George W. BonDurant
Encyclopedia
George William BonDurant (born August 9, 1915) is a retired American preacher
who was influential in the Restoration Movement
of Christianity during the 20th century. He was the founder and first President of both Atlanta Christian College
and Mid-Atlantic Christian University. BonDurant was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
in 2009.
for one year before transferring to Cincinnati Christian University
. He graduated from Cincinnati Christian University
in 1936.
, Georgia
area, BonDurant and his wife, Sarah BonDurant (née Presley), founded Atlanta Christian College
in 1937. Financial resources were provided by T. O. Hathcock. BonDurant served as the college's first President until he resigned over a dispute with the trustees in 1947.
in 1947. The BonDurants founded Mid-Atlantic Christian University (known as Roanoke Bible College until 2009) in Elizabeth City
, North Carolina in 1948 due to the extreme lack of preachers in the area at the time. Under his leadership, Mid-Atlantic Christian University received its first school accreditation in 1979 from the Association for Biblical Higher Education. BonDurant retired in 1986 and was succeeded by William A. Griffin.
BonDurant was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
on December 2, 2009 by North Carolina]Governor
Bev Perdue
for his work at Mid-Atlantic Christian University and his contributions to the state.
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
who was influential in the Restoration Movement
Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century...
of Christianity during the 20th century. He was the founder and first President of both Atlanta Christian College
Atlanta Christian College
Point University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in East Point, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta....
and Mid-Atlantic Christian University. BonDurant was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Order of the Long Leaf Pine
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1965, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The Longleaf Pine is the official state tree of North Carolina. As of Dec 31, 2006, the Order has been awarded to 6,672 individuals....
in 2009.
Early life and education
BonDurant attended Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
for one year before transferring to Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati Christian University is a private Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is supported by the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which are part of the Restoration Movement....
. He graduated from Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati Christian University is a private Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is supported by the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which are part of the Restoration Movement....
in 1936.
Atlanta Christian College
After several unsuccessful attempts by other parties to start a Christian college in the AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
area, BonDurant and his wife, Sarah BonDurant (née Presley), founded Atlanta Christian College
Atlanta Christian College
Point University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university in East Point, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta....
in 1937. Financial resources were provided by T. O. Hathcock. BonDurant served as the college's first President until he resigned over a dispute with the trustees in 1947.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
BonDurant then found employment as an evangelist of the Roanoke District Christian churches and churches of Christ in eastern North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in 1947. The BonDurants founded Mid-Atlantic Christian University (known as Roanoke Bible College until 2009) in Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank County and Camden County in the State of North Carolina. With a population of 18,683 at the 2010 census, Elizabeth City is the county seat of Pasquotank County....
, North Carolina in 1948 due to the extreme lack of preachers in the area at the time. Under his leadership, Mid-Atlantic Christian University received its first school accreditation in 1979 from the Association for Biblical Higher Education. BonDurant retired in 1986 and was succeeded by William A. Griffin.
BonDurant was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Order of the Long Leaf Pine
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, created in 1965, is an honor that can be granted in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The Longleaf Pine is the official state tree of North Carolina. As of Dec 31, 2006, the Order has been awarded to 6,672 individuals....
on December 2, 2009 by North Carolina]Governor
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
Bev Perdue
Bev Perdue
Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party currently serving as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. She is the first female governor of North Carolina....
for his work at Mid-Atlantic Christian University and his contributions to the state.