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Friday, March 29, 2024 - 03:45 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Kyrusso club members from left: Noah Toney (expected '19), John Kesey (expected '19), Faculty Advisor Dr. Frankie Melton, Chris Roberts (expected '19), and Tadd Smaok (expected '19). Club members not pictured: Austin Ehrhardt (expected ’22), Seth Fisher (expected ’19), Jon Ross Fordree (expected ’19), and Seth Parrish (expected ’20).
Kyrusso club members from left: Noah Toney (expected '19), John Kesey (expected '19), Faculty Advisor Dr. Frankie Melton, Chris Roberts (expected '19), and Tadd Smaok (expected '19). Club members not pictured: Austin Ehrhardt (expected ’22), Seth Fisher (expected ’19), Jon Ross Fordree (expected ’19), and Seth Parrish (expected ’20).

Tigerville, SC - Dr. Frankie Melton, assistant professor of Christian Studies at North Greenville University and pastor of Heath Springs Baptist Church, formed a student preaching club called Kyrusso.

“Kyrusso” Melton clarified, is the Greek word for “to preach.”

This club provides Christian studies students with the opportunity to travel and preach the Gospel in churches throughout South Carolina.

Melton said Kyrusso serves three purposes: to give students experience in preaching, to provide free pulpit supply for pastors who need a break or who are on vacation, and to promote NGU and the Christian Studies Department.

Noah Toney (expected ‘19), current club president, has participated in the club since Kyrusso’s creation. Toney’s role includes mentoring new members and keeping track of schedules in addition to going out to churches and preaching.

“So far, we have six people who are in the club, and they are all actively going out and preaching God’s word. These six students have gone to 15 churches, just since January,” said Toney.

Kyrusso is still looking to grow in numbers. “We have more invitations for students to preach than we can fill at this time,” said Melton. This surplus of invitations means that Kyrusso still needs more students to volunteer.

Dr. Bryant Sims ('96), president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and pastor of First Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Greenwood, has partnered with Kyrusso for the past two years.

Sims explained how beneficial this club is for students, giving them the ability to connect with a large network of churches.

New member Austin Ehrhardt (expected ‘22) shared, “It’s an amazing opportunity for future ministers to get behind the pulpit and proclaim the Word of God to a congregation.”

“I think the most important thing about this club is that so many students who want to be a preacher never get behind the pulpit in front of a congregation until they graduate from college,” said Ehrhardt. “This club, however, removes that barrier, and in my case as a freshman Christian studies major, boldly and joyfully allows me to proclaim the Holy Word of God.”

The Kyrusso club does not just profit students, it can help local churches as well.

When churches hear directly from students of how God is working through their lives, it encourages them to support higher Christian education.

“It gives them a connection, a name with a face to pray for,” said Sims.

Sims shared how church members also become more invested in the Cooperative Program when they see young students taking the initiative to gain preaching experience before they graduate.

To learn more about NGU's College of Christian Studies, visit ngu.edu/college-of-christian-studies.

Article written by NGU Communications Intern Hannah Hurst (expected ’19).

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About NGU

North Greenville University, located in Tigerville, S.C. at the foothills of Glassy Mountain, is a co-educational liberal arts institution which provides opportunities for higher education in a biblically sound Christ-centered environment. North Greenville University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Baccalaureate Degrees, Master’s Degrees and Doctorate Degrees in more than 35 degree programs. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of North Greenville University.

          Established in 1892 as a Baptist Academy for northern Greenville County high school students, the school currently has an enrollment of over 2,500 students and is supported by the Cooperative Program of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Because of the financial support from South Carolina Baptists, many students have the opportunity to receive tuition assistance they need to obtain their college education.

          For more information about our degree programs, scholarship opportunities and admission requirements contact the NGU Office of Admissions at 864-977-7001 or 800-468-6642.

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