FACulty & ADMINISTRATION


Dr. Roger Copeland, President

Dr. Copeland is the pastor of Northern Hills Missionary Baptist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Dr. Copeland is married to Jenny Beth (Carter) Copeland. They have three children: Andrea, Amanda, and Grant and two grandkids.


Faculty: Instructor since 2000 / President since 2018

Bro. Mark Harris, Dean of Students

Bro. Harris is the pastor of Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Bro. Harris is married to Elaine Harris. They have two children: Ashley and Adam.


Faculty: Dean of Students since 2006 / Instructor since 2000

Bro. Marcus Blakley

Bro. Blakley is the pastor of Forrest Hills Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is John 5:24, “Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Bro. Blakley is married to Deborah Fay (White) Blakley. They have three children: Christel, Timothy, and Gordon. They also have four grandchildren.


Faculty: Instructor since 2000

Bro. Will Diggs

Bro. Diggs is the pastor of Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church in Lonsdale, Arkansas. His favorite verse of scripture is Colossians 1:17, "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together". Bro. Diggs is married to Ashley (Richardson) Diggs. They have one daughter, Gracie.


Faculty: Instructor since 2013 

Dr. David Harris

Dr. Harris is the pastor of Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Dr. Harris is married to Barbara (Blackstock) Harris. They have four children: April, David, John, and Brad.


Faculty: Instructor since 2002

Dr. Lynn Harris

Dr. Harris is the pastor of Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church in Pangburn, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Romans 8:32, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Dr. Harris is married to Cheryl (King) Harris. They have three children: Cody, Caitlin, and Connor and one grandchild.


Faculty: Instructor since 2004

Bro. Joey McDermott

Bro. McDermott is the pastor of Second Baptist Church in Malvern, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Romans 14:7-8 "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's". Bro. McDermott is married to Kristie (Harp) McDermott. They have four children: Taylor (Revels), Tori (Wright), Maddie and Van.

Dr. Jerry Medlock

Information coming soon!

Dr. Phillip Miller

Dr. Miller is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bryant, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” Dr. Miller is married to Lorie Miller. They have two daughters: Hannah and Madalyn.



Faculty: Instructor since 2002

Dr. Mark THOrNToN

Dr. Thornton is the pastor of Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Malvern, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Proverbs 17:1, “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.” Dr. Thornton is married to Brenda Gail (Woosley) Thornton. They have two sons: Matthew and Steven.


Faculty: Instructor since 1989

Dr. Matt Thornton

Bro. Thornton is the pastor of North Bryant Missionary Baptist Church in Bryant, Arkansas. His favorite scripture is Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own". Bro. Thornton  is married to Allison (Willis) Thornton. They have two children, Landon and Avery.

Instructors NOT PICTURED

Dr. Micah Deaton

Dr. Terry Parrish

Dr. Todd Self

Bro. Dillon Miller

Bro. John David Watson