Spring 2013
from the
President’s Heart
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love to explore the biblical record of God's active presence in the affairs of His people. Dramatic moments like the crossing of the Red Sea or the deliverance of the three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace are exciting demonstrations of God's direction. While the drama of those occasions elicit amazement and wonder, the "God moments" that impact me the most are the records of God's call to individuals to serve Him in some way. The illustrations are too numerous to note, but a couple of my favorites are the childhood call of Samuel as he lay on his bed in the temple or the arresting call of the young Jeremiah who responded with fear and protests of inadequacy. The list could go on—Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, Peter, or Paul. God faithfully calls forth servants to do His work. Answering God's call led Dr. Lester Pipkin to leave a secure pastorate in Minnesota and relocate his precious family to Pettus, West Virginia, to establish Appalachian Bible Institute in 1950. What a testimony of a present-day call of God! Heroic faith and sacrifice laid the foundation for the effective leadership he and his wife Gretchen provided over the next 33 years. The call of God graciously directed the sequel chapter of that story, allowing my dear wife Rosalie and me the honor of continuing the ministry of Appalachian Bible College. For the past 30 years it has been our privilege to obey the "stewardship from above to lead from below." God has called me to share this passion, which I have come to see as "Biblical Slave Leadership," in a leadership book soon to be published. We here at Appalachian are fervently committed to seeking God's call upon the lives of His children to go forth into the fields of ministry around the world. The command of Matthew 9:36–38 to pray the Lord to send forth servants resonates with a constant pulse on our campus. We are beseeching God to send forth servants through His Church! As God directs these called servants to our campus, we are dedicated to fulfilling the assignment of 2 Timothy 2:2 to equip them to go forth and likewise equip others. Tragically, one of the hurdles students regularly face is the lack of sufficient funds to be able to train
View Dr. Anderson’s itinerary online by visiting Office of the President at www.abc.edu.
for ministry. We are attempting to address this dilemma in a variety of creative ways. We keep our charges down through measures such as the diligent personal support raised by our missionary staff. We have also developed several financial aid opportunities to assist our students. You can read about some of these in this issue of Introspect. Without compromising integrity, we are determined to respond to this urgent concern: eligible, available servants eager to receive quality preparation whose primary hurdle is money! The desperation of our lost world demands that we find a solution to this crisis! Thank you for your partnership in helping us advance the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ around the world by supporting these who have been called of God to go forth to serve. . .because life is for service. His Slave,
Daniel L. Anderson, Th.D., President —Psalm 84:11, 12
Appalachian Bible Fellowship
God’s
Gracious Gifts Appalachian Bible Fellowship depends on a host of churches and individuals who give sacrificially for the advance of the gospel. Consider participating through a one-time gift. Or, to learn more about estate planning or supporting a missionary, contact: Jonathan Rinker (V.P. for Development) development@abc.edu 800.678.9ABC
MISSIONARY SUPPORT Anderson Fellowship Baptist Church, Barboursville, WV, increase $25 per month Best Couple from Littleton, NC, $20 per month Anonymous gift of $300 Burrer Couple from North Ridgeville, OH, $600 First Baptist Church, Elyria, OH, $300 per quarter Burch Individual from Mount Hope, WV, $10 per month Childs Bethel Bible Church, Winimac, IN, increase $20 per quarter Westchester Bible Church, Westchester, IL, increase $150 per quarter Golden Couple from Edna, KS, $25 per month
Lustgarten Landmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV, $100 per month Pinter Couple from Frostburg, MD, increase $25 per month Rinker Landmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV, $100 per month Couple from Westchester, IL, $30 per month Couple from Moweaqua, IL, increase $40 per month Individual from Naperville, IL, increase $50 per month Rowe Landmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV, $100 per month Couple from Moweaqua, IL, increase $40 per month Couple from Beckley, WV, increase $10 per month
Couple from Auckland, New Zealand, $30 per month
Skaggs Lighthouse Worship Center, Ansted, WV, increase $50 per month
Individual from Elkhart, IN, $10 per month
Individual from Hico, WV, increase $5 per month
Individual from Mount Hope, WV, $15 per month
Couple from Ansted, WV, $25
Hanshew Independent Bible Church, Martinsburg, WV, increase $50 per month
Couple from Mount Lookout, WV, $25
Holloway Couple from Elverson, PA, $5,000 Couple from Northridge, CA, $100 Couple from Birdsboro, PA, $50 Knicely Couple from Bellingham, WA, increase $25 per month Couple from Frostburg, MD, increase $25 per month Couple from Bel Air, MD, $100 Couple from Beckley, WV, $25 Lilly Couple from Beckley, WV, $100 per month
Couple from Charleston, WV, $50
Smith Independent Bible Church, Martinsburg, WV, increase $62 per month
GENERAL FUND Tri-City Baptist Church, Parkersburg, WV, $100 per month Individual from Covington, VA, $25 per month
MEMORIALS In memory of Lloyd Matics: Gift from Jeff & Connie Matics In memory of her husband: Gift from Janice Boyd In memory of her parents Art & Pauline Lorch: Gift from Christena Walsh
In
Search
of
Servants
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Contact the Admissions Department at www.abc.edu or call (800) 678-9ABC.
necessary to provide a good education, but many also ost Christians would affirm the see it as a way to uphold their home’s value system. The importance of surrendering to the will problem usually arises when families have to absorb the of God (Romans 12:2) and to the call costs for a private Christian college rather than a state of ministry. The struggle comes with or community college. Families discard the very reasons the implications to that concept: sacrifice, separation, they insisted on a Christian education because of the transformation, and the proving of God’s will. I have extended financial cost to them and the potential loss of observed numerous families not encourage their children a future high-paying career. Many believe that the cost to explore further biblical education or a lifetime in of education and the future job market outweighs the ministry, giving the impression that a year of Bible College benefit of biblical instruction within Christian institutions. or a Bible degree might leave their child out of work or Because of the extended cost, we ignore the biblical penniless. In talking with hundreds of parents each year, mandates directing us not to set our children under false thousands of prospective students, and many Christian doctrine. On which course are our children heading; the educators, I have concluded that the quest to answer way of the ungodly or the way of the righteous? God’s call is being underemphasized in today’s Christian home. Parental safeguards against material poverty are resulting in life decisions based on a Hurdle 3 The secular worldview rather than a biblical “I believe most Obligation calling. I believe most Christian children Christian children Obligation to service is often missing in would run the race Paul talked about if we today’s generation. Lack of commitment would run the race did not erect hurdles discouraging them to the mission of the local church from it. Paul talked about is producing a callousness to future if we did not erect ministry demands. We tell our children Hurdle 1 The Vision hurdles discouraging how bad the world has become, but we do not encourage them to be a part of I sometimes fear that our hopes for our them from it.” the solution through ministry. The advice children mirror secular thinking. Many we should be consistently giving our parents equate living a successful life with children is that commitment to the call of God has eternal a good paying job. What happened to the missionary worth! Christians are going to give an account to our vision of a William Carey or the ministry vision of a D.L. Lord Jesus Christ one day; therefore, we must prepare our Moody? Many children are now given a temporal vision children to engage and commit to that good and perfect of satisfaction through wealth or “success.” Far too few will of God. Ministry is a privilege on which every believer parents believe in conditioning their children for the should set their expectations. Christian race by equipping them with an eternal vision.
Hurdle 2 The Cost Christian education is rarely a bargain basement deal. Many Christians homeschool or send their children to Christian schools at a high financial cost. Most see it as
While running the Christian race can be challenging, it is also a privileged calling. By encouraging our children to keep their “eyes on the prize” instead of erecting hurdles, concerned loved ones both demonstrate surrender to the will of God as well as enable their children to follow God’s call for their lives.
MINISTRY TEA M TRAVEL UPDA TE
ABC’s Spring & Summer ministry teams will have reached the following:
a
Closer Look conformity to Christ requires the imitation of his character, following God’s Ultimate Servant is nothing less than a call to a life of service (Phil. 2:5–8; 1 Thess. 1:9–10). Every believer, called according to God’s purpose, is designed and predestined to be a servant, both now, and ultimately in the age to come where the redeemed will be God’s servant-priests in his eternal kingdom (Rev. 5:10; 7:15; 20:6).
“Samuel—Samuel.” “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears!” The story of the child Samuel and his midnight message from God is a familiar one. Also familiar are Noah and the ark, the life of Abraham, and Paul on the road to Damascus—all occasions when God spoke to individuals detailing his desire, his call, for their lives. What about today? Does God still call people? If so, what does it look like? What role, if any, does the local church play in determining God’s direction for their members?
The following questions and answers explore the relationship of God’s work in individual lives and local churches, and the role of Appalachian Bible College in God’s work:
1 What is the call of God? In the New Testament, the call of God primarily refers to God’s activity of inviting people to salvation through the gospel (John 7:37–38). For those who by repentant faith heed this call, it is often described as God’s effective call through the gospel (Rom. 8:30; 1 Pet. 2:9). The apostle Paul describes this concept as he recounts God’s saving work among the Thessalonian believers. God’s Spirit powerfully worked through the human proclamation of the gospel such that those who believed were considered called by God (1 Thess. 1:4–5; 2:12–13; 2 Thess. 2:13–14).
believers called 2 Are to serve? The purpose of God’s effective calling is conformity to Jesus Christ, finally realized in the redeemed sinner’s glorification (Rom. 8:28–30). Therefore, because
The motto of Appalachian Bible College is Because Life is for Service. This passion becomes reality in each believer when Christ, God’s Servant, becomes their life (Col. 3:4). Put simply, life is for service because the Servant is our life. Jesus is our compelling motivation and empowerment (Gal. 2:20). If you have experienced God’s call in the gospel, are you living out your purpose of servanthood? Are you following the Servant (Matt. 16:24; Mark 10:42–45)?
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Does God call individual believers to particular areas of service?
If God is sovereign in salvation, it follows that he is also sovereign over service; that is to say, he chooses how to use each individual in his church (1 Cor. 12:18). This is evident when Paul calls the church a “body.” God not only gifts the members of the body in various ways but also arranges them in the church according to his wise and good will (Eph. 2:10; 4:7–16). The Scriptures also show that God calls individuals to specific ministry roles. The call of God for specific ministry is well known in the Old Testament; for example, the call of Moses (Ex. 3) and prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah (Isa. 6 and Jer. 1). In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to a specific ministry and used their church to affirm and send them (Acts 13:1–4). God directed Timothy into vocational ministry, being commended by the church, selected by Paul (Acts 16:2-3), and affirmed by the elders for his ministry gifts (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; cf. 1 Tim. 6:12, 20). God may also direct individuals through inward desires (1 Tim. 3:1). Such desire for ministry should be guided by Holy Scripture (Ps. 37:5; 119:105). Together through Scripture-filled, Spirit-led desires, one’s unique giftedness, and the affirming guidance from one’s church, God does call and direct individuals to particular areas of service. Acts 13:4a summarizes the various factors: Paul and Barnabas were “sent out by the Holy
Sprit.” In the final analysis, The Holy Spirit superintends the whole process; he powerfully speaks through the written text of Scripture (Acts 1:16; Rev. 2:11; cf. 1 Thess. 2:13), he uniquely gifts each believer for ministry (1 Cor. 12:11), he leads each believer according to God’s will (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 3:20), and he works in the church to equip and direct specific members for particular ministries (Acts 13:2–3).
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What is the role of the church toward those who believe they are called to vocational ministry?
Christ’s mission for his church includes the church’s responsibility of equipping its own members for ministry (Eph. 4:11-16), and in some cases, affirming and sending some members for the extension of the church’s mission. In the example of Acts 13:1-4, members of the church were fasting and praying - a posture of seeking God’s will - when the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (13:3). The Spirit had called these two men for a specific work of ministry. It was now the church’s responsibility to act. “After fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Or, as ABC’s president Dr. Anderson has said, the church was inconvenienced (“fasting”) and had interceded (“praying”) for its missionaries; and it identified with (“laid their hands”) and invested in them (“sent them”). In other words, the advance of the gospel was central in this church, and the Spirit worked within the church to call individuals for specific ministries.
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Should a local church train their members for vocational ministry without the help of others in the Body of Christ?
Some have occasionally said that if the church “did its job” there would be no need for Bible colleges. This claim is not new; nor is it peculiar to academic institutions like Bible colleges. In the same way, one might say that if the church did its job there would be no need for mission boards, homeless shelters, or any other para-church ministry. However, in the
case of many para-church ministries, this claim can be turned on its head. That is to say, because the church has done, and is doing, its job, these para-church ministries exist. This is certainly the case with Appalachian Bible College. We were birthed in 1950 as the ministry of a local church, the Pettus Independent Baptist Church, led by pastor Bob Guelich. This specific church was “doing its job,” taking seriously its responsibility to train believers for ministry. While no longer housed on the property of a specific church, ABC continues in accountability to, and dependence upon, a growing number of likeminded churches. These churches are still “doing their job,” especially as they commission and support the faculty and staff missionaries that serve here, and as these churches work together for advanced biblical training of their members at ABC. Far from abdicating their responsibility, these churches see ABC as an effective means to help fulfill their responsibility.
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How can Appalachian Bible College assist churches in equipping their members who are called?
Churches that partner with ABC can be confident that their members will be rooted in three foundational commitments. First, they will grow in their commitment to the absolute necessity and sufficiency of the Scriptures for all of life and ministry. Loving God’s authoritative Word is the source of a transformed mind and a life that matters for God’s glory. Second, they will grow in a love for the Lord Jesus and serving him through the church. Each student is nurtured toward active commitment in a local church family. Third, they will be challenged with a philosophy of ministry that prizes true biblical servanthood as the only way to live and lead.
In Conclusion: The “voice of God” will not likely be audible in believers lives today; however, through his Living Word he is still calling individuals to repentance and a life of service. God also calls some servants to vocational ministry in the church. In partnership with local churches, Appalachian Bible College is committed to training those servants for the harvest fields of the world.
I am very grateful for the Christian Workers' Children Scholarship that I have received while here at ABC. I have received this scholarship because my parents, Daniel and Betsy Delavan, are the pastor and pastor's wife of a church in Jay, Maine. As I study Youth and Family Ministries here at ABC, this scholarship continues to be a great blessing to my parents and me. I am planning on going into full time ministry when I graduate, and it is wonderful to know that I will not have the burden of college loans to pay.
Kristen Delevan
Financial Aid Possibilities Pell Grant WV Grant WV Promise Scholastic Achievement Merit Scholarship Christian Workers' Children Church Matching
To learn more about financial aid, grants and scholarships at ABC visit: www.abc.edu.
Church Matching Scholarship
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ost churches budget for their various ministries— from the nursery to senior saints. However, many overlook the important area of setting aside money for the advanced biblical training of members called to ministry. With this in mind, ABC has established the Church Matching Scholarship.
ing. Through the Church Matching Scholarship, ABC will match, up to $ 2,000 annually, what a church invests in its own members who are training at Appalachian Bible College. That’s a potential $4,000 help to the student! For more information regarding this scholarship and others, contact ABC’s director of financial aid:
We want to encourage churches to support their members whom they identify as worthy candidates for advanced Bible and ministry train-
Deana Steinke financialaid@abc.edu 800-678-9ABC www.abc.edu
Colonial Baptist Church, located in Blue Ridge, VA, has played an integral role in my education in Youth and Family ministries at Appalachian Bible College. As I prepare for youth ministry in the future, Colonial Baptist Church has partnered with me not only in prayer support but also in financial support through the Church Matching Scholarship. Because of their generosity, I am able to continue my studies at ABC knowing that the Lord will always provide.
Chris Hollish
Did You Know? 95% of ABC students receive financial aid through grants and scholarships! The average amount is $ 7,586 per student.
Alpine Alert
Catching Up
Report of Winter Camp W
e had an amazing Winter Camp this year! With over 135 campers and sponsors, it was our largest winter camp in 5 years. Guests included 4 new churches who had never been to Alpine before, plus 1 church that had only previously attended summer camp. Our speaker, Greg Alderman, challenged the campers to be good gatekeepers—to guard their hearts and minds from the influences of the world and to use biblical discernment. Several of the campers were convicted regarding influences in their lives and expressed the desire to replace them with more Christ-like influences. The weather was a bit of a challenge, but what’s winter camp without a little snow?! Several campers spent the day snowboarding or skiing; others had a blast racing down the tubing slopes at Winter Place. Guests then enjoyed coffee and hot chocolate at our coffee shop and cheered on their favorite team in our first annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Winter camp was a powerful weekend of spiritual refreshment, exciting adventure, and sweet fellowship.
To learn more about Alpine Ministries visit: www.alpineministries.com.
Upcoming Summer Activities Alpine has something for everyone. For more information visit www.alpineministries.com.
“Is There NOT a Cause?”
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ne of the most familiar stories even to an unbeliever is that of David and Goliath. David boldly advanced toward that from which others more skilled than he retreated.
Like David, the guest speakers from the National Center for Life and Liberty, Attorney David Gibbs III and April Campbell, believe in standing up for what is right. During the 2013 Daniel L. Anderson Leadership Symposium and Ada M. Spangler Women’s Seminar, students, staff, spouses, and guests were encouraged to first be prepared personally to face the causes of our day and then made aware of things that could hinder our ability to face the causes. Attorney Gibbs, Mrs. Campbell, and the speakers of the three workshops opened eyes and encouraged believers to realize that there is a cause worth standing up for—the cause of Christ.
Alpine Bible Camp: Superheroes Unmasked! What makes a person “super” to God? Fly, drive, or leap tall buildings to get to Alpine Bible Camp this summer and find out what’s hiding behind the mask. Visit www.alpineministries. com to view camp week dates and to download a brochure.
Family Camp Where can a family spend time around God’s Word and with each other while enjoying exciting adventure activities and fun programming for each member? Alpine’s annual Family Camp, of course! Join us for Family Camp and take a vacation with eternal impact.
Alpine Adventures Whether you prefer your adventure underground, dangling from a cliff face, or plunging through a raging rapid, Alpine Adventures has the trip for you. Each trip includes an opportunity for spiritual application by an experienced guide. Contact us today to schedule your personalized encounter with God’s thrilling creation.
MA Module
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rom 587 to 539 B.C., how did the Jewish people fare in Judea, Babylon, and Egypt? Students found out as they participated in the Spring Master’s Class “Exile and Restoration” with Dr. Jerry Knoblet. The class studied Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther as well as selections from other exilic texts such as Daniel and Ezekiel. In addition, the class explored issues of chronology, geography, and archaeology. Learn about the summer module, Biblical Counseling with Dr. James Newcomer, by visiting www.abc.edu.
News
and
Events
Campus Work Day As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.” On April 26, the ABC family will scrub, sweep, polish, and prepare our campus and its buildings to receive end-of-the-year visitors.
UPCOMING Events April 26
Campus Work Day
April 29–May 1
Final Exams
April 29–30
Spring Board Meeting
May 2–3
Spring Bible Conference
May 4
Commencement
May 4–19
Jubilate Tour
June 1–Aug. 4
Gospel Heralds Tour
June 3–Aug. 10
Alpine Summer Camps
June 3–7
M.A. Module Week: “Biblical Counseling” Dr. Jim Newcomer
June 21–22
Ladies Conference
July 1–6
Family Camp
Aug. 5–9
M.A. Module Week: “Research & Writing” Dr. Charles Bethel
Aug. 28
Fall Classes begin
Aug. 30
All School Reception
Sept. 23–24
Fall Board Meeting
Oct. 7–11
M.A. Module Week: “The Local Church & its Mission”
Alumni News!
Oct. 10–11
Alumni Homecoming
Oct. 12
Ladies Fall Luncheon
Oct. 17–19
Senior Saints Fall Foliage Retreat
Oct. 28–Nov. 1
Prayer Emphasis Week
The year 2012 was exciting for ABC’s Alumni Association. The Executive Committee implemented changes to Homecoming, increased efforts to stay connected, and awarded over $35,000 in scholarships to current students. In addition, over 35 new alumni partnered with the association through membership for the first time making more alumni scholarships available.
Spring Bible Conference A highlight of the school year from ABC’s inception, the 2013 Spring Bible Conference will feature Pastor Larry Clouse from Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Merrimack, NH, and Dr. Richard Van Heukelum from Shawnee Baptist Church in Shamong, NJ.
Commencement Join us as we celebrate ABC’s 61st Commencement. Rejoice as we send out laborers to serve in the harvest fields of the world.
Summer Ministry Tours The Jubilate, ABC’s English Handbell Choir, and the Gospel Heralds, ABC’s small vocal ensemble, may be coming to a church near you! Visit www.abc.edu to find out!
If you haven’t been able to connect with us in a while, join us for this year’s Homecoming, October 10–12. We’ve made the cost affordable for families big or small and the events enjoyable for all. We hope to see you there!
Alumni Invest in Eternity
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n 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Timothy to begin a self-perpetuating training program—faithful believers training faithful believers who will train even more faithful believers. Members of the ABC Alumni Association have a unique opportunity to participate in a similar training program— granting a scholarship to an incoming student who will one day be in a position to help the next generation of students.
Hayley Gray
Alumni Scholarship Recipient
Hayley Gray is a recipient of an Alumni Scholarship. The daughter and granddaughter of ABC alumni, Hayley was a last-minute applicant to ABC. She had been accepted at three other schools but felt the Lord’s direction to attend here. A student in the Bible Certificate program, Hayley is confident that the classes here will lay a good foundation for the rest of her life and ministry. ABC’s spiritual environment and the godly friends she has made have been her favorite aspects of this stage of her training.
As she prepares for future ministry, Hayley participates in a variety of current ministries within her local church from playing the violin to teaching Sunday School to toddlers. Hayley’s favorite ministry is helping care for a special needs child thus allowing his mother to attend Wednesday evening prayer meeting. After a missions trip to South Africa this summer, Hayley plans to attend another institution. Her dream is to hone her art skills to use as an avenue of missions whether that be illustrating children’s songs, Bible storybooks, or any other task to further the Gospel. A strong chain is still composed of individual links. All it takes is one generation for the training program to cease. Join the Alumni Association. Grant a scholarship. Keep the legacy alive.
Introspect is published through the Public Relations Department of Appalachian Bible College, Mount Hope, WV 25880. Phone: 304-877-6428
President: Dr. Daniel Anderson
ALPINE MINISTRIES
Fax: 304-877-5082
Editor: Rev. Jonathan Rinker
Phone: 304-877-6427
Admissions: 1-800-6789-ABC
Managing Editor: Mr. Jarod Burrer
Fax: 304-877-5046
E-mail: abc@abc.edu
Writer: Mrs. Sarah Rinker
Reservations: 1-800-806-2180 Web Site: www.alpineministries.com
admissions@abc.edu Web Page: www.abc.edu
Appalachian Bible College
161 College Drive, Mount Hope, WV 25880
I
n 1963, a group of ladies looked around the Appalachian Bible Institute campus and saw a wonderful opportunity. Forty-nine women, representing sixteen churches, banded together to pray for the school, advance its mission, participate in student-related projects, and sponsor women’s conferences.
Fifty years later, a new group of ladies carry the same vision—entreat the Lord on behalf of ABC and facilitate others’ prayers through our Prayer Calendar; enhance the appearance of ABC’s campus through various projects; encourage students through granting scholarships, hosting receptions, sponsoring the Student Wives Fellowship, and facilitating our Heart-to-Heart program; and exhort women to live godly lives through our three annual events. One of those events is our June Conference, and this year, because of our desire to nurture the next generation of servants, we will be hosting special sessions for pre-teen / teenage girls. So bring your daughter, granddaughter, or any other special young woman! Come celebrate with us as we rejoice in what God has done through the lives of His servants over fifty years of faithful service!
Joy Rice Martin
Reba Bowman
Lisa Potter
from Joyful Christian Ministries
from Dare for More Ministries
with G.L.A.M. (Girls Living Above Mediocrity)
To register, find more information, or download a brochure visit www.abc.edu.