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MC Family Welcomes New BSU Leader


Ben Maddox went to work July 1 as the new director of the Baptist Student Union at Mississippi College.

Colleagues on the Clinton campus gave a warm welcome to the Georgia native on a Wednesday when sizzling summer temperatures approached the mid-90s.

"I'm delighted he's here," said Brenda Holloway, secretary of the Baptist Student Union.

Heidi Cheatham, the BSU associate director served since November as interim director. She's excited about the leadership skills that Maddox brings to MC. "We've been praying for him for a long time," Cheatham said. "The right person is here."

Maddox, 34, recently completed his duties as campus minister for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, a post he'd held since 2005. At the same time, he worked as a campus minister at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Maddox succeeds Kelly Wheat, who left to take a church position in Colorado.

"Ben has a heart and desire to reach and disciple college students through the BSU," said Eric Pratt, vice president for Christian Development at MC.

Maddox and his wife, Kathy, a teacher, are living in Clinton. Married since June 1998, they are the parents of a six-year-old son, Brock.

A native of Warner Robins, Ga., Maddox received his bachelor's degree in economics from Valdosta State University in 1997. He obtained a master's of divinity with a specialization in collegiate ministries from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2004.

The BSU staff is now gearing up for Welcome Week activities in August. Students involved in the Christian ministry get together for Bible study, visit people in area apartments and take on other tasks to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.