Our staff has what you need:
a love for PREACHING and EXPERIENCE in Ministry
With over 400 years of combined experience in preaching and teaching God’s word, our staff understands what you need for successful ministry. The importance of a quality, sound Bible education cannot be understated, but our staff brings real-world ministry to the table as well. Our staff members are more than just classroom instructors. We have served as preachers, college professors, missionaries, teachers, elders and deacons in a variety of locations – from metropolitan areas to small country churches. This experience brings a new dimension into the classroom and allows us to teach you not just the Book, but how it applies to real ministry situations.
“I learned more about John 1:1-14 in 2 hours of exegetical study at BVBID than I have learned in my entire life of sermons and lessons. We are amazed everyday at the depth and treasure of knowledge in our professors.”
DENVER FACULTY and STAFF
Dennis Petrillo, Ph.D.
President / Instructor
Denny Petrillo is one of the premier exegetes in the brotherhood today. His knowledge of the original languages and his ability to teach the exegetical method is unparalleled. Denny holds a B.A. in Bible (Harding University), M.A. in New Testament (Harding Graduate School of Religion), and a Ph.D. in Religious Adult Education (University of Nebraska). He has been a preacher, author and Christian College teacher.
J. Michael Hite
Vice President of Operations / Instructor
Michael has served as an instructor and Vice President of Operations for the Bible Institute since 2004 and has been part of the school staff since 2002. He holds and B.A. in Biblical Studies and is working on his Master’s degree as well. He currently teaches courses in General Epistles, the Gospel of Mark, Teaching Strategies and Ministry Technologies. Michael is also one of the leading experts in Logos Bible Software within the brotherhood and speaks regularly on the use of technology in the church. His background as a Marketing Communication professional and graphics designer enhances his technology expertise in areas like presentations, website design for ministry and more.
Donnie Bates, M.B.S.
Academic Dean / Instructor
Donnie Bates holds a B.B.S. and M.B.S. from the Bear Valley Bible Institute. Bates has worked with congregations in Texas, Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma. He has done mission work in Chile, South America, as well as campaigns in Albania and Mexico. He has also taught in the Bear Valley extension schools in Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Paraguay, Haiti, Tanzania, India and Nepal. He is the Academic Dean and Dean of Graduate Studies for the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO. He and his wife Noma have lived in Littleton, CO since 2012. To see Donnie's reports click here.
Wayne Jones
Dean of Students / Instructor
Wayne is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. He holds a B.A. and M.S. from Amridge University, and he should complete his MDiv through Amridge in the Spring of 2023. Wayne has served as the pulpit preacher for the University church of Christ in San Marcos, TX since May of 2007. He is the founding director of Focal Point, a ministry workshop hosted in May of each year in San Marcos, TX. He served as an instructor at the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin for 7 years. Wayne produces a weekly podcast entitle Authentically Adam that addresses issues of fatherhood, marriage, parenting, and leadership. He and his wife, Shana Kaye were married in 1996. Together have four daughters, two sons-in-law and two grandsons.
Dave Chamberlin, M.B.S.
Instructor
Holds B.S. (University of Phoenix) and a M.B.S. (Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver). Former missionary in New Zealand. Preacher in North Dakota and Colorado. Instructor at Bear Valley since 1977.
Wayne Burger, M.B.S.
Campaign Coordinator / Instructor
Wayne Burger is an exceptional personal worker and teacher. He holds an A.A. degree in Bible and a Third Year Bible Certificate from Freed-Hardeman College; B.A. in Bible from Abilene Christian University; M.B.S. from the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. He has been a regular writer for the Rocky Mountain Christian. Has been preaching since 1962.
John W. Moore, M.Ed.
Instructor
John Moore has served as the campus minister and director of the Bible chair at the University church of Christ in San Marcos, Texas, located near Texas State University as well as the preacher for the Dripping Springs church of Christ. He is a certified public school teacher and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, where he earned both a B.S. in Education and a Masters in Education degree in the department of Counseling and Psychological Services. He has also done postgraduate work at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Jerusalem University, Austin Graduate School of Theology, and Abilene Christian University where he was enrolled in the Master of Arts in Religious Studies program. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member of the Austin Graduate School of Theology. John also serves on the advisory board of World Video Bible School, and completed 9 years of service as a school board trustee for the Dripping Springs Independent School District. He is the director of the Academy of Christian Studies educational program of the Dripping Springs church of Christ, and served for nearly twenty years in the capacity of director and assistant director of both the annual Southwest Hensel Bible Camp, and the AIM Youth Leadership camp at Peach Valley. He is the narrator and author of both the book and video, Searching For Truth, and served from 2005 through 2008 as a co-editor of the monthly periodical The Gospel Journal. John is also the narrator and instructor of Learning to Use the Greek New Testament, a thorough study of New Testament Greek presented in 35 lessons on 13 DVDs. John’s most recent endeavor includes his directorship of the Bible Land Passages Project as well as serving as one of the script writers and narrators of the Bible Land Passages videos. He and his wife Carla are also the directors of Bible Land Passage Tours, Expeditions, and Studies. Since 1986 he has preached in Gospel Meetings and lectureships in over eighteen states, and has conducted or participated in numerous campaigns to various foreign countries including Jamaica, Tobago, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Carla Moore
Dean of Women
Carla grew up in a family dedicated to ministry, then met John while they were in college at Texas State University. They married in 1986, and have since been involved in ministry at the Bible Chair on the campus of TSU, then with the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas. Later they worked with the Dripping Springs church of Christ, and they have worked with the Bible Institute since 2017. Carla enjoys speaking to women of all ages in various places and is a staff writer for Christian Woman magazine. She also has served in numerous Christian youth camps, and especially enjoys helping John guide trips to Israel, and blogging about those experiences (www.walkingwhereJesuswalked.com). John and Carla have three sons, Jordan (daughter-in-law, Erin), Jacob (daughter-in-law, Alyssa), and Micah (daughter-in-law Courtney). She enjoys being "Yaya" to their precious grandchildren: Jackson, Emmy, Clara, Turner, and Alivia.
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS
Dan Owen, Ph.D.
Adjunct Instructor
Dan Owen holds a B.A. in Bible and Biblical languages from Oklahoma Christian University, an M.A. in Greek New Testament from Harding Graduate School of Religion, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Program Evaluation from Southern Illinois University. Owen has worked with congregations in Mississippi, Texas, and Kentucky. He also taught for six years at the Bear Valley Bible Institute and served as Academic Dean. He has been the pulpit minister for the Broadway church of Christ in Paducah, KY, since 1987. He and his wife Cindy reside in Paducah.
Mike Vestal
Adjunct Instructor
Mike Vestal is known throughout the brotherhood as the "preacher's preacher." His passion for preaching and his love of preachers is unsurpassed. Mike preached his first sermon at the age of 13, and has been involved in full-time preaching for about 35 years. He met his wife Cherie while both were students at Freed-Hardeman. They have been married for almost 34 years. Mike and Cherie have 2 children: David and his wife Breann, and Caren, who is married to Will Dixon. Mike and Cherie also are greatly blessed to have two grandchildren: Mikey (2 years old ) and Faythe Ann (1 year old). Mike has preached in meetings or lectureships in 37 states and in 6 foreign countries. He has preached for the Westside congregation in Midland, TX for the last 17 years. Mike holds a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Bear Valley Bible Bible Institute.
Ken Dawdy, M.A.
Adjunct Instructor
Ken Dawdy received a Bachelor of Arts in Bible in 1975 from Lubbock Christian University and a Master of Arts in Religion from Harding Graduate School of Religion in 1977. He has preached for churches in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Ken spent 19 years preaching for the Englewood church of Christ in Englewood, CO and served as an elder for 8 years there as well. Ken directed the Singing Youth of Denver for 16 years and has conducted Singing Emphasis workshops in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Ken currently preaches for the Dahlia Street church of Christ where he has been since 2008. He and his wife Shelley met and married during his time at LCU.
Jeff Miller, Ph.D.
Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Miller graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors at Freed-Hardeman University, receiving an earned B.S. degree in Physical Science with minors in Bible, French, and Mathematics, and an earned B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). His academic honors included membership in several honor societies, including Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, Alphi Chi National Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
He also received earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomechanical Engineering from UTA and Auburn University, respectively, with emphases in Thermodynamics and Bio-thermal Science, Bio-transport Phenomena, Biomechanics, and Navigation and Control of Biological Systems. While at Auburn University, he also instructed courses in Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer, as well as Statics and Dynamics.
Dr. Miller serves as the full-time science writer at Apologetics Press. He is the Associate Editor of A.P.'s monthly Christian evidences journal for adults, Reason & Revelation, as well as the Editor of the A.P. Bible Class Curriculum. He is also the author of the book, Science vs. Evolution.
Corey Sawyers
Adjunct Instructor
Corey began preaching at the age of 15, filling in at his home congregation (Liberty) and in congregations throughout NW Tennessee. He preached full-time for ten years at the Macedonia congregation while running the family monument business before moving to Colorado to train at Bear Valley. Since graduating in 2014, he has worked with the development department at Bear Valley, and as the preacher for the East Wood congregation (Paris, TN). Corey and his family began working with the Martin, TN church of Christ in September of 2020 as Church Family Minister. Corey has transitioned into the Pulpit Minister. He holds a B.B.S from Bear Valley and is currently enrolled in the Master's Degree program. Corey is blessed with a wonderful family whom he loves dearly. His wife, Melody, and their three sons, Garrett, Gordon, and Gannon, are treasures.
Bart Warren, M.Div.
Adjunct Instructor
Bart Warren holds a B.S. in Accounting from Oklahoma Christian University and an M.Div. from Freed-Hardeman University. Bart is currently the pulpit minister for the South Green Street church of Christ in Glasgow, KY. He and his wife Laura reside in Glasgow, KY.
Thomas Bart Warren is the grandson of Dr. Thomas B. Warren. He grew up listening to his father, Lindsey (the only son of Dr. Warren), and his grandfather, who had dedicated their lives to the defense of the Christian faith. Bart received a degree in Accounting from Oklahoma Christian University and worked as an accountant in Dallas, TX. He has received M.A. and MDiv. Degrees from Freed-Hardeman University. He owns National Christian Press, the publishing company formed by Dr. Warren, and is co-founder of the Warren Christian Apologetics Center.
Bart married Laura Hanstein in 2003. Laura is the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Roy Lanier, Jr. and Roy Lanier, Sr. respectively. In 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Warren welcomed their twin sons, Loukas and Titus, into the world and in 2011 welcomed their third son, Jacob Thomas.
DEVELOPMENT STAFF
Jon Warnes
Director of Development
Holds a Bachelor of Theology from Bear Valley (2010). He spent six years as the Director of Alumni Relations for Bear Valley from 2010-2016. He served as the Director of Youth & Family for the Brown Trail church of Christ from 2016-2020. In 2020, he served as the Director of Development for World Video Bible School (WVBS) until coming “back home” to work with Bear Valley this June. He is an Air Force veteran with 20+ years of Meteorological Aviation Weather Forecasting experience. He lives in New Braunfels, Texas where he serves as an elder of the University church of Christ in San Marcos, Texas. He and his wife, Laura, have nine children and twelve grandchildren.
Wayne Nelson
Director of Student Services / Instructor
Holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Bear Valley, was a broadcast engineer for 23 years and has served in the U.S. Navy. He currently serves as a deacon for the Bear Valley congregation.