Ceremonies mark the relocation of GU’s Theology and Ministry Department

Published: August 05, 2025

Author: Dave Bell

During a ceremony punctuated by tears of sadness over the end of an era and expressions of excitement about fresh beginnings, several Greenville University students, staff, and faculty gathered on Friday, July 18, to mark the relocation of the Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry.

A decommissioning service was held at JKL Academic Hall, the department’s home for the past decade, in the 100 block of North Locust Street. The “JKL” stands for the initials of three siblings: Don Jones, Ellen (Jones) Kingsley, and Anna Lorraine (Jones) Long—all alumni of Greenville College (now Greenville University).

The building was named in their honor following a generous donation from Don and Esther (Knapp) Jones, who contributed the property and part of its renovation costs.

A subsequent commissioning ceremony followed at the department’s new location on the main floor of the Ruby E. Dare Library on the GU campus.

“Father, it is good for us to pause and remember how you moved and shaped us through this space,” prayed the Rev. Tyler Boyer, professor of theology and '96 GU graduate, who served as emcee for the services. “This place has been part of your good gifts to us. But, Lord, your goodness doesn’t stay in just one place.”

As the decommissioning program began, several current and former students shared their feelings about the JKL building. One termed it “a safe space for me.” Another called it “a living testimony of how God can use a place.” And another praised the people who taught there, saying they equipped her well.

Rev. Ben Wayman, chair of the Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry, acknowledged that such a closure can evoke strong feelings. He asserted, however, that “this service invites us to look toward new possibilities for ministry and learning” in a new location. He led a responsive reading, which said, in part, “We let our sadness go; we accept Christ’s way of renewal and peace,” and “We let the old possibilities go; we are ready to embrace fresh possibilities.”

That reading was followed by a responsive prayer of thanksgiving, led by the Rev. Robert Munshaw, assistant professor of theology. He thanked God for His acts of transformation, unity, comfort, inspiration, and encouragement in the JKL Academic Hall.

The program concluded with a “prayer of going forward” led by Aubrey McClain, assistant professor of theology. “We go forward to live and serve in a new place,” she said. “We go forward to fresh ways of worship … to work with new partners to build up the whole church of Jesus Christ.”

With that, the group disbanded and reconvened for a brief commissioning ceremony at the department’s new location in the GU library. That program included a hymn, an Old Testament reading (Psalm 84), and a New Testament reading (Hebrews 10:19-25).

Boyer said that, for many students, JKL was the launching pad where their faith was ignited.

“When we talk about God as fire,” Boyer said, “that fire has taken many forms in the Bible. There was the burning bush, the pillar of fire, fire that came down from heaven, and tongues of fire on New Testament believers. In those examples, the fire moved ahead of God’s people; similarly, it will go before us. JKL was a safe, welcoming, and sacred place, where many people found their calling. We pray that this new place will be all those things and more.”

President Suzanne Davis then dedicated the new space “for the training of students, the cultivation of callings, and service to Almighty God.”

Boyer, the superintendent of the Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church, concluded the service by asserting that the new offices “should be set apart and dedicated to holy and sacred uses.”

He added: “With gratitude, therefore, to Almighty God, who has blessed his servants in their holy enterprise of preparing students for ministry within God’s church, we dedicate this place to His service, for reading and rightly dividing the Word of God, for preparing servants to celebrate the holy sacraments, and for ongoing education in every exercise of religious worship and service.”