Symposium examined the life of Marshall Keeble, premier evangelist in the churches of Christ

2023 Carroll B. Ellis Symposium examined the ministry of Marshall Keeble, honors trailblazers he inspired.

Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 | 10/03/2023

This year’s Carroll B. Ellis Symposium, hosted by the College of Bible & Ministry and the College of Leadership & Public Service, Sept 20-21, 2023, was the first lecture included in the newly launched Presidential Signature Series. 

With the theme, “An Inspiring Voice, A Forward Call: Marshall Keeble Reconsidered,” the symposium brought Bible scholars, students, ministers and “grandsons” of Marshall Keeble to campus to explore the life and ministry of the premier evangelist. 

“Marshall Keeble was known for his church planting, evangelism, disciple making and efforts towards racial harmony 60 years ago,” said Scott Sager, vice president for Spiritual Development & Church Services. “He was acting on the big topics of today long before they became the focus of church leaders and academics. His inspiring voice remains a catalyst for us—his life serves as a forward call for a new generation.”

Keeble baptized about 30,000 people, established 350 congregations and through his leadership role at Nashville Christian Institute, raised powerful “sons in the faith.” His influence can still be seen today in the leadership of that generation and the next that were mentored to continue in his footsteps.

The symposium began with a worship service Wednesday evening, attended by members of congregations throughout Nashville and featured Orpheus Heyward, Lipscomb’s new affiliate professor for expository preaching and Christian leadership. Heyward is senior minister of the Renaissance Church of Christ in Fulton, Georgia, and considered a “grandson” of Keeble as his mentor and father-in-law is Dr. W. F. Washington, who was a key proponent of the restoration movement in African American churches and a student of Marshall Keeble. 

Following the worship service, several individuals who have made an impact on the Lipscomb community were recognized. They were Bob Jackson, the first Black faculty member at Lipscomb who was a professor in business; founding members of the Lipscomb Black Alumni Council (LBAC); and alumna Pat Bethel (’72), who is retiring as LBAC chair after tremendous service in that role. 

“These individuals of distinction care deeply about this university and our students, and have selflessly given of their time, talents and resources,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. 

The program concluded with an inspiring performance by the Gospel Choir, directed by Aaron Howard, choir director and assistant professor of ethics and reconciliation. 

Thursday’s day-long lecture series featured a series of nine lectures outlining some of Keeble’s most noteworthy endeavors. Presenters included Edward J. Robinson, author, scholar and pulpit minister for the North Tenneha Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas; Fred D. Gray, American civil rights attorney, preacher, activist and former state legislator from Alabama and a 2022 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Leonard Allen, dean of Lipscomb’s College of Bible & Ministry; David Holmes, dean of  Lipscomb’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; and Heyward.

Gray spoke about traveling with Keeble when he was a student at NCI and Keeble was the president. He recounted that Keeble would take a group of four boys with him when he traveled to raise money and recruit students for the school. They would follow his sermon with their own mini sermons. Gray said he learned how to preach and so much more through his experience traveling with Keeble, which is why after graduation, when Gray was working as a lawyer in the civil rights movement, he would return to the school every year. He says even then, he was still a preacher in the Lord’s church.

At the Thursday evening reception, there was an unveiling of the portrait of Atty. Gray,  painted by internationally renowned portrait artist Michael Shane Neal (’91) and commissioned by a group of Lipscomb alumni and friends. Following that special event, the life and impact of Gray was celebrated through a special edition of No Small Endeavor, (formerly The Tokens Show), hosted by Lee Camp (’89), professor of Bible and ethics, that featured a special musical tribute to Gray.