Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies
Faculty and Staff
Meet the Team
Administration
Will Hanstein, Executive Director, Instructor
Will Hanstein has earned the following degrees: B.A. (Bible), Freed-Hardeman University; M.A. (New Testament), Freed-Hardeman University. He is currently enrolled in the PhD leveling program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has preached since 1994 for churches in Tennessee, Texas, and Colorado. Before coming to Southeast, Will served as the Dean of Graduate Studies for the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver.
Mike Green, Dean of Students, Instructor
Mike Green has earned the following degrees: B.A. (Biblical Studies), Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver; M.A. (New Testament), Amridge University. He is currently enrolled in the M.Div. program at Freed-Hardeman University. He has preached since 2004 for churches in Florida, Washington, Kentucky, and Virginia. Prior to coming to Southeast, Mike was the pulpit minister for the Cawson Street Church in Hopewell, VA.
Mark Hanstein, Academic Dean, Instructor
Mark Hanstein has earned the following degrees: B.A. (Bible), Oklahoma Christian University; M.A. (Theological Studies), Austin Graduate School of Theology. He has preached full-time since 1975 for churches in California, Colorado, and Texas. Before coming to Southeast, he served as Academic Dean and instructor with the Bear Valley Bible Institute at Denver, CO. Mark also served as an elder for the Bear Valley congregation from 2006-2016.
Rick Harrison, Director of Development, Instructor
Rick Harrison has earned the following degrees: B.A. (Bible), Freed-Hardeman University; Master’s of Divinity (M.Div.) at Heritage Christian University. He has preached since 1995 for churches in Tennessee, Georgia, and California. Before coming to Southeast, Rick served as the pulpit minister of the Pleasant Hill church of Christ in Pleasant Hill, CA, for over 21 years.
David Lipe, Fundraising, Instructor
David Lipe has earned the following degrees: Ph.D. (Philosophy), University of Tennessee. He has preached since 1967 in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. He taught at FHU for 20 years and was the Director at Southeast from 2012 to 2014. David currently works with the Crossville church of Christ in Crossville, TN.
Faculty
Bill Bryant, Instructor
Bill Bryant has received educational training in the following institutions: Certificate (Bible), East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, 1973. University of Tennessee, 1969-71; University of Cincinnati, 1982-85. He has preached for congregations in Ohio, Mississippi, and Tennessee and currently serves as the pulpit minister for the Wooddale church of Christ in Knoxville, TN.
Spencer Clark, Instructor
Spencer Clark has earned the following degrees: B.A. (Bible), Freed-Hardeman University; M.Div. (New Testament), Freed-Hardeman University. He has preached since 2011 for churches in Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky. Spencer currently serves as the Evangelism and Outreach minister for the Karns church of Christ.
Bob Cowles, Instructor
Bob Cowles has earned the following degrees: A.A., Southeast Missouri State University; B.S., Southeast Missouri State University; B.A., Harding University; M.A., Alabama Christian School of Religion; M.Div., Harding Graduate School of Religion. He has preached since 1976 in both Missouri and Tennessee. Bob currently preaches for the Norwood church of Christ in Knoxville, TN.
Tim Forlines, Instructor
Tim Forlines holds a certificate from East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions and a BBA from Bluefield State College. He has preached since 1982 in both Virginia and Tennessee. He also preaches for the Claxton church of Christ in Claxton, TN. He and his wife Kathy have three children.
Gary Hampton, Instructor
Gary Hampton has earned a B.A. (Bible), Freed-Hardeman University. He has been preaching since 1968 and served as the Director of the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies from 2006 until 2012. He is currently the preacher for the Siwell Road church of Christ in Jackson, MS.
Steve Higginbotham, Instructor
Steve Higginbotham has earned the following degree: B.S. (Bible), Freed-Hardeman University. He is continuing his graduate work at Freed-Hardeman University. He has served congregations in West Virginia and Kentucky and is currently the pulpit minister for the Karns church of Christ.
Jim Laws, Instructor
Jim Laws has earned the following degrees: J.D., Concord Law School, 2008; Ph.D., Tennessee Bible College, 1986; M.Th., Harding University, 1976; B.A., David Lipscomb University, 1973. He is the minister for Broadway church of Christ, Tyler, TX.
Brett Rutherford, Instructor
Brett Rutherford holds an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern History from the University of Memphis and is also a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. He has worked with congregations in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Australia. Brett has done campaign work in the countries of Tanzania and Zambia. He is currently working with the Mersey Bluff Church of Christ in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, where he serves as an evangelist and an elder. Brett and his wife Joanne have three children, Mitchell, Lachlan, and Chelsea.
Conrad Slate, Guest Lecturer
Conrad Slate has earned the following degrees: B.S., History, Tennessee Tech, 1968; M.S., Financial Services, The American College, 2001. He also holds the following professional certifications: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), 1975; Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), 1978; Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), 1989; Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS), 1997; Special Needs Planner, 1999. He is currently an owner of Slate, Disharoon, Parrish & Assoc., LLC, where he practices as a fee-based financial planner.
Wes Smith, Instructor
Wes Smith has earned the following degrees: B.A. Texas Tech, 1990; M.B.A., St. Mary’s University, 1998. He holds the following certifications: CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) from ASCM; PMP (Project Management Professional) from PMI. He also serves as a Corporate Fellow at the University of Houston Downtown, teaching Strategy and Supply Chain classes. He is an elder at the church of Christ in Champions in Houston, TX.
Tony Turner, Instructor
Tony Turner has earned the following degrees: BS (Behavioral Science and Leadership), United States Military Academy; MA (Psychology), University of Saint Mary. He is retired from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and from the United States Army. He was an elder for the Karns church of Christ from 2014-2022.
Bart Warren, Instructor
Bart Warren has earned the following degrees: B.S. (Accounting), Oklahoma Christian University; M.A. & M.Div. (New Testament), Freed-Hardeman University; M.A. (Christianity & Classical Studies), Knox Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy & Apologetics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has preached since 2003 for churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. He currently serves as minister of South Green St. church of Christ in Glasgow, KY.
