Pastor of my dreams - Baptist Bible Tribune

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