Professor Spotlight: Frankie Melton, Jr.
Alyssa Waller, Staff Writer
Meet one of the least intimidating professors at North Greenville University: Frankie Melton Jr.., assistant professor of christian studies at NGU. He has been serving as a pastor for 27 years. He was a full-time pastor for seven years, then when he became a professor he became a part-time pastor at Heath Springs Church in Lancaster County, S.C.
Melton is 47 years old, so he has a way to go before he retires. He said, “I can hardly comprehend post-NGU at this point.”
Right now there are no indicators that retirement is coming any time soon, but Melton expects to be at NGU until retirement unless God has other plans. He said he always had this idea that when he retires, which he can hardly fathom, he might go into the missions field in retirement.
Melton said, “I am eager for an opportunity to be on the mission field as well.”
While he preaches from the English Standard Version of the Bible, he loves the King James and New American Standard translations. He said he loves these translations because they are literal translations. He added, “The NAS is a good one.”
Melton said one of his favorite books to preach from is the book of Acts because we see how the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome in 30 years. He said the books of Acts is fascinating because it shows ordinary people doing extraordinary things through the power of the Holy Spirit.
While he does teach christian studies courses, he also teaches classes to non-christian studies majors, such as new testament and principles of christian leadership.
He said the last time he taught principles of christian leadership, he thought the class was evenly divided among christian studies majors and non-christian studies majors.
Melton said, “This semester, I have a new testament class with about 32 students, and I do not think there is a single christian studies major in there.”
He wrote an article for the Baptist Press titled, ‘‘The Consequences of Inaction,’’ which he wrote on the flight back to the United States from Poland, where he and 100 other pastors took a tour of a museum in Auschwitz.
They were not allowed to take pictures of what was inside the museum, but Melton said he was moved by the human hair that was showcased in the museum. He added, “It is an awful story.”
Over the years, people have told Melton they are intimidated by him, even recently. He said he finds this shocking because he thinks he is a nobody.
He said he does not talk because he listens to who he is talking to. He continued, “One of the reasons someone told me that they feel intimidated by me is because I stare at them.”
Melton said he wants people to know he loves them and he is very eager to know people. He said, “They should not, by any means, be intimidated by me. I am a nobody.”
Wilson Goins, an NGU Alumni (Spring ‘21) said, “Dr. Melton is a kind, yet challenging mentor. He exhibits genuine care for students and seeks to see them grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Melton encourages students to discover the gifts God has equipped them with, while simultaneously pressing them to seek to improve those gifts by the power of the Holy Spirit. Goins said he has been personally impacted by Melton in a number of ways. He added, “He [Melton] taught me to preach the Bible with confidence, knowing that the Word of God never turns void.”
According to Goins, Melton has had an impact on so many NGU students and faculty. Goins said, “Dr. Melton is one of the most godly men I have ever met. He exhibits a boldness in his teaching and a shepherd’s heart in his care of souls. He is a real friend to everyone.”
Joseph Bryant, sophomore intercultural studies major at NGU said, “Dr. Melton has been a mentor in two ways: he has taken time to teach at Fortress many times and he has been willing to discuss things such as sermon preparation or theological issues.”
According to Bryant, Melton encourages students by pushing them in unique ways and he is not afraid to give students a challenge. Bryant said he was impacted by the boldness of Melton. He said Melton has led by example and taught him there is a time to stand up to bad theology in a respectful, yet firm way.
Bryant continued, “Dr. Melton is a wise man of God who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of holiness.”
Matthew Easler, sophomore interdisciplinary studies major at NGU had said, “Dr. Melton has been a great mentor for me in his compassionate, yet zealous attitude.”
According to Easler, Melton always wants to see how he is growing, what he has been learning and how he is doing. As Easler has been learning how to preach, he says Melton’s guidance has been very important in helping him grow and giving him opportunities to get in the pulpit.
Easler said Melton often encourages students by pointing out the strengths they have. He challenges them to cultivate these areas, and helps them along the way.
Easler said, “He will always direct students to the truths of the word, just as he himself is solidly grounded in the Scripture.”
