Wealth of Experience in Bible Faculty
A highlight of the MBU campus experience is the Bible faculty. These professors desire to help students grow academically and spiritually, and they hold a wealth of knowledge and experience.
A Teacher at Heart
Dr. David Saxon, a well loved professor on campus, joined the Maranatha Bible faculty in 1999. His students appreciate his gift for teaching as well as his passion for his job.
“I love teaching adults, especially college age young people.”
Dr. Saxon explains that his ease in the classroom can be attributed to several years of teaching math at Bob Jones University and a community college in South Carolina.
In addition to this teaching experience, Saxon shares that his time serving as an assistant pastor in Greenville, SC prepared him for his current work at Maranatha.
“Pastoral work was invaluable because I now find myself counseling students, helping students through problems, and serving in the local church in various capacities.”
Saxon reflects that moving to Wisconsin from South Carolina was a difficult experience at the time, but he says, “When you look back, you see that God had a plan the whole time.”
A First Year Experience
Dr. Bryan Brock just finished his first full year of teaching at Maranatha. Students certainly appreciated his wisdom and knowledge in the classroom.
Dr. Brock earned his bachelor’s degree from Maranatha Baptist Bible College and his Master’s of Divinity from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. He then earned his doctorate from The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles, California.
Even with many years of education, Brock remains a student of the Word as he continues to study and learn. “Coming into this position has been a tremendous growing experience. It is very overwhelming at times, but the Lord gives grace for every single day.”
In many ways, Brock can connect with new students as they transition into college life. Reflecting on his first year in the classroom, Brock says, “I try to approach teaching with a certain measure of grace because I know the students are affording me much grace as I settle into the position.”
A Bridge Between Generations
When Dr. Steve Love graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in 1976, he never imagined that he would return to the campus.
But after many years in pastoral ministry, Dr. Love and his wife, Marty, were looking for a new way to minister and to impact the next generation.
“My wife and I were praying, ‘Lord, if these are our later years of ministry, would you help us reach the next generation? Help us impact and influence.’”
An opportunity then opened to join the Bible faculty at MBU. “We followed open door after open door, and it was obvious that this was where God wanted us.”
In addition to 38 years of pastoral ministry, Love grew up on the mission field of Brazil. Both of these life experiences give Love a unique worldview about ministry at home and abroad.
This worldview influences Love’s teaching style as well as the approach he takes to the material. “I approach the classroom from a practical point of view because out in the world, you have to be practical rather than technical,” Love says.
Students appreciate the practicality of Love’s teaching. Many individuals have adopted some of his favorite catchphrases such as “God thoughts,” “God awareness,” and “nuggets.”
For all of his experience, Dr. Love is humbled to have this opportunity, and he enjoys his time at MBU immensely.
“Every day I see life,” Love says. “Whether it is in chapel through the music, in interactions with students in the classroom, or just horsing around on campus, I see life, and I love that.”