Biography
Dr. Larry R. Helyer is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies at Taylor University where he taught for 29 years. He holds a BA in Psychology and Bible from Biola University, an MDiv from Western Baptist Seminary, a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies from Jerusalem University College, and a PhD in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.
He is an ordained minister in the Conservative Baptist Association of America and the Baptist General Conference. He has been pastor of North Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon, Faith Baptist Church in Sun Valley, California, stated supply pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro, Indiana, and interim pastor at the Christian Church in Hartford City, Indiana. He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches and an adult Sunday school teacher at Upland Community Church in Upland, Indiana.
He was twice recognized as the Distinguished Professor of the Year at Taylor University and also received the Frank Forman Distinguished Faculty Member Award. He is author of Yesterday, Today, and Forever: The Continuing Relevance of the Old Testament, Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period, The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John, Revelation for Dummies and the forthcoming Theology of the Apostle Peter. He was the translator of 2 Samuel in the new Holman Christian Standard Bible and has written numerous articles in professional journals and popular magazines. He has been tour guide or Bible teacher for several trips to Israel and to Turkey.
Joyce Smith Helyer received her BA from Biola University and her MA from Ball State University. She served alongside Larry as pastor’s wife for ten years before Larry began teaching at Taylor. She engaged in a wide range of ministries during those pastorates. She is now retired after having served at Taylor University for 21 years in a variety of areas from the Provost’s Office to Associate Dean of Admissions to Associate Vice President for University Advancement, and completed her career as Acting Vice President for University Advancement. She formed JEH Consulting following her retirement from the University and has helped promote and lead three trips for women to New York City and a Canadian Rockies Trip. She is now actively involved in various community services and teaches a women’s Bible study group. She edited This Cloud of Witnesses, a daily devotional guide written by alumni, faculty and staff of Taylor University. She also co-edited the book Authentic Voices: Women of Insight Talk About Real Life Challenges with Dr. Jewell Reinhart Coburn, and envisions more writing projects in the future. She and Larry enjoy traveling and will be at Jerusalem University College for the fall semester of 2010 where Larry will be a visiting professor and teaching a course entitled “Prophetic Landscapes in Ancient Israel.”
Joyce and Larry have two children, Alicia Ann Brummeler and Nathan R. Helyer. Alicia and her husband Bradley have two children, Jacob and Anna, and a dog, Lucy. Alicia teaches at Live Oak Classical School in Waco, Texas, while her husband Brad is pursuing a PhD program in philosophy at Baylor University. Nathan is in the music business industry in Nashville, Tennessee, and has worked in a variety of positions for various country western artists including Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, LeeAnn Rimes, Jodi Messina, Alison Krauss and Union Station, among others. His wife Paige is hair stylist and make-up artist for Grammy award winner Alison Krauss. They have a dog named Jessie.