Thank you for taking the time to read this short introduction to the John Leland Baptist College. It is intended to provide some initial information about the College. In particular, it discusses the need for a college like John Leland, how the college operates, and how pastors of supporting churches will oversee the affairs of the college. And finally, we trust that you will sense our burden for John Leland College and see just how important and worthwhile this undertaking is for the young people of our Baptist churches.
The Need For John Leland Baptist College
What we are attempting to build here at John Leland is a fully accredited four-year liberal arts college and graduate school that will offer something for all the young people of our Baptist churches. By the term “liberal arts” we simple mean that the college will teach courses in subjects other than the Bible and will offer degrees in fields like Music and Mathematics. At present, our non-ministerial young people have two options concerning a college education: 1) they can chose a secular college which often leads to evolutionary indoctrination and moral decline; or 2) they can chose from one of the many Arminian colleges, which can lead to doctrinal unsoundness. While we do share some common ground with our Arminian brethren, they lack an appreciation for the Doctrines of Grace. Neither of these alternatives are viable options for our young people wishing to pursue a college education. Presently, I know of no college that holds to our Baptist principles, like the Doctrines of Grace and Landmarkism, which offers any career choices for our non-ministerial young people. It seems that every other denomination regardless of how small has at least one fully-accredited college or university for its young people, yet we have none. We desperately need a college where any or all of our young people can go and prepare for the career they believe God is leading them into.
A College To Train Men and Women For the Ministry
We appreciate and support the work of every sound Bible College and Institute, and like them, John Leland will be first and foremost committed to helping young men and women prepare for Christian ministry. However, some of our church schools are limited in the courses they can offer, and many of our young people are interested in more advanced studies in the languages, history, and theology. Presently, there is little to pick from in the way of Graduate Schools and Seminaries. We hope to help fill that need. So, as many colleges are noted for some area of expertise, John Leland will specialize in the field of Biblical Studies and our teachers will hold earned degrees in the fields they teach. We firmly believe that pastors and missionaries should be well-grounded in the Word of God. Certainly, every God-called preacher should prepare for ministry even if it is not in the formal setting of a college classroom, but what better way is there to study the Bible than in a structured classroom setting under ordained Baptist preachers who have acquired expertise in different areas of the Bible. Our Lord himself set the precedent for formal training by spending three years preparing twelve men to carry on his work.
Ownership and Operation
Plans for the college began in 2003 under the authority of the Seventh Street Baptist Church in Cannelton, IN. However, in time the college will become independent and will be governed entirely by a Board of Trustees. This Board will be composed of the Baptist pastors of supporting churches. Once a church has begun to support the college, the Pastor of that church will be given a seat on the Board of Trustees. These trustees will have complete authority over the entire operation of the college. This will include control over faculty appointments, curriculum, and the financial affairs of the college. The Board will also appoint the college President when the time comes. Each board member will have the right to exercise his vote in all business of the college in which majority rules. Other individuals who share in the mission of the college may be granted an appointment to the Board by a majority vote of the Trustees. With modern communication, such as the internet, we can easily share ideas and concerns, discuss important decisions, and manage the affairs of the college from wherever we live. With a little cooperation, we can build and maintain a college that will richly bless and benefit our young people who want to pursue a college career or prepare for the ministry and meet other young people who share their faith.
The Tradition Begins
Currently, the college stationary and other literature carries the motto “The Tradition Begins.” The tradition we will establish at John Leland is a college that offers the highest level of biblical and academic scholarship. God places a very high premium on learning and knowledge—just read the Book of Proverbs, and He is honored through the careful study of his word and even of his creation in Science and Mathematics. There is no other field of study more worthy of our time and energy than the study of God’s word. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, we will make no apologies for the rigorous study of the History, Languages, and Theology of the word of God. No matter what major a student pursues at John Leland he or she will receive and education in and through the Holy Scriptures in the old classical tradition.
“Let Us Rise Up and Build”
Needless to say, an undertaking as we have presented here can only be accomplished with the cooperative leadership and support of all our churches. In chapter three of the Book of Nehemiah, it is recorded that Nehemiah presented to the people his burden to rebuild the gates and wall of Jerusalem, and the Lord used it to convince the very men and women whose help he needed. It is our prayer that the Lord will use this short presentation to convince you of the need for a school like John Leland and that you will join us in our effort to rise up and build a college for all the young people of our Baptist churches. We are seeking the financial support of our sister churches, but we are just as eager to have church pastors sit with us on the Board of Trustees. I ask that you will share this introductoin to John Leland Baptist College with other leaders of your church and discuss the matter of support. Furthermore, it would be my privilege to be invited to your church to speak on behalf of the College. Again, I thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely and in Christ,
William Van Nunen, Dean
John Leland Baptist College
