Martin Webb Learning Center

N J BROCKMAN, SCHOOL OF RELIGION
College President: Dr. Virgil L. Sullivan

Classes will begin January 13, 2009

DEGREE PROGRAM COURSES
The Gospel of Mark - Professor, Dr. Thomas E. Simmons
Tuesday 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm
Sociology II. - Professor, Ms. Brenda Norris
Thursday 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm
English Composition II. - Professor, Ms. Carmen Wade
Monday 7:00 pm – 9:50 pm

DIPLOMA PROGRAM COURSES
Education of Youth - Professor, Reverend Sean Dogan
Tuesday 9:30 am - 10:55 AM
History of the Black Church - Professor, Mrs. Marion Franklin
Tuesday 11:05 am - 12:30 pm
Life of Paul - Professor, Reverend Donald R. Smith
Thursday 9:30 am - 10:55 am
Worship - Professor, Reverend Victor Walker Thursday 11:05 am - 12:30 pm
Worship - Professor, Dr. Robert E. Dennis
Tuesday 7:00 pm - 8:25 pm
Education of Youth - Professor, Reverend Matrulene Johnson
Tuesday 8:35 pm - 10:00 pm
The Life of Paul - Professor, Dr. Edward Brantley
Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:25 pm
History of the Black Church - Professor, Mr. Prince Brown
Thursday 8:35 pm - 10:00 pm

Martin-Webb Baptist Learning Center Historical Facts

Dr. C. F. Gandy was moderator of the Enoree River Baptist Association; the Reverend W. M. Lipscomb was moderator of North Enoree Baptist Association and the Reverend P. J. Barton was moderator of Reedy River Association. The Reverend J. T. Gillespie was associational missionary of Greenville Baptist Association. During the years to come, this was one of the few Bi-racial Committees that met and kept open the doors to racial understanding. Much of the progress of the community resulted from the communications that came about in this group.

In 1950, the Greenville Baptist Association called as its associational missionary, Dr. O. K. Webb who served a tenure of sixteen years. Under his leadership, new emphasis was placed on the work with National Baptists.

In 1952, the Reverend W. P. Whittenburg was called to direct this joint work. During this era much emphasis was placed on Vacation Bible School; Camp Enoree was founded, a building was constructed, and a number of young men were given scholarships to assist them in acquiring a theological education. The Reverend W. R. Martin and Dr. O. K. Webb served as the catalyst around which the work took shape in its formative years.

In 1962, the Reverend Nathaniel J. Brockman was called to direct the ministry of Cooperative Ministries. An office was secured at 809 Jenkins Street to house the work and as a home for the director and his family. After several years the work was relocated in the newly built Watson Memorial Building at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

The Reverend Daniel Franklin Page became Director of Mission for the Greenville Baptist Association, which brought about a new day in the cooperative work of the associations. Under the leadership of the Reverend B. F. Hawkins who served as Superintendent of Mission prior to Mr. Page, the Greenville Baptist Association had acquired a house at 407 Augusta Street adjacent to its new office building and Baptist Book Store complex. This house located at 407 Augusta Street was renovated at a total cost of $22,000. It served as the offices for Martin Webb Learning Center until a decision was made to purchase the Baptist Goodwill Center located at 107 Fleming Street.

The Seminary Extension program began in 1962 with the Reverend N. J. Brockman coming to work. Other programs instituted: the minister' retreat, Martin Webb Mid-Winter Convocation, a tutorial program for children with learning problems, summer feeding program, summer arts and crafts, recreational and Bible study programs, a program to assist families with problems such as food and clothing. The center serves as offices and central meeting place for the Enoree River, North Enoree and Reedy River Baptist Associations.

During the stay on Jenkins street and at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Mrs. Nettie Simpson served as chairperson for the community mission program. This program was of great help to many families.

In round figures, (according to the records of the Greenville Baptist Association) the National Baptist Associations had invested $80,000 in this ministry at that time.

In February 1982, Reverend Donal L. Hill was called to serve as interim Director and served until the Greenville Baptist Association officially elected him during the Bi-Annual meeting in November. Reverend Hill worked diligently to make the center a place of higher education. He helped to organize the Urban Rangers, and served as a counselor for the organization. He was very active working with the churches in different seminars. In 1983 he started a tutoring program for the summer. Mr. Rainwater who worked for the city in the recreation department coordinated this program.

Reverend Dan Page resigned in October of 1985, and began working for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Columbia, South Carolina. In December of 1985, Dr. George Bullard, Sr., became interim Director of Missions for the Greenville Baptist Association until Reverend James Herron was elected in February of 1987.

Mrs. Bernice Barton worked one evening out of the week tutoring the students from Woodland and Pearce Homes at the center. This program was very helpful for those students who were having problems in certain courses at school. The illiteracy program of Greenville also had workers who tutored adults at the center.

In October 1989 Reverend Virgil L. Sullivan was called to serve as director of the ministry. The director of the center was an employee of the Greenville Baptist Association in earlier years. In the fall of 1989 the structure was changed to allow the director to be hired by the Cooperative Ministries Committee (Executive and governing body).

His objectives for the program for 1989 - 1990 were:

1. To intensify the current ministries.
2. To train laypersons in the roles of leadership responsibilities for the churches and community.
3. To communicate to the community the purpose and goals of the center.
4. To expand assistance to the community through Christian education and physical assistance.
5. To seek additional financial assistance to support the expansion of the ministries.
6. To improve the building's outside appearance and make classrooms more conducive for learning and for auxiliary meetings.

A Christian Education Team was organized to provide leadership training for the church laity.

The American Baptist Theological Seminary Extension program, which is a main part of the ministry of the center, was intensified and in:
1990 - spring, the student enrollment was fourteen.
1990 - 1991 the student enrollment was twenty-one.
1991 - 1992 the student enrollment was nineteen.
1992 - 1993 the student enrollment was thirty-three.
1993 - 1994 the student enrollment was thirty-eight.
1994 - 1995 the student enrollment was forty-three.
1995 - 1996 the student enrollment was fifty-four.
1996 - 1997 the student enrollment was sixty-three.
1997 - 1998 the student enrollment was seventy-three
1998 - 1999 the student enrollment was seventy nine
1999 - 2000 the student enrollment eighty-five
2000 - 2001 The student enrollment eighty one
2001 - 2002 The student enrollment eighty four
2002 - 2003 The Student enrollment Ninty two

In 1994 a new Extension Unit of the American Baptist Theological Seminary of Martin-Webb Baptist Learning Center was organized by Reverend Virgil Sullivan at the Harrison Grove Baptist Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina, under the leadership of Dr. L. C. Rector with and enrollment of twelve students each semester.

The American Baptist College of American Baptist Theological Seminary, Nashville, Tennessee, Continuing Education Division, presented the "1995 Unit of The Year Award" to Greenville, South Carolina Extension Unit, in Recognition Of Outstanding Performance During The Year. Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr. serves as President of the college and Reverend Henry Blaze serves as Director of the Continuing Education Division.

Many ministries or activities have been sponsored by the Martin-Webb Baptist Learning Center, under the administration of the Director, Reverend Virgil L. Sullivan.

A Summer Enrichment Program was begun in the summer of 1990 for children ages 6 - 15 year old. This project provided for remedial instruction in the areas of Language Arts and Math, as well as study of music and Bible. Supervised recreational activities were also a part of the program.

A Newsletter from the center was begun in March of 1991. This is a source of communicating to the general public about the programs and services available at the center.

A class for Sunday School Teachers and workers was begun in the spring of 1993. This class is in session the entire school year on each Tuesday evening. The course focuses on:

• Properly administering the Sunday School
• Training Sunday School staff
• Exploration of the International Sunday School Lesson
• Use of reference material

A Tutorial Program is co-sponsored with the Enoree River Baptist Women's Auxiliary. The auxiliary provides volunteer instructors on each Thursday afternoon to assist students with homework assignments.

The Annual V.I.P. Banquet, which is usually sponsored in the spring of each year, has continued to be a time of fellowship among the four associations.

The Director has conducted many mini-workshops in the local churches when requested by the church. These workshops are designed according to the area of need expressed in the church's request. The Director, if needed, secures additional presenters.