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Former LifeWay CEO speaks at BPC chapel

By Kayla Oliver
BPC Marketing staff writer

Dr. Jimmy Draper speaks to BPC students during the March 25 Chapel. (Photo by E’Quain Rhodes)

MOUNT VERNON—Dr. Jimmy Draper, often referred to as “Mr. Southern Baptist” and former CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, was the special guest speaker during Brewton-Parker College’s Chapel service March 25 on the Mount Vernon campus in Saliba Chapel.

Dr. Draper felt the call to preach at the age of 14 and has been the pastor of eight Baptist churches in his career. He delivered an abbreviated message on the importance of leading a God-centered life. He encouraged students to “stop and listen” in order to make sure they are living in the will of God.

Worship through music was presented by the Baron Ringers directed by Dr. Ben Caston, assistant professor of music at BPC. The ensemble delivered a beautiful arrangement of the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Dr. Jimmy Draper, left, and Dr. David Smith, BPC president, meet during the men’s luncheon on the Mount Vernon campus following Chapel March 25. Dr. Draper is the former CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. (Photo by E’Quain Rhodes)

Dr. Draper and his wife, Carol Ann Draper, were also the special guests of a ladies’ and a men’s luncheon on the campus following the service. The ladies luncheon was held in the Briscoe Center and the men’s luncheon was held in the Gold Room in the Phillips Student Center, with many individuals from the community and student body in attendance. The Drapers have been married for 52 years.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia. Affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, the college holds classes on its main campus in Mount Vernon and six external learning centers around the state, including Baxley, Glennville, Liberty County, Newnan, Norman Park and Savannah.

Carol Ann Draper, wife of Dr. Jimmy Draper, greets an attendee of the ladies’ luncheon in the Briscoe Center March 25. Mrs. Draper was the special guest speaker. (Photo by Rachel Underwood)

Attendees of the March 25 men’s luncheon in honor of Dr. Draper (Photo by E’Quain Rhodes)

Students fill Saliba Chapel for the March 25 Chapel featuring Dr. Jimmy Draper. The Baron Ringers, led by Dr. Ben Caston, are shown on stage filling the building with sounds of worship and praise. (Photo by E’Quain Rhodes)

-BPC-