Buies Creek–Dr. Charles R. Wade, retired Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was the keynote speaker at the Campbell Divinity School’s spring Commissioning event recognizing the call to service of 14 new divinity students. The service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the First Baptist Church of Buies Creek.”There is a special calling that moves in the hearts of some of God’s folks,” Wade said. “I don’t know why, but God taps on the mind, stirs our hearts and makes us understand that we have been called.”Dr. Michael Cogdill, dean of the Campbell Divinity School, said the commission service is about celebrating that call. “Today these new students come and say ‘Yes’ to God’s calling and present themselves for a period of commitment and dedication,” he said.Those receiving their commission were no less excited about making the commitment to serve God. Patricia Leach, of Fayetteville, N.C., bubbled over the prospect of getting her pre-school certification through the Divinity School while becoming a “servant leader.””I love children,” she said, smiling. “In order for me to be a better servant in my field, I wanted to be better prepared for service.”The Campbell Divinity School curriculum integrates classical theological studies with a professional and practical education… Divinity Degree programs cover a broad professional spectrum. They include the Master of Divinity; Master of Arts in Christian Education; joint master’s degrees in divinity and business administration; joint master’s degrees in Divinity and Community Counseling; a Doctor of Ministry program and several other certification programs of study, including Hispanic Theological Education.New students Jenny Lee, a youth ministry intern at Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, and State Trooper Greg Barnes spoke about the circumstances that led them to Campbell.”I was raised in church and often fell asleep on church pews countless nights while my parents worked on sets for plays or practiced with the choir,” said Lee. “Looking back, I view both my salvation and my call to ministry as a process that began even before I can remember”Barnes’ journey of faith differs from Lee’s. The Wake county Highway Patrol Officer was content in the knowledge that he had received a call to prevent drunk driving. Even after receiving an award for his work, however, Barnes realized that God was still working on his heart.”I do feel like God is leading me into youth ministry,” Barnes said. “Possibly in an itinerate capacity in which I travel and talk with different youth. For now, that is what I know, but I believe time I will spend at Campbell will help me fine-tune this calling.”
Campbell Divinity School holds commissioning service