Dr. Vincent William Griffis has gone home to be with the LORD

 

 

Dr. Vincent William Griffis went home to his Savior on Saturday, September 27, 2014. 

Vince was the second son of Dr. Paul and Dorothy Griffis.  Paul Griffis had attended PBTS from 1929 until 1932 where he graduated as Salutatorian of his class.  Paul joined the faculty of Practical in 1952 and became the dean of academics in 1963. 

 

(L-R) Vincent Griffis, Paul Griffis, Dorothy Griffis, Darry Griffis (1964 Theologue)

Vince became of a student of Practical Bible Training School in the fall of 1964.  He became roommates with Walt Schlundt and friends with Jerry Traister and Dino Pedrone.  The four of them would become life-long friends.  Vince's freshman year was also the senior year for Woodrow Kroll and Gilbert Parker. 

Vince graduated from Practical Bible Training School in 1967 along with Walt, Jerry, and Dino. 

During his studies at PBTS, Vince met Suzanne Sisson.  The two would marry on January 24, 1969 after Vince received his Bachelor degree from Calvary Bible College. 

 

Vince's Senior Picture (1967 Theologue)

 

 

Vince and Sue moved to New England soon after being married where Vince taught at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf.  He was called onto becoming the headmaster for the Christian of Greater Fall River.  He served there for fourteen years.  In those years all four of their children were born: Aron, Andrew, Abigail, and Adam. 

 

The LORD still had a work for the Griffis family.  In 1988 Vince and Sue joined Wycliffe Bible Translators.  After training they were sent to Cameroon.  Vince started the Rain Forest International School for the Missionary Kids (MKs) and nationals.  They returned to the States in 2007. 

 

Vince and Sue

Vince and Sue with Dr. Dino Pedrone (2008)

 

 

On Saturday, May 10, 2009 Vince was given the first honorary doctorate from Davis College at the commencement.  He also delivered the main address to the graduating class. 

 

 

Vince Speaking to the graduating class of 2009

 

(L-R) Sue Griffis, Vince Griffis, Walt Schlundt, Jerry Traister, Dino Pedrone, Janice Chandler

 

Vince had been fighting cancer for many years, but was still able to come to Homecoming at his Alma Mater including his 45th class reunion in 2012. 

 

Class of 1967 (45th reunion)

 

Vince had been fighting cancer for sixteen years when the LORD called His faithful servant home to glory.  At his memorial service on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Swansea, MA friends and family remembered his love for family and friends and his mischief.  He was able to say goodbye to all of his kids before his homegoing. 

 

You will be missed Vince.  Thank you for serving our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ with your whole heart. 

 

To read his obituary click here. 

 

Donations can be made to the college.  A fund has been setup in his name:

 

Vincent Griffis Memorial Fund at Davis College, 400 Riverside Dr., Johnson City, NY 13790

Happy Birthday Dr. Pedrone!

Today marks Dr. Dino J. Pedrone's 65th Birthday! He was born on Monday, February 26, 1945 (facebook.com). On Monday, January 14, 2008 he was introduced to the Faculty and Staff of Davis as the next president of the college, and the next day he was introduced to the students and media. He officially took on the role of President in April of 2008. Just a few months ago Dr. Pedrone and his wife Bobbi moved back to the Binghamton area. Thank you Dr. Pedrone for being here at Davis and for serving the Lord Jesus Christ!

If you are friends with him on Facebook or
just want to send him a birthday message click here.

Homecoming 2009: Part 1 (September 24, 2009)

Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967)

Several Contributors honored at dinner

Dr. Dale Linebaugh (class 1949) and Opal Linebaugh

Dr. Dale Linebaugh, Opal Linebaugh, Bobbie Pedrone and Dr. Dino Pedrone

Mary and Roger Knapton (Class of 1950)

Dr. Dale Linebaugh (class 1949 and 7th president of Davis), Dr. Walter Schlundt (Class 1967), and Robert Linebaugh (head of technology services at Davis)

Today, was the first day of Homecoming 2009 at Davis College. Several pastors and Alumni are on campus. Dr. Paige Patterson, the current president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, spoke during the sessions in the Robb Activity Center. Dr. Dale Linebaugh and his wife Opal are here to celebrate the Class of 1949's 60th class reunion. Grace (Jones) Fabian is here for the class of 1959's 60th class reunion. The Class Agents (of whom I am the one for the class of 2007) met to in Lowe Hall this afternoon to discuss the college. It was a great meeting of Alumni. Several Alumni and Friends of the College were honored tonight for the gifts they gave to the college over the years. Today, was a great day and I look forward to tomorrow and sharing in the celebration of several Alumni. At 2 PM Lowe Hall I will present the History of the College to anyone that would like to attend.

Graduation 2009: May 9, 2009

Dr. Dino Pedrone, Rev. Vince Griffis, Mr. Chris Seavey

The Class of 2009

Senior Chris Dorais with Rev. Jerry Traister, Chairperson of Board (Class 1967)

Dr. Dino Pedrone, President (Class 1967)

Naomi and her parents from Sri Lanka

(L-R) Daniel Rathmell, Church Relations (Class 1973), his wife, Terry Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, Mary Knapton (class 1950), Roger Knapton (class 1950), Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967), Terry and Elizabeth's two sons.

Members of the class of 1967 (and adopted 1968 member)
(L-R) Suzanne (Sisson) Griffis (1967), Vincent Griffis (1967), Walter Schlundt (1967), Jerry Traister (1967), Dino Pedrone (1967), and Janice (Weatherbee) Chandler (1968)

Graduation 2009 went very well on Saturday, May 9, 2009. A new group of Alumni have gone out of the halls of our fine college. The Sun never sets on PBTS, PBC, Davis Alumni and it so true in seeing the students that are leaving the college to go out into the world. There were many special events that happened during the ceremony. During the ceremony an award of Trustee Emeritus was awarded to Rev. Gordon Hay (Class 1954). Also a first for Davis College was the conferring of Honorary Doctorates.

The New York State Education Department has authorized Davis College to grant honorary doctorates. The Doctor of Divinity degree is conferred on individuals who have distinguished themselves in Christian ministry and leadership. Their life and service in ministry exemplifies the college's mission of impacting the world for Jesus Christ. Today the college honors two distinguished servants of the Lord with the Doctor of Divinity degree.

The two people that received them were Vincent Griffis and Terry Robertson.

From the program the bios of each:

Vincent W. Griffis spent most of his formative years on the campus of Davis College, graduating from PBTS in 1967. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Massachusetts University. He is presently a doctoral candidate (Ed.D.) at Boston University. Vincent has served as headmaster of the Christian School of Greater Fall River, Massachusetts and was also the director of Rain Forest International School in Cameroon. Currently, he is serving as a Scripture Use Researcher with Wycliffe Bible Translators, examining how much use is made of the vernacular Scriptures in Cameroon. Vincent is married to Suzanne, and they have four children and one grandson. Griffis Hall in the Chatlos Building is named after his father who was a faculty member and administrator at PBTS.

Terry M. Robertson was raised in Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University in Birmingham. He earned a Master in Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Executive Director and Treasurer of the Baptist Convention of New York with offices in East Syracuse, New York. Terry has pastored churches in Alabama, New Jersey and New York and also served as the Director of Missions for Frontier Baptist Association of Buffalo. His passion is the church and reaching the lost with the Gospel message. He is actively involved in. church planting responsibilities in the central New York state region. Terry is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children and one grandson.

After receiving his honorary Doctorate of Divinity the now Dr. Vincent Griffis gave an address to the Graduating Class. He addressed them about the troubles that they will face, but to continue on. He gave wisdom from the Scriptures about the importance of prayer in a believers life. How we don't do it enough, but it is so critical.

After Dr. Griffis spoke the degrees were handed out as a new group of Alumni entered the school history. The ceremony concluded with a prayer of dedication and the singing of the Alma Mater.

The Vision of Dr. Dino J. Pedrone for Davis College

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


The above videos are the complete message that Dr. Dino J. Pedrone gave on Thursday morning, September 25, 2008 in the Robb Activity Center. It begins with an introduction by Dr. Gilbert Parker (1965) Vice President of Academics as he introduces Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967) the 9th president of Davis College.

Thank you Dr. Pedrone for sharing the vision that God has laid on your heart.

Homecoming Day 2 (Friday, September 26, 2008)

Ed (class 1970) and Mary (Jones) Macie (1962)

Sue (Sission) Griffis, Dr. Dino Pedrone, and Vince Griffis classmates from 1967
Class of 1968 celebrating 40 years

Here are just a few pictures from Homecoming on the second day with the Alumni. It was a great time of fellowshipping with the Alumni. Mary Macie is the slightly younger sister of Grace (Jones) Fabian a dear friend of mine. Grace shared some memories early on this blog. You can read them here. Vincent and Sue Griffis where here for the Inaguration being classmates and dear friends of Dr. Pedrone. I spent my afternoon with the class of 1968 as they looked back on their 40 years since PBTS. Share some memories of Homecoming this year. I would love to hear them.

Dr. Dino J. Pedrone (Class of 1967) is named the 9th President of Davis College!

Dr. Dino Pedrone's Senior picture from the 1967 Theologue

Today (Monday, January 14, 2008) the official announcement was made of who the nineth president of Davis College will be: Dr. Dino J. Pedrone a member of the class of 1967. The class of 1967 just celebrated their 40th class reunion back at the September Homecoming. Dr. Pedrone is currently the senior pastor of New Testament Baptist Church in South Florida. Here is his profile from New Testament Baptist Church's website:

Pastor Dino Pedrone has served as Senior Pastor of New Testament Baptist Church since 1995. He is married to Bobbie Pedrone and together they have four grown children, JoAnna, Jonathan, Adam, and Nathanael. He has one grandaughter, Mia Angelina.

Before making the move to South Florida with his family, Dr. Pedrone held the position of Senior Pastor of The Open Door Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for over 25 years. Currently, Dr. Pedrone also serves as President of Dade Christian School and The Master’s Academy, and President of The Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (50,000 + members). As Senior Pastor, he oversees NTBC's multiple weekend services with over 2,000 members.

Dr. Pedrone received his D. Min. from Luther Rice Seminary and has gone on to receive several prestigious acknowledgments including listings in "Community Leaders And Noteworthy Americans," "Who’s Who in Religion," and "5000 Personalities of the World." He is also the recipient of "The Notable Americans Award."

Dr. Pedrone is author of sixteen books and booklets, contributor to various articles and magazines, Founder and Editor of Life@School Christian Journal of the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and contributor to Directions, Family Life Devotional booklet, Hope Grows In Winter, and Looking Ahead.

His radio ministry includes “The Bible Speaks” radio ministry, which reached approximately one fourth of the known English speaking world, “Timely Truths” which currently broadcasts over WMCU 89.7 Spirit FM, and “The Caring Place" which can be heard on 1360 AM on Saturdays at 9 a.m. His television ministry includes fourteen years speaking on “The Open Door Hour” and ten years on “The Bible Speaks” network.

NTBC has a rich history of ministering to the lost in South Florida over the past 50 years. With this rich history and the passion Pastor Pedrone himself has for reaching the lost, NTBC's tradition of impacting the local community with the life-chaging message of Jesus Christ for decades to come will continue to be a reality for future generations that have and will call South Florida their home.

(L-R) Dr. Dino Pedrone (1967) 9th president, Corey J. Adams (2007), and
Dr. George Miller III (1972) 8th president

Both Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone addressed the Faculty and Staff body after registration today and they will both address the student body tomorrow in a special chapel.

Dr. Pedrone had been considered for the presidency between the Kroll and Linebaugh administration (1990-1991), yet had other plans and now it is coming full circle. God has His timing and His timing and plans are perfect.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) Dr. Miller and Dr. Pedrone will address the student body in Chapel.

Homecoming begins in the morning

The 2007 Homecoming officially begins in the morning (Thursday, September 27, 2007). The Keynote speaker for the Leadership conference will be Dr. H.B. London of Focus on the Family. On Friday the reunions will be held for the Alumni. The three largest reunions will be for the class of 1952 (55th class reunion), class of 1957 (50th class reunion), and class of 1967 (40th class reunion). The majority of the activities will be held in the Robb Gym. I will post more as the events as they unfold. I have been enjoying getting the preparations ready including a 3 1/2 minute video about Dr. Barackman that will be shown on Friday. I might post on the web after I show it. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing what God wants to show me through this conference.