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 Dr. Scott Spencer
I had been teaching undergraduates at Wingate University for 13 years and thought it might be time for a change. In September 2001, I answered an advertisement for a new professor of New Testament at BTSR. I sent in all the required materials-cover letter, CV, references-and I waited. Over the next months I received several phone calls and e-mails and had several interviews with the president, trustees, faculty, and a student committee. In March 2002, I was offered and accepted the post. My family and I relocated to the Richmond area in August, and in a few weeks I was teaching my first classes of New Testament and Greek at BTSR.
In one sense, there was nothing remarkable about this process-a routine job search and transfer similar to what thousands of people experience every day. But in another sense, I believe something special was happening, something like a “call” from God. Beyond the mechanics of moving to a new place of employment, I sensed the dynamics of God’s movement in my life and ministry.
This impression intensified the more I learned about BTSR. Here I encountered a top-flight academic institution with a superb catalogue of courses, faculty, facilities, and library. But there was more; there was genuine mission-a vital commitment to intellectual integrity, spiritual growth, global justice, and ecumenical dialogue as servants of Christ. And, most importantly, such a mission embraced women and men as full partners in the grace of God and work of ministry. This inclusive vision warmed my heart and fired my spirit. God was clearly moving at BTSR, and it became increasingly clear that God was moving me to BTSR. Here I have found more than a job-I’ve found a calling and a home.
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