Paul Wilmoth: teaching assistant

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Paul Wilmoth never planned to follow in his preaching father's footsteps. It just kind of evolved that way, he said.

A little encouragement didn't hurt matters either. In 1962, at age 18, the Putnam County native was regularly offered the Sunday night pulpit, alternating with a couple of other young men at nearby Holladay Church of Christ. A preacher by the name of Arkley Billingsley was glad to step down for up-and-coming preachers to get their feet wet.

Paul Wilmoth
Teaching Assistant

"He encouraged us and let us preach quite often," Paul said. "And Dad would let me fill in for him, too, at Netherland Church of Christ. So that's really what got me interested in preaching."

And he's been doing it ever since — in addition to his job as postmaster for Tennessee Technological University, where he retired in 2006 after almost 40 years.

Today, Paul continues as associate minister at Northeast Church of Christ in Cookeville. It's a position he's held since 1983, and it's what eventually led him to volunteer many of his retirement hours as a teaching assistant at neighboring Tennessee Bible College.

"I've worked with TBC indirectly since I've been with Northeast, but I've been working more on a regular basis since I retired," he said. 

He fills in for the instructors as needed — and it's something he enjoys.

"I've always wanted to teach," Paul said. "I'd rather teach Bible almost as to preach. I just like to teach."

He said the best part of working with TBC is the association with others in the school, as well as the knowledge he gains from his studies.

"In the classes I teach, you wouldn't believe how many hours I put in," he said. "I'm learning a whole lot more than the students!"

What's impressed Paul about TBC?

"I've always been impressed with the stand TBC takes in doing what's right and in training the students who go out of the school to do what's right," he said.

When Paul isn't teaching at TBC, he keeps busy getting sermons ready for Sunday night services at Northeast Church of Christ; writing articles for the church bulletin; preparing lessons for the Wednesday night adult Bible class; co-hosting a Bible Questions and Answers television program with fellow minister and TBC president Malcolm Hill; filling in as preacher in area churches; and holding gospel meetings.

He and his wife, Shirley, have lived in Sparta since 1995 and, between them, have four children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In days gone by, he has enjoyed collecting baseball cards and hunting.

"Used to, I'd rather squirrel hunt as to eat, but I don't have time to do anything much anymore," he said. "Since I've retired, I can't find time to do anything!"