By Scott L. Miley
May 13, 2008 07:24 pm
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ANDERSON — Jamil Wilkerson likes football, basketball and dreams of becoming an actor.
And the 12-year-old also likes theology.
The sixth-grader at North Side Middle School recently became the youngest person to finish a local course that will earn him an associate’s degree in biblical studies.
“He’s receiving his associate’s degree from college before he gets his high school diploma. That’s a pretty big step,” said Dr. James E. Streeter, pastor of New Berean Baptist Church.
The church at 1017 W. 19th St. was damaged in a fire last year and Streeter and his staff work from offices at 2403 Raible Ave.
Streeter and his Metropolitan College of Theology offers the courses as an extension of the long-distance Bible-based and evangelical programs from the North Carolina College of Theology.
As have about 100 other — yet older — students, Wilkerson studied Acts to understand missionary journeys and the synoptic gospels to examine the ministry of Christ, among other books of the Bible. Students tend to come from Pentecostal, Baptist and Church of God backgrounds.
“It’s been fun. You get to fellowship and meet new people, experience life together,” said Wilkerson, the son of John Wilkerson and Dee Penner.
Wilkerson’s favorite study was from the Beatitudes.
“Even when it looks like I’m not prospering, I should just keep my head up and keep thanking god,” he said.
A self-described “pretty balanced person,” Wilkerson had questions about faith a year ago when he was discussing whether all babies went to heaven.
“I wanted to learn more about the Bible. ... I thought I should get the answers to things I did not know about,” Wilkerson said.
Streeter and Wilkerson knew each other and Streeter suggested he take the course for an associate’s degree. The class met every other Thursday for eight months during the regular school year.
Four groups of students have graduated with an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in biblical theology. There’s also a two-year counseling degree.
Hairstylist Stacey Kelley entered the program to obtain advanced learning. She earned a master’s degree in 2005.
“I use it in church,” she said, however, “It’s more for my own education about God.”
She added, “It gave me a different perspective on the Old Testament. I understand about the different kings and the violence that took place at that time.”
Wilkerson’s age was of initial concern. Streeter took the issue to the college’s dissertation board of which he is a member.
“We voted on him to be allowed to come in and take the associate’s classes. The only stipulation was we didn’t want him to come to the college and his grades suffer in his regular school,” Streeter said.
“He’s been able to maintain a 3.7 average along with being able to complete the requirements,” he added.
On June 14, Wilkerson will be among 29 students to receive degrees during a 4 p.m. ceremony in the Anderson City Hall auditorium.
To graduate, Wilkerson wrote a 2,000-word dissertation titled “Diamond in the Rough.” He explained, “Most people that you come around in the schools aren’t Christian. So being a diamond in the school, you have to keep facing God and believe that you’ll survive in that school.”
Streeter added, “We’re excited for him. This is really the kind of stuff we need for young folks to do rather than finding the other stuff that won’t help a prospering life. This is a good example of what can happen when we take time and nurture our young folks.”
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