Highest Potential with Steve Pettit
56 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Exploring the stories of how Bob Jones University empowers people to reach their highest potential for God’s glory.
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Episodes
Kelvin Cochran Joins Steve Pettit to Discuss His Work With Alliance Defending Freedom
November 16, 2022 13:51 - 22 minutes - 25.4 MBIn 1981, Cochran began his career as a firefighter with the Shreveport Fire Department in Louisiana. After multiple promotions, he was appointed fire chief in 1999. In 2008, he was appointed fire chief of the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. The following year, President Barack Obama appointed him United States Fire Administrator. Cochran was re-appointed by Mayor Kasim Reed as Fire Chief of the City of Atlanta in 2010. He later served for five years as Chief Operating Officer of Eli...
Chris Anderson Joins Steve Pettit to Discuss the Release of His New Book "Theology that Sticks"
July 06, 2022 13:29 - 24 minutes - 27.7 MBListen in as Dr. Steve Pettit interviews Chris Anderson about his new book, Theology That Sticks. "Why don’t we sing less and get on with the good stuff?” “Why are we singing so many new songs?” “Why in the world are we singing this?!” In Theology That Sticks, pastor and hymn-writer (“His Robes for Mine”) Chris Anderson addresses these kinds of questions with humor, warmth, and an open Bible. Theology That Sticks is intentionally positive, providing extensive research, well-reasoned teach...
The Need for Personal Evangelism with Pastor Tim Richmond
May 02, 2022 16:35 - 26 minutes - 30.3 MBPastor Tim Richmond is passionate about urban ministry and evangelism. He is the senior pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Queens New York, which he helped plant. Recently he came to speak to our students about the glorious opportunity all believers have through the call of the great commission.
The State of Ministry Training at BJU with Alan Benson and Kevin Oberlin
April 12, 2022 19:21 - 30 minutes - 35 MBIn this week's episode, Dr. Pettit is joined by Dr. Alan Benson and Dr. Kevin Oberlin as they give an update on what is happening at the School of Religion and BJU Seminary!
Stu Epperson the President of Truth Network Interviews Dr. Steve Pettit about BJU
April 04, 2022 20:37 - 13 minutes - 7.73 MBThis week's episode is an interview that took place back when Stu Epperson Jr. came to visit campus. Stu Epperson is the founder and president of The Truth Network, with radio stations across North Carolina, Virginia, central Iowa, and Salt Lake City. Truth Network also develops and syndicates programs on over 300 affiliates nationwide. It was an honor to have him with us on campus to record the first-ever Highest Potential episode in the Dining Common!
A Conversation with Ukrainian Pastor Sergey Minka and How BJU Students are Helping to Support Ukrainian Believers
March 16, 2022 15:49 - 26 minutes - 30.4 MBThe Russian-Ukraine war has caused heartbreak and confusion to spread across the globe. In the heart of the darkness, many Ukrainian pastors and Christian leaders are trying to serve their communities in the face of danger. Sergey Minka is the pastor of Word of Life Slavic Baptist church here in SC. He started the Ukraine Relief fund with his church to help enable brothers and sisters in Ukraine to continue being lights in their communities. Here at BJU, We have partnered with Word of Life t...
A Heart for Minneapolis
March 07, 2022 20:15 - 28 minutes - 33.1 MBIn this week's episode, we were thrilled to have one of our own back in Greenville. Pastor Jason was a professor in the Seminary and School of Religion here at BJU for a number of years. Since his time at BJU, he has gone back to pastor in the heart of Minneapolis. We were thrilled not only to be able to invite him back for Bible Conference but also to support him through this year's Bible Conference Offering, the Jerimiah 29:7 project.
METES: Minorities Empowered to Educate and Serve
February 23, 2022 19:46 - 21 minutes - 24.2 MBOn this week's episode, Dr. Pettit has a conversation with Noah Jackson and Jonny Pierre. They are the President and Vice President of one of our student organizations, METES. Listen in as they tell about the Mission of METES and how they are reaching out into the community to serve.
What is the State of COVID-19?
February 14, 2022 17:52 - 29 minutes - 17 MBToday, Dr. Pettit is joined by Dr. Bernard Kadio to discuss everyone's favorite topic, COVID-19. Dr. Kadio is an expert in global health and is a faculty member at Bob Jones University. In this episode, we will take a quick look at the current state of the global health community to see what the future might hold for all of us.
What is the state of COVID-19?
February 14, 2022 17:52 - 29 minutes - 17 MBToday, Dr. Pettit is joined by Dr. Bernard Kadio to discuss everyone's favorite topic, COVID-19. Dr. Kadio is an expert in global health and is a faculty member at Bob Jones University. In this episode, we will take a quick look at the current state of the global health community to see what the future might hold for all of us.
Celebrating 10 years of Bruins History with Neal Ring
February 02, 2022 18:32 - 34 minutes - 39.7 MBOn this week's episode — Dr. Pettit is joined by Neal Ring to talk about how the Bruins have grown over the last 10 years.
The Sanctity of Life with Dr. Marc Chetta
January 24, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 31.7 MBIn the wake of recent events, the issue of abortion has become more pressing than ever. In this week's episode, Dr. Marc Chetta joins Dr. Pettit in a conversation about the Sanctity of Life.
Ed Nelson: A Sinner Saved By Grace
December 13, 2021 20:47 - 19 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this week's episode, Dr. Pettit speaks with Emilee Nelson about her grandfather, Ed Nelson, and his recently published biography. Below is the description of this wonderful book that Emilee co-authored with her grandfather: "A Sinner Saved By Grace is not your typical autobiography, especially about a preacher. In a most unexpected way, you will find yourself wanting to read “just one more chapter” as you are led page by page through the exciting life of Ed Nelson. You will laugh as you...
The Center for Biblical Worldview
December 07, 2021 14:39 - 30 minutes - 28.5 MBToday Dr. Pettit has a conversation with Dr. Renton Rathbun about the recent opening and the need for the Center for Biblical Worldview. The Center for Biblical Worldview will help faculty members and students integrate a biblical worldview into every aspect of campus life. Dr. Renton Rathbun, a professor in the School of Religion, is the newly appointed director of this center.
How BJU Received $100K from Elon Musk
November 22, 2021 16:52 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MBXPRIZE, the global leader in designing and implementing innovative competition models to solve the world’s grandest challenges, recently announced that a team from Bob Jones University is one of 23 student-led teams to win an award in the $5M Carbon Removal Student Competition. The foundation, which was given $100 million from Elon Musk’s Musk Foundation, received 195 university-affiliated proposals from around the globe. The BJU team secured the maximum $100,000 grant for their entry. The g...
The Importance of Seminary in the Modern Age
November 19, 2021 11:00 - 27 minutes - 31.4 MBIf anyone understands the importance of Seminary training, it's Alan Benson and Dave Doran. Alan Benson is Executive Vice President for Ministry Advancement here at BJU and he oversees BJU Seminary. Dave Doran is the senior pastor of Inter-City Baptist Church and President of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Together with Dr. Pettit, they discuss how a Seminary degree will not only change you, it will change the way you do ministry.
Standards and Convictions with Dr. Les Ollila
November 15, 2021 08:16 - 29 minutes - 33.5 MBWhy are standards and convictions so important for believers today? Listen in as Dr. Pettit and Dr. Ollila discuss how God uses these in the lives of believers.
Loving Your Neighbor with Mark Ward
November 08, 2021 05:45 - 25 minutes - 29 MBHow should we view the "other side"? Dr. Mark Ward and Dr. Steve Pettit engage in a lighthearted discussion about how you can choose to love your neighbor — even the one you disagree with.
Understanding Grace Relations with Dr. Charles Ware
November 01, 2021 13:26 - 25 minutes - 24 MBDr. Charles Ware serves as executive director of Grace Relations and special assistant to the president at the College of Biblical Studies in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Ware has authored, co-authored, and edited several books. Among these is One Race One Blood. Dr. Ware co-authored this book with Answers in Genesis founder and President, Ken Ham. Today he shares with us his story of grace as well as his hope for the future.
Reflecting with the 2021 BJU Senior Class
May 17, 2021 14:04 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBIt’s difficult to believe that we’ve come to the end of another school year and have said goodbye to another class of seniors. This class has persevered through an unusual and difficult year, and now we’re excited to see how the Lord uses them in the future. Today, I talk with two members of the 2021 Bob Jones University Senior Class – Sarah Rumpf and Nathan Swaim. They share with us how God has used BJU to shape them and prepare them for their future. Enjoy our conversations!
Meet Asa Hutchinson: BJU Grad and Governor of Arkansas
April 21, 2021 11:00 - 18 minutes - 25.9 MBOver the years, we have been blessed to have many alumni who have taken what they’ve learned from Bob Jones University and gone on to do great things. I really enjoy this podcast because it gives me an avenue to talk to some of those people and share their stories with you. Today, I had the opportunity to talk to Asa Hutchinson – a 1972 BJU grad and the current Governor of Arkansas. Governor Hutchinson has served as the Governor of Arkansas since 2015. In 1982, at the age of 31, he was app...
Discussing Warren and Jean Cook’s Retirement During AlumniLIVE!
April 21, 2021 10:00 - 29 minutes - 41.5 MBWe have a special podcast for you today for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that we published this episode as a video podcast during AlumniLIVE! which is an online gathering for alumni of Bob Jones University. We thought it would be fun to bring you into my office to give you a behind the scenes look at how we record Highest Potential. The second reason this is a special podcast is because I’m joined by two longtime music faculty members who will be retiring at the end of this sem...
A Museum & Gallery Update with Erin Jones
April 14, 2021 17:40 - 24 minutes - 34.4 MBThe Museum and Gallery has always been an important part of Bob Jones University. As an initiative of Dr. Bob Jones Jr., M&G has grown exponentially over the course of its history. In 1998, Erin Jones became the director of the M&G. Erin has worked hard to make M&G more accessible and educational to the surrounding community and is currently overseeing an exciting transition. Erin joins me in my office to discuss M&G’s mission, its current status and its future plans.
Understanding the Danger of the Equality Act
March 31, 2021 12:41 - 25 minutes - 35.8 MBSoon, the U.S. Senate will begin debating a bill that would have far reaching consequences for Bob Jones University and other religious institutions. That bill – known as the Equality Act – forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and contains no exemptions for religious organizations to exercise their beliefs. To better grasp the impact the Equality Act could have on BJU, I talked with Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom where he serves as the dir...
How BJU Put On “A Tale of Two Cities”
March 24, 2021 13:16 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBThe Concert, Opera and Drama Series has always been an integral part of the student experience at Bob Jones University. Every year, BJU invites guest artists who join our students to put on high-quality plays, musicals and operas. This year, we had the exciting opportunity to perform “A Tale of Two Cities: The Musical.” I invited Dr. Darren Lawson – the Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication – to come to my office to explain how the production came together, what hurdles were ove...
Get to Know the New Bruins Baseball Coach and Team
March 16, 2021 14:30 - 32 minutes - 45.2 MBIt’s always an exciting time when the Bob Jones University Bruins are able to add another sport to the program. This year, the Bruins are celebrating the inaugural season of the new baseball team. I invited their coach, Brent Casteel, to join me in my office to discuss his journey to BJU, his coaching philosophy and the current team. God has truly blessed this endeavor and we’re excited to see how He uses this new team to grow young men for His glory. I also chat with our co-host, Sarah Rum...
BJUgrass Takes You Behind the Scenes of Their New Album
March 03, 2021 20:25 - 27 minutes - 38.9 MBIn today’s episode, I invited my bluegrass band, BJUgrass, to my office to discuss how we came together and how we pulled together our first album—Wherever You Are. Before that conversation, I talk with our student co-host, Sarah Rumpf, about how the student body responded to the Bible Conference messages and offering. Be sure to check out the album on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you prefer to listen to your music. Those are also the same places you can listen to all the episodes of t...
Dr. Pettit Catches Up with Bible Conference Speakers
February 24, 2021 20:56 - 48 minutes - 67 MBBob Jones University just finished an amazing week of Bible Conference. God used our theme of “Sanctify Them” from John 17:17 to work in my life and the lives of our students. Each service was livestreamed and recorded so that you can benefit from them now. Not only that, but God allowed us to meet our goal of raising $200,000 for the Hope Christian Health Center in the Ivory Coast. In a previous episode, I talked to Dr. Bernard Kadio about how this money will meet both physical and spiritu...
Dr. Les Ollila: A Leader of Leaders
February 18, 2021 16:21 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBDr. Les Ollila is a longtime friend and one of my most important mentors. Dr. Ollila is also a leader of leaders. Recently, it dawned on me that many of the leaders of the Christian colleges and seminaries that Bob Jones University has close relationships with were greatly influenced by the ministry of Dr. Ollila. In order to properly recognize his impact, we decided to award Dr. Ollila with the Lifetime in Leadership Award during the 2021 Bible Conference. In today’s episode, I sit down i...
Bible Conference Fundraiser Meeting Needs in Ivory Coast
February 11, 2021 10:00 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBThis year’s Bob Jones University Bible Conference is approaching quickly! I’m excited to welcome several godly preachers to speak on the topic of “Sanctify Them” from John 17:17. This annual event is always the highlight of the semester and I encourage you to join us via livestream. I’m also very excited about this year’s Bible Conference fundraiser. The student body has thrown their support behind our effort to raise $200,000 for the Hope Christian Health Center in the Ivory Coast. In tod...
National Champion Bruins Volleyball Players Discuss Student-Athlete Experience
November 23, 2020 19:59 - 24 minutes - 34.8 MBThe Bob Jones University Bruins women’s volleyball team secured their third consecutive NCCAA DII National Championship last week. The Bruins beat Dallas Christian College in a five-set thriller. To celebrate this accomplishment, I invited two of the key players from that team—Victoria Glaze and Brittany Annand—to my office to talk about not only their volleyball experience, but also their educational experience at BJU.
From CFO of Dr. Pepper to BJU: The Story of Mike Buiter
November 11, 2020 16:52 - 34 minutes - 47.7 MBBob Jones University is blessed with so many staff and faculty members who had an amazing career before God called them to minister at BJU. Mike Buiter is no exception. Mike—who now serves as the Dean of the School of Business—began his career in business at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and God eventually allowed him to become the Vice President for Finance at Dr. Pepper. We’re very thankful to have Mike at BJU now and it was a thrill to hear his amazing story. After you listen to the episode, ...
Navigating Through the 2020 Election
October 28, 2020 16:05 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBNovember 3rd, 2020 is a big day in the United States as Americans will vote to elect the next president of the United States. To say that this is an anxious time for America would be an understatement. It’s also a very conflicting time for Christians because we’re living with a variety of emotions and thoughts about the future. Friends, God is in control and we can trust that whatever happens, He will accomplish His will. Today, I wanted to talk about the role of a Christian in our republi...
Rand Hummel on Christian Camps During COVID-19
October 21, 2020 14:27 - 31 minutes - 44.4 MBHow many people do you know who have been positively impacted by the ministry of a Christian summer camp? I spent almost 30 years serving as the staff evangelist and the camp director at Northland Camp and Conference Center, and during that time, I saw God work powerfully in the lives of thousands of campers. God saved our student host, Sarah Rumpf, at a Christian camp, so we discuss her experiences. And I’m very thankful that Dr. Rand Hummel stopped by my office to discuss the current stat...
Recapping Bruins Spirit Week and a Mid-Semester Update
October 13, 2020 14:07 - 23 minutes - 54.1 MBPerseverance is a quality that the Bob Jones University students are learning and practicing as we crossed the mid-point of this semester. God has truly blessed us and has allowed the University family to remain mostly healthy. Please continue to pray for his protection for our students, faculty and staff. In today’s episode, I talk with students about several events that have taken place on campus. One of those events was the Senior Picnic. We discuss what senior year means for students an...
Catching Up with BJU's First ROTC Commissioned Officer
September 17, 2020 16:59 - 24 minutes - 57.9 MBIt’s been a busy couple of weeks here on the campus of Bob Jones University! As most of you know, this September 11th was the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that forever changed our country. That day, 2,977 people lost their lives. To commemorate this somber anniversary, BJU set up several memorials to honor and remember the victims of the attack. In addition to those memorials, BJU hosted an ROTC contracting ceremony where several of our Army and Air Force cadets signed their c...
Bonus: Get to Know Our New Student Host, Sarah Rumpf!
September 08, 2020 10:00 - 16 minutes - 38 MBOne of my favorite aspects of this podcast is the opportunity to get to know the students who helps me host the show. In this short bonus episode, I’m happy to introduce you to our new host for this year—Sarah Rumpf, a senior communications major from Massachusetts. Be sure to stay tuned to this podcast feed to get Sarah’s perspective on the important topics we discuss!
How the BJU Seminary Prepares Students for a Life of Serving Christ
September 08, 2020 09:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBIt’s good to be back! After a bit of a summer lull, I’m excited to more consistently talk to you through this podcast again. In this new episode, I have a great conversation with Dr. Neal Cushman, the new Dean of the Bob Jones University Seminary. In our conversation, Dr. Cushman and I discuss the history of the seminary, and its new and exciting initiatives. This episode is also special because we introduce a new student host—Sarah Rumpf, a senior communications major. Sarah will join me e...
How BJU is Working to Make Campus Safe for Students this Fall
July 13, 2020 15:20 - 29 minutes - 69.2 MBI look forward to welcoming the BJU community back to campus as we return to on-campus, in-person classes for fall 2020. As we begin the semester, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community continues to be our highest priority. We’re making plans based upon the best and most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and local health officials – which includes physical distan...
BJU Bruins Approved for Provisional NCAA Division III Membership
June 29, 2020 19:44 - 30 minutes - 69.4 MBDr. Steve Pettit welcomes to his office Dr. Neal Ring – the Bruins Athletic Director – to discuss the news that the BJU Bruins have been approved for provisional NCAA Division III membership. What does this news mean and what will change within the Bruins athletic department? Dr. Pettit and Dr. Ring answer those questions and share some history of athletics at BJU. Learn more about the announcement here >> https://bit.ly/BruinsDIII
How Churches and Pastors are Ministering During the Coronavirus Pandemic
May 14, 2020 15:29 - 22 minutes - 51.6 MBDr. Kevin Oberlin – Associate Dean of The School of Religion at BJU – joins me in my office to discuss how churches and pastors are continuing to shepherd their congregations even though many are unable to meet together. Dr. Oberlin also shares a ministry that he leads called the "Pastor's Prayer Huddle." I hope this conversation encourages you to pray for your church's leadership as they make important decisions on when to return to in-person services and how to keep congregants connected ...
Opportunity Knocks: Senator Tim Scott Discusses New Book, Life Story and Faith
May 05, 2020 12:25 - 23 minutes - 33 MBWe named this podcast Highest Potential because we wanted to share stories of how BJU helps students reach their highest potential for God’s glory. In this episode, we’ll be talking with someone who has dedicated much of his life to helping his constituents reach their highest potential. Having served in the United States Senate since 2013, Senator Tim Scott has focused his energy on unleashing the positive impact that happens when hard work meets opportunity. His positive influence and st...
Saying Goodbye to the 2020 BJU Senior Class
April 21, 2020 16:45 - 26 minutes - 37.6 MBAs the school year winds down, I wanted to feature several students from Bob Jones University's 2020 senior class. I'm very proud of these students and their fellow seniors. They've overcome many obstacles this semester – including the coronavirus, remote classes and a postponed commencement. I'm looking forward to seeing how God uses these young men and women for His glory. Let's pray for these soon-to-be college grads and congratulate them on their great accomplishments!
Steve Pettit Shares His Life Story and Conversion Experience
April 15, 2020 19:51 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MBEaster 2020 marks my 45th spiritual birthday. I wanted to take this opportunity to share my testimony of how God saved me from my sins. We serve a great God!
What is the Future of Education at BJU?
April 07, 2020 18:38 - 25 minutes - 36 MBAs the coronavirus pandemic continues to alter every aspect of our world, it's fair to wonder what the future of higher education will look like. Dr. Steve Pettit talks with Dr. Gary Weier and Dr. Beverly Cormican about how Bob Jones University is adapting to the new reality that coronavirus has presented and how BJU is preparing for the different future of education.
BJU Health Professors Explain How Bad Coronavirus Could Get in United States
March 31, 2020 20:55 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MBTwo weeks ago, I welcomed Dr. Amy Hicks and Dr. Bernard Kadio to my office and the podcast. They provided an excellent explanation of coronavirus and how it could alter our world. Unfortunately, the situation in the United States has only gotten worse during the past couple of weeks. On this episode, Dr. Hicks and Dr. Kadio give us an update on how bad coronavirus could get in the United States and how Christians should respond to the rapidly evolving situation.
Spring Break Update from BJU During the Coronavirus
March 24, 2020 17:15 - 8 minutes - 13 MBDr. Steve Pettit provides encouraging words and an update on Bob Jones University's response to the Coronavirus crisis.
Understanding Coronavirus: BJU’s School of Health Professions Faculty Explain the Threat
March 17, 2020 18:21 - 29 minutes - 41.4 MBCOVID-19 – also known as coronavirus – has disrupted our world in unprecedented ways. Though Bob Jones University has no diagnosed cases, the virus has still changed the course of this semester as students will finish their academic responsibilities through online means. In this time of fear and misunderstanding, I thought it would be valuable to hear expert opinions from two professors from BJU’s School of Health Professions who have expertise in community and global health. I want to tha...
How God Uses Paul Isaacs and Alexia Newman to Save Lives
March 10, 2020 18:50 - 35 minutes - 48.9 MBBob Jones University has raised over $194,000 to purchase a Save the Storks bus for the Carolina Pregnancy Center to use in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This mobile medical unit encourages women who are considering abortion to instead choose life for their unborn baby – and it also provides the opportunity to share the Gospel with those who are lost. On this episode, Dr. Steve Pettit welcomes Paul Isaacs, the President of Save the Storks, to his office to share how BJU has impacted his lif...
How God Directed Dr. Bob Jones III to Remarry
March 03, 2020 14:13 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBIn this episode, Dr. Steve Pettit welcomes to his office Dr. Bob Jones III to discuss his journey to remarriage. Dr. Bob will marry Dr. Karen Rowe in March and he shares how God directed him to this decision. Dr. Bob also answers some of the questions everyone has about the exciting news!