winter Haven, FL
Jackie M. Stearsman, Director, Lakeland, FL
Brian R. Kenyon, Associate Director, Lakeland, FL
Gene Burgett, Public Relations Director, High Springs, FL
Steve Atnip, Green Cove Springs, FL
Glenn Burgess, Safety Harbor, FL
Kenny French, Lakeland, FL
Scott Gerhardt, Clearwater, FL
Robert McAnally, Lakeland, FL
Bill Norton, Winter Haven, FL
Jim Sullivan, Jacksonville, FL
Ted Wheeler, Venice, FL

The faculty consists of two full-time men, Jackie M. Stearsman, director, and Brian R. Kenyon, associate director. Gene Burgett works full-time as director of public relations and teaches two classes per week. Other faculty members, who preach full-time, yet sacrifice many hours to teach, are Steve Atnip; Bob Bauer; J. H. Blackman, Jr., James Colwell; Maurice Davis; Mike Elledge; Miles Peeples; and Ted Wheeler.