W.T. Jeffers, (former president)
W.T. Jeffers, (former president)
W.T. (William Thomas), was born May 26, 1926 in Blaney, South Carolina. He graduated from Columbia, South Carolina's Olympia High School in 1942. He attended Emanual Bible College in Georgia, and received his bachelor's degree from University of Richmond in Virginia where he was a standout "scatback" for the university football team. He then earned his Master's Degree in Psycology and Philosophy from the University of South Carolina.
On August 16, 1946, W.T. married Rose Marie Steinmann. Hearing God's call, he became a minister, pastoring churches in Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Rose served as pianist or organist in all of the churches. In 1952, W.T. was also elected to the South Carolina Legislature.
In 1956, W.T. and family moved to Tulsa, OK where he became a member of Oral Robert's Evangelistic Team. He served as editor-in-chief of Oral's publications and directed the Abundant Life Choir.
In 1960, W.T. and Rose co-founded World Changers, Inc., a non-profit youth development and educational organization for disadvantaged Native American children. In 1976, they proudly opened Discoveryland! - the National Home of Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!
W.T. enjoyed working with members of his family in these organizations for nearly 50 years. All the way up until his death in June 2012, he touched countless lives with his compassion for others and his infectious smile.
