Brad Whitt, center, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Simpsonville, earned a doctor of ministry degree in expository preaching from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in December. His doctoral project focused on ways for a preacher to best use illustrations to connect the sermon with his congregation, including collecting, filing and accessing illustrations. Conferring Whitt’s doctorate are John Ewart (left), director of doctor of ministry studies at Southeastern, and Danny Akin, president of the seminary.