by Gabrielle Cox, student public relations writer
Cedarville University’s Master of Divinity Text-Driven Preaching Award was presented to Andrew Brads on Monday, March 18, during the 10 a.m. chapel service. This award is presented by Cedarville’s School of Biblical and Theological Studies.
Brads is a fifth-year student in the Accelerated Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. He is on staff at his hometown church, Emmanuel Baptist Churchin Xenia, Ohio. When considering his time at Cedarville and the ministry opportunities he has experienced, Brads explains how his coursework has shown him that he enjoys teaching and has trained him to do that well.
“My task when preaching is not to get in the way of the Bible, because when God speaks to us, he requires us to respond in a certain way,” said Brads. “The purpose is to read it, to explain it and to point out the ways it presses on us to obey it.”
Brads originally wanted to be an engineering student, but after a gap year in Costa Rica studying Spanish and the Bible, he decided to pursue a degree in biblical studies. His time abroad helped him realize his passion for languages as he was studying Greek and Hebrew at Cedarville. This award culminates a student’s progress through the classes, from foundational material to practical application of the material. It is based on the competencyof the student academically and his ability to accept teaching, the student’s convictionto take what he has learned and transfer it to ministry opportunities and a demonstration of his exceptional character of maturity and humility when presenting the Word of God.
Dr. Billy Marsh, director of the M.Div. program, recalled when he had Brads in Bible and the Gospel, the first Bible class every student takes at Cedarville and realizing a level of maturity not seen in all college students.
“He has always been a mature, hard-working student,” said Marsh. “Through the years I have enjoyed seeing the flourishing of his care and thoughtfulness for his relationships and schoolwork.”
Brads has been influenced immensely by those who have walked alongside him and demonstrated a life that honors the holy Scriptures. “I would like to thank my professors, pastor and wife for all their dedication to the Word and their support through my years at Cedarville,” he said.
After finishing his degree at Cedarville University, Brads will complete an internship with Emmanuel Baptist Church. He expects to remain on their staff next year.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduateprograms. With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Accelerated biblical studies and Master of Divinity, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.