Top: Jacksonville, Florida Top right: Charis Jacksonville classroom Bottom left: Missions trip to Russia Bottom right: Missions trip to Nicaragua 38 gt Gospel Truth
Spreading Light in the Sunshine State Charis Bible College Florida Charis Bible College World Outreach is called “world outreach” for a reason! We want to take the life-changing message of God’s unconditional love and grace everywhere we possibly can—touching lives and making disciples for Christ. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told the disciples that they would be witnesses of Him “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The disciples were to witness to those where they lived, then to those nearby, and then even farther out, until they reached the whole world. Charis World Outreach is following that model, particularly in Florida. Danon Winter, a Charis Colorado graduate, wanted to take what he’d learned from Andrew and the other great instructors and share it with the people in his hometown of Jacksonville. So, he and his wife, Amanda, opened a part-time Charis Night School with thirteen students back in September 2006. They expanded to offer both part-time and full-time evening programs just two years later. In 2009, they added school during the day, and the Jacksonville campus is now offering the Third-Year Leadership Program. They’ve outgrown their facilities and have had to remodel to accommodate all the growth. But, in keeping with Acts 1:8, the Winters haven’t stayed just in Jacksonville. An Orlando campus opened in 2009 and has been growing steadily ever since. It’s gone from having a part-time Night School to a full, first- and second-year operation! The search is on for a larger facility in order to equip more students for the call of God on their lives. Tampa Bay’s campus began in 2012, as did Orlando’s satellite location in Clermont. Tampa Bay, like Orlando, has gone from small beginnings to being a fully operational Charis location. It, too, is in need of a larger facility. Clermont, a part-time school, just expanded to offer the second-year program. God is good! These dynamic schools haven’t stopped there. They have been working in the Dominican Republic and in Nicaragua for several years. Their second-year students have taken missions trips there, working many miracles for the glory of God. One of their long-term goals is to open schools in those nations. Closer to home but still globally minded, the Orlando location is considering offering Charis classes in Russian. There are also plans for new local Charis locations. Only God knows how many people will be reached in the Sunshine State—people who will ultimately reach the world! Florida Fruit Charis World Outreach isn’t just about planting schools—it’s about changing people with the truth of God’s Word. And these Florida locations are showing the fruit of changed lives. Yao Veerakitti was part of Jacksonville’s first graduating class. Since returning home to her native Thailand, she has ministered to hundreds of people and seen numerous salvations and healings. She also has her own radio program that reaches <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 39