For Alan Capps ’76, the journey to Montreat-Anderson College was more than a college decision. It was the beginning of a lifelong story of faith, artistic expression and God’s perfect timing.
Capps grew up in Charlotte, where he attended West Mecklenburg High School. As graduation approached, he began thinking about what was next in his life. In what seemed like the first of many “almost too perfect” coincidences, Capps met Carolynn Bartlett, who was recruiting students from his high school to attend Montreat-Anderson College.
During their conversations, Capps realized the importance of faith at Montreat. Having put his trust in Christ at age 14, he recognized his need for a Christian community to continue growing in his faith. He recalled that he did not want to be led astray, as many students are when they leave for college.
Bartlett also connected Capps with Montreat’s baseball coach, Linn Stanack, who offered him a partial scholarship. With everything falling into place, he did not consider attending another college. God put all the pieces together — something he says God has continued to do throughout his life.
The friends Capps made at Montreat were very important. Many of them remain his friends today. They provided him with an immediate Christian community that strengthened his faith. He also fondly remembers the faculty members who invested in his life and events such as convocation that helped keep him focused on Jesus.
One of his mentors was Robert Jones, a member of the local community. Although Jones was not a faculty member, he affected on Capps both spiritually and professionally through Bible studies and artistic guidance.
The Montreat community, both inside and outside the college, left a lasting impression on Capps’ walk with the Lord. He recalled how his high school art teacher, along with Jones, and Martha T. Evans, a Montreat-Anderson art instructor, encouraged him to pursue his artistic endeavors. At Montreat-Anderson, these mentors helped him continue to grow into the plans God had for him.
Reflecting on those formative years, Capps shared,
“The two years I spent at Montreat-Anderson College profoundly shaped my life view, Christian faith and my daily walk with Christ. The Christ-centered community and faculty at Montreat set me on the right path to pursue my calling in life.”
Along with his spiritual development, Montreat provided him with the skills and support he needed for his professional life. He had loved art since childhood, and God used that passion to draw him deeper into faith.
After college, Capps began his career as a salesperson for SignArt, a sign manufacturer. As his career evolved, his passion for Christ remained central. In the early 1980s, he began creating Christian paintings during church services. Those paintings eventually led him and his wife, Amy, to travel around the world, using his artistic skills in missionary work.
From Lebanon to Ukraine to Hungary, Capps has used the spiritual and professional skills he developed at Montreat-Anderson to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He made it clear that Montreat prepared him for the mission field both inside and outside the classroom.
The beauty of Montreat’s cove stirred his creativity and brought the beauty of God’s creation to the forefront of his work.
Capps’ connection to Montreat remains invaluable to him, and he wants others to experience the impact of Montreat College today. Through his connection to New Life Church in Kyiv, Ukraine, he has helped bring Ukrainian students, like Andrii Dmytrenko, to the U.S. to receive a Montreat education.
Over the years, Capps has built a second career as a painter and illustrator of children’s books for the glory of Jesus Christ. He credits his time at Montreat-Anderson with helping him achieve those goals. He recalled that he and his wife used to take their two children to Montreat at least once a year. They still visit, even if only to drive through.
For prospective students, Capps offers his advice, “Look beyond the degree and consider the positive life view a Christian college experience will provide for your future. My life verse in God’s Word is Proverbs 3:5–8:
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.’”
His final encouragement to current Montreat College students is this: “Take advantage of the spiritual aspects of life at Montreat College to prepare for life after college. Life can be hard, but God will be right there with you if you allow Him to be by your side.”