Grace International Seminary Celebrates
My Day
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
Esterdavis2000@gmail.com
Picture: Honorary Doctors of Divinity (left-to-right) John Hamilton (Dr. Ruel Hamilton), Dr. Fred Jones, Trinity President, Dr. Sharon Middlebrooks, Dr. Johnny Wimbrey, Speaker, Dr. Karen Hollie, Founder/CEO, Dr. Joyce Foreman, DISD Trustee, Dr. Curtis King, Dr. Denise Mitchum, Dr. Veynell Warren, Dr. ReDonna Polk, Academic Dean.
The latest statistics on the study of God’s teachings and discipleship is on a downward trend. The decline is evident in the United States and around the world. Seminaries have confirmed a decline since 2012. Texas has a very credible list of biblical institutions that we are all proud of. But decay is something we should all be sincerely concerned about. Thank you to community royalty honored with Doctor of Divinity Degrees under the scored-plus-decade wide umbrella of ‘. . . living their lives in service to others’.
Dallas has embraced two seminaries since 2007. These highly acclaimed Texas institutions offer international, interracial, interfaith Bible centered teachings. Grace International Seminary founded by Dr. Karen Hollie and Trinity International Seminary founded by Bishop Dr. Larry D. McGriff (2007-2010). Grace, the only female ordained seminary in the Southwest recently held their Summer Commencement, in grand international style with “the electrifying” guest speaker Johnny Wimbrey, best selling author and President/CEO Wimbrey Training Systems. Johnny Wimbrey has a thunderous demanding travel schedule, but he obviously has a soft spot for Dallas. I met him last month at the TrustUp/Wealth Choice Conference with Cedric Brown, Les Brown, Tim Brown, Dennis Kembro.
After the graduates marched in and were seated, President David Patterson welcomed the awaiting audience to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Duncanville, Texas. Music was provided by the ever beloved Yarbrough and Peoples, award winning recording artists, celebrating their 40th year together and in show business. Dr. Mark Hernandez, National Executive Director, ACLC, served masterfully over the ceremonies. The Introduction of Speaker by Judge Tina Clinton, Dallas County Criminal Court One, was a history-making moment. The first comment Johnny “bad-boy-to-millionaire” Wimbrey, addressed when he approached the podium was loud and upfront recalling being “undressed” in courtroom –after- courtroom-foster care-intermission-repeat; and, now to have a judge introduce him was a moment he would cherish forever. He spoke unabashedly about his father ‘the trash man’ who always for sure did one thing well . . . knew when his report card was due. “A bad husband is not always a bad Dad”, he repeated.
Certifications were presented in Christian Education, Discipleship, Evangelism, Interfaith Sciences, Theological Studies. Dr. Ester Davis, Alumni President, inducted all into the Alumni Association with a “charge” for our future. Dr. Johnny Wimbrey, (Johnny Wimbrey.com) Speaker, donated and personally autographed copies of his book “Building A Millionaire Mindset” for each graduate.
You can also order his book @ Amazon.com. Donate. Keep us soaring to higher ground. Please visit our website: Graceinternationalseminary.org.
His truth is marching on.
