Eight MBC members earn degrees from Pillsbury College & Seminary
June 14, 2005
ST. LOUIS — James Carter, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Ferguson, received an honorary Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from Pillsbury College & Seminary at graduation exercises May 14. Pillsbury’s President Curt Scarborough presented degrees to 22 graduates from eight states and South Korea.
Eight Pillsbury graduates are members of Missouri Baptist churches, including five MBC pastors. Two MBC pastors earned the doctor of Christian philosophy in clinical pastoral counseling degree: Charles Phillips, Riverview Baptist Church, Osage Beach, and Rodger Carlson, Mid-Rivers Baptist Chapel, St. Charles. Both were licensed and board certified by National Christian Counselors Association.
The class of 2005 also included pastors Phillip Soto, First Baptist Church, Nelson, and Steven Soto, Midway Baptist Church, Marshall. Both received an associate of biblical studies degree. Thomas Simmons, an MBC church planter, Lakeshore Community Church, St. Charles, received the bachelor of biblical studies degree.
Other Missouri Baptists in the 2005 graduating class were Stephen Tabone, doctor of Christian psychology in clinical pastoral counseling, Lebanon, and Wayne Skinner, master of biblical counseling, Mountain View. Richard Eye, a member of First Baptist Church, Ferguson, was presented the 2005 Distinguished Service Award by the Board of Regents of the FreeWay Foundation, which owns and operates the college and seminary.