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

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.

Dolores (Correll) Campbell's Memories of PBTS

Since Reminisce Magazine published back in early February I have had the privilege of getting to know some new Alumni of the college and some people whose parents attended the college. The follow memories below were written to me in an email by Dolores (Correll) Campbell, a member of the class of 1954. I hope you enjoy her memories I know I always enjoy reading and hearing new memories.

Binghamton, NY is a long way from where I lived in the little town of Belvidere, IL in the 1950`s. I grew up in a home with good parents; however, it was not a Christian home. While I was in high school a classmate asked me to attend a Baptist church with her for a youth meeting, and I knew right away that this is what I had been searching for all of my young life. The meetings were held in the church parsonage, and two weeks later the pastor`s wife took me aside and presented the Gospel of Salvation to me. It was the first time in my life that I had ever heard John 3:16 and it was then that I turned my life over to Lord. The pastor`s wife was Marion Blossom, wife of Gordon Blossom who had been a student at PBTS. As a new Christian I was so hungry to know more of God`s word, and so when I heard that two of the young people in our church was attending the Bible school in Binghamton, NY. I prayed that God would show me what He wanted for my life. That`s how I ended up at PBTS where I studied and learned how to serve the Lord.

Each of us were required to spend time in field evangelism work, as I suppose it is still required today. In my first year four of us girls, Marguerite Wheeler, Wilma Snyder, Norma Aughenbaugh and I went each Sunday to the county TB sanatorium where we sang and gave testimonies to the patients. In my second year, the same four girls traveled with Harold Winter & his wife into the outlying hills of NY to help start new churches.

The third year (the one that gave me a real burden for the lost) I spent weekends at the City Mission in Binghamton, working with the children in that area - this is the one that gave me a real burden for the lost. There were many of the students from PBTS, as well as students from the Baptist Bible Seminary, that came to teach, preach, witness, sing and visit for the mission. I was so burdened and also led of the Lord to work there that I and 2 others (Pauline Wells & Rosa Aesch) worked there for several years after graduation.

There are other memories of PBTS. Each spring at graduation time we would decorate the dining room with dogwood flowers that were blooming at Bible School Park. Do you still have dogwoods growing there each spring?

I remember the time Abu Sobha Dass, a student from India, made a special mid-eastern dish for the school as a treat. It was delicious and I have been trying to recreate that recipe all these years, but have yet to make it exactly as it tasted then.

I remember the day they had a band visiting the school and Dale Baker, one of our students, sang "Old Man River" with the band accompaniment. God had blessed him with such a magnificent voice that it brought tears to the eyes of our school president, Dr. Gordon Davis. Dr Davis was the voice teacher for our school at that time.

And there was the day that Dr. and Mrs. Patterson and Dr. and Mrs. Westbrook were traveling together and were involved in an auto accident. Dr. Westbrook was a hemophiliac (a bleeder) and God in His mercy watched over him, and he was the only one in the car that was not injured. God is so good.

I remember the thrill of being asked to give my testimony on live radio, from our school. It was a weekly radio program put on by radio station WPEL in Montrose, Pennsylvania. It could have been "The Little White Church" of Conklin, N.Y., where Rev. Paul Griffis was pastor. So many years have passed that it`s hard to remember everything exactly.

Thank you Mrs. Campbell for your memories. I have a few other Alumni Stories that when I have time I will post as well as the Presidential Interviews which are still in progress.

Day Two of Homecoming (50th class reunion of 1957)

Another excellent day at Davis College's Homecoming. I had the great privilege of attending the class of 1957, 50th class reunion. It was a great turn out. Above is most of the class. When we took the photo a few people were still talking back in Griffis Hall. I had the opportunity to share a PowerPoint I put together about the History of the school that I did for Freshman Seminar. I was surprised to learn that during their time in the 1950s very little was told about the history. I also showed Fruits of a God Given Vision, the 16mm film done in May of 1956.
Joan (Thurber) Watkins shared her testimony about working in Africa and many others shared their testimonies of how God has been working in their lives the past 50 years.
One highlight was the men's quartet that was assembled on a moment's notice. It was very wonderful! The Reunion was excellent and it was great to see men and women of God with many years of experience and devotion to our Lord come together and live as if they were my age again. The child in a person never dies only the body of this life ages.
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Earlier in the day there were great messages by Pastor Bill Boulet and Dr. George Miller III. The Memorial I put together for Dr. Barackman with the music from Dr. Barackman's favorite hymn. Thank you Dr. Brent Young (1983) for doing that for the video. An offering was taken for the restoring of the bell. I have also met many great Alumni from 1952, 1957, 1967, and many others. One such couple was Vincent Griffis and his wife (1967). Vincent is the son of late Dr. Paul Griffis (1932). I will do more with Homecoming in the next couple days. Much to post about, and many pictures to share.

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Share your Homecoming memories by posting comments below in the comment box for this post.

Grace L. (Jones) Fabian's {class of 1959} memories of PBTS

Grace Fabian (Grace Jones when she attended PBTS in the late 1950s) is a great friend of mine. It was her testimony in 2002 that God used to call me into Bible Translation. Grace Fabian attended PBTS in the Fall of 1956 and graduated in late spring of 1959. He father Clarence Jones attended PBTS in the 1920s and graduated in 1927 as she mentions in her memories. Her reference to 'Nabak' in the piece is a reference to the language group her and her husband Edmund worked with in PNG. Enjoy Grace's memories:

How the training at PBTS prepared me for the work I did on the Mission field
By Grace L. Fabian

I learned something about servanthood at PBTS. We all had to put in one hour of work each day—the school was attempting to keep the cost of education down. My job was to mop floors in the main building. On my knees was a good place to me. Little did I know then that in the years to follow I would be on my knees many times bandaging tropical ulcers, delivering babies, teaching people to read.

I also worked every afternoon and all day Saturday for Dr. Paul Griffis. My parents did not have money to pay for my school fees so I worked every spare moment. Sitting in the office with Dr. Griffis was a benediction on my life. Yes, we mailed out his loose leaf Bibles and kept the books but being in the presence of such a gifted but humble person showed me what a godly person looks like. When I grow up that’s the kind of person I want to be.

Greek class gave me all the tools I needed for the task of Bible translation—how to look up the words from the Greek N.T., what Arndt and Gingrich was all about, how to conjugate verbs etc.

In Dr. Lowe’s class we basically went verse by verse through every proposition in every book in the Bible. And that’s exactly what I had to do in Bible translation. In preaching or teaching the Bible you can pick and choose which parts you want to talk about, but in Bible translation you can’t skip anything.

He also showed us how various themes are woven through the Bible, how you don’t take an isolated verse and make a doctrinal thesis with it. I learned the importance of cross references and in the Nabak N.T. we put in many. And at the end of the N.T. we put 56 different topics which are addressed in the Bible. There are long lists of references under each topic so a reader can get a fuller grasp of the subject. These are important things I learned about at PBTS.

In Christian Ed. class I learned about outreach, that there was another world outside of Bible School Park. After doing street meetings and release time classes I was ready to go to the world.

In Missions class I learned the history of missions and was inspired to follow in the train of Judson, Carey, and Taylor. The teacher divided us into teams and we had to put on a missions presentation. Our group did an amazing job. I still have the script and did something similar when I was teaching at Christian Leaders’ Training College in Papua New Guinea.

Dr. Griffis taught us Systematic Theology and we learned to dig deeper rather than give superficial answers. He constantly challenged us to think through, look at the other side. “How does that fit with this verse?” I learned at PBTS that pat answers don’t get you very far, and that all of Scripture must be examined. I learned some good principles of exegesis.

That was good not just for translation but I was very thankful for that good foundation because at different times in my career someone would bring up some new idea or silly theology. For instance, some people say we should march around and bring down the strong holds of Satan like Joshua did. But I know that no place in the Bible are we told to march around like Joshua.

Another silly theology is to pray for a mountain to be removed but I know that Jesus never actually prayed and removed a literal mountain.

A few days after my husband was killed someone commented, “Well, Satan really had that afternoon.” I didn’t buy it. In my theology God is firmly seated on the throne. He didn’t slip off the throne that afternoon. Satan never has the upper hand. For sure, emotionally I was shaking but my training at PBTS solidified that God is always in control.

Someone else said, “Grace, don’t give up your faith.” I looked at him like he was crazy. Never in my wildest nightmare would I give up my faith. I learned in my home (my parents were also graduates of PBTS) and then it was drilled into me at PBTS by the classes and by the teachers what it means to have the straight edge pieces in place.

I fell madly in love with the Bible when I was at PBTS. The fact that some people don’t have a Bible became inconceivable and unfair so the day after graduation from PBTS I left home to go to linguistic school and train to be a Bible translator.

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NOTE: Grace's husband Edmund was murdered on April 29, 1993 in PNG by a national with schizophrenia.

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If you are an Alumni of PBTS or you were a child of a faculty member at PBTS I would love to hear your stories. Click on the button on the side of page to email me.