Mark Blackwelder, B.A., M.Min., Ph.D. – 1996
Director, Graduate Studies in Bible; Associate Professor of Bible and of Missions
GC 102A
731-989-6624
mblackwelder@fhu.edu
Dr. Blackwelder is a graduate of FHU. He has been active in ministry including serving from 1992 to 1997 as a fulltime missionary in Bratislava, Slovakia. Since that time he has served as a full-time member of the faculty in FHU’s School of Biblical Studies. He also teaches courses in New Testament and in Missions and Intercultural Communication at the undergraduate level. He sponsors missions clubs and serves as a member of the Chapel Committee and the Annual Bible Lectureship Committee. Dr. Blackwelder is a minister for the Estes church of Christ. He conducts a number of Gospel Meetings each year and presents seminars on missions and cross-cultural ministry.
Billy R. Smith, A.A., B.A., M.A., M.Th., D.Min. – 1978
Dean of the School of Biblical Studies; Professor of Bible
GC 108E
731-989-6623
bsmith@fhu.edu
Dr. Smith is the Dean of the School of Biblical Studies and a minister for the Henderson church of Christ. He was selected as a Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies in 1996 and has been appointed to the E. Claude and Delorese Gardner Chair of Excellence in Biblical Studies. Dr. Smith sponsors the Preachers' Club, works with Horizons (Future Church Leaders Workshop), and serves on the Annual Bible Lectureship committee. He conducts ten Gospel Meetings each year, appears on lectureships, contributes articles to journals, and is a speaker for youth programs.
Doug Burleson, B.A., M.A., M.Div., M.Th., A.B.D. -- 2010
Assistant Professor of Bible
GC 102B
731-989-6629
dburleson@fhu.edu
Doug Burleson is in the dissertation stage of the PhD program at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary working in the area of New Testament Textual Criticism. His dissertation is entitled, "Case Studies in Closely Related Manuscripts for Determining Scribal Traits." He preaches at the Scotts Hill Church of Christ in Scotts Hill, TN. He is a graduate of FHU and has Master's degrees from FHU ('01), Lipscomb University ('03), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary ('07).
Earl D. Edwards, B.A., M.Th., D.Miss. – 1982
Lecturer in Bible
GC 108A
731-989-6626
eedwards@fhu.edu
Dr. Edwards, a member of the faculty since 1982, is an experienced evangelist among churches of Christ, including sixteen years as a missionary in Italy. His experience in education includes serving as dean and director of the Florence (Italy) Bible School; and as Director of Mission Studies and Dean of the School of Biblical Studies at Freed-Hardeman, before becoming Director of Graduate Studies in Bible. He has written frequently in the Spiritual Sword, and Gospel Advocate, and has published chapters in many brotherhood lectureship books. He published a book, Protecting Our "Blind Side," in 2007. He is one of the preachers and an elder at the Finger, TN, church of Christ and preaches widely in the USA and abroad. He has likewise participated in several discussions and debates. He retired from the administrative duties of the director of the program as of May 31, 2008. He will continue to teach a course in the Fall and Spring semesters as adjunct.
Ralph Gilmore, A.A., B.A., M.A., Ph.D. – 1981
Professor of Bible and of Philosophy
GC 211B
731-989-6630
rgilmore@fhu.edu
Dr. Gilmore is a Professor of Bible and of Philosophy. He is a graduate of FHC (A.A. in Bible); David Lipscomb College (B.A. in Biblical languages); Harding Graduate School of Religion (M.A. in apologetics); and the University of Tennessee (Ph.D. in philosophy). He was selected as a Distinguished Professor of Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies in 2001. Dr. Gilmore has served in a variety of faculty leadership roles. He has written for many brotherhood publications, has presented papers at professional academic organizations, and has appeared in several forums involving public discussion of Bible topics.
Sam E. Hester, B.A., M.Th., Th.D. -- 1978
Professor of Bible; Director of Christian Training Series
GC 108D
731-989-6625
shester@fhu.edu
Dr. Hester is a professor of Bible and Church History and has taught at FHU since 1979. He directs the Christian Training Series, FHU's summer lectureship held in July each year. In addition to teaching, Dr. Hester also preaches for the Crooked Creek congregation in middle Tennessee. He owns Hester Publications, which publishes short-run books and booklets.
David L. Lipe, Ph.D., A.A., B.A., M.A., Ph.D., M.S., N.C.C. – 1990
Director, Annual Bible Lectureship; Lecturer in Bible and Philosophy
731-989-6769
dlipe@fhu.edu
Dr. Lipe is currently the Director of the annual Bible Lectureship. He has earned recognition as a National Certified Counselor. He serves as a minister for the Sycamore Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN. In February 2003 he was selected for the rank of Distinguished Professor by the FHU Board of Trustees, an honor that is held for the following three academic years. He has been preaching since 1967 and has done local work in Mississippi and Tennessee. He holds several Gospel Meetings each year and gives lectures. He has participated in two public debates—one with a Presbyterian and another with a United Pentecostal. He conducts seminars on Christian evidences, Christian ethics, and church growth. His articles have been published in the Spiritual Sword, the Gospel Advocate, the World Evangelist, and other religious papers.
Larry D. Mathis, A.A., B.S., M.A., M.A.R., M.Div., M.S., D.Min. – 1997
Lecturer in Counseling & Bible
731-989-6769
drlarrymathis@juno.com
Dr. Mathis, a member of the faculty since 1997, served as an evangelist for churches of Christ for thirty years in the United States. He serves on the graduate faculty of FHU, Lipscomb University, and Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian). Mathis, in his role as CEO of African Christian Schools, travels to Europe and Africa. He has written for numerous publications and co-edited, Man of God, a book published by Gospel Advocate. This book is written to train men in preaching & ministry. In his work at the African Christian Schools Foundation, Dr. Mathis oversees two Christian colleges in Africa.
Stan R. Mitchell, B.A., M.A., M.Div. - 2005
Assistant Professor of Bible
GC 211D
731-989-6411
smitchell@fhu.edu
Stan Mitchell was born in Abilene, TX, the son of long time missionaries Loy and Donna Mitchell. He grew up in what was then Rhodesia, and returned when it became Zimbabwe to do mission work. He has also preached for the church in Glendale, California, and Borger, Texas. He has published two books, The Wise Get Wiser, the Foolish More Foolish, a study on the book of Proverbs, and Give the Winds a Mighty Voice, a study on our worship in song.
Kevin L. Moore, B.S., M.A., Ph.D. - 1994-96, 2003
Assistant Professor of Bible and Missions
kmoore@fhu.edu
Dr. Moore is currently on two-year Sabbatical and is working in New Zealand. A graduate of East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, he has completed Masters-level missions courses at Abilene Christian University, holds B.S. and M.A. degrees from FHU, and has completed the Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He and his family served fourteen years as missionaries in New Zealand. He was Missionary-in-Residence at FHU before joining the full-time Bible faculty, teaching Bible and Missions courses. He has authored three books and has had a number of articles published in brotherhood papers. He serves as co-sponsor of Missions Group and conducts annual campaigns to New Zealand.
Kippy L. Myers, B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D. - 1998
Assistant Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities; Interim Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Studies; Associate Professor of Philosophy & of Bible
OM 1C
731-989-6943
kmyers@fhu.edu
Dr. Myers began teaching at FHU in 1998. Before that, he was in full-time ministry in Texas and taught at Brown Trail School of Preaching, International Bible College, University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the University of North Alabama. He has written many articles in journals associated in churches of Christ and was Associate Editor of The World Evangelist. He is a member of the Evangelical Philosophical Society, the Society of Christian Philosophers and the co-sponsor of the West Tennessee Collegium of Philosophy and Theology.
Wade E. Osburn, B.A., M.L.I.S., M.Div. – 2002
Reference and Theological Librarian, Assistant Professor of Library Services
LDL Library
731-989-6936
wosburn@fhu.edu
Mr. Osburn teaches our Introduction to Graduate Studies course. Because of the emphasis in this class on research, Osburn's library experience makes him a good instructor for this material.
Rolland W. Pack, A.A., B.A., M.A., Ph.D. - 1993
Professor of Philosophy and of Bible
DEC 226
731-989-6114
rpack@fhu.edu
David W. Powell, B.A., M.Th., D.MIN. – 1994
Assistant Dean of the School of Biblical Studies; Assistant Professor of Bible
GC 108C
731-989-6627
dpowell@fhu.edu
Dr. Powell began teaching in the School of Biblical Studies in 1994. He worked with the Henderson Church of Christ for twelve years (1981-1986 and 1994-2000). Since May of 2000, he has served as Pulpit Minister for the North Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, TN. This is his second time to work with them, having served as Associate Minister from 1988-1992. In addition to these roles, Dr. Powell holds at least six Gospel Meetings per year and conducts mission trips to Honduras and Peru each year. He serves as a co-sponsor of the Preachers’ Club and Horizons programs. He also serves on the Lectureship Committee. He has appeared on a number of lectureships and he frequently writes for lectureship publications as well as the Spiritual Sword.
Jesse E. Robertson, B.A., B.S. in Engineering, M.Div., Ph.D. – 2002
Assistant Professor of Bible
GC 211A
731-989-6101
jrobertson@fhu.edu
Dr. Robertson has taught at FHU since 2002. He earned the B.A. degree from FHU in 1991; a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Tech University in 1993; the Master of Divinity from Harding Graduate School in 2004; and the Ph.D. from Baylor University in 2011. He serves as one of the pulpit ministers at the Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, as well as a deacon with special responsibilities for Haiti missions.
Justin M. Rogers, B.A., M.A., A.B.D. – 2010
Instructor in Bible
GC 305
731-989-6168
jrogers@fhu.edu
Rogers received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Freed-Hardeman University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH. He preaches for the Christian Chapel Church of Christ in Wildersville, TN.
Roy G. Sharp, A.A., B.A., B.S. in Ed., M.Ed., D.A., M.A.R., M.S. – 1971
Professor of Bible
GC 212A
731-989-6439
rsharp@fhu.edu
Dr. Sharp began teaching at FHU in 1971. Before coming to FHU he taught school in Midwest City, OK. He has taught for the Department of Health and Human Performance and School of Biblical Studies, served as assistant basketball coach and head baseball coach, Director of Mid-South Youth Camp, Dean of Students, Vice-President of Student Services and a counselor for the University Counseling Center. He began preaching in 1965 and has preached for churches in Lake, Obion, McNairy, Gibson, Perry, and Lewis counties in TN; Asher, OK; Brownsville Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN; Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, TN; and now works with the Henderson Church of Christ. He conducts approximately eight Gospel Meetings each year, has been published in various religious publications and speaks routinely at seminars on marriage and family counseling.
Clyde M. Woods, A.A., B.A., M.A., M.R.E., M.Th., Ph.D. – 1965
Professor of Bible
GC 108F
731-989-6766
cwoods@fhu.edu
A member of the FHU Bible faculty since 1965, Dr. Woods is also a veteran preacher with over fifty years experience and the author of several commentaries. In the graduate program, Dr. Woods teaches elementary and advanced Greek courses, as well as several seminars in Bible text. His extensive academic preparation, which focused on the Jewish New Testament world and on prophetic literature, qualifies him well for serious Biblical investigation.