By Dr. Charley Holmes, President • BMA Seminary
I began classes at BMA Seminary in 1989 upon the advice and recommendation of my pastor, Jack McDaniel, and a cherished friend and former BMATS trustee, L.H. Raney. Since that time, I have lived on campus, been a student, worked on the maintenance staff, taught classes, raised financial and prayer support and served as President/CEO. In short, outside of my family, the seminary has been my life. With thanksgiving to God, I acknowledge that the seminary and the churches of the BMA of America have put food on my table and a roof over my head since 1989.
My greatest privilege, other than preaching the gospel around the world, has been to serve as president of this institution for 25 years. During that time the educational delivery systems have changed from face-to-face teaching to face-to-screen format. After months of deliberation and, especially, recently spending time in West Africa teaching in a face-to-face setting, I realize that BMA Seminary must have a president who is more in tune with the digital age.
With this in mind, I hereby submit my resignation effective at the end of the Spring 2024 graduation ceremonies on May 11, 2024. This will be my 25th graduation as president, and it has been my privilege to witness how the Lord has worked in these students’ lives for a quarter of a century. I hope to continue serving over the next few years, assisting the new president, assisting in financial matters (i.e., investments and development) and teaching the next generation of pastors and missionaries.
There is no way I could express my thanks to each and every individual who has guided and supported me in my efforts to lead well, but I would like to publicly express my thanks to a number of people and groups. There is no way possible that I would have had the successes that God has granted without the wisdom and assistance of those whom God placed alongside me.
I first want to thank the Lord for His mercy, grace and the blessings He has provided since the day He brought me to salvation. I can do nothing without His strength. I want to thank my wife and my family for their support. Leading BMA Seminary has required me to be away from home on many occasions over the last 25 years. They held down the fort and supported and prayed for me while I was away from them. They are my biggest blessings apart from salvation.
The next group of people that I want to thank are all the members of the BMA Seminary family. I do not have time or space to thank everyone, but there are those who deserve special mention. Dr. Philip Bryan was president when I was initially hired to teach and work in development. When he retired, he left some mighty big shoes to fill, but he always had time to answer my questions and offer words of wisdom. Dr. John Gregson was also a consistent prayer partner and encourager in my duties as president. Dr. Philip Attebery has been the best vice president and dean that I could have asked to work alongside. The seminary would not function as well as it does without his hard work day in and day out.
As Dr. Tony Cleaver would say, our faculty and staff are truly world-class, and I am grateful to have had their support over the past 25 years. The final members of the seminary family who deserve my thanks are the current and past members of the Board of Trustees who have faithfully served the churches of the BMAA by supporting me and the seminary.
Finally, to the churches of the BMA of America, I must say thank you for your support in so many ways. You have supported the school prayerfully and financially so that we have been able to consistently pursue the purpose for which BMA Seminary was established. You have invited me and others to speak in your churches and at your associational meetings to spread the word about what the Lord is doing and how you can help. You have sent us your students so they can be better prepared to do the work God has called them to do or to simply gain a better understanding of God’s Word, what we believe as Associational Baptists and how to live out the Great Commission day to day.
