A Different Direction

The year was 1861, and the Civil War was just beginning. The Army of the United States had been split apart, with many of its finest officers heading south to take up the cause of the Confederacy.

There was one West Point graduate that longed to defend and preserve the Union. Ulysses S. Grant had grown up in the Midwest. Securing an appointment to study at West Point, Grant had graduated in 1843, ranked 21st of 39 graduates.

In the Mexican-American War, Grant had fought bravely, and eventually he had received the rank of captain, before leaving the Army. As the Civil War broke out, Grant was back working in his father’s store.

That Spring, Ulysses S. Grant wrote to Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas in Washington D.C. offering his services as a seasoned officer to fight for the Union. He never received an answer. A few days later, he traveled to Cincinnati and twice visited General George McClellan’s command, but he never gained an audience with the leader. Disappointed, he traveled home, stopping by a friend’s house in Lafayette, IN. While there, a letter reached him from the Governor of Illinois offering him the command of a group of unruly Illinois volunteers.

With this first appointment, Ulysses S. Grant showed his ability to lead. Victory after victory followed, and less than three years later, Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to Lieutenant General (George Washington was the only one to have prior held that rank). Grant now had over 1⁄2 million men under his command, and he used them effectively to win the Civil War.

God had used His path to move Ulysses S. Grant and the nation to victory.

Ironically, in 1876, Grant’s initial letter asking for a position in the Civil War Army was found. That letter had been stuck in a drawer, and never answered. (White, Ronald. American Ulysses. New York: Random House. 2016. p. 150) What might have changed, if Grant had gone through the Washington ranks, instead of his western leadership which vaulted him into command?

Ulysses S. Grant grew up an old time Methodist, and several times he acknowledged the guiding hand and protection of God in his life.

Graduation Week Events

On May 3 - May 5, 2022, we will hold our fourteenth Graduation Week for Heritage Baptist College. The Lord blessed with another good year, and we are looking forward to sharing the blessings with you. We are excited to see you again, and to have you participate in the events that will take place this week. The schedule of the 12 speakers from various states can be found in the Spring Edition of the Heritage News. Please note the several event changes, including the date of the Fish Fry. Here are the upcoming activities:

Dr. Harry Strachan to Speak at Banquet

Every year, one of the special events of Graduation Week is the Alumni/Graduation Banquet. Dr. Harry Strachan, of Ashland, OH is scheduled to speak at the Tuesday night, May 3rd event. Brother Strachan pastors the Calvary Baptist Church, and the Lord has blessed the church in its growth and missionary giving over the years. President Dennis and Dr. Strachan have a friendship from their days as teenagers.

This year, we will host the Alumni/Graduation Banquet on the Hopewell Campus, and we look forward to the specially catered meal. The banquet is to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Also that evening, we have special music planned from Pastor Sam & Kim Gabbard. You may remember them from the outdoor Picnic Banquet we held in 2020.

Come and enjoy Dr. Strachan’s message, along with a night of good food, Christian music, and great fellowship. Please call Heritage Baptist College to make a reservation. (317) 738-3791 or (317) 246-8915.

Graduation Week Fish Fry

Following the morning service on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, we will enjoy our Annual Fish Fry. For several years, Brother Harvey Shilling and the men from Waverly Baptist Church have come to Heritage to fry a wonderful meal of fresh fish. Our hats also go off to Brother Harvey, who catches and cleans the crappie fillets.

Dr. Clyde Billingsley began the Fish Fry over 2 decades ago.

Dr. Tom Wallace to Preach During Graduation Week

One of the week’s highlights will be the combined meeting of local churches on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Dr. Tom Wallace of Murfreesboro, TN will be speaking that night. We will have special singing, and numbers of churches will be in attendance.

Dr. Wallace has pastored three great churches during his ministry, and he has been in evangelism for over two decades. He is one of our favorite speakers, and he will spiritually feed your heart and soul.

This is our fifteenth year to host this combined service, and we look forward to a special evening filled with great enthusiasm, kindness, and Christian unity among the churches.

Closing Service

The final activity of the week is the closing service, on Thursday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Gary Beatty that pastors the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande, FL will complete the week with the final message. Dr. Beatty has been a longtime friend of Heritage, and he and his church have made strides in building the scholarship fund at the Heritage.

We will have a special night as the students participate in the program.

Come celebrate the completion of our fifteenth year.