Committee looks into agenda at Baptist college

A Missouri Baptist Convention executive board subcommittee has voted to open and inquiry into reports of a homosexual agenda at William Jewell College in Liberty.

The board’s inter-agency committee decided to take the action during a meeting at the Baptist Building in Jefferson City following news reports about pro-homosexual activities at the Missouri Baptist Convention affiliated college.

Both Baptist Press and KMBC, a Kansas City television station, reported that some William Jewell students are campaigning openly for a pro-homosexual plank in the college’s student bill of rights.

In another story, Baptist Press quoted the chair of the William Jewell department of psychology as saying there is a pattern of accepting homosexuality at the college.

Patricia Schoenrade, a William Jewell professor since 1989, cautioned that the spiritual and intellectual souls of the students are at risk. Schoenrade told the news service that she is very concerned about the advocacy of homosexuality as a viable lifestyle being affirmed at the college.

Charlie Burnett, pastor of Harmony Heights Baptist Church in Joplin and chairman of the board’s inter-agency committee, and he, Missouri Baptist Convention executive director David Clippard, and Kenny Qualls, Missouri Baptist Cenvention president, had been flooded with e-mails and phone calls following the initial news reports.

“Missouri Baptists want to know what is going on,” Burnett said.

(BP)