Today we report that last night, 12 February 2019, Dr. Gray Allison, founder of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary stepped out of this life into his eternal reward in the presence of our Lord. The MABTS family, Southern Baptists, and the greater Evangelical Christian community have been blessed by this faithful servant of our great God. He will be missed.
As an alumnus of MABTS, I have benefited greatly from his influence–indirectly through my training at my alma mater, and directly through a couple of personal encounters with Dr. Allison.
The first was after he had preached on a Wednesday night in my hometown of Broken Arrow, OK. It was January of my Junior year in college. I was home during the J-term break from OBU (for my buddy Doug Hibbard…that is tOBU–Oklahoma Baptist University). A college friend had recommended to me that I consider MABTS for my seminary education, so when I learned that Dr. Gray was preaching at a church nearby, I went to hear him. I was greatly impressed by his love for Christ, biblically faithful focus, and evangelistic zeal. After the service, I went up to him to tell him that I’d appreciated his message and was considering MABTS after I graduated next year. Without a moment’s hesitation he looked me square in the eye and said, “Be sure you pray about this and that God is leading you here…because if He isn’t, we don’t want you to come.” Needless to say that’s not what I expected (you know, expecting the ‘sales pitch’ “Please come and join us. Can we sign you up today?”). I was impressed by his level of conviction and commitment. I am glad God did lead me to MABTS.
The other encounter is a somewhat humorous anecdote while a seminary student. Chapel was required. Also, shirt and tie was ‘required’ attire in that day. The shirt-and-tie thing was a decidedly Dr. Gray influence. Well, as was the habit of some, a few of my friends and I had slipped away to the Burger King near the campus (which was in midtown Memphis at the time). Sneaking back on campus for our next classes, we were entering a door coming in from the parking lot. At that moment, Dr. Allison walked out that very door, and without breaking stride or pause he said, “Nice ties gentlemen.” Yep, we also weren’t wearing ties in addition to having skipped chapel! He was a convictional and caring…and funny…leader. He set a great example for all of us at MABTS.
I thank God for directing my steps to Mid-America Seminary. That school, through my professors and fellows students, has shaped my life and ministry. Our Lord has used Dr. Gray in so many great ways.
Here is the statement from MABTS:
The Mid-America family mourns the loss of our founder, Dr. B. Gray Allison (1924–2019), who passed away at 9:30 p.m. yesterday, February 12. Dr. Gray, as he was lovingly called, served as Mid-America’s president from its founding in 1972 until 1997, when he became President Emeritus. As long as his health permitted, he continued to teach his foundational Personal Evangelism course and bring the inspiring The Miracle of Mid-America address each fall during Founders’ Days. For all his accomplishments, Dr. Gray often said he only wanted to be known as a Baptist preacher. Today, we thank our great God for Dr. Gray and the legacy of Bible, missions, and evangelism he leaves to all the world for Jesus’ sake.
Information about funeral arrangements and the following memorial service will be available soon at mabts.edu.
I’m an alumnus, 1981. I always though Dr. Gray accomplished more than any other SB of our time. Started a seminary from zero with no CP revenue stream and a lot of opposition.
Indeed he did. No CP assistance. At a time when trends in our theological education were moderate at best and more like racing toward liberalism.
Jan 87-May 89
I needed MABTS greatly when I went there
One of my greatest joys was when Dr. Gray said publicly that I “was one of his boys.” To me, he’ll always be “Gray Allison. Baptist Preacher.”
He was my mother’s next oldest brother (of a family of 9 children who lived to adulthood). We called him ‘Uncle Boo’, as HIS next oldest brother, Philip (who was the first vice president of MABTS and a professor of Greek there), told everyone when Gray was born that he had a ‘boo budder’ (new brother). Although my grandmother generally hated nicknames, that one stuck.
I teach college history, and Uncle Boo loved hearing jokes and my recounting the occasional comical student responses we all get. He genuinely lived a life of love for his students, his friends, and especially his family. He will never be forgotten.
Dr. Gray, Dr. Phil, and another Dr. brother whose name I have forgotten taught while I was in seminary. Voncille taught music and another relative or in-law taught remedial english.
Lovely…Aunt Voncille is also in Hospice House care (since last week). Still joyful…
I think you refer to Uncle Preston. It is an amazing family. 🙂
Dr Gray would never let us criticize any institution or person within the SBC without a sharp rebuke. The foundation of MABTS had as one cardinal rule that we bless and not curse. He knew that to build a bridge you have to have good will. Years later that foundation carried me across many potential divides. He wanted all to be reconciled to God and he modeled by teaching us to be reconciled to one another. Dr Allison I honor you sir and may your family be blessed in your death as they were in your life. Alumnus 1977-80.
Great point Alan
When we retired from missionary service in 2013, Mid-America Seminary appointed me to teach missions. One of my pleasures at the seminary was getting to know Dr. Gray. I met him when he was 88 years old, but he still taught the evangelism course to the first year students every fall semester. He continued to teach the course until he was physically unable. Dr. Allison founded Mid-America on three pillars: belief in the inerrancy of the Bible, evangelism, and missions. This was true in 1972, when he founded the seminary, and it is true now. These emphases are mentioned over and over. Beyond that, Dr. Gray taught his students to be loyal to the SBC. I spoke once with a staff member of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He had responsibility for promoting the Cooperative Program in Tennessee. He said, “I wish every pastor in Tennessee was a graduate of Mid-America. They all understand the Cooperative Program, and they all support it enthusiastically.” Dr. Allison served as a full-time evangelist for several years, and he was an evangelist at heart. The faculty and students at Mid-America are expected to witness weekly. Every spring the International Mission Board sponsors a meeting of IMB staff and missions professors from out Southern Baptist seminaries. At the meeting four years ago a VP of the IMB declared, “We wish all the seminaries taught evangelism like Mid-America. Her graduates know how to win people to the Lord.” Truly, Dr. Allison left a wonderful legacy.
I first heard Dr. Gray when he preached in our church in Moss Bluff, Louisiana, in 1984. I felt called to missions as a result of that sermon. When I was looking for a seminary, I visited two SBC seminaries and then visited Mid-America on a Tuesday, the chapel day when people reported about those they had witnessed to that previous week. I knew on that day, that I needed to attend MABTS because of the emphasis on evangelism and missions. I did my MDIV and PhD work at MABTS, knowing that God was calling us to missions. Then tragedy struck. We had a son diagnosed with leukemia and he became a patient at St. Jude Children’s research hospital. We needed to do chemotherapy for 2 1/2 years. I was crushed. Did I miss God in this? Was I called to missions? I went to Dr. Gray’s office, walked in, and just wept uncontrollably because I just knew that God was calling us to missions. I did not understand. Dr. Gray got on his knees with me and prayed and prayed. Then he turned to me and said, “Pat, You do not know what God is going to do. If He called you, you will go.” I left his office that day still confused. Today, the son who had leukemia is now in medical school, my wife and I have been on the mission field for almost 20 years, and God has given us the privilege of facilitating the spread of the Gospel to tens of thousands of the lost. I would have thrown in the towel. Dr. Gray took the despair I felt, wiped my lack of faith away, and prepared me for much greater challenges ahead. No man has influenced me more to walk with God faithfully than Dr. Gray. I praise God for this man.
I went to Mid-America from 1987 to 1989. I had transferred from Southwestern after two years. I am from Memphis and my fiance at that time, now my wife, was finishing up her degree at the University of Memphis. I got the best of both worlds. I got to sit under Dr Bruce Corley, Dr Hunt in OT, Dr Curtis Vaughn, Dr Roy Fish at The Hill and at MABTS my fervor to sharing the gospel grew. I didn’t have a lot of interaction with Dr Grey or Dr Phil but when I did I just knew I was with some people who walked with Christ in a real and passionate way. I’m glad I went to MABTS. I’m honored to be one of Dr. Grey’s boys. I’m sad that he is no longer with us but I’m glad he finished the race strongly and I will rejoice when I see him again. Sola Deo Gloria.
I took the first part of my MDiv at MABTS, and was blessed (and challenged!) to have Dr. Allison for Personal Evangelism. He will be sorely missed, even if wearing a tie never did suit my personal preferences!
And a hearty amen to his standards about how he wanted MABTS to be a positive influence: he was always much more interested in pushing ahead about what was right, exploring and expressing how to do what was Biblical, than he was in criticizing those who were not in agreement. I never heard him utter a negative word about SBC seminaries or even accept the idea that MABTS was in “competition” with them. Just that we were there to learn the Word of God, tell people the Word of God, and then go to all the world. I remember the signs all over campus referencing Colossians: “That in all things HE might have the pre-eminence.” That’s the legacy I remember from Dr. Allison: Christ above all, having the pre-eminence in life, church, and seminary.
I walked into the cafeteria and sat at Dr. Gray’s table for lunch. He asked me what I was learning and, seeing an opportunity to speak with DR GRAY, I told him that I was researching Harry Fosdick, and proceeded to tell him what a scoundrel I found him to be. Dr. Gray looked up at me and said, “Jim, he has written one of the best books on prayer I’ve ever read.”
So, I learned quickly not to criticize “those who were not in agreement.” May his tribe increase in every way. (Except the mandatory tie-wearing!)
Come on, Jim, you know you loved the ties back then! 🙂
I am an alumnus, 1977 (Th.M.) and 1986 (Th.D.). Dr. Gray was truly a great man of God–a man of singular vision and commitment. He influenced my life and ministry more than any other man except my father. I will always be grateful to the Lord for allowing me to be “one of his boys.” Only eternity will reveal the extent of Dr. Gray’s influence in the lives of his students. His investment in us all has reaped a harvest that will continue to multiply through the years that lie ahead. “To all the world for Jesus’ sake” echoes in my soul as I reflect on his ministry in my life. Thank God for Dr. B. Gray Allison. May all his “young’uns” honor Christ: “Lift high the cross; His love proclaim! Mid-America, bear His name!” Soli Deo Gloria!