Judson College will host Dr. Rhonda Kelley, associate director of Innovative Evangelism and adjunct professor of women’s ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, as the guest speaker for the college’s Faith in Focus Week.
Formerly known as Christian Emphasis Week, this annual event began at the request of a Judson student. During the 1943-1944 academic year, junior Mary Essie Stephens asked Judson President Dr. John Riddle if it might be possible to bring special guests to campus to encourage the college community in their spiritual growth. Riddle agreed. With the support of Judson’s faculty and staff, Stephens planned Judson’s first Religious Emphasis Week. Stephens graduated from Judson in 1945 and in 1954 entered what would become a thirty-year career as executive director of Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union.
Faith in Focus Week, according to Vice President for Student Affairs Angie Teague, is designed to challenge students to “focus on the role and significance of faith in their own lives”.
Dr. Rhonda Kelley is a Bible teacher, women’s leader, and author, who is “ uniquely gifted to encourage and minister to women,” says Teague.
Kelley is the author of several books including The Devotional for Women, Talking is a Gift, Life Lessons from Women of the Bible, the Woman’s Guide Bible Study series, Divine Discipline, and Raising Moms: Daughters Loving Their Mothers in the Later Years. She was the managing editor for The Daily Devotional Bible for Women, The Study Bible for Women, and the Old Testament and New Testament Commentaries for Women published by Broadman-Holman, in addition to The Woman’s Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins.
“My mission in life is to love the Lord who saved me and called me, to love and encourage my husband, and to love others as myself,” says Kelley, who perceives her specific calling is in ministry to women–”leading them to faith in Jesus, discipling them in their faith, and equipping them to use their spiritual gifts to serve the Lord.”
“I am truly looking forward to being with the Judson community and sharing the words of truth God lays upon my heart,” says Kelley.
Kelley will speak in three special worship services in Judson’s Alumnae Auditorium at 11am on January 26, 27, and 28. She will actually begin her visit to Judson January 25 with a message during Student Ministries’ 6:48 weekly worship and Bible study.
Rhonda’s husband Dr. Chuck Kelley, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will join her for Tuesday’s Chapel session and a dessert fellowship with students on Wednesday. He will also lead Judson’s annual Pastors’ Conference on January 26, in conjunction with the visit of Judson’s Board of Governors.
The 2021 Faith in Focus Week schedule is below:
- January 25, Monday 6:48 – Student Ministries Worship – The J, Dr. Rhonda Kelley
- January 26, Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – Chapel – Alumnae Auditorium, Dr. Rhonda Kelley with Dr. Chuck Kelley
- January 26, Tuesday Pastors’ Conference – Dr. Chuck Kelley
- January 27, Wednesday 11:00 a.m. — Chapel (See abbreviated class schedule below.*) – Alumnae Auditorium, Dr. Rhonda Kelley
- January 27, Wednesday 8:00 p.m. — Dessert Fellowship with Q & A – The J – Dr. Rhonda Kelley with Dr. Chuck Kelley
- January 28, Thursday 11:00 a.m. — Chapel – Alumnae Auditorium – Dr. Rhonda Kelley
*The abbreviated class schedule for Wednesday, January 27, 2021, is as follows:
- 8:00 classes will meet from 8:00 to 8:40.
- 9:00 classes will meet from 8:45 to 9:25.
- 10:00 classes will meet from 9:30 to 10:10.
- 11:00 classes will meet from 10:15 to 10:55.
Thursday morning’s classes will meet at their regularly scheduled times, with the final Faith in Focus Week program at 11:00 a.m.
For additional information about Faith in Focus Week, please contact Angie Teague at ateague@judson.edu or 334-683-5124.