Magnolia Bible College | Out Here Hope Remains

Several friends and I have been reflecting on the spiritual influences that have shaped and directed us over the years. There probably is no time of life when our faith is shaped more than when we go to college. The influence of a college teacher is immense…and I was blessed to have several excellent influences.

I doubt I could name all of my teachers, but all of them had their own impact on my spiritual journey. I loved Don Jackson, Don Taylor, Bill Lambert, Ray Paseur, David Lipe, Fenter Northern, and others. When you go to a small college, the relationship between student and teacher is much more personal. I considered these men spiritual fathers. Their mentoring very much makes me what I am today. But I doubt any of them influenced my heart more than Cecil May, Jr.

Cecil and Winnie have a rich history of ministry in Mississippi and Alabama. There really isn’t any way to express my love for them and their place in my own personal history. Yes, I enjoyed brother May’s classes, and served MBC for two years with him as my employer. He and Winnie continue to this day to serve the young minds at Faulkner University in the Bible department.

But there’s another facet to my admiration. Over the years Cecil May Jr. could be found speaking in very diverse settings. He delivers papers to the Christian Scholars Conference. He preaches meetings for small churches and large. He is beloved by very conservative brothers and respected by less conservative ones. I think that he has a gift for engendering mutual admiration among brothers and sisters in Christ from various perspectives. And he has done this without compromising his convictions. He is not afraid to speak frankly of his beliefs in any context, even making distinctions with those who believe differently. But you will never sense unkindness or contempt.

I have witnessed situations in which brother May was under attack for his teachings – from very rude and obnoxious brothers. In a meeting in Grenada, Mississippi many years ago he remained composed and answered every question put to him. He knew that the transcripts would be posted in some yellow ungospel journal, but he patiently expressed his thoughts to each one – according them much more respect than they showed him. That’s a quality I have wanted in my own life, and at times have had opportunity to put into practice – though not nearly as well.

Scholarship, kindness, love for preachers and preaching, and someone who loves the church more than he loves himself….that’s the kind of man Cecil May is. I couldn’t help but be influenced by a man like this during my college years. I’ve had lots of conversations with him about things we didn’t quite see eye to eye on, and I never felt that he was looking down on me. I’m sure I’ve got a lot of learning to do, and I’m blessed to have been around such a teacher. If you are a preacher and you do not get his Preacher Talk paper, you ought to do that. In addition he directs the Bible Lectureship at Faulkner University and you can find information about that HERE.

As an added blessing, I remain friends with Cecil and Winnie’s children. Each of them are delightful and adore their parents. That says a lot.

Thanks for reading,

John

After Richard Travis moved away from Luling, Louisiana a new preacher came to town. His name was Dallas Lockhart. I liked him immediately for his friendly demeanor, big smile, lovely wife, and his printing press. Dallas had a son (and family) who lived in Luling, so it was neat to have him as our preacher.

Dallas was very different from Richard, but I thought highly of them both. Dallas liked to get loud in his preaching … and plain. But you never got the impression that he didn’t love you. He had a talent for printing and brought along with him a printing press. The bulletins and materials we received took on a new life. He did printing for area congregations as well.

Dallas loved gospel singing and was an accomplished song leader. He still used the pitch fork … tapping it against his hand, holding it to his ear, running his Do Re Me scale before each song. He even assembled a little chorus and taught me to sing tenor – which I enjoy but I’m not too good at.

As a teenager we often went to Harding University for Spring Sing. The Bruce family had relatives nearby and we stayed on their farm before heading to the dorms. It was my intent to attend Harding University as a student. One day (back in Luling) after worship Dallas asked me if I had ever heard of Magnolia Bible College. I indicated that I had not. He was receiving a paper called the Magnolia Messenger, and in it was information about this small college in central Mississippi.

My dad and brother and I traveled to Kosicusko, Mississippi to visit this college. It was closer to home, much smaller, and I didn’t have any intention of going there. The first person I met was Bobby Anderson. (His daughter and her family now live in Monroe!). Bobby shook my hand for five minutes while he welcomed me there. I think the second person I met was Paul Franks, who talked with us about admissions. Paul was one of the first graduates of the college – and the son of the editor of the Magnolia Messenger. There was something friendly and comfortable about that little college, and I changed my mind about Harding. Actually I thought I’d transfer to Harding after a few years, but that didn’t happen.

I tell you that because Dallas shifted my life the day he mentioned Magnolia Bible College. And I believe that to be providential.

Interestingly, when Dallas was ready to leave Luling he moved to a little country church in Attala County Mississippi – the home of Magnolia Bible College. He brought his printing press with him of course. Soon he was doing printing for MBC and was a regular fixture around campus. It brought me great joy to see someone who was so influential in my life spreading joy at my alma mater.

Dallas and Evelyn now live in West Virginia. He has a FaceBook page but I’m not sure he has ever posted anything on it. Recently I noted people wishing him well following surgery. When he first signed on to FaceBook he left me a message wanting to know what happened to my hair. That’s pot talking to the kettle if you know what I mean!

Dallas, I don’t know if you’ll see this … but thank you for your wonderful work in that small church in South Louisiana. I don’t know how you affected everyone else, but you certainly taught a teenage boy a thing or two about preaching, singing, and the love of Christ. I still love you and Evelyn.

Thanks for reading. I encourage you to post a Passing the Torch post on your blog. Here are some others who have shared good things about a minister in their past.

John