Ohio Central Bible College Has Opening Academic Convocation

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

IBERIA — Ohio Central Bible College held its opening academic convocation on Sunday, Oct. 18. The event took place in the sanctuary of the historic Iberia Presbyterian Church at Iberia. The institution of higher learning became incorporated on July 10 of this year and began offering fall semester classes during September. It is an independent, non-denominational Bible college in the evangelical Christian tradition and was established for the people of Morrow County and the six county region. Following section 1713.02 (E) of the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Central Bible College offers a one year program leading to a diploma in Bible studies. Classes are held on Saturday mornings at the Iberia Presbyterian Church, which served as the chapel for a former 19th century college that existed in Iberia.

The Oct. 18 afternoon ceremony began with prelude music performed by pianist Sandy McDaniels. The welcome was provided by the Reverend Marion T. Redding, pastor of the Iberia Presbyterian Church. Facul-ty and trustees, wearing their academic robes, next proceeded into the sanctuary as the hymn “For All the Saints” was sung by the audience. The Reverend Julie Fogle, secretary of the Galion Area Ministerial Association and pastor of the Galion Presbyterian Church, gave the call to worship.

The Reverend Dr. Darrell Cardwell, faculty member and pastor of the Harmony Baptist Church at Marengo, provided the invocation and led the audience in saying the Lord's Prayer. Diana Barnes, secretary of the Ohio Central Bible College Board of Trustees, next introduced the faculty and students. The Reverend Dr. Dennis Schultz of Mount Gilead, a faculty member and pastor of the Johnstown Baptist Church, then led the audience in saying the Apostles' Creed.

William Creswell of Mount Gilead, the Chairman of the Ohio Central Bible College Board of Trustees, next led the litany for the presidential inauguration of Mark Phillips, an educator from Mount Gilead and the founder of Ohio Central Bible College. Creswell then said a prayer of dedication from the Book of Common Worship. The Reverend Dr. Schultz next gave the scripture reading from The Gospel of John 1:1-17. The audience then sang “We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder.”

President Phillips next gave his address entitled “A History of Iberia College, Ohio Central College and Ohio Central Bible College.” He spoke on the legacy of the Reverend George Gordon, who was the first president of Iberia College in 1854, a Presbyterian minister, an abolitionist active in the Underground Railroad and a hero of the Civil War. Phillips also traced the history of Iberia College, which changed its name to Ohio Central College in 1867 and existed until 1894. He noted that Warren G. Harding, a Morrow County native and the 29th President of the United States, graduated from Ohio Central College in 1882 with a bachelor of science degree. Phillips said that Iberia was selected as the site for the new Ohio Central Bible College out of respect for Rev. Gordon and the former 19th century institution of higher learning. Phillips also explained that the new Bible college's curriculum is Christ-centered and strives to emulate the academic program of Rosedale Bible College in Madison County.

Paul Stineman of Galion, a retired educator and the Vice-Chairman of the Ohio Central Bible College Board of Trustees, then spoke on “A Vision for the Future of Ohio Central Bible College.” He mentioned that a dream of many Morrow Countians is to have the institution eventually located in the 1932 brick building of the Iberia Elementary School and expand the curriculum of the Bible college.

The Reverend Redding next said the prayer of blessing, which was written for the occasion by her father, the Reverend Dr. David Redding, honorary chancellor. After the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and the recessional, the Reverend Dennis Braun, secretary-treasurer of the Morrow County Mini-terial Association and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Gilead, provided the benediction. McDaniels then played postlude music before a reception was held in the alcove. Guests of honor for the event were the Reverend Braun, the Reverend Fogle and Morrow County Commissioner Tom Harden of Mount Gilead and his wife.