Bill came home in the middle of the day as I was ironing in the dining room. He said, “I quit.” Startled, I asked for details. He was an adjunct professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, and we were living in seminary housing. He had asked the president for a short leave of absence in order to complete the dissertation for his PhD at Hebrew Union College. With the request denied, Bill said he could not continue teaching.
I’m not sure now how much of the school year was yet to complete, but my concern was loss of not only an income but position in the school and community. Wilmore, Kentucky, was the town of two prominent schools: seminary and college. Somehow the news traveled across the street to Asbury College, and not long afterward the president there asked Bill to come for an interview, and he was later hired.
In the meantime, I had doubts and questions about what would be next. Our four children needed a father with a substantial job. That night, as usual, we knelt on either side of our bed and prayed. I don’t recall what Bill said, but it made me feel calm and confident God would provide. I knew Bill was capable of teaching, but he also needed to finish that dissertation. As I said, Asbury College’s president hired Bill and also gave him the first quarter off (with pay) to work on his dissertation. During that time it became evident that the subject matter was not suitable, for the assigned translation had several languages not in Bill’s knowledge. A trip to Cincinnati to confer with his major professor meant a change in topic and a later proposed trip to Israel.
While the dissertation did not get completed before the next quarter’s teaching load, Bill had broken its back, so to speak. The new job at the college meant another house for us, a consistent salary, and a productive program of teaching for Bill. Before long Bill earned his PhD and became a full professor. Our whole family gained lasting friendships, and I also earned my BA at the college.
But this “quitting a job” happened again. After some changes at the college, Bill accepted a position at OMS mission agency in Greenwood, Indiana, and we moved there. Two years later, after a board meeting, Bill arrived home to announce that he resigned. Now what? The decision was reasonable, for his staff position required that he should have had field experience. He did not, and felt it illegal to continue. A seminary in Oregon offered him a position, but he turned it down. Then the unexpected: Asbury College called to request he return as academic dean. This he accepted, and we moved back to Wilmore.
This would not be the end of moves for our family, but it did confirm God’s provision and protection during changes in salary and location. We trust God, for He is good all the time.
Ann Coker 