The Theological University of America
William Pentecost
PERSON OF THE MONTH
DR WILLIAM PENTECOST.
Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Administration - Theological University of America
Masters of Arts in Leadership and Administration - Theological University of America
Masters of Business Administration - Bellevue University
Bachelors of Science in Business Information Systems - Bellevue University
Associate of Science in Computer Science
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU)
Licensed Property Casualty Insurance Agent

I became a member of the church when I was 18 years old. I was converted from the Jehovah’s Witness religion after a detailed study of Daniel 2, Mark 9:1, and Acts 1-2. Two weeks after my baptism, I enrolled in the Nashville School of Preaching under the direction of Brothers J. Roy Vaughn, J. Noel Meredith, and Charles Chumley. This program enabled me to have a structured pattern of study that would have taken years to match on my own. The pace of the program was intense, due to my lack of knowledge of organized religion outside the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This was brought to light when in my first singing class, I had to lead a song but did not know a single song that the church sings. The instructor knew of my situation and let me go at the end of the class in order to learn one the following week and I chose “Standing on the Promises” as the one I would lead. Many members of the church take for granted attending Sunday School, having the Lord’s Supper, and the things I had never done. With the training I received at the Nashville School of Preaching and the kindness of the brethren, I rapidly filled in the gaps and became able to worship at ease.

In 1978 I married my high school sweetheart and we have a daughter who is 23 at the time of this bio. She attended Lipscomb University and graduated with her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in graphic design. She will be married October 20, 2012 and my wife and I will enter the phase of empty-nesters. We live in the same city where both of us grew up and I have preached in the county as associate minister, youth minister, pulpit minister, and on-call fill-in minister since 1980. My wife earned her Associate of Science degree from Ashworth College in Early Childhood Development and her Bachelors of Arts from Theological University of America in Music.

I attended Nashville State Technical Institute (now Nashville State Community College) and earned my Associate of Science in Computer Science. I attended Bellevue University on-line and earned my Bachelors of Science in Business Information Systems and also a Masters in Business Administration. I attended Theological University of America and earned my Masters of Arts in Leadership and Administration and a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Administration. I earned a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) designation which carries earned bachelors and/or masters level hours from the American Council on Education (ACE) through the American Institute for CPCU. I am also a licensed property casualty insurance agent. I enjoy studying and learning new things.

I am happy to be a part of this university and enjoy teaching leadership and realize that this area is one of the critical areas of the church. It is often stated in our Bible classes by members that our issues of the past and present can be traced to lack of leadership in many congregations. Instead of standing firm on the Word, often leaders shrink back and hope situations will go away. In this area of study, we tackle many of today’s issues and work together to find Biblical solutions. I hope to “see” you in class soon and we can explore the Scriptures together. This university fills a void that exists in our society today and we are thankful for Dr. Benton for his foresight in founding this institution.