Presented by Freeman Webb   

Distinguished Sponsor: Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Frist, Jr.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rubel Shelly

Faith Family’s 8th Annual Birthday Breakfast at Woodmont Christian Church, chaired by Ann and Kirby Davis, will honor Melba and Bill Blevins, Barbara and Willie K. Davis, and Don Griffin, M.D.

Our keynote speaker, Dr. Rubel Shelly’s distinguished career began at Freed-Hardeman University where he was an instructor in Philosophy and Religion.  In 1978, he moved to Nashville and served as the senior minister of what is now Woodmont Hills Church.  During these years in Nashville, he also taught at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Tennessee State University and Lipscomb University. In 2005, Dr. Shelly became a Visiting Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Rochester College.  He became full time in 2006 and served as President of the College from 2008-2013.  Dr. Shelly then returned to Nashville and is currently the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Lipscomb University and an associate with Interim Ministry Partners.

Dr. Shelly holds degrees from Harding University (B.A.), Harding Graduate School of Religion (M.A., M.Th.), and Vanderbilt University (M.A., Ph.D.).  He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books including I Just Want To Be A Christian and I Knew Jesus Before He Was a Christian and I Liked Him Better Then.  He is published widely in religious journals and many have been translated into numerous languages.  He has also done short-term work in more than a dozen countries.  He is married to the former Myra Shappley and they are parents of three children – Mrs. David (Michelle) Arms, Tim and Tom.

Dr. Shelly has been an integral part of Faith Family Medical Center since its beginning 15 years ago.  He served on the Board of Directors from 2001-2007 and made many contributions to the organization in its early years.  Interestingly, while a student at Lipscomb University, Faith Family’s Medical Director Dr. Parker Panovec was one of Dr. Shelly’s students in his Medical Ethics class.