What CBTS Has Meant to Me: 2007 Alumnus Jim Williams

"What has Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary meant to me? Coming from a background of public schools, absent from church during a large part of childhood years and early teen years, and then going to state college for my undergraduate work, there were many gaps in my Christian experience. I did do some graduate work at a Bible college where I grew spiritually, but coming to Calvary took my spiritual growth to another level. I also loved getting to study the original languages which open up God’s Word with such clarity to me. The classes that challenged me the most were the preaching classes. From them, I learn more about the need for not just knowing God’s Word, but the need to relate it clearly. People in my church have commented more than once on the way the Scriptures have opened up to them, and, in many cases, they have mentioned that was the first time they were able to understand what certain passages meant.

"I have been preaching first person narratives from the Old Testament during the morning service. I have heard more than once someone say, 'This morning’s service was great. You could have heard a pin drop!' I have also had men, teens, and college-age students say, 'I really like the way you preach. I can remember what the message was about.' I owe this entirely to Calvary and their staff for exposing me to a style of preaching which is not only interesting, but after which people leave the service remembering what was said. Calvary is like the precious 'salt and light' mentioned in Scripture. You will find there a great desire to preserve God’s Word like salt preserves food, and the faculty’s love for the Lord is like a bright light. I am glad that I can be a simple light reflecting theirs."

Jim Williams and his wife, Erin, serve at the First Baptist Church of Leechburg, PA. Jim earned the Master of Divinity in 2007 and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry at Calvary.