Events Calendar

The Advocates team is made up of the Students for Life initiative, which addresses abortion and bioethics issues such as cloning, stem cell research, euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide,  and the SSTOP (Students Stopping the Trafficking of Persons) initiative addresses human trafficking. Our team’s mission is fostering advocacy for the voiceless and vulnerable by cultivating conviction and compassion. If either of these initiatives sounds like something you would be interested in, then please come out to our interest meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday 9/5)! Our meeting will be held in the library’s conference room (the room without a ceiling behind Ms. Kristi Strode’s office in the Academic Success Center) from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

OF GOOD COURAGE

Tyler Reagin is the President of Catalyst, a leadership development organization that exists to unify and equip leaders who love the Church through resources and experiential events.

At its core, Catalyst is a community of change makers. Through live events, weekly podcast, digital resources and a community-building app, the Catalyst team leans into leaders who are seeking to create courageous change in the world. Over 100,000 leaders from around the world connect to Catalyst.

Prior to leading the charge at Catalyst, Tyler served for seven years under the leadership of Andy Stanley as the Service Programming Director of Browns Bridge Community Church (a campus of North Point Ministries).

He received his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and serves as a leadership coach for teams and organizations.

Philippians 1 – Commitment to the Gospel

Rev. Jim Gibson is Senior Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Cleveland, TN. Jim was born and raised in Cleveland, TN, and he graduated from Cleveland State Community College. He also received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, where he met his wife, Mary Beth who is from Central City KY. He further received a Masters in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth TX. Having been married for 40 years, Jim and Mary Beth have 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls) currently ranging in age from 37 to 13, 7 grandchildren and 1 more on the way. Jim served in Youth Ministry for 20 years, serving churches in Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Florida. For the past 20 years, he has been in Associate Pastor and Executive Pastor roles in at Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga and where he currently has been serving for the past 14 years: First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN. Jim loves being with his family, playing tennis, and traveling with his wife, family and friends

Philippians 2 – Humility

Matt and his wife Kristen are working to plant City Collective Church in Chattanooga – a church of disciples of Jesus making disciples as they love God and live in community for the sake of the city. Before moving to Chattanooga, Matt was on staff at a church in Huntsville, Alabama working with churches and pastors throughout Latin America. He also lived in northern Mexico while working with a church planting organization for three years. He is passionate about seeing people come alive as they find their place in God’s mission of redemption and reconciliation in the world.

Dr. Ternae T. Jordan, Sr., a second-generation minister, grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee., and received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Business Education and a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee. In addition, he received a diploma from the Harvard School of Divinity, Leadership Institute. Dr. Jordan began his first pastorate at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Chattanooga, followed by 15 years of service at the Greater Progressive Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is currently the Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee. On May 14, 2005, Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana, conferred upon Pastor Jordan the degree of Doctor of Divinity honoris causa (‘as a mark of honor’), in recognition of his leadership and compassion to serve his community and make a lasting impact on the lives of many people throughout Northeast Indiana. Dr. Jordan’s passion for serving God and compassion for reaching people extends far beyond normal pastoral duties and impacts entire communities. His lasting legacy continues after 32 years of dedicated service. In February 1992, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Jordan founded Stop the Madness, Inc., an anti-violence program that provides cultural, spiritual, and recreational alternatives to at-risk youth. In 2005, Dr. Jordan opened an office in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2008, the Chattanooga office became Stop the Madness National, Inc. From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Jordan served as Program Director of the Value-Based Initiative (VBI). VBI was funded by the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. It provided practical ways that a faith-based community can be effectively involved with making the City of Fort Wayne a safer community. Through VBI, Dr. Jordan was instrumental in improving relations between the Fort Wayne minority community and the police department. In addition, the Greater Progressive Baptist Church’s S.O.A.R. (Strengthening Our Area through Redevelopment) Community Development Corporation developed Phoenix Place, an establishment of 13 community houses, as well as Phoenix Manor, a 50-unit senior apartment complex. Dr. Jordan has received numerous awards, recognitions and honors. In April of 2001, he served as a representative for the House-Senate Republican Faith-Based Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. That same year, SafeCities of the U.S. Department of Justice chose him to serve on a national panel to discuss safety and after-school programs. In 2003, he was called upon to comfort the State of Indiana through prayer at Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon’s memorial service. In 2004, Indiana Governor Joe Kernan awarded Dr. Jordan the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, the highest honor bestowed by the governor. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the State’s heritage or to the governor. The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian Tribes to describe a lesser chief or a great man (Dr. Jordan) among the tribe to whom the true chief (Governor) would look for wisdom and advice. In April 2005, he participated in discussions at the United States Department of Justice’s National Gang Executive Session. The Session focused on intervention and prevention programs designed to address gang crime through innovative partnerships with law enforcement. Dr. Jordan is currently serving on the following boards: Purpose Point Community Resource Center, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way (Executive Board), Stop the Madness National, and the Piedmont International University Board of Trustees. He currently sits on board to select new police chief for the City of Chattanooga. Since returning to Chattanooga, he has served as Chairman for the National Day of Prayer, Ruth Graham Crusade and Day of Service and currently serves on the Pastors Prayer Team for the City of Chattanooga. Dr. Jordan works on many community-shaping initiatives, but most importantly, he is devoted to serving God and family. His wife, Angela Faye Jordan, is his partner in ministry and they have three children: Ternae Jr., DeJuan, and JaMichael. Dr. Jordan is compassionate, has a great sense of humor and portrays the Fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 4 – Peace and Joy

Taylor Hasty is heading into his fifth year as the Director of Athletics here at Bryan College. Hasty is also the baseball coach for the Lions and moved into his dual role in August of 2013.
“I am so humbled to be in this position. God has blessed me in so many ways here at Bryan and I am grateful to be a part of the great team of leaders we have in our athletic department,” remarked Hasty about his move. “I am excited to help support our coaches in the work they do in furthering Christ’s Kingdom in the lives of our students.”
Hasty arrived at Bryan as a student in the fall of 2002 to play baseball and study History, as well as Business and Bible. He graduated in the spring of 2006 and was hired on staff as an assistant baseball coach and admissions counselor for the College. In the summer of 2008, Hasty was promoted to the head coaching position, following the retirement of the head coach.
Hasty has led the Bryan Baseball Program to unprecedented success in his 9 years at the helm. This past season, his 9th season as the skipper, Hasty led the Lions to their third berth in the NAIA Opening Round after receiving an at-large bid, the first in program history. The first opportunity in the post-season for Lions baseball came after the baseball program won the Appalachian Athletic Conference title and advanced to the NAIA Baseball Tournament Opening Round in 2014. The Lions finished this past season with 38 wins, the 4th straight season in which the Lions have eclipsed the 35-win mark.
Following a difficult first season that saw the 2009 Lions win just 6 games, Hasty has brought the program to new heights with a total of 279 wins over the past 8 seasons, making him the winningest coach in Bryan College Baseball History.
In his first year as the Director of Athletics, Hasty saw the department continue the success established by outgoing Athletic Director Sandy Zensen. The Volleyball Program won both the regular and tournament championship titles and hosted the NAIA National Championship Opening Round Game for the first time. The Men’s Soccer Program won the AAC Tournament and traveled to play in the NAIA National Championship as well, losing to the eventual national champion. Men’s Cross Country was again one of the top programs in the country, running away with the AAC Title and then placing just outside the top 10 at the NAIA National Meet in Kansas.
Building on the success of the fall sports, both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball program experienced good years on the court. The men’s team won 11 of 13 games at one point on their way to a 5th place finish in the AAC. The women returned to their excellence of several years ago, winning 20 games on their way to a 3 rd place conference finish.
The spring sports of baseball and softball also continued the success of 2013-14, the softball team won over 30 games for the first time in program history and finished 2nd in the AAC Tournament earning the bid to the NAIA National Tournament. The baseball team won their first Appalachian Athletic Conference title and advanced to the NAIA Baseball Tournament Opening Round.
Following the success of Bryan Athletics during his first year at the helm, Hasty has overseen a department that has grown by over 100 student-athletes. Under his purview, the Athletic Department has seen the overall GPA grow from just under a 3.0 to a 3.14 GPA this past season (2016-17). In addition to the off-field success, the department has won conference titles in Women’s Volleyball, Softball (2), and a Women’s Basketball Tournament Title in 2016-17. This past season saw at-large bids to the NAIA National Tournament in Men’s Soccer and Baseball as well as an AAC Tournament Championship Final berth for Women’s Soccer, their first opportunity at winning the AAC Tournament since 2010.
Hasty has this to say about the future of athletics at Bryan: “More than anything I am excited about working with our amazing coaching staff here at Bryan College and representing Christ well. Our coaches work so hard at mentoring and discipling the young men and women who play here at Bryan. I look forward to continuing to partner with the administration, our coaching staff, and the student-athletes in that endeavor to reveal and represent Christ to our community through sports!”
A 2006 graduate of Bryan College, Hasty helped restart the baseball program at Bryan as a freshman in 2002 after a 16-year hiatus. Despite playing third base and left field for the Lions, Hasty was primarily a pitcher, setting the career record for innings pitched (332). He served as a team captain for 3 years and in his senior season earned the Bryan College Athletic Department’s highest honor, the Lion of Valor award, given annually to the outstanding Christian athlete who excelled both on and off the field.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Hasty graduated from Charlotte Latin School, where he helped win the 2000 state title in baseball. Graduating with his bachelor’s degree in history in 2006, Hasty went on to receive his master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy in 2010.
Hasty is married to the former Julie Thompson of Chattanooga, Tenn. The couple, their two sons, Maddux (8) and Jaxson (5), and their daughter, Lyla (2), reside in Dayton, Tenn.

Drakeford are a husband and wife singer-songwriter duo based in Chattanooga, TN. Made up of a Brit and an American, the world-traveling duo met while living overseas in the Near East doing mission work. They came to the States just over two years ago and have been full time traveling musicians ever since. Their music is folksy at heart with hints of pop throughout, with the finger-picking style being as clear and crisp as the vocal articulation. They manage to repeatedly deliver quality both in musical ingenuity and lyrical depth. Their first full album, Anchors Aweigh, has received outstanding reviews and taken them on tour all over the United States and Europe, performing at festivals, Universities, houses, coffee shops and everything in between. Their melodies are memorable, and the harmonies hypnotic.

The Mane Event is an overnight event held during the fall semester. Students arrive in the afternoon, enjoy dinner in our dining hall, and participate in campus life that evening (overnight student guests must be at least 16 years old). The following day, they attend classes, tour campus, meet faculty, and learn more about admissions and financial aid. This event is free. Check-in begins at 3:30 PM on Thurs. Sept. 21, 2017 and check-out is at 2:00 PM on Fri. Sept. 22, 2017.

Both parents and students are welcome to participate in this event; however, dorm overnight stays are reserved for students 16 years old to 21 years old only. Each student must register separately.

Registration will close at 12pm on Monday, September 18, 2017.

John 1:14 – “Grace and Truth”

Dr. Drew Randle is married to Kelly Randle and has two daughters, Julia Claire, a Freshman at Lee University Major in Psychology, and Hallie Rose, in the 7th Grade. Next to King Jesus, his family is the joy of his life. Dr Randle receives great joy in teaching at Bryan, but his surpassing joy is found in walking with some students in discipleship and walking alongside others in the struggles of life. This academic year is his 16th year of service at Bryan. He earned a BM with a minor in Youth Ministry at Belmont University, MA in Christian Education from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.