Meet Our Student
rowing up in church, does not make a kid a Christian.
Jay Evans grew up going to church, but when his parents separated when he was in middle school, he turned his back on God. Entering his teenage years, he found his life full of hopelessness, and wondering if there really was a God.
Then in the fall of 2010, he was invited to a youth group outing at Fellowship Baptist Church in Portland, IN.
Jay started attending the church services, and after several months of listening to the messages, he came to know
The LORD at a youth conference on April 2, 2011.
With a new heart and a willingness to serve, Jay began performing music in church, and by two years later, he had been appointed the songleader.
In time Jay became the assistant to pastor Hugh Kelley, and eventually he became the youth leader.
Jay travels 400 miles attending five classes each week. He is preparing himself for the Lord’s Work.
The President's Perspective
John H. Poe sat on board the Gulf & Interstate Line train, bound for Galveston, Texas on Saturday, September 8, 1900. With the rain coming down in torrents, he nor any of the other 94 passengers, realized that they were beginning to experience what would become the deadliest hurricane to strike the United States.
The train came to a halt on the Bolivar Peninsula, as the water started to rise over the railroad tracks. Looking over the plain of water, John Poe spotted the Bolivar Lighthouse a quarter of a mile away. Waves were smashing into the coast, but Mr. Poe was able to convince nine others to join him in wading to the lighthouse for safety. The other 85 passengers decided to remain in the security of the heavy train.
The ten carefully forged through the water to the Bolivar Lighthouse. When the door was opened, they saw that 200 people were also in the lighthouse, sitting up and down the spiral staircase. The light keeper, H.C. Claiborne, had taken the refugees first to his house, and as the storm grew, eventually into the lighthouse itself. Poe and his group were the last inside before the sea blocked the door. By Sunday morning over 8,000 souls had perished in and around Galveston, including the 85 individuals on the train. (Larson, Erik. Isaac’s Storm. New York: Crown Publishers. 1999. pgs. 163-166)
The safety lay in the strength of the lighthouse. The train had speed and power, but not enough to overcome the storm.
The old song “The Lighthouse,” reminds us in a spiritual sense, that Jesus is the lighthouse. He can prevail over all the troubles that come into our life, and give us true security and guidance.
The Bible refers to Christ as the light in darkness, and God as a refuge. In Nahum 1:3b we are also reminded “the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
Seventh Year at Hopewell
ith sincere thankfulness and great expectations, the eleventh year of classes have begun at Heritage Baptist College.
As we start this seventh year on the Hopewell Campus, we are thrilled at the wonderful potential. Improvements in facilities, remodeling, and added décor continue to transform the Hopewell School building. Thank you to all those who help.
We continue to raise money and work toward the building of the new dormitory. Requirements by the state and county have slowed the initial construction, but God has answered prayer, and we keep pressing forward.
The opening day of the fall semester, saw a parking lot filled with cars, and a nice group of new students in the classes.
We are excited to see how the Lord will use these young people in His Service. The goal of Heritage Baptist College continues to be: Training Young Men and Women to fulfill the Great Commission.
Going Forward
any amazing and wonderful things have happened in the past ten years to allow Heritage Baptist College to be established and to continue to grow. Now, we are looking at the next phase, with the building of the new dorm. We recently received the Construction Design Release Form from the state, and the final permit seems only one last filing away. It has been a long process, but we have stayed at it.
We are appreciative for all those who have encouraged us along the way. We are also mindful that delay usually means that cost estimates increase, especially with the recent hurricane destruction. Building supply costs and demand add to the increase. Our faith is again challenged.
A man once asked a Christian, “How are you doing?”
“Oh,” answered the Believer, “we’ve been living by faith for the past two weeks, I don’t think we’re going to make it.”
I remember a story Dr. Harold Henniger told 30 years ago. It centered around the climbing of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Sir Edmund Hillary finally conquered that peak in 1953. But 29 years before, another British expedition paved the way. The lead climber for the British in 1924 was 38 year-old George Mallory. On his decisive assault toward the summit, he teamed up with Sandy Irvine. Later on that day a mist began to hide the climbers from view. The final report stated: they were last seen "going strong for the top."
Paul encouraged the church with these words: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). The Christian life is not one of ease, but of determination to do God’s will.
Years ago, when my Dad needed a chore accomplished, he frequently delegated it to my brother or me. If he saw a lack of interest, we often heard this phrase: “Don’t give me excuses son … Do it.”
As we begin our eleventh year, the future looks bright. We thank the Lord and our friends for all their kindness. God has blessed us with a beautiful campus, and a renewed spirit for fulfilling the Great Commission - training young people who will reach others with God’s Word.
Fall Banquet
Friends of Heritage Baptist College are invited to attend this year’s Fall Banquet. Please set aside two hours for some great food, music, and fellowship. Seating is limited, so please call today for your reservation.
Date: Friday, November 3, 2017
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Hopewell Campus
Speaker: Dr. Tom Wallace