At a kick-off celebration on April 25 at Second Baptist, Governor Sonny Perdue, Dr. Robert White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, Dr. Jerry Pounds, Sr. , President of Truett-McConnell College, several ministers who were mentored by Rev. Salter, and family members spoke about the influence that Rastus Salter had on their lives.

"I don't think I'd be governor today if I hadn't had the opportunity to sit under Rastus Salter's solid ministry. Pastor Salter had a backbone of steel, and he taught me how to stand firm on the Word of God. Week after week, Rev. Salter proclaimed God's Word," said Governor Perdue. The Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, Dr. Robert White, said, "Rastus Salter loved people, and he loved God's Word. His godly influence on earth will live on through the lives of the young people who will study for the ministry at Truett-MConnell College. It's the right thing to do to honor the memory of Rastus Salter and his family in this way. May God bless the influence of this great servant of God in the years to come."

"Through the new bachelor's degree in Christian Studies at Truett-McConnell College, Rastus Salter's influence is sure to continue its vitality in the future as young people are prepared for the ministry. We wanted to honor a pastor who served his church faithfully for so many years and who mentored so many young men in his church to be preachers," said Dr. Pounds.

The idea for The Rastus Salter Christian Studies Program was birthed in 2004 when Dr. Pounds first met with Pastor Salter to share his vision for a four-year degree program in Christian studies at TMC based on solid Biblical teaching and theology. Pastor Salter told Dr. Pounds that he had been praying for such a program in a Georgia Baptist College.

The Christian Studies program began in December 2005, and when Dr. Pounds heard that Rev. Salter had passed away on January 7, 2005, he knew that he wanted to name the new degree program in Rev. Salter's honor. The Christian Studies program is now accepting students and includes four concentrations of study: Biblical and Theological Studies prepares students for further work at seminary; Christian Ministry Concentration prepares students for the pastoral ministry; Youth Ministry Concentration offers students a study of youth culture and needs; and Missions Concentration equips students for work in a missions environment. "My family is deeply moved by this decision to name the Christian Studies program after my father. He stayed the course by dedicating his life to God and the people of the church for many years, and that steady course has led us here tonight. We pray that this program will prepare men and women of all ages for full-time Christian service," Glen Salter said.

Jeremy Morton, Pastor of Cross Point Church in Perry, said, "Rastus Salter is one of my heroes. He consistently led his church to do the right thing. He invested his life into making a total Kingdom impact. Brother Rastus has born fruit that will last. I pray that the future students at Truett-McConnell College will model the namesake of their degree program, Rev. Rastus Salter."

For more information, contact the Office of Advancement Services at Truett-McConnell College at 706-865-2134, ext. 176.