Pastor of my dreams - Baptist Bible Tribune

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view from bbcJim Edge | President | Baptist Bible CollegeBAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGEThe Significance of Baptist Bible CollegeThere has never been a time in mylife when Baptist Bible Collegehas not played a significant role inmy spiritual development. I was bornand raised in Springfield, the homeof BBC. I received my early spiritualtraining at High Street Baptist Churchwhere many of my Sunday schoolteachers were BBC students gainingtheir experience by teaching kids likeme.When I was in the sixth grade,my Sunday school teacher was LeroyEldridge. Leroy is currently pastoringTemple Baptist Church in Titusville,Florida. He and his date (who is nowhis wife) picked me up to take me toour Sunday school Christmas party.On the way to Springfield from ourfarm, Leroy failed to stop at an intersection.The car went over an embankmentand then nose-first into a plowedfield. These were days prior to seatbelts. I took out the windshield of hiscar with my forehead. Never has ateacher taken so literally the need tomake an impact on those he teaches.Just for your information, when I seeLeroy and have a chance to go out anywherewith him, I drive.Listening to testimonies aboutthe significant role that Baptist BibleCollege has played in the lives of formerstudents and current students isone of the most encouraging things Ican think of. Only a couple of weeksago, I attended the funeral of one ofour former employees, Camille May. Isat and listened to her husband, Tim,give a testimony about their meetingeach other at Baptist Bible College.Tim then explained with tears aboutCamille’s love for her alma mater. II am excited that Baptist Bible College hasgiven so many people a place that hasbecome a focal point for their life’s work.was thrilled to understand the importanceof Baptist Bible College and thesignificant role the school played intheir life’s work. I was humbled andalso challenged to show my love forBaptist Bible College vocally and withmy support more that I ever have.Many of our students are currentlyteaching Sunday school and ministeringin children’s programs justas they did when I was a little boy. Isometimes wonder if one of today’s studentsis teaching a little kid that mightbe used of God to affect our nation oreven to have a worldwide ministry. Ibelieve it is possible. It is also importantto know that many of our currentstudents are finding their life’s matesjust as Tim and Camille did 35 yearsago. I am excited that Baptist BibleCollege has given so many people aplace that has become a focal point fortheir life’s work.Those victories do not come withoutcost. Baptist Bible College is not aproblem-free organization. We had difficultiesin our formative years whilewe were achieving wonderful victoriesat the same time. We continued experiencingdifficulties during our entire59-year history while we were also seeinggreat accomplishments. We havechallenges today, but we also observegreat accomplishments from our studentsand staff. I prefer to acknowledgewhat great things the Lord hasdone and is doing as opposed to pointingout and emphasizing the problemsand difficulties.We need wisdom from the Lordto adequately address the challenges.We need the prayers of our friends. Weneed the sacrifice of all of our supporters.But most importantly, we need tosee a continuation of servants who arewilling to give their lives to a causegreater than their selves. Our worldis in greater need today for servantsof the most High God than perhaps atany other time in history. Let us giveour God and our world the best we can.Baptist Bible College President Jim Edge will host an informational meeting for pastors of the BBFI Tuesday,February 17, at 2:00 in the afternoon at Central Baptist Church in Katy (Houston), Texas. Those interestedin the future of BBC should attend.24 Baptist Bible Tribune [ February 2009 ]
N E W Sview from bostonDavid Melton | President | Boston Baptist CollegeAnticipationIremember the classic ketchup commercialwith Carly Simon belting outAnticipation while ketchup slowly,tantalizingly, deliciously crept down theneck of its inverted bottle. Nearby, alittle boy watched with wide eyes waitingfor the ketchup to fall down on hishamburger (or whatever). It still makesme hungry!It is a great thing to anticipatesomething good, but when you can justsee it on the horizon, that’s a keeper. AtBoston, even in these economically challengingtimes, we are anticipating moreand more progress. I can already see it.Take this new semester. Our enrollmentactually went UP! In higher education,you build into your annual budgeta five to eight percent tuition declinefor the second semester as a standardpractice. But we don’t fly by those rulesin Boston. Half of the time we grow inthe spring semester, and we did it againthis year! We are anticipating muchgreater news next fall. I know, the economyis in the tank. But hard times nevertouch heaven’s hand. It’s going to beharder (and typically more expensive)than ever to use the overladen state collegesystems this fall. Their budgets aregetting cut as their demands increaseby default. Then, I just met with agroup of college presidents in our city.They were all scared because enrollmentfor the fall of ‘09 looks bad. Thescenario is simple — many parents justcan no longer arrange financing for typicalprivate college tuition. Where do yougo if the college is unaffordable becauseyou can’t take out a home equity loanany longer? I know! Why not BostonBaptist College — where churches arehelping more than ever to keep Christianeducation affordable, quality isnever in question, and fundraising isto help students? Why not go to collegewhere the cost is modest and the valueis eternally incalculable?I do expect more students. I alsoexpect our campus to continue toexpand. I don’t talk about new buildingsmuch until they are done. I’ve learnedthat delays can come in almost anyform, and here in Boston we’ve experiencedjust about every obstacle possible.But I am anticipating more constructionin Boston, and for good reason. Afterour most recent neighborhood meeting,our most verbal opponent sent mean email that was practically cordial!Two men on our team, Randy Ward andJoe Sawyer, have worked tirelessly oncommunity relations for our campus.All across the world God’s people haveprayed. People have told me we wouldnever develop more campus here in Boston.Let me put it this way…the ketchupis moving.Boston is also anticipating its bestyear ever because we have a growingnetwork of churches that believe in usand partner with us. I got to thinking— what a great team of churches wehave…pastors who are leading theirchurches and sharing the vision of BostonBaptist College. I’m grateful thatalmost every pastor who visits hereleaves surprised by our facilities, students,staff, and spirit. Who wouldn’twant to be a part of the energy, the passion,the commitment, the present, andthe future that is Boston Baptist College?It is fun to see the future comingyour way.What we expect in Boston, though,is so much more than headcounts,Let me put it this way…the ketchup is moving.building projects, and an expandingbase. We expect to make a difference.As we say so often, Boston Baptist Collegeis “to think Biblically, to discoverglobally, and to impact eternally.”That’s not just a marketing ploy. It ISus. That’s why we anticipate the progressthat’s coming our way. We havesomething to do — something that mustbe done. We anticipate eternal impact.I got a letter from a recent graduatewho is now a youth pastor. He’s makingan impact. I received a Christmas cardfrom another grad who is getting readyto start a new church — more impact. Ijust saw an update from a graduate often years ago who is leading his churchinto a new building — Long Islandimpact! And I walk down the halls withgraduates-to-be every day, talking,dreaming, planning with them…worksto be done for Jesus — future impact,eternal impact. That kind of stuff willwiden your eyes for sure!Anticipation is more than justwishful thinking. It’s faith, and commonsense, and planning, and observation,and hard work. So to friends like John,and Tim, and Archie, and Tracy, andDan, and Bruce, and Phil, and Ed, andBill (and all the others), I say thanksand let’s hit it even harder. Boston is onthe move. Good stuff is coming — I cansee it for sure! And this is so much betterthan ketchup!Baptist Bible Tribune [ February 2009 ] 25
Page 2 and 3: PastorAppreciationpricingThank You
Page 4 and 5: from the editorOn the TableBy Keith
Page 9 and 10: Spurgeon’s words still true 130 y
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Page 13 and 14: and die a happier and better man.
Page 15 and 16: toward an acceptance of God’s sov
Page 17 and 18: to the community. The Life Center a
Page 19 and 20: families and one single missionary,
Page 21 and 22: NCPO projects hit 2009 runningWayne
Page 23: URBANCURRENTPreview of a Postmodern
Page 27 and 28: N E W SSchool Fellowship NewsNewsMi
Page 29 and 30: Fellowship NewsMissionary lettersBa
Page 31 and 32: Ohio PastorsHost RegionalChurch-Pla
Page 33 and 34: N E W SFellowship Newsday who has b
Page 35 and 36: With the LordCamille MayOzark, MOCa
Page 37 and 38: Church Ads (cont)Evangelist AdsEvan
Page 40: WILL THEY BEREADY TO MEET REAL-LIFE

Pastor of my dreams - Baptist Bible Tribune

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