Written by Dr. Charles Zimmerman Tuesday, 17 April 2012 00:00

Where have they gone and where are they now?

I have been contacting founding faculty members to see what they are up these days and then posting that information to keep all of you updated on their whereabouts and activities.      

Thus far, we have heard from “Doc” Newman, Gary Cohen, Bob Vannoy and George Clark.  If you missed those blog entries, scroll back and take a look.  I asked each to provide contact information, so feel free to drop them a note of encouragement and while you’re at it, attach a comment to the appropriate blog entry. 

This entry comes from Bill Harding.  Who can forget “aleph bits” in the morning, poets and homiletics in the afternoon?  How many of you old grads can still recite the 69 steps in a wedding?  Bill not only taught at Biblical but kept a full speaking schedule, preaching at area churches and conferences.  It was the rare weekend that Bill was not on the road preaching somewhere. 

1.  What years did you teach at Biblical?

 I taught at Biblical from 1971 - 1996. I'm now Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Practical Theology.

2. What have you been doing since then? 

I directed the Ministry Internship Program until it was discontinued. I helped evaluate the faculty in the last self-study Biblical had for Middle States and The Association of Theological Schools.  

I've been to Singapore 15 times. I'm scheduled to go there again this year. When I go to Singapore, I'm there for four Sundays and three weeks. I speak in churches in Singapore, and for two Church Retreats in either Malaysia or Indonesia. Last year I spoke 17 times. 

I've been to Kiev, Ukraine 3 times (1997, 2001, 2002) When I went to Kiev, I taught a course at Kiev Christian University and I preached each time.

I preach in this country almost every Sunday in different churches. This year's schedule is almost filled, and I'm getting requests for 2013.

With regard to my family, I have two daughters, Cherry and Sharon. Cherry has three children and Sharon has five children. Four of my grandchildren are in College.

3.  Tell a favorite memory from your Biblical days.

When we started Biblical, we needed a Library in order to get accredited. We heard that Biblical Seminary in New York was going to sell their Library. We made a joint bid with Gordon Conwell Seminary for the Library for $112,000. We were to put up $70,000 and Gordon Conwell Seminary was to put up the rest. There were 45,000 volumes in the Library. We were to get 35,000 and Gordon Conwell Seminary was to get 10,000.  We kept hearing rumors about another School getting the Library, but in the providence of the Lord, our bid was accepted. When we went up to get the Library, there were seven thousand volumes missing. The Seminary offered to let us take the Card Catalog and the metal adjustable shelves in lieu of them. We accepted the offer. Gordon Conwell Seminary paid to have the cards for their books removed from the Card Catalog. We inserted the cards for our books in the Card Catalog, and we had our Library!  Hudson Taylor said that God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. How true that is!

 4.  Contact information: 

            Telephone: 215-721-0873
            E-mail: william.harding30@verizon.net

Charles Zimmerman is the Thomas V. Taylor Professor of Practical Theology.  He also serves as Teaching Pastor at Calvary Church in Souderton.  He is married to Kim and they have two daughters, Ashley and Megan.  See also http://biblical.edu/index.php/charles-zimmerman