Do you want an academic experience that will change your life? If so, see what Luther Rice’s Undergraduate Program has to offer.

The Bachelor of Arts in Religion has three Minors to choose from and you can get your degree 100% online.

Get ready to be challenged, but supported and encouraged along the way.

‪#‎TrustLutherRice‬

For more information on the Bachelor of Arts in Religion visit the link below.

Bachelor of Arts in Religion

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Luther Rice alumnus Charles A. Crane has authored numerous scholarly papers, published books on a variety of subjects, and written multiple articles for religious publications. His newest book, “The Bible: The True and Reliable Word of God,” is a great introduction to the Bible and its inspiration.

Crane spent about 50 years researching approximately 3,000 of the most ancient biblical texts for this book. While written so the average Christian can understand the information clearly, the book still includes material valuable to the serious Bible scholar.

Crane has been heavily involved in the work of the church most of his life—over 50 years. A native of Oregon, Crane began preaching regularly when he was 19 and got ordained following graduation from college in 1962. For 28 years, he served as a preaching minister until he became president of Boise Bible College in 1990. During his tenure at Boise, the college built a new administration building, library, classrooms, chapel, and dormitory. Crane retired as president of the college in 2007 and is currently serving as chancellor.

Crane has taught college and seminary courses in theology, church administration, psychology, textual criticism, and practical ministries. He has strong interests in church planting and world missions and has been a guest lecturer to missionaries in Germany, France, Zimbabwe, and India. He has traveled extensively in Africa, Europe, Asia Minor, and the Middle East, as well as in India, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. He has led leadership training clinics for indigenous church leaders in Africa and India.

“May God continue to bless Luther Rice Seminary, which has been a marvelous help in my ministry and in the revival that is going on in Idaho and the Northwest,” states Crane.

Crane served three terms on the board of directors of the North American Christian Convention and served on two different college boards for a total of twelve years. He was a trustee for six years of the Navajo Christian mission, where he served as chairman of the board for two years. He served as a director of the Intermountain Christian Convention and as president for one year. Crane currently serves as the Associate Minister of Evangelism at Eagle Christian Church, a congregation of over 5,000 members in Eagle, Idaho.

Crane enjoys teaching, preaching, and ministering to members of the church. His hobbies and interests include traveling, writing, collecting coins, antique fountain pens, rebuilding old vehicles, and being a private pilot. He has written numerous books, appeared in one movie and on nationwide television for two years, and has been featured in a number of educational videos. Crane and his wife Margaret have three children and thirteen grandchildren.

Congratulations, Dr. Crane, for your many years of service to God, and may you have many more.

Timmy Blair Sr. was elected, without opposition, as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) for 2015 at the annual meeting in Greensboro on November 11, 2014.

Blair has served as pastor of Piney Grove Chapel Baptist Church in Angier since 1987, except for a one-year pastorate in South Carolina. Other churches he has served include Bolton Baptist in Bolton and Salem Baptist in Aynor, South Carolina. Blair led Piney Grove Chapel to have the highest number of baptisms in the Little River Association for a number of years and was recognized by the BSCNC in 2000 for being in the top ten for baptisms in its size category.

Blair has previously served the BSCNC on the board of directors and the Committee on Committees. He was also chairman of the Program, Place, and Preacher Committee in 2009.

After attending Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Blair received his undergraduate degree and Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary. He and his wife Wendy have two married sons and two grandchildren.

Blair wrote a bi-weekly newspaper column, “Timeless Truths,” for The Angier Independent for years, and is also heard weekly on the radio. He has preached numerous revivals in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, as well as led mission trips to South Carolina, West Virginia, New Mexico, South Dakota, and South Africa.

Blair did not grow up in a church-going family, but a high school friend, Kenn Hucks, witnessed to Blair. Hucks was scheduled to sing with his youth choir in a revival service and invited 16-year-old Blair to attend the program. “I agreed to go, but I slipped into the back pew of that revival service,” he said. “I planned to slip out and go about my life, but that night God spoke to my heart, the Holy Spirit convicted me. I walked the aisle and gave my life to Jesus Christ.” At age 17 he answered the call to preach and began filling in as a lay-preacher wherever he was needed.

Blair is amazed at the course his life has taken—from living in a broken home, to pastoring the same church for 26 years, and now to serving as the president of the BSCNC. “To look at my life, from where I’ve come to where I am, it’s just a work of God’s grace,” Blair said. “I am so thankful and humbled to serve Him and to be saved. Anything beyond that—whether it’s pastoring or serving the convention—it’s just icing on the cake.”

His most fulfilling pastoral work is to preach the gospel and minister to people. “What you do Monday through Saturday to touch the people—being there with the people, whether they are hurting or rejoicing—I’ve always felt like that gave me the platform for what I do on Sunday. I love to be with my people.”

Congratulations Pastor Blair on your election as president, and on the many years of service for God.

This summer Luther Rice is planning to have representatives at all of the Christian conferences listed below. Participating in these events helps spread the word about Luther Rice to those that may be seeking a Christian college or seminary degree. If you are attending any of these events please stop by the Luther Rice booth to say “Hello”!

June:
National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education, Detroit, MI
Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting and Alumni Luncheon, Columbus, OH
July:
WayCross Fest, Waycross, GA
September:
American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference, Nashville, TN
National Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN
October:
Catalyst, Atlanta, GA
NACCAP North Atlanta, Kennesaw, GA
NACCAP South Atlanta, McDonough, GA
Mercer-Macon Graduate School Fair, Macon, GA
Missouri Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Springfield, MO
November:
Evangelical Theological Society Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
National Youth Workers Conference, Louisville, KY
Tennessee Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Millington, TN
Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Marietta, GA
Florida Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Panama City, FL

By Steve Steinhilber, Vice President for Administration

“What sets Luther Rice apart from other colleges and seminaries?” or “Why should I attend Luther Rice?”— Great questions we commonly get from prospective students.

We believe God has a specific purpose for Luther Rice and that is to prepare Christian ministers and leaders around the world for practical Christian ministry.

Since 1962, God has consistently led students who wish to attend college or seminary—but are unable to uproot their families or ministries—to Luther Rice. That is why Luther Rice has always been, and continues to be, a leader and an innovator in distance education.

Today, distance education is being delivered 100% online throughout the world.

With that being said, take a quick look at some facts that set Luther Rice apart:

• Flexible, 100% accredited, online degree programs that help you balance life, family, ministry, work,
  and studies.
• We’ve provided online training for over 10 years and will continue to lead the way as innovators.
•  A beautiful campus in Metro Atlanta for those who wish to study in the classroom.
•  We have an uncompromising commitment to the mandates and teachings of the Bible.
•  We believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and that’s what we teach.
• Our competitive tuition is ranked in the lowest 10% of all non-profit, private, four-year schools.
•  We’re ranked a “Top Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
•  Luther Rice has over 7,000 graduates and 1,500 current students.
•  We have active students from 48 states and Puerto Rico, and 28 foreign countries.
•  Over 96% of graduates report satisfaction with their academic experience and faculty.
•  We have credentialed faculty with real ministry experience.

Our hope is that if you are a prospective student, you would prayerfully consider Luther Rice. Contact us to find out if we have the right degree program for you. Or, if someone you know is looking to attend college or seminary, please consider recommending him or her to Luther Rice.

Visit our website www.LutherRice.edu for more information or to apply today!

by David Allen on February 2, 2015 in Baptist, Calvinism, Gospel, Preaching, Sermons. Visit Dr. Allen’s Blog

NOTE: Sermon Preached at the Tabernacle in Salem February 6, 1812, on Occasion of the Ordination of the Rev. Messrs. Samuel Newell, Adoniram Judson, Samuel Nott, , Gordon Hall, and Luther Rice, Missionaries to the Heathen in Asia, Under the Direction of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (Boston: Samuel T. Armstrong, 1812), which can be accessed here: archive.org/details/sermondelivereda00wood.

Leonard Woods is the preacher who preached the missionary ordination sermon for Adoniram Judson and Luther Rice, along with two other missionaries, on February 6, 1812.

Woods was a Harvard graduate in 1796 at the top of his class, one of the founders of Andover Theological Seminary in 1808, and its first professor of theology.

Woods’ sermon text was Psalm 67. He states the purpose of his sermon:

“I would persuade you to act, decidedly and zealously to act under the influence of Christian love.”

The whole tenor of this sermon is wrapped around God’s love for every human being on planet earth and how our love for the unsaved should motivate our missionary endeavors.

The outline of his sermon consists in seven motives for missions and evangelism.

The worth of souls.

“The souls of all these are as precious as your own. The wisdom of God, — the blood of the dying Savior has so declared.”

2. The Atonement as a full provision for the salvation of all people.

Wood speaks of

“the plenteousness of the provision which Christ has made for their salvation. Were there anything scanty in this provision, — any deficiency in divine grace, — any thing circumscribed in the evangelic offer; our zeal for propagating the gospel would be suppressed.”

Woods continued:

“But my brethren, the word of eternal truth has taught us that Jesus tasted death for every man; that he is the propitiation for ours sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world; that a rich feast is prepared, and all things ready; that whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely. This great atonement is as sufficient for Asiatic and Africans, as for us. This abundant provision is made for them as well as for us. The door of Christ’s kingdom is equally open to them and to us. Unnumbered millions of our race have entered in; and yet there is room. The mercy of God is an ocean absolutely exhaustless; and so far as his benevolence is a pattern for our imitation, and a rule to govern our exertions and prayers, he wills that all men should be saved.”

3. The Bible commands us to take the gospel to the world.

This missionary command is “an exact expression of the heart of Jesus; a display of the vastness of his love.”

4. The history of missions and the example of those who have gone before us compels us to go.

5. The uniqueness of Christianity and its adaptedness to be a universal religion.

6. Prophecy which guarantees success: Psalm 2:8; Isaiah 49:6; 52:10; and 53:11.

7. Operation of divine providence at the present time opening the door to reach the nations.

Woods concluding charge to these missionaries:

“You go, we believe, because the love of God is shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost. . . . The cause in which you have enlisted, is the cause of divine love.”

Master of Arts in Ministry Now Available for Enrollment

Designed with the busy minister and church leader in mind, the new Master of Arts in Ministry degree program at Luther Rice University (LRU) is available completely via online classes or traditional campus-based studies. Students have the option to finish the program in 18-24 months as an accelerated degree.

Providing Practical Ministry Skills

The new 36-hour program consists of 12 courses designed to assist church leaders in acquiring practical skills for leading in a local church or support ministry. All the courses come from three main subject areas: biblical studies, theological studies, and ministerial studies. The program includes courses on Old and New Testament studies, systematic theology, the work of ministry, preparing an expository message, and other topics directly related to ministry.

From a New Student in the Degree Program

“I was introduced to Luther Rice through a pastoral recommendation. After doing my own research and hearing numerous testimonies about the institution, I can truly say that I am excited and ready to pursue what God has for me at LRU. I am confident that the new Master of Arts in Ministry program will equip me to be an effective 21st century leader. The tools I expect to acquire at LRU will be used to strengthen and enhance the ministry God has already called me to,” said
Patrick Toney, a new student in the Master of Arts in Ministry program.

Teaching How to Develop Highly Effective Ministries

Graduates will learn how to evaluate ministries in light of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, and be leaders in developing, designing, and implementing highly effective ministry initiatives.

From the V.P. for Academic Affairs

“There is a need for more leaders who are trained in biblically sound theology, but many people are not able to uproot their families and move to go to seminary. This new ministry-focused degree program, which can be earned completely online in an accelerated fashion, meets the needs of busy pastors and church staff who may not desire a long divinity degree,” said Jeff McCann, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs at Luther Rice University.

About Luther Rice University

Luther Rice University and Seminary has been cultivating an environment of Christian excellence since 1962 and is known for providing high quality theological programs for ministers and Christian leaders. The faculty believes—and teaches—that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant Word of God. Programs are available through flexible online courses, allowing students to earn degrees anywhere in the world. Currently, Luther Rice has students in 49 states and 26 foreign countries. Courses are always current and cutting edge, optimizing the online learning environment experience.

For more information about Luther Rice University and the new Master of Arts in Ministry degree, visit http://www.LRU.edu or call 770-484-1204. You may also contact the program coordinator, Dr. James Kinnebrew, at jkinnebrew@LRU.edu or 770-484-1204 ext. 5698.

My wife and I were recently at our small farm that has been in her family since 1875. The farm is located near the Ohio River with scenic pastures and rolling hills. While there, we do what farm people do—work hard and enjoy visiting long-time friends. All of which is good therapy for us.

While there, we often visit a church pastored by a dear friend of mine from childhood. During a recent sermon, he began to share a prayer that one of his grandchildren, Benjamin, prayed for one of his friends who had a serious medical condition. As the pastor shared Benjamin’s prayer, I was touched deeply by a statement he made. Upon concluding his prayer, Benjamin said, “Lord, it is me, Benjamin.” What a powerful statement!

The young child’s relationship with the Lord was such that he called upon the Lord in a profoundly personal way.

His prayer led me to examine my personal relationship with the Lord and my prayer life. In calling upon the Lord, I realized more than ever that without Him, I can do nothing. My thoughts went to Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (KJV).

When I ask you to pray for us so that we may accomplish our mission of providing biblical education to Christian ministers and leaders around the world, I do so realizing that the world needs Christ, and we have students and graduates on the front lines for the Lord.

When I say I am praying for you, I want you to know that I mean it.

As I write this article, we have graduates in Liberia where the Ebola virus is running rampant; we have graduates in the Middle East where persecution, displacement, and killings are occurring daily. Calling upon the Lord to make a difference in people’s lives is a first step, not a last resort.

World events have called our attention to the fact that serving the Lord may mean literally sacrificing one’s life for the cause of Christ. Seeing students graduate brings a great sense of completion and achievement. At the same time, there is the reality that when we proclaim the gospel, we can come in contact with death, disease, and the demonic.

Paul asked for prayer, that the gospel might have free course. We must not forget to do the same for all who serve Him.

Thanks for all your prayers on our behalf. May God continue to use us so that the sun never sets on the ministry of Luther Rice.

– Dr. James Flanagan

Luther Rice University (LRU) recently built a new video studio suite on campus for
the primary purpose of recording professors’ lectures for online classes. These
videos and other online coursework will be delivered through the Blackboard
learning management system. Adding these videos to the online courses sets LRU
apart from other institutions and allows us to provide a high quality learning
experience for our students.

In an effort to serve our online students with the same level of excellence as we do
our on-campus students, LRU will also be producing videos for the student
development office. These videos will give directions on how to register for classes,
request transcripts, and take advantage of many other services the typical college or
seminary student might need from LRU. This will be an effective way to provide
orientation information to new students that don’t live close to the institution and
cannot attend the traditional on-campus orientation sessions held during the fall
and spring semesters.

“Since the majority of our students take advantage of our online programs, the
administration believes that it is important to deliver high quality content in our
online curriculum. Therefore, this new studio will be used by our faculty and staff to
create a variety of videos to complement their courses.” Says Ken Stokes, CIO, and chief architect of this new initiative.

The institution’s largest studio to date, this newly designed suite is a full 1,000
square feet. Existing space on campus was repurposed to create this state-of-the-art video production facility. The studio has multiple types of backgrounds for cutting-edge video production, including a raised stage area with scenes, a large green screen, and traditional portable fabric backdrops. Onsite technology includes multiple HD cameras, wired and wireless microphones, and an HD monitor for viewing footage. In addition, professors may use other visual aids such as a PowerPoint slide deck, a teleprompter system, and a camera crane. They will have an array of studio lighting possibilities to choose from as well.

One of the most popular features is the green screen. Using our green cycloramic
wall, through the video editing process, we can superimpose backgrounds and video
footage that will bring the final product to life. This is the same technology that is
used for news weathercasts, which allow the weatherman to be in view with maps
and radar images appearing behind him. All students and guests who visit campus
are invited to ask for a tour of our new studio.