Partners, May 2017
FLORENCE, Ala. — Dennis Jones, who served for 28 years as president of Heritage Christian, has retired effective April 6, the university reports.
Dennis JonesThe 115-student ministry training school, associated with Churches of Christ, was founded as International Bible College in 1971.
The decision followed months of contemplation by Jones and discussions about retirement and succession with Heritage’s board of trustees.
“The future of HCU is bright, and I look forward to applauding its progress from the sidelines,” Jones said in a letter to the board. “May God bless all the dedicated Christians who will take the university to a better place. My prayers will be with them every step of the way.”
Three administrators — Bill Bagents, Philip Goad and Pat Moon — will assume Jones’ duties while the board develops a long-term plan.
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LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
Magic Johnson NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After he was diagnosed with HIV 25 years ago, Magic Johnson’s Christian faith saved his marriage, the retired basketball star said recently at Lipscomb.
Johnson, who dominated the court with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his wife, Cookie, spoke to students, faculty, staff and donors. The visit was part of the university’s Imagine 2017 series, titled “Nashville: Prosperity for All Corners of the City.”
Magic Johnson — now president of basketball operations for the Lakers — stressed the importance of education and faith.
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OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kerygma, a recent conference hosted by Oklahoma Christian, was designed by preachers for preachers, organizer Grady King said. Sixty-two preachers from Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Kansas attended, said King, Oklahoma Christian’s director of church resources.
“I have been attending conferences for 27 years, and this is one of the best ones I have attended for preachers,” said Mitch Wilburn, minister for the Park Plaza Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla. “It was outstanding.”
MINISTRY TRAINING SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
LUBBOCK, Texas — Spanish speakers from Argentina to Venezuela will soon have handheld solar players loaded with God’s Word and Bible study materials produced by Sunset.
“While we are still receiving the remainder of the $1.5 million needed for completion of the project, enough has been received that many of the trips (to distribute the players) are already scheduled,” Sunset reports.
SPOTLIGHT 
SEARCY, Ark. — The Linda Byrd Smith Museum of Biblical Archaeology has opened at Harding University.
With more than 100 artifacts displayed, the museum will be used as a resource for students to provide context and help them better understand their biblical studies.
Museum coordinator Dale Manor is the field director for the Tel Beth-Shemesh dig site in Israel. For more than 20 years, he has collected artifacts and replica objects from Israel.
