GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 5, 2023) – Bob Jones University conferred an honorary doctor of humanities degree on Rev. Scott Murphy during its 96th commencement exercises held in Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium on the BJU campus.
“It has been some time since we have given an honorary doctorate. I can’t think of a finer person to award this degree to,” said BJU President Steve Pettit. “Scott exhibits all of the finest qualities of a Bob Jones University graduate. While I’ve only known him at a distance, I have always admired his dedication, ministry and faithfulness to the Lord.”
After earning a BA in Practical Christian Training from Bob Jones University in 1984, Murphy returned to Arizona to minister.
He currently serves as a missionary to Native Americans at Regeneration Reservation in Arizona, where he founded and continues to pastor Regeneration Baptist Church and serves as president of the Regeneration Mission Board.
Murphy, along with other several other missionaries (all BJU grads), minister in a variety of ways including providing a home and Christian education for Apache children, organizing retreats and hosting numerous mission teams.
For over four decades, he and his team have visited and preached to those in the tribal jail. They have also developed biblically based recovery materials specifically for the Native American community.
Murphy serves on the Apache Bible Committee, tasked with providing God’s Word and preserving the heart language of the Apache people. He and his team are actively involved in recording the entire New Testament in Western Apache. He was asked by tribal leadership to provide a weekly radio program on the tribal station. The program reaches over 30,000 people on two Apache reservations.
He established and coordinates Today’s Native, a partnership of Native American leaders committed to developing evangelistic and discipleship resources.
Murphy and his team continue to expand Today’s Native as a platform for Native Americans to share the Gospel with their indigenous people groups. These printed, audio, and video resources include the drama — Navajo Redemption — the true story of a faithful Navajo pastor which was produced with the assistance of BJU graduates and students.
Today’s Native resources have reached each of our nation’s 574 Tribes and many Canadian Reserves. So far, over 125,000 Native homes have received an invitation to respond to the message of our hope in Christ.
Additionally, he is Vice-President of Roloff Evangelistic Enterprises, having served on the board for the last 30 years. Since 2016, has overseen The Family Altar Radio Program which is heard daily nationwide and in many foreign countries.
He and his wife, Kathy, a 1984 BJU grad with a BA in Christian Missions, have four children and one granddaughter.
