Harding School of Theology

Deeper Faith, Higher Standards

Introducing the John F. Wilson Collection of Rare Books on Travel and Exploration in the Middle East

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Dr. John F. Wilson is an HST alumnus and Dean and Professor of Religion Emeritus at Pepperdine University. Dr. Wilson is donating a collection of rare books on travel and exploration in the Middle East. In this video, Dr. Wilson tells some stories that these books tell and about his own experience as a field archaeologist.

This was recorded at a reception in the HST Library September 20, 2021 and hosted by HST Library Director Jessica Holland, HST Professor Emeritus Evertt W. Huffard, and the Meredith Restoration History Archive at the HST Library.

Jessica Holland serves as the library director at HST and teaches the Advanced Theological Research course.

Her library journey, beginning as a student worker in the Brown Library at Abilene Christian University in 2004 to her current position as director of the HST library, has given her a love of the many and varied functions of a library. She is especially convinced that the excellence of a library hinges largely on its ability to provide hospitality as well as knowledge to its community.

Evertt W. Huffard retired from HST in December, 2019. He was Professor of Leadership and Missions at HST for over 30 years. He directed the D.Min. program for 10 years, then served as VP/Dean for 15 years. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Teacher Award from Harding University. He is a consultant for church leaders as one of the partners in Hope Network Ministries.

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

2021 Alumnus of the Year: Dr. Evertt W. Huffard

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Harding School of Theology is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Evertt W. Huffard as its 2021 Alumnus of the Year. The award is given each year to the graduate whose life and service best exemplify the school’s ideals with special attention to the school’s theme for the year, which in the 2020-2021 academic year was The Church in Mission. A committee of HST alumni convened on June 21, 2021, to consider nine nominations for the award. An occasion to bestow the award on Dr. Huffard is anticipated this fall in Memphis. Dr. Huffard joins a long line of recipients dating to 1974, when Jimmie Moffett was named the school’s first Alumnus of the Year. Learn more about Dr. Huffard here.

2021 Alumni Nominations

Here is the list of nominees and what their peers said about them.

Carisse Berryhill: MA in Church History, 2001

      • Prominent Church of Christ historian
      • Adjunct for University of Illinois
      • Nationally recognized in theological libraries

Garrett Best: MDiv, 2014

      • Lewis Scholar
      • Mission work in Spanish speaking countries
      • Committed to local ministry and Christendom
      • Advocate for Gospel story as church mission

Mark Finn: MTh, 1986

      • Longest tenured minister in his congregation’s history
      • Active with area ministers and congregations
      • Intentional and strategic
      • Faithful and pragmatic
      • Strong and humble
      • Above reproach

Stan Granberg: MTh, 1983

      • Church planter in two countries (U.S./Kenya)
      • Teacher of church planters through Kairos
      • Helps dying churches repurpose their ministries
      • Outstanding disciple maker
      • Self-sacrificing of career potential
      • Strong prayer life
      • Humble service
      • Posture of mission
      • Loyalty to roots

Evertt W. Huffard: MA, 1973; MTh 1976

      • Lifelong focus on the church in mission
      • Consultant to churches around the globe
      • Spiritual and academic expert in global missions
      • Presents truth in wise, practical, godly ways
      • Godly influence to countless Christians
      • Known and respected throughout the world
      • Tireless support of HST for over 40 years

Bruce McLarty: MTh, 1982

      • Served abroad on the mission field
      • Served local churches
      • Spiritual and administrative positions with Harding
      • Impactful on countless student lives
      • Chose “Community In Mission” as Harding theme
      • Practices what he preaches
      • Strong supporter of the work of HST

Yoshiya Noguchi: MA, 1994

      • Chaplain for Ibaraki University, Japan
      • Teaches introduction to Christianity
      • Makes Christ real to students through puppetry
      • Minister for the largest Church of Christ in Japan
      • Teams with wife, Emiko, also HST grad
      • (The nominator recommended the award be given to them as a couple)

Steve Puckett: MTh, 1981

      • 36 years with a Florida “mission” church
      • Serves through preaching, teaching, and loving
      • Serves steering committee for EQUIP Workshop
      • Regular presenter at Harbor
      • Technology assistant at local high school
      • Florida church has grown in numbers/diversity

William Searcy: MTh, 1982; DMin, 1986

      • Elder/preacher in Rocky Mount, NC, church
      • Passionate in evangelism and mission work
      • Personal experience with Christian persecution
      • 18 years in Kenya as church planter
      • 8 years in Soviet Bloc and China underground
      • 5 years in Belize/Central America in medical missions
      • Visiting professor of missions at Harding University
      • Private practice in counseling
      • Chaplain privileges

Steve Teel: MA, 1977; MTh, 1980; DMin, 2000

      • Missionary to Argentina through 3 church plants
      • Minister to 3 congregations in the U.S.
      • President of Baxter Institute, Honduras
      • Leader/coordinator in local medical missions
      • Played vital role in World Radio for 20 years

HST Leadership Update

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Drs. Powell and Black

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Allen Black as he prepares to retire in June after his service at HST for almost 40 years. Since 1983, Dr. Black, serving as professor of New Testament at HST, taught several generations of ministers. These students were able to take advantage of Allen’s academic training and wealth of knowledge. At the same time, Allen was a minister, having served on the ministry staff of the Highland Church of Christ since 1987. Consequently, his students knew that after they graduated and began serving churches, Allen would remain a friend and advisor. Many, many ministers and church leaders from across the country have sought Allen’s counsel regarding the meaning and application of Scripture.

Dr. Allen Black began serving as dean of HST in 2015. During this time, he helped to establish early on an opportunity for students across the world to study at HST through live synchronous video. Students enrolled at HST and completed their degree who otherwise would never have had the opportunity to do so. Today, almost every class at HST is available through live synchronous video.

Staff and faculty at HST have appreciated Dr. Black’s warm, engaging, caring spirit. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Black for his service to the school and to so many students and are grateful that he will still be teaching classes for us at HST.

At the same time, we are excited to announce that Dr. Mark E. Powell will serve as the next dean of HST. On July 1, 2021, Dr. Powell will become the school’s eighth dean in its 63-year history. Dr. Powell began serving at HST in 2002. He currently serves as professor of theology at HST. He is the author of three books as well as a number of academic articles, book chapters and book reviews.

Dr. Powell has a deep commitment to the church, to ministers, and to the students at HST. Dr. Powell also brings a gracious, warm manner to both conversations and the classroom. We look forward to Dr. Powell’s leadership as we anticipate the future.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Black for his many years of service and congratulating Dr. Powell on his new role.

Jim Martin
Vice President
Harding School of Theology

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders for higher standards of ministry and scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

The Bridge – Winter 2021

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In this issue of The Bridge, we highlight: 

  • Ron Wade, our 2020 alumnus of the year
  • The surprising blessings of Zoom chapel
  • The Student Association’s SA Read
  • A fond farewell to Library Director Bob Turner
  • Faculty Emeritus status for Dr. Evertt W. Huffard
  • All of this plus news, notes, and more from HST!

Our SA community read for this year is I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown.

(Amazon affiliate link: we earn on qualifying purchases made using our Amazon.com affiliate code.)

The Bob Turner playlist from the HST YouTube Channel

Read other issues of The Bridge.

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, The Bridge





Jimmy Allen

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black and white side view of jimmy Allen preaching at a podium
Jimmy Allen

On behalf of Harding School of Theology, we extend our sympathy to the Allen family at the death of Jimmy Allen (HST Master of Religious Education degree, 1959). For decades, Jimmy Allen preached throughout the nation. He was an evangelist who helped lead many, many people to Christ. He taught generations of students about the grace of God through his Romans class at Harding University. Jimmy was a disciple of Jesus who was known for his passion and fervor.

Praise God for Jimmy Allen’s ministry and for the many people whose lives have been blessed as a result.

Dr. Jim Martin
Vice President

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