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About the Center | About R.C. Ryan | How Can You Be Involved? One of the greatest needs in the modern church is the dynamic, spiritual growth of those who claim to be Christ-followers. The world too often sees conformation rather than transformation, Christians living according to the patterns of thinking offered by the world, rather than ways of thinking given by God. As Paul points out in Roman 12:1-2, transformation takes place by the renewing of our minds. As God’s people, interacting with God’s Spirit, live in meaningful dialogue with, and submission to, God’s Word, positive change takes place— change of each person, change in each church, and change in the world. Yet, 95% of Christians have never had any training in how to study, interpret, apply, or even to read the Bible well.
* Cost for the video tape set will be adjusted according to the size and budget of each church. Listen to Dr. Ray Van Neste explain
Ryan's long-time support of Union University was built on a lifetime of Christian service. During a revival meeting at Bush Arbor Campground in 1917, Robert Ryan accepted Christ at 11 years old. At age 15, Ryan was licensed to preach, and preached at his home church, Cypress Creek Baptist, on several different occasions as well as surrounding area churches. Feeling such a strong call to full-time ministry, Ryan enrolled in Hall-Moody Baptist Academy at age 16 to study for the ministry. (Hall-Moody, located in Martin, later became a part of Union University.) Ordained in 1935 at Gearins Chapel Baptist Church in Dresden, Tenn., Ryan began actively pastoring churches while continuing part-time college and seminary study. His ministry took him to five different states and eighteen different churches. Ryan's longest service occurred at Trenton Avenue Baptist Church in Bremerton, Wash. During the five years he was there, Ryan saw the ministry grow from its humble beginnings of knocking on doors to identify prospective church members and win the lost to its culmination in an active church, housed in a building of almost 6,000 square feet of church property. A $600,000 gift by the retired Southern Baptist pastor was the latest piece of a total gift commitment of approximately $1.2 million to Union University. The total gifts was equally shared between the university's Center for Biblical Studies and scholarships for Union students. Brother Ryan passed away on April 14, 2001.
Gifts to the Center for Biblical Studies may be made in the form of cash, securities or tangible personal property, life insurance, and life income plans, trusts, and annuities. Bequests can also be designated for the Center. Gifts are tax-deductible as provided by law. The University's Advancement Staff is prepared to discuss which method of giving may best suit a donor's interests, circumstances, and tax considerations. Checks supporting the Center for Biblical Studies made payable to Union University, or inquiries concerning gifts or pledges, should be directed to: The Office of Institutional Advancement |
To address this critical need, the Center for
Biblical Studies at Union University is developing a number of
initiatives, including the following:
R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies Hours: |