2022: A Year in Review (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: This is the second part of this article. The first part can be found in the Jan. 11 issue.
July
• SOAR 2022 — The SOAR 2022 (July 3-5) theme was ‘cALLed.’ As you can see, ‘ALL’ was capitalized, meaning we are all called — called to repent and receive Jesus, called to serve and even called to ministry,” said Conferences Manager Nick Jacobsen in the July 13 issue of the Trumpet. Bobby Tucker, who started SOAR 32 years ago, was also in attendance. President Terry Kimbrow announced the following winners of $10,000 scholarships to Central Baptist College: Sady Long and Joshua Ford of Arkansas and Cayce Harper of Oklahoma. SOAR 2023 will be held at the Gaylord Texan on July 3-5.
• New State Missionary — A new missionary was elected at the July 14 called meeting of the Arkansas Missionary Committee. Jake & Amanda McCandless and their children, Addison and Andrea “will be starting on the field on Aug. 1, and will be working in the Pea Ridge Community,” said State Missions Executive Director Paul White. “For many years, Retired Missionary Larry Morrison and I have prayed for God to raise up someone with a burden for that area. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer.”
August
• CBC Student Discount Approved — Central Baptist College President Terry Kimbrow announced in the Aug. 10 Baptist Trumpet that “a new student discount has been approved for the Fall 2022 semester of the PACE (Professional Adult College Education) program. CBC is currently celebrating a huge milestone. It’s been almost 70 years since the first day of class on Sept. 15, 1952. To celebrate this anniversary, CBC has announced a first-time, $1,400 scholarship for new PACE students. Classes are offered in-class, online or in a hybrid option.”
• Former BMA Church Burns — In 2021, Oak Grove Baptist Church in North Little Rock voted to disband after 55 years and donated their facilities to the non-profit arm of Graves Memorial Baptist Church. The new ministry was called “The Grove: A Center for Caring and Community.” In the early morning hours of Aug. 16, the facility burned to the ground, as reported in the Aug. 24 Trumpet. However, a new site was located for the ministry, and it will continue.
September
• CBC Marks 70 Years — On Sept. 15, 1952, Central Baptist College (CBC) opened its doors for the first time. On Sept. 15, 2022, CBC welcomed over 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends for a 70th Anniversary Celebration. The day’s festivities were part of a year-long celebration surrounding the college’s anniversary.
October
CBC Cyber Attack — Although it happened Jan. 27, for security reasons, CBC President Terry Kimbrow was unable to announce a Ransomware Attack on the college until the Oct. 12 issue of the Trumpet. Although no ransom was paid, the attack resulted in an unprecedented loss of an estimated $1 million in revenue since it caused “an abrupt halt for five weeks during the prime student recruiting period for all 2022-23 student recruiting, resulting in a sharp decline in enrollment.”
• Arkansas Chaplain Promoted — In the Oct. 19 issue, it was reported that BMA of America Chaplain Jeremy Miller had been promoted to the rank of colonel within the Arkansas Army National Guard. His promotion makes him the highest-ranking Army chaplain within the Arkansas National Guard and elevates him to the Arkansas Joint Forces Headquarters Chaplain.
November
• BMA of Arkansas Insert — The Nov. 2 issue featured a four-page “BMA of Arkansas Insert,” that included “stories of transformation from the ministries of the BMA of Arkansas that go beyond the usual reports that appear in each issue of the Baptist Trumpet.” BMA of Arkansas Missions, Central Baptist College and Student Ministry Matters (Youth Department) shared stories about transformed lives and the Lord’s blessings on the various ministries.
• BMA Of Arkansas Meets — The 73rd annual BMA of Arkansas meeting was held Nov. 3-4 at Central Baptist College. The theme, chosen by President Michael Battenfield, was “Healthy Churches, Healthy Association, for the Glory of God” based on Eph. 3:14-21. The final Enrollment Committee report indicated there were 110 messengers enrolled, with 94 churches represented at the meeting (60 by messenger and 34 by letter only) with 15 visitors for a total of 125 registered in attendance. Cain Baptist Church of Mountainburg, a former BMA of Arkansas mission, petitioned for membership in the state association and was welcomed. (The Nov. 9 issue of the Trumpet was expanded to 12 pages to give full coverage to the meeting and reports of the various departments.)
• Thompsons Mark 60 Years — Jim & Carolyn Thompson were honored for 60 years of active ministry at a special service Nov. 12 at Big Creek Valley Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where they are members. He surrendered to the ministry July 8, 1962, and his pastorates include Pleasant Grove in Annieville, Center Grove in Cord and Center Hill in Jonesboro.
• Total Access Trumpet — In the Nov. 16 issue, Baptist Trumpet Executive Editor Jeff Herring explained that, although a rate increase was instituted at this year’s state meeting, the paper is “still a bargain” because “one price gives you access to… the printed weekly paper, the digital e-Trumpet, the content-filled website and the Trumpet archives.
December
• CBC Graduate Leads Republican Party of Ark. — On Dec. 3, Cody Hiland, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas. He attended Central Baptist College from 1990 through 1992, before receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Arkansas and his Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law in Little Rock.
• MRS Financial Wellness Class — The first, quarterly BMAA Financial Education class hosted by Michael Spencer from Ronald Blue Trust, the new financial advising partner for Minister Resource Services, was held Dec. 14 via Zoom Meeting. “Part of this partnership is to provide financial education to our clients,” said MRS Executive Director Dr. Steve Crawley.
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Diane Spriggs
Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff on Jan. 2, 1980, as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
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Diane Spriggs
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Full biography
Diane joined the Baptist Trumpet staff Jan. 2, 1980 as a “temporary, part-time typesetter” and was named editor/business manager by the BMA of Arkansas on Nov. 3, 2005. “I had no idea what an adventure awaited me when God brought me to the Trumpet so many years ago,” said Diane. “I am truly blessed to serve my Lord in the best job a girl can have in the BMA!”
She was saved in October 1959 at Park Place Baptist Church, and is now a member of Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock, where she is part of the sanctuary choir and the Pairs & Spares Sunday School class.
On April 14, 1967, Diane married “the love of her life,” Pat, and they have two children and two children-in-love: Robert Patrick “Bobby” & Jennifer (Mollette) Spriggs of Sherwood, and Trina Michelle & Keith Medlock of Cabot. The “lights of her life” are her grandchildren: Baleigh Ann (Garrett) Spriggs, Hunter Wayne Medlock and Savana Michelle Medlock; and her great-grandson, Lincoln David Barham.
Diane retired on Nov. 5, 2020 after serving almost 41 years on the Trumpet staff, the last 15 as editor. As the first official action of Executive Editor Jeff Herring, she was named Editor Emeritus to honor her time with the ministry she truly loves and will continue to serve and help in any way she can. She is available to speak at women’s conferences, district meetings, churches, etc.
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