TriState Deaf School of Theology was created out of an expressed spiritual need within the Deaf
Community. In 1995, leaders from Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina came together
to create biblical training opportunities for deaf men and women involved in Deaf ministry. Men
and women called by God to study the bible and provide more leadership and instruction within
their respective churches; however, they had no place to go and formally study the Word of
God. Three men (Dr. Jerry Baker – GA, Dr. Jerry St. John – SC, and Rev. Neil Peyton – NC)
founded TriState Deaf School of Theology to meet the spiritual needs within the Deaf
Community.
The group enlisted Mrs. Joyce Smith (1995-2000), formerly of Ridgecrest, NC, as the first
Director of TriState. Following her tenure Ralph Bradshaw (2000-2007) of Asheville, NC
assumed that role. Dr. Daniel Johnson (2007-2010) was the third director up until his untimely
death. Dr. Donnie Wiltshire served as the fourth director (2010-2018) leading TriState through
growth and expansion of its program offerings. Our fifth director, Dr. Jana Lollis (2018-2019) of
NC was called to lead and after a short stint left to serve in another position in Texas. Dr. Alton
Brant has served as Director since 2019.
The program was once affiliated with Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville), but in
2001 it became affiliated with Gardner-Webb University (GWU) of Boiling Springs, NC. GWU, a
Baptist institution, has maintained a strong commitment to the education of deaf men and
women for several decades. This affiliation with Gardner-Webb has allowed TriState to offer
college credit for all its course work for deaf men and women desiring credit and certificates
(without credit) for those wishing to receive advanced training in Deaf ministry. Since 2001,
TriState has become affiliated with two additional institutions: 1) Brewton-Parker College (GA)
and 2) North Greenville University.
TriState’s mission has always endeavored to provide formal, biblical training at a minimal cost to
our students. The majority of our students hold full-time jobs, have families, and possess limited
incomes. Some of our students have enrolled in and continued their education with our partner
institutions, completing their degrees. Our program is unique and the only program of its kind in
the country. All our faculty (Deaf and Hearing) are proficient signers of ASL and are well-
educated holding at least a master’s degree or doctorate. Our classes are Deaf-friendly and
provide an optimum learning environment for our students.