Thankful at Christmas
God can do "much more than this" was the message that Dr. David Price delivered to the friends gathered at the recent Heritage Fall Banquet. The focus of the evening was partnering with the college to train steadfast students for the Lord.
We appreciate all those who attended the banquet and gave to help towards the winter expenses and the new dorm building. The challenge of providing a "home" for students to live on campus is Heritage Baptist College's next need as we progress.
Very few students in Christian ministry could ever afford the real cost of their education. Those of us who are interested in the next generation, take it upon ourselves to assist them in making up the difference.
The President's Perspective
Watching a young preacher-boy mature in the Lord is one of the great blessings included with training young men for ministry. When God calls a young person into His labors, the new recruit is often very inexperienced. But God begins to mold and fashion the student.
One of the greatest examples of this truth was a young preacher that was born on December 25th in 1766. His parents named him in celebration of the day, Christmas Evans.
The boy grew up very poor in Wales, and at age nine his father died. He learned to read at fifteen, and plodded through a copy of Pilgrim's Progress. At eighteen, Christmas Evans was converted and soon felt the call to preach.
The young preacher found a book and memorized two sermons. His first message was delivered wonderfully, and when it was later revealed that he had presented a recitation, his admirers commented on the great prayer of the young man. The prayer was memorized from a book, too!
Evans went to school for a time and trained for the ministry. Without adequate funds, the preacher-boy decided to travel to England and work as a farmer. Discouraged, and with thoughts of abandoning his calling, he headed toward England. He fell into a mob, and during the fight, he received a blow that blinded him in the right eye. His narrow escape aroused in him a new diligence, and through study, he soon was baptized. The Welsh Baptists showed great kindness to the preacher, and although his early sermons seemed disjointed and his appearance less than pleasing, the Lord began to shape the young minister.
At 26 years old, Evans with his recently married wife, Catherine, took charge of two chapels on the isle of Anglesea. He remained there over 35 years, and saw the Lord send revival. In one, two year period, 600 souls were converted. Evans continued to learn, and became a scholar of the Greek and Hebrew language.
Christmas Evans preached 54 years until the Lord called him home. At his death, that once struggling preacher-boy was acclaimed as the greatest preacher in Wales.
Encouraging Words
"You have a problem, and I can help you fix it." Those words are so very encouraging.
Last year we heard something similarly voiced concerning the college website. The exact words were: "You have a crummy website...but we can help you." And the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande, FL stepped forward hiring an experienced webmaster to build and maintain our presence on the internet.
This summer, our $100 college sign looked poorly after four years of weathering. A supporting pastor saw the need and with his folks at Calvary Baptist Church of Ashland, OH, designed, funded, and built the recently installed sign.
We are so thankful for the many pastors, laymen, and their churches who partner with us in training students.
Many problems are clearly seen. One preacher told his staff: "Please don't come to me with the problem...I know the problem. Come to me with a solution." The solution can fix the problem.
We still have the challenge of the housing for on-campus students. The dorm pattern has been temporarily staked, money has been raised for the foundation, while we have been working this past year to gain the needed permits. We get anxious, but we do understand that the Lord knows all about the delays.
Dormitory funds are still needed to be raised as we wait on the Lord's leading. Thank you for your prayers and for all your solutions. To God be the Glory!
Four and a Half Years
At Four and a half this special little girl does not yet walk, talk, or eat orally, but to the wonderment of many in the medical field, she is living, and "compatible with life."
The prayers of the saints, and the grace of God has allowed our little daughter, Lilliana Joy, to remain with us.
We thank the Lord for the 54 months that we have watched her smile, as we tackled the various challenges that accompany her condition.
Lilliana can now sit up and even stand if she is supported. Her eating and vocal skills, which go hand in hand, are practiced daily. And best of all she is happy.
Trisomy 18 is a serious condition, and this year we have mailed sympathy cards to 36 families. Three of these children were older than Lilliana, but most of them were younger.
Rhonda and I thank you for your continued prayers. We look forward to see how God will use her little life for His Glory.
