Trinity Baptist College Staff Directory

Administration

Staff

Student Life

Staff Directory

Administration

Dr. Thomas Messer

Chancellor

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B.A., D.D., Maranatha Baptist Bible College
M.Min., Trinity Baptist College
At TBC since 1982

A native of Northfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Messer graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1982 and was later awarded a Doctor of Divinity. In 1982, he began his association with Trinity Ministries as a basketball coach and teacher at Trinity Baptist College, where he earned his Master’s degree in Ministry. In 1991, he was appointed Executive Vice President of the college. On December 6, 1992, he became the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church and president of Trinity Baptist College. In 1998, he was named Chancellor of Trinity Baptist College. Pastor Messer and his wife Lisa have four children: Drew, Christie, Michael, and Jacob.

Dr. Messer enjoys spending time with his family, studying the Bible, reading books on the Christian life or church growth, eating barbecue or seafood, and playing golf. He’s also a fan of basketball, football and baseball.

tmesser@tbc.org

Mr. Mac Heavener, Jr.

President

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B.S., University of Florida

M.S., Business Intelligence from Full Sail University

At TBC since 2010

President Heavener (better known at TBC as “Mac”) is a Jacksonville, FL native, and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida. He has been connected with Trinity Baptist College since its inception in 1974, as he formerly served as a member of the Board of Trustees.

President Heavener brings vast leadership and operational experience to Trinity Baptist College. He has over 40 years of experience in real estate, including 20 years at ERA, an international corporation where he served as the President and Co-CEO. His contributions at ERA helped the company grow to over 3,000 offices operating in 23 countries. Mac has served as the President of Trinity Baptist College since 2010.

During his recreational time, Mac enjoys hugging his bride of 45 years and spending time with his grandchildren, singing in the choir, flying (he is an instrument rated private pilot), traveling, watching college sports and playing golf.

MacHeavener@tbc.edu

Mr. Matthew Heavener

Vice President of Enrollment Management and Development

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B.S. & MBA, Liberty University
At TBC since 2015

Matthew Heavener is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Development for Trinity Baptist College. He is responsible for coordinating activities for enrollment management, athletics, development, student life, and financial aid.

As a native of Jacksonville, Matthew has a diverse background that includes military service in the United States Army where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for contributions to Military Intelligence, a career as the broker and manager of ERA Heavener Realty, Co. from 1996 through 2008, as the Director of Development for all Trinity Ministries from 2008-2015, and as an adjunct professor of business for Trinity Baptist College from 2013 to the present.

Matthew has been married to his wife, Deborah, for 20 years, and has four sons (Matthew Jr., Joseph, Andrew, and Edward) that keep him busy and on his toes. In his free time, he likes to dabble in real estate, hike, travel and read.

Mr. Heavener teaches salesmanship and marketing courses at TBC.

mheavener@tbc.org

Dr. Adam Christmas

Vice President of Academic Affairs
Chief Academic Officer

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B.A., M.Min., Trinity Baptist College
Ph. D., Carolina University
At TBC since 2007

Dr. Adam Christmas was appointed Chief Academic Officer of TBC in 2022.

Dr. Christmas is the husband of Kirsten, an elementary teacher at Trinity Christian Academy, and father of two children: Emily and Ethan

While attending Trinity Baptist College, Dr. Christmas served in the bus ministry and in Student Body Government as a society chaplain, Student Body Vice President, and Student Body President.

He went on to earn his master’s degree and subsequently his Ph.D. from Carolina University. In the fall of 2011, Dr. Christmas accepted a full-time teaching position at Trinity Baptist College.

He has served as the Faculty Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity where he continues to teach resident and online courses covering the Old Testament, New Testament, and theology in both the undergraduate and graduate schools. Dr. Christmas’ teaching method in the classroom and rapport with the students outside the classroom earned him the honor of receiving the ‘Teaching Excellence Award’ in 2013 and 2018. Dr. Christmas also serves on dissertation committees, and has taught at a university in the Middle East.

In his leisure, Dr. Christmas enjoys spending time with his family, CrossFit/weightlifting, reading, and Mississippi State athletics.

achristmas@tbc.edu

Staff

Cathy Ballard

Business Office

cballard@tbc.edu

Angela Brown

Enrollment Management Assistant

welcomedesk@tbc.edu

Hannah Cason

Academic Secretary

hcason@tbc.edu

Shelby Downing

Registrar

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sdowning@tbc.edu

Dr. Teresa Dustman

Director of Online Learning

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B.S. in Spanish Education, Pensacola Christian College
M.Ed in Education Leadership, TBC
Ed. S. in Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty
Ed. D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty
At TBC since 2016

Dr. Dustman grew up in Kansas and is a big fan of the Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawks! She and her husband, Nick, met at college and were married in 1991. Her undergraduate degree was Spanish education, and she has taught Spanish to students in every grade from K5 to college. She also homeschooled two daughters all the way through their schooling. She earned her MEd from Trinity in 2014 before earning her specialist and doctoral degrees in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. She teaches undergraduate Spanish and graduate education courses at TBC and also serves as our Director of Online Learning.

tdustman@tbc.edu

Mr. Mark Elkins

Compliance Director

Financial Aid Director

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melkins@tbc.edu

Toni Elkins

Director of Student Success and Career Placement

504 Coordinator

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telkins@tbc.edu

Seth Gray

Dean of Admissions

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B.S. from Trinity Baptist College

M.A. from Liberty University

At TBC since 2015

Seth Gray is a native of Florida and an alumnus of Trinity Baptist College. After a time in the United States Army, Seth came to TBC in 2011.

Since graduating, he has transitioned to the college admissions office where he serves as Dean of Admissions. Seth is passionate about serving students and their families in the college admissions process and considers it a privilege to help students connect to where God is calling them.

sgray@tbc.edu

Michael Heavener

Director of Development

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M-Div, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

M.A., Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

B.A., The Citadel

Michael is married with two children. He is a former Army Officer (Medical Service Corp) who led Soldiers in combat deployments to Iraq (’04,’06-’07). He served in TBC’s Enrollment department from 2010-2015, where he maintained oversight as the Director of Recruiting. From 2015-2019, Michael once again served Army Medicine, this time as a Civilian Analyst and Manpower Program Manager for Army clinics in southern Germany. During his time in Germany, Michael also served in church leadership as an elder for the Evangelische Frei Kirchliche Gemeinde- Hersbruck, while his wife oversaw their Children’s ministry. Upon completion of his Army contract, Michael returned to TBC where he now oversees the college’s Development and Advancement program. Michael loves helping students in their pursuit of Christ. He enjoys spending time with his family and is also an avid college football and Florida Gators fan.

miheavener@tbc.edu

Mary Norman

Content Creation Manager

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B.S., Trinity Baptist College
At Trinity Ministries since 2006

Originally from California but raised in Mexico as a missionary kid, Mary is bilingual and bicultural. She moved to Florida in 2002 and earned her bachelor's degree from TBC in 2006.

Mary uses her creative writing, editorial skills, artistic eye, and creative thinking to support the college and encourage alumni through the role as Content Creation Manager. She also supervises student photographers and acts as a liaison for TBC Alumni.

As a creative with many interests, Mary has excelled in a variety of writing and art courses, is an avid reader, museum enthusiast, and artist, and member of the Jacksonville Watercolor Society. Married to Jonathan Norman and mother to two energetic boys and a puppy, her home life is full of sports, superheroes, and general loudness.

mnorman@tbc.edu

Issac Lawrence

Director of Recruiting

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B.S., Trinity Baptist College

At TBC since 2022

Issac was born and raised in Jacksonville FL. Prior to joining the staff at TBC, Issac served in the United States Marine Corps and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 2. His military service afforded him the opportunity to travel across the country and abroad. Upon completion of his service, he attended TBC and graduated with his B.S. in 2022. Issac is also a leader in the worship department at Impact Church.

Apart from work and ministry, Issac enjoys spending time with his family, paying piano, organ, and bass guitar, and reading books on a multitude of subjects such as Theology, leadership, and apologetics just to name a few. Issac is married, has twin girls, and a dog named T’Challa Athanasius whose name is derived from one his favorite Marvel characters and one of his favorite early Church Fathers.

ilawrence@tbc.edu

Student Life

Autumn Brinkley

Dean of Women

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B.S., Church Ministries, TBC

Autumn grew up in a military family and is as patriotic as they come. She has lived in Jacksonville for twenty-two years and is a graduate of TBC with a degree in Women’s Ministry. She has been in education for fourteen years, teaching high school English and then Fine Arts. She studies, speaks, and advocates for women’s health, with a focus on addressing all aspects of the woman: Spirit, mind, body. She is an artist and athlete who loves spending time outdoors and with her family.

abrinkley@tbc.edu