One of the responsibilities of being president of Bethlehem College & Seminary is to represent the school at conferences and meetings that are strategic for us. And, as I participate in those activities, I make it a priority to visit with contributors and alums who live in those various places. This is a source of great encouragement to me. I come away from those visits blessed and amazed at what the Lord is doing in and through this school.
I’ve just returned from a trip to Florida for the annual meetings of our accrediting association. While there, I had the opportunity to visit with several contributors and alums who have established their families and ministries in the area. Without fail, the message I hear from both our contributors and our alums is how much they appreciate and are committed to the vision and mission of Bethlehem College & Seminary. The alums consistently express profound gratitude for their experience and education they received from us. Our contributors are encouraged by our strong, unwavering commitment to the Bible as the centerpiece of our programs and by our uncompromising spirit as we proclaim the glories of our great God to our students.
I think I know, at least in part, what the Apostle John must have felt when he wrote to his beloved friend Gaius:
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. III John: 3-4.
Like John, I derive great joy and blessing while visiting with our alumni and contributor friends who are all “walking in the truth” to this day. This gives me great hope as we continue to pursue the glory of God through the ministry of Bethlehem College & Seminary.
You should be encouraged, dear friends, as well. By your faithful prayers for our school, you are key partners in this strategic ministry. Some of you have been praying for us from the very beginning—I am so blessed and humbled by your faithfulness! Some of you have also been supporting us financially. Without your sacrificial giving, we would not be able to have the kind of impact around the world that we are having.
So grateful for you all,
Tim Tomlinson
President
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray as our students and faculty as we near the midpoint of the semester. Pray that they would persevere through the mid semester “trough” and be refreshed by a short break from classes coming up in the next week.
- Please also be in prayer for our Self-Study process which is currently underway. This is required for the renewal of our accreditation. We are praying for a 10-year renewal, which is the longest term of accreditation available. Pray for the steering committee which is writing the Self-Study.
- Please continue to be in prayer for our admissions team. They are processing many applications for our new M.A. program as well as our undergraduate programs. Pray for wisdom and the provision of highly qualified applicants.
- Please also be in prayer for our financial opportunity before us. We have a $300,000 matching grant in place which will help us meet our financial goal by June 30th. Pray for a remarkable outpouring of generosity in the coming weeks/months.