A Look Back and a Look Forward

A Review of Events Relative to the Texas Bible College Alumni & Friends Association
By: Rev Kevin Prince

In the interest of forming an active alumni association for Texas Bible College, the TBC Board of Directors called for an Alumni Association Formation Meeting on February 24 – 25, 2005. The Board felt that alumni could best decide the structure and purposes of the association.

Alumni from across the years of the College’s history and from across the nation gathered at the College campus in Lufkin, Texas. Alumni from every era of the College’s history were in attendance. There were even some from the pioneer class! Alumni came from Texas and the surrounding states of Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas and from as far away as Kansas, Missouri and Michigan.

In two days of meetings, attendees enjoyed great fellowship, participated in breakout sessions, gave insightful input and enjoyed the ministry of alumnus, Robert Henson, in a tremendous chapel service. From this meeting, ideas as to structure, purpose, membership, and functions of the Alumni Association were recorded.

Since the initial meeting, an Alumni Formation Committee has been appointed. It consists of Danny Smith as Chairman, Bret Cooley, TBC President, Kevin Prince, Texas District Secretary, and Rick Martin, TBC Promotional Director. All members of the Formation Committee are alumni of the College. The Committee is leaning upon the information gathered from the Alumni Formation Meeting as it pursues its work.

The Formation Committee has begun work on proposals for a permanent leadership structure of the Association. This will be submitted to the TBC Board of Directors for approval. Another priority for the Committee is the compiling of current contact information on alumni. This is now being accomplished through personal contacts as well as the mailing of this newsletter across the fellowship of the United Pentecostal Church International. A number of alumni and friends have stepped forward to underwrite the expense of printing and mailing this newsletter. In addition, changes have been made to the Texas Bible College website (www.texasbiblecollege.com) in order to easily facilitate alumni registering their contact information.  Alumni are encouraged to provide their contact information either by logging onto the website (www.texasbiblecollege.com), by email or by contacting the College by phone (at 936-699-4005) or by regular mail (at TBC, 3900 College Drive, Lufkin, TX 75901

The Formation Committee is proposing that once a sufficient alumni contact list has been compiled, nominations for leadership will be solicited from alumni. This should take place within the next few months. It is anticipated that as permanent leadership is selected they will make up an expanded Formation Committee for the balance of 2006 and then officially begin their tenure in January 2007. During 2006 the expanded Committee will work on the drafting of a constitution and procedures for the Association. With the arrival of 2007 and the beginning of the permanent leadership’s tenure, the Formation Committee will cease to exist.

The Formation Committee has set some event dates for 2006. On June 9, 2006, during the Texas District Campmeeting, there will be an Alumni & Friends Gathering following the evening service. This will take place in the Dining Hall. Then on October 12 -13, 2006 there will be another Alumni Gathering on the Campus. All alumni are encouraged to attend either or both events.

Excitement is building as the Alumni Association is being activated! Soon alumni and friends will be able to receive up-to-date information on the College, communicate with fellow classmates and friends and attend special alumni & friend events. Stand by for more progress!


TBC President Bret Cooley with
Randy Fluitt, chairman of the TBC
& Friends Formation Committee.