BMA Seminary honors retiring president
May 6—Colleagues, friends, former students and others gathered at the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary for a reception honoring outgoing President Charley Holmes Friday, May 3.
"I appreciate your friendship, your support for the school," Holmes said. "Don't worry where I'm going, because I'm not going anywhere."
Holmes, who served as president for 25 years, will be returning to the position he held before being named president. He will return to the development office, teach part-time and act as financial officer.
"President Charley Holmes has been exceptionally zealous and successful in leading BMA Seminary," Dean Philip Attebery said. "During his 25 years as president, the Lord has used Dr. Holmes to strengthen the seminary's devotion to sound doctrine and ministry practices."
His adherence to accuracy in scripture was emphasized by long-time friend and past board member Mike Puckett.
"He's very professional and he has worked really hard to first of all keep us scriptural," Puckett said. "Of course there's the financial part. He's done a very good job of keeping the education affordable and yet, at the same time, making sure that the institution is financially stable. He's just been a very good president and in every respect."
Attebery said under Holmes' leadership the seminary gained multiple reaffirmations of accreditation, improved and expanded the physical campus, set numerous enrollment and graduation records and grew in financial stability.
"He seems very serious to folks and of course, he's very professional, but he has a really soft heart and he has a passion for serving the Lord in whatever God's called him to do — preaching, teaching and also in educational work through the seminary," Puckett said.
With 25 years at the helm, and a few more as student and teacher, Holmes has seen many changes at the seminary. He said one of the biggest changes is to how classes are conducted and the expectations that come with attending seminary.
"When I came to school and a little while after that, graduate school expectations were that you were going to have to move there for at least two years and you might take an online class or two," Holmes said. "They weren't really online, there were correspondence classes. At that time 90% of the student body would be here with 10% driving in from somewhere else. Since COVID, it's accelerated the shift to online studies. Now it's about 20% on campus and about 80% online."
The seminary has also increased its number of degree programs and learning formats. Today, students can complete degrees by taking courses on campus, online, and/or through hybrid studies. The seminary also offers undergraduate degrees with instruction given in Spanish.
Holmes said many students come from different cultures and it's been interesting finding out what Christianity is like in the home cultures of these students from around the world. He said he has enjoyed getting to know the different students that have come through the seminary.
One former student and colleague, David Erickson, serves as president of Jacksonville College.
"I would not be where I am or doing what I am without Dr. Holmes having seen that potential in me," Erickson said. "When I was young, he encouraged my academic pursuits and getting degrees. He chose to hire me as a professor when I was 27-years old. Then he chose to help me understand academic administration."
Erickson said the seminary is a great partner institution to the college and he was glad Holmes would be a continuing presence.
"He's been a steady hand here at the seminary," he said.
Attebery also commented on Holmes' remaining at the seminary.
"Dr. Holmes is dearly thought of by our students, faculty, trustees, and supporting pastors and churches," he said. "We are grateful that he intends to continue serving the seminary in other capacities; however, we will miss his leadership as president."
