Alumni Updates
Summer 2010
Dr. Tracey Jessup (M.Div. 1994) has assumed a new role at Gardner-Webb University as Vice President for Christian Life and Senior Minister to the University. After completing his studies at Beeson, Tracey earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He teaches in Gardner Webb’s undergraduate department of religious studies and serves the local church through interim pastorates, pulpit supply and preaching revival services. Tracey resides in Shelby, North Carolina with his wife, Teresa, and their children, Christian (14) and Anna (9).
Brent McDougal (M.Div. 1996) and his wife, Jennifer, are moving to Dallas, Texas, where Brent will serve as pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church. Previously, he served as the State Coordinator of the Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Renee Pitts (M.Div. 1998) and Brian Pitts (M.Div. 1999) both serve in ministry at Samford University. Renee is Minister to Students for Global Involvement and Brian is Minister to Students for Spiritual Formation. Together with their sons, Cooper and Owen, the couple is spending June 1 – July 9 in Malaysia and Indonesia. They are leading a team of eight students -- including three Beeson students -- to focus on relational evangelism in conjunction with other missionaries in the area.
Kelli Wommack (M.T.S. 1999) and her husband, Chris, reside in Columbus, Georgia. Kelli serves on the staff at Christ Community Church.
Jeffrey Gissing (M.Div. 2002) was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church USA. The service was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Winston-Salem, North Carolina on May 16. Jeff’s wife, Anna Moseley Gissing (M.T.S. 2003), is an Elder at First Presbyterian Church and served on the Administrative Commission of Salem Presbytery conducting the ordination. Their second child, Eliza Marie Gissing (born January 8, 2010) also received the sacrament of baptism that day. Jeff has been ordained to serve as a Campus Minister at Wake Forest University with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Graduate and Faculty Ministries.
Justin Wainscott (M.Div. 2005), pictured here with his wife Anna and their daughter, Ella, has been called to serve as the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jackson, Tennessee.
Casey Giddens (M.Div. 2006) has been ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. He serves as assistant pastor at the Cahaba Park Church in Birmingham. Casey and his wife, Liz, have a daughter, Isabelle, and a son, Casey Camp Giddens.
Brian Cosby (M.Div. 2007) and his wife, Ashley, are the parents of Lydia Joy Cosby, born to the couple on November 1, 2009. Brian is the Assistant Pastor to Youth and Families at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Danny Giffen (M.Div. 2007) is Pastor of Discipleship at Covenant Presbyterian Church. He lives in Birmingham with his wife, Emily, their son, Britton, and their recently adopted daughter, Lia Kate. Click here to read their family blog about their adoption journey as well as Britton’s miraculous healing and growth.
Virginia Grace Xue Brown was born November 25, 2008, in the Yunnan province of China. She spent her first six months in the Kunming Children’s Welfare Institute and was then transferred to the orphanage’s foster home program for ten months. On April 12, 2010, she was welcomed with love into the family of Scott and Kelley Brown (M.T.S. 2008), and older brother, Carter. She is now 18 months old and is adjusting beautifully.
Carl Addison, Jr. (D.Min. 2009) has been the the Executive Director of Earthen Vessels Ministry, Inc. since January 2008. Founded by Carl and his wife, Valerie, Earthen Vessels is a ministry with a focus on the health of pastors, their spouses, their marriages, and their families. Carl and Valerie are the parents of three children, Matthew, Steven, and Sarah.
Bryan Gill (M.Div. 2009) and his wife, Sarah, reside in Memphis where Bryan serves the Tennessee Baptist Convention as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director for the Metro Memphis area. In addition to his work with college students, Bryan also writes. Check out his blog to learn more about his first book, 31 Verses About Christ, and the twelve devotional articles he’s contributed to Student Life’s Bible Study, Linked.
On February 15, 2010 (in celebration of Gardner C. Taylor's 90th birthday) Beeson Alumni and friends gathered at Duke University to celebrate the release of Our Sufficiency Is of God: Essays on Preaching in Honor of Gardner C. Taylor.
Pictured with Dr. Taylor (seated) from left to right are Dr. Harry White, Jr. (D.Min. 2004), Dr. James Earl Massey, Dean Timothy George, Dr. John Spencer (D.Min., 2007), and Dr. Ralph West, Sr. (D.Min. 2004).
