Sixteenth Year Reviewed
We saw our first group of students take part in Commencement since the end of the pandemic fear. It was a special time and we enjoyed the fellowship of our friends at the 2023 Graduation Week activities. All that gathered were blessed, and smiles were seen among the folks.
The completion of our sixteenth year saw 30 preachers present during Alumni Week, which encouraged the heart of the young people and the teachers. The Alumni Fish Fry, the Spring Banquet, the Wednesday Church Rally, and the Commencement service brought together many friends of Heritage.
As we reflect on the twelfth year on the Hopewell campus, we are so grateful to all those that partner with us. The Banquet Offering exceeded $15,000, and gave us a great start at reaching the goal of replacing our damaged roof. Thank you! Your support is richly appreciated for the vital ministry of training the next generation.
The President’s Perspective
The other day I began reflecting on the word commitment and how this trait is little practiced in our generation. People don’t want to commit: to marriage, to the church, Bible college training, or even to the Bible. The lack of commitment can be seen in the pitfalls found in society and the church.
I grew up in north central Ohio, up near Lake Erie. We lived in a house in the country, less than four miles from Milan, Ohio. Milan is the birthplace of Thomas Edison (2/11/1847), an inventor known for his commitment in research. It was amazing as a boy to tour his house and think of what his life achieved.
When Thomas Edison was 31 years old, he decided that he could make a working electric light bulb for daily use in homes. Others had dabbled in this work, but their lights would only last minutes. In his laboratory in Menlo Park, NJ, the inventor became convinced that the filament was the secret to the light. Where others used metal, Edison decided that he needed to use fibers from a natural plant to produce a lasting light. He spent a year, and ended up rejecting over 6000 substances: hickory, holly, maple, & rosewood splints. Edison tried ginger root, milkweed, cinnamon bark, palm fronds, coconut, flax, jute, hemp, and many more, but none worked. One day he stated: “Somewhere in God’s almighty workshop there is a vegetable growth with geometrically powerful fibers suitable to our use.”
It was not until August 2, 1879, that Edison found that Japanese Bamboo could be carbonized and they produced a light bulb that lasted 3.5 hours. A few weeks later they had reached 1,589 hours.
Thomas Edison committed a year to this project. He was so committed, that as he worked, he was having a factory built that could produce 1⁄2 million bulbs yearly, and he was working on plans to electrify lower Manhattan. (Morris, Edmund. Edison. New York: Random House. 2019 pp. 382-385)
Commitment should be in the vocabulary of every Christian. Paul stated in II Timothy 1:12b “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
A Team Filled with Misfits?
Eighty years ago, these “ragtag” army air force crewmembers were labeled as renegades. Their pilot, Lt. Jay Zeamer, had assembled this unlikely group before they even had an airplane. Many thought that their leader fit with the crew, as he had never been “checked out” to be a senior pilot of any type of bomber aircraft. Yet Zeamer’s ability came through experience, and his crew’s strength came from their determination.
The plane they finally acquired had been abandoned on a runway to be used for parts. The heavily damaged B-17E with just the number 41-2666 was known as Old 666 because of its apparent bad luck. Zeamer’s bunch patched up the bomber and got it flying again.
The men came together as an aircrew in the spring of 1943, and soon they began to receive recognition for their valor. Then on June 16, 1943, this fearless squad volunteered for a 600 mile recognizance flight over Japanese held positions. In the course of that morning, Zeamer flew the bomber and took vital photos, while his crew fought off wave after wave of enemy aircraft. In the end, two Medals of Honor were awarded, seven Distinguished Service Crosses, and Five Purple Hearts.
Amazingly, a group of “misfits” in WWII became the most decorated air crew in United States history. In 2016, Lucky 666: The Impossible Mission was published telling the harrowing account.
If we look in the Bible, we see a similar case found in the Old Testament. In I Samuel 22:2a we are introduced to David’s band of soldiers - And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him. David began with what appeared as an army of unwanted men, but in the end, they secured, defended, and built the kingdom of Israel.
In the work of the Lord, it is easy to get discouraged. By the world’s standards it may seem that we don’t have “what it takes.” But instead of giving up, why not thank God for those he has given as helpers in the work.
In the words of the departed hero, Jay Zeamer: “In a tight spot you’ll come out better if you grab the long chance and plow through rather than run away.”
Meet Our Graduates
Commencement night was a special event for Cole Blakely.
Cole grew up in a pastor’s home, got saved at youth camp, and attended Christian School. During high school, Cole surrendered to the Ministry, and he began classes at Heritage in 2016. His goal was to serve the Lord Full Time in Ministry.
Cole began working in his father’s ministry, Berean Baptist Church, in the young people’s and Jr. Church programs. As he continued in his studies, he received more and more opportunities.
Later Cole began to preach in area churches, including one Indiana church where his message stopped a man headed that morning for a homicide.
Later Cole became an intern at Indianapolis Baptist Temple, and he was mentored by Pastor Matt Roller. In his senior year, Cole married his sweetheart, and they set up their home in Greenwood, IN.
That year he also accepted the position to become the full time youth director where he served.
The Lord allowed Cole to reach his goal: Finish & Full Time Ministry!
You are invited to attend
Heritage Baptist Bible Fellowship Fall Meeting in Franklin Furnace, OH September 17-19, 2023 at
Franklin Furnace Independent Baptist Church
We will have special music and preaching each morning and evening.
Mark you Calendar!