Former MACU President Passes
When Dr. John W. Conley was selected as the university's second president, Dr. Conley was serving at the time as pastor of the Fifth Avenue Church of God in South Charleston, West Virginia. As a college trustee, he had been closely related to the school since the late ‘60's speaking at various events and supportive of the school's emerging growth. He was first elected Executive Vice President and later ratified in June 1974, to succeed Dr. Gaulke as the college's second President, beginning his presidency in 1975.
Dr. Conley found ways to strengthen the school even during the time of presidential transition. By 1979, Gulf-Coast Bible College became the first school of its kind to be accredited by the regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
However, while achieving this accrediting milestone, the college was also experiencing the gradual deterioration of the campus' buildings and the appreciation of land values in the Heights area of Houston, Texas. Dr. Conley became convinced that the school's recruitment program was hindered by the changing neighborhood, which was becoming increasingly violent. Preliminary investigations were made to relocate the college to a more centralized location to Church of God constituencies.
Hearing of the school's desire to relocate to Oklahoma City, a Christian gentleman, Mr. John Shroyer, made available for immediate possession, 35 acres of undeveloped land on S.W. 119th Street, in Oklahoma City. On March 9, 1984, Dr. Conley led a ground breaking ceremony for the new $7.5 million dollar campus.
In his book, A Servant in God's Kingdom, Dr. Arlo Newell traced this historic moment by observing, “At no time had any Church of God institution of higher learning ever moved into a completely new campus, designed for the unique purpose of serving the church. South Texas Bible Institute had come to a new day, a new home, and would receive a new name, Mid-America Bible College.”
A few years after his resignation, Circleville Bible College in Circleville, Ohio, now named Ohio Christian University, contacted Dr. Conley asking him to consider coming as that institution's President. He consented and was responsible for effective administration, growing enrollments, as well as leading that college to expand its degree programs. He served that university as President from 1994-2005, before announcing his retirement.
Dr. Conley valued life-long learning, and he challenged his students to remain students of the Word of God throughout their lifetimes. He certainly was himself a life-long learner, having an insatiable reading agenda. Not only did he read several books a month, but he established a summer routine of intense Bible study. He was constantly invited to serve as an evangelist and teacher at revivals, camp meetings, and conventions. He had a significant pastoral ministry. Many Wesleyan denominations and church groups invited him to speak and teach at their national and local events. He was a noted author writing books, book chapters, and periodicals throughout the years of his ministry. Dr. Conley often taught a college course, and held the rank of full “Professor” while also serving as the college's President. He will be remembered as one of the Church of God's scholars and statesmen. He was not only a disciple of Jesus Christ, but also spent a life-time being a disciple-maker.
