BJ Trip

Well, we got in at 11:00pm last night from Bob Jones. It was a good trip. We took our two boys with us and I don’t know how I ever made it travelling as a kid without modern electronic gadgets. The laptop as a video player was a wonderful thing for our kids…and the teens as well. It was a shock to our systems to open the van doors at church last night. When we left BJU it was in the 60’s (heading for the 70’s) and when we arrived at church last night it was in the 20’s with a much colder windchill. Philip really enjoyed the classes and Schmitty and Brad enjoyed the “scenery” (you’ll have to ask them about that!). The girl’s enjoyed seeing Ben. Somehow in all their fun they did manage to get to some classes. One other thing, by way of a Public Service Announcement (and I hope no one from the Greater Corbin Chamber of Commerce–if it exists–gets offended by this), if you are ever travelling through Kentucky and are near Corbin and think you should stop, think again and keep on driving! Let’s just say that our hotel and fast-food experiences where less than positive. I’m just glad that the rest of the trip was much better.

What I’ve Learned…

David Cochran is a Junior at Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Here is a little bit of what David has learned and what the Lord is doing in his life through service to Him and time spent at Christian college.

The past semester has basically been a time of putting things I learned at camp into use. God has been using my time both in and out of class to teach me of the importance of relationship, something that is at the very heart of the Christian life, since it is the very heartbeat of Christ. But unfortunately it is something very lacking in the body of Christ today, making the body look like a fat, lazy, selfish bum with no consideration for the world around it. Yes, this is American Christianity at it’s finest. Something I’ve learned along those lines in class is that Scripture is in a broad sense the record of God’s plan to bring things back to what they were before the garden sin: restoration of relationship between God and man and man and man. This can only be done in Christ, both in salvation and by actually having His mind and heartbeat. The ministry opportunities God has privileged me to take advantage of have helped me utilize and apply this understanding. I go to a juvenile detention center [Ethan Allen] most Tuesdays and hold Bible studies for the teen guys there. The whole ministry, like most, is focused on building a relationship with the guys and showing them Christ in that relationship, both through speech and character.

MBBC Fast Facts: Maranatha’s mission is to train all students to serve the Lord, but all are not called to full-time Christian service. Maranatha’s list of graduates includes accountants, administrative assistants, bankers, carpenters, chefs, chemical handlers, chemists, college administrators, commercial fishermen, comptrollers, computer system specialists, court reporters, doctors, entrepreneurs, factory workers, farmers, financial advisors, firemen, funeral directors, golf professionals, government employees, guidance counselors, homemakers, insurance agents, lawyers, nurses, office clerks, pilots, police officers, real estate agents, sales people, secretaries, Secret Service agents, and store managers. The college is a non-profit institution, not part of any denominational hierarchy or structure. Maranatha maintains a strong set of spiritual and behavioral distinctives. Faculty members, though from diverse academic backgrounds, share a common core of biblical values and beliefs. The following facts from alumni surveys indicate that this vision is being accomplished: 92% of Maranatha graduates are actively involved in their local Baptist church ministry, 72% teach Sunday School, 70% of men are involved in church leadership, 60% are regularly involved in soulwinning/discipling, 89 alumni serve as missionaries in 42 different mission fields, not counting those on deputation, 50% of alumni are involved in full-time Christian service, 20% of graduates are in the pastorate, 2% are on the mission field, and 24% serve in Christian education.

News from Northland

Rachel Cobb is a freshman at Northland Baptist Bible College. Here’s what some of what he has to say about her time up in the cold north woods:

Well, believe it or not, I am still at Northland.  I didn’t want to come here in the first place for various reasons, but I ended up here.  and who wouldda thunk,  I’m still here:) Well the food is really bad and the weather really stinks, but all in all, It is amazing! 
 
Northlad has a heart for what they do. The faculty and staff care about each and every student. They really want the best for everyone. They get involved in our lives and genuinely care. Since it is a small campus, pretty much everybody knows each other and there is such a sweet spirit on campus that everybody is like a family. You know that most people here genuinely want to be here, because not just anybody would come to Dunbar, WI, in the middle of nowhere, just for an education. 
 
Coming in to the year I had sort of a rebellious attitude and I was sick of the rules, but then I realized that rules arent that big of a deal, and they are so down to earth about the rules here, and it makes sence. There are reasons for everything and even though I have a bunch of demerits, I am still pressing on with my chin up.
 
I have realized that there is so much more to life than pleasure and fun and money and the “American Dream”. We have one purpose in this life and one purpose only, and that is to Glorify God. We are to plan our lives around Him. We shouldn’t make Him change His plans around us. I also learned that instead of trying so hard to seek for God’s will in my life I need to simply seek God, then His will will seek me.
 
I have the privelage of working with a youth group at a local church and the impact God has allowed me to have is amazing!!  I am so excited to see God work as I continue to serve there.
 
A memorable experience I have had was when I was called out to stand up in the middle of student body chapel by the president of Northland and he talked about me for a while. It was really encouraging but oh so embarrassing:) I love that guy!
  
I definately miss everyone there back at Macomb, my home church! I love you guys and I can’t wait to see all of you guys again. You each touched my life in some way!
In Christ,
Rachel

NBBC Fast Facts: Founded in 1976, Northland Baptist Bible College exists to train the pastors, missionaries, teachers and godly laymen of tomorrow. Located in Dunbar, Wisconsin, NBBC enrolls close to 650 undergraduate and 100 graduate students representing 45 states and 11 foreign countries. More than 30 undergraduate majors and 5 graduate programs are offered through the Division of Bible and Pastoral Theology, the Division os Christian Ministries, the Division of Education, the Division of Fine Arts, and the Division of Graduate Studies.

Christian College Spotlight

Over the next little while (that means a time frame that is undefined and subject to change by me – that explanation was for Brad) I am going to do a “spotlight” on different Christian colleges/universities and I have asked some of our college students to share from their experiences. The first is from Steven Graham, a freshman at Bob Jones University.

1) What the Lord has done in your life while at college? God has really encouraged me through one special speaker in particular.  It was a guy from New York city who was a lawyer and started a Jewish ministry.  He spoke in our accounting class and brought up the fact that being in the business world can be a huge ministry opportunity.  He said that there are people in businesses that can only be reached by their coworkers, and that my testimony at work is a huge responsibility.  

2) What you have learned, in the classroom or out of it? You learn how to deal with people who are totally different than you.  Living with siblings is hard enough, but throw 200+ guys in a dorm and watch the personalities clash.

3) How the Lord has provided for you? God blessed in a major way at the beginning of the year by allowing me to purchase all but 3 of my textbooks from friends at big time discounted prices.  Textbooks aren’t cheap so that was a huge blessing.  Also God allowed me to make it through November (and hopefully December) without getting sick.  Praise God for immune systems.

4) What ministry opportunities that you have had while there? On Thursday nights I go to a church in the area and play basketball, and afterwards someone gives a devotional.  It is a new program so attendance has been low, but we have seen several guys and teens from the neighborhood around the church come.

5) What fun or memorable experience you have had while there? During white glove, which is one Saturday per semester you have give your room a major cleaning and the radio station gives away a ton of prizes, our room won over $200 in gift certificates to different places.   

BJU Fast Facts: Bob Jones University is a Christian liberal arts institution. Founded in 1927 by Dr. Bob Jones Sr. (1883-1968), BJU is the world’s largest fundamental Christian School and serves some 5000 students from every state and 40 foreign countries. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina. Approximately 5000 students representing every state and 43 foreign countries. Over 125 undergraduate majors and over 70 graduate programs. There are many student organizations to be involved in, from musical groups to campus media, to community relations, to student government, and many others. 2006-2007 tuition for two semesters is $9,180 and room/board is $4,980.