Submitted by admin
It’s hard to imagine that Mr. Denis McBride, a popular PCC faculty member and a favorite of students around the world as an A Beka Academy video teacher, never even planned to be a teacher in the first place! Read what he has to say about how the Lord led him to be a teacher, his funniest moment as a teacher, his salvation testimony, and much more.
When did you trust Christ as your Savior?
Mr. McBride: July 19, 1970. My friend was not walking with the Lord, and his dad, who was a pastor, was trying to get him back in church. He called me one afternoon and said, “We’ve got this youth thing at my church. I don’t want to go, but you know my dad’s on me. How about going with me?”
That was the first time in my life I had ever heard the gospel clearly explained, and I responded in that church service. My friend also rededicated his life that day, and then he and I got busy trying to win some of our high school buddies to Christ.
Did you major in education in college?
Mr. McBride: No, my major was theology. My desire was to be a youth pastor.
How did you transition to the role of a teacher?
Mr. McBride: I was a youth pastor for seven years, in churches that had schools. The administrator would say, “You’re the youth pastor; would you teach Bible in the school?” Later, someone found out I had a love of history. The transition from youth pastor to classroom teacher was about five years.
How long have you been teaching?
Mr. McBride: 35 years.
Did any particular person influence you to become a teacher?
Mr. McBride: No, the Lord just called and opened and closed doors, and He gave me a love of it and an opportunity to work with young people. Being a youth pastor was a great help because I understood and liked young people, and it really helped me in the classroom setting.
Now, teaching and teaching right are two different things. Dr. Petermeyer, the principal at the Academy at the time, was a tremendous influence on helping me become not just a teacher, but a professional teacher.
What led you to come to Pensacola Christian College?
Mr. McBride: We had been in three different schools, and they kept closing. These were people who were not necessarily committed to Christian education—if finances got tight or if a new pastor came and didn’t want the school, the schools kept closing. We had helped start a school in Tennessee. The school was on its second year and had about 300 students. It was doing very well. Then the pastor left, and the deacons and pulpit committee decided they didn’t want the school.
We wanted to go somewhere where people believed Christian education was necessary, not just nice. I said to my wife one day, “Why don’t we just apply at Pensacola.” She laughed! She made the comment, “Like they’d hire us!” I said, “Well, let’s find out.” It’s just an amazing thing how the Lord opened the door.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you as a teacher?
Mr. McBride: I taught the same lesson two days in a row. I had broken my shoulder and was in pain and on muscle relaxers, and I coached three away basketball games that week and didn’t get into bed before 12:30–1:00 a.m. three nights out of the five. Then I walked into class and taught the exact same lesson on Friday that I had taught on Thursday.
I got about halfway through the lesson, and a couple of girls were laughing, and I couldn’t figure out why! Finally, I walked back to one girl’s desk and said, “You’re going to tell me what’s so funny, and you’re going to tell me right now.” She looked up and said, “Mr. McBride, you taught this lesson yesterday.” Same jokes, same illustrations. Of course, the tragic thing was that those two girls were the only ones that noticed!
I think that anyone who’s had Mr. McBride for a class (whether at the college, PCA, or A Beka Academy) would have to say that he is one of their favorite teachers!
He is certainly a favorite at chapel – everybody gets excited when they see him come on the stage in the Crowne Center before the service.
Thanks for your service to the Lord, Mr. McBride!
Mr. Mcbride was my favorite teacher ever!
I heard Mr. McBride preach for the first time in a Sunday evening church service this week, and the LORD used him to encourage, admonish, and challenge me. Praise the LORD for men who desire to be (and are) used of God.
I was enrolled in Abeka Academy and always looked forward to my classes with Mr. McBride. I can’t wait to actually be in a class of his and be able to meet him!!
I echo that exactly
I had Mr. McBride for 11th grade history through the DVD program and always looked forward to his class. The reviews and games to help with study for the up coming test were a big help.
I’ll never forget when a student answer the question Gorgeous (beatiful) instead of Gorgas (a man in history’s name). The whole class and Mr. McBride were laughing so hard. I rewound that part many times and rewatched it.
LOL. Good times with Mr. McBride
On yesterday, as we ended session #3 of Summer 2011 graduate classes, I went to chapel, and our guest speaker for the time was Mr. McBride. I was thrilled because I expected to hear a good, solid, Bible-based enriching word from the Lord. I did not know what to expect for the topic – Prayer Changes Things, nor the content, but God so touched my heart, and all I could walk out of chapel saying was, “WOW!”
The practical reasons he gave for us to BE DISCIPLINED and MAKE TIME to go before God’s throne in prayer throughout ANY and EVERY day just moved my spirit and touched my soul. I began in that session with what we are mandated in the Word to do – Pray without ceasing, silently, of course. I barely stepped out of my last class session with Dr. Rand in ED 629 before I was on the phone sharing the message with one of my sisters. It was so rich that she was blessed and so it has been with the others I have shared it with since then. I found it most touching, his story about the “brilliant” gift he gave to his wife a few years ago and how he related that incident to the types of reactions we rob God of when we don’t avail ourselves in Genuine Relationship with the Godhead.
Thank you, Mr. McBride for your testimony and to those who published this piece. I find it quite interesting how this blog, part 1 would be made available 41 years, almost to the date, since you accepted Christ’s saving grace. God continue to bless you and your family and may your legacy continue being far reaching throughout this universe.
I had Mr. McBride for many high school class and then came here. I had heard him preach but didn’t think I’d ever get him as a teacher because I wasn’t a history major or anything like that. Then when I registered for GTM (General Teaching Methods) my Sophomore fall (I’ll be a Junior this fall) I saw his name on the list and got super excited! He’s an amazing preacher and a super fun teacher. He has taught me so many things about teaching. I am so thankful for him and his influence on my life.
I had the privilege of attending Pensacola Christian Academy all through my years of schooling. Mr. McBride was the best teacher I ever had, and I had many great teachers at PCA. Mr. McBride genuinely cares for each of his students. His love for Christ, his students, and his subject was a winning combination in the class room. I have been a teacher for the past 15 years, and I try to emulate Mr. McBride in my classroom every day. I am so grateful for the influence Mr. McBride had in my life.
I had Mr. McBride as a video teacher growing up through the A Beka Academy progrom. He was one of the best history/bible teachers I had. He is my favorite teacher.
As a parent of A Beka Academy homeschoolers, I would sit and listen to their classes that Mr. McBride taught. He brought the Bible and History to life and helped not only my children learn to love History and the Bible, but also myself. I’m excited I still have one in high school so I can get my dose of the teachings of Mr. McBride.
Any PCA, PCC, or A Beka Academy student who has had Mr. McBride will tell you that he is an amazing teacher. He pours his heart into his teaching and loves his students. His jokes and illustrations are to the point and usually hilarious.
Most importantly, though, he longs for young people to pray, to really pray. Every day in Bible class he would pray with us, and every day he approached the throne of God both boldly and humbly at the same time. It’s hard to describe, but it so encouraged me and put a desire in my heart to pray to God as though He hears me and really cares, because He does!
I had Mr. McBride for several Abeka classes for two years and I must say he was my very favorite teacher. I know he gets that a lot. He was hilarious and encouraging in every video I watched and when I saw him preach during college days, he was equally awesome! Looking forward to being at PCC in the fall!!
I never had Mr. McBride as a teacher or heard him preach. But I student taught under his wife in first grade. Mrs. McBride was amazing to work with.
After reading these articles, it sounds like PCC has got an amazing new campus pastor. I will be praying for him as he steps into this position.
Mr. Mcbride is our new Pastor. That is awesome. Thank you Pastor McBride for all you do. You blessed my life tremendously.
This is so exciting that Mr. McBride will be our new pastor at campus church. It has been two years and we really were in need of a leader for campus church in the form of a pastor. I think that he will be able to fill the position to the fullest. As part of the student body, I am estatic about this decision and think that it was a very good one.
When I was a student-teacher doing my internship at PCA, I had the privilege of getting to know Mr. McBride. He is a humble man with a gift for loving and communicating with people. I was surprised to see he was going to be the new pastor of the Campus Church, but I think it is a great decision. I know he really loves the Lord.
I heard Mr. McBride preach for the first time in a Sunday evening church service this week, and the LORD used him to encourage, admonish, and challenge me. Praise the LORD for men who desire to be (and are) used of God.
I am one of Mr. McBride’s video students for 11th grade U.S. History and Life Management, and he is my absolute favorite teacher. He always has a story to tell us that he incorporates into the lesson, and he is really funny! In a good way! I really want to meet him in real life.
I use the online video classes and Mr. Mcbride is my teacher for 11th grade U.S. History and Life Management. He is by far my favorite teacher.
He’s funny, smart, and wise. I wish i could meet him and talk to him 
Maybe someday.
I can’t believe this! Mr.McBride was MY video teacher! I homeschool and I had him for my history teacher.
He has been a huge blessing in my life and I thank the Lord for him.
God Bless you Mr. McBride!
My 14 year old daughter is homeschooled and has never had an interest in history..it was just something she knew she had to do every year..until this year (8th grade) when she had Mr. McBride as her online video class teacher. She loves history now! She has a real interest in it and it is her favorite subject. She is always sharing with her family the facts that she has learned during history lesson, and wants to explore history outside of school now. Thank you Mr. McBride for putting a love for history in my child’s heart!
mr mcbride is the best teacher i have ever had.