In many occupations, a person’s work has obvious and dramatic consequences. The contractor can remake a dark, dated kitchen into a beautiful, functional space in just a few weeks. The landscaper can transform a backyard by pulling weeds, laying new sod, and planting flowers and bushes in a few days. The dentist can relieve a patient’s agony by extracting impacted wisdom teeth in a morning. In contrast, the fruit of one’s labors in theological education or pastoral ministry often remains hidden from view, at least in the short term.
I am convinced that the Lord has called us at Bethlehem College and Seminary to a fundamentally spiritual work as we invest deeply in the lives of students in hopes that they will treasure Christ above all things, grow in wisdom and knowledge over a lifetime, and glorify God in every sphere of life. But sometimes I finish a day at the office and wonder what sort of lasting kingdom impact may result from my labors—a prayer gathering, a chapel message, a class lecture, meetings, emails, calls, and hallway conversations. We trust that in God’s economy, our spiritual labors of planting and watering are not in vain but will yield a spiritual harvest in due season “if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
I have been involved in the ministry of Bethlehem College and Seminary for two decades now and could share many stories of how an education in serious joy has shaped our students and, through them, impacted families, churches, communities, and even distant lands. As we approach the June 30 deadline to secure full funding of The Serious Joy Scholarship, here is one story of the durable value and disproportionate impact of a Bethlehem education that is worthy of our deep investment.
Recently I received a letter from a contributor named Kelli expressing her gratitude for Bethlehem College and Seminary’s commitment to sound doctrine and gospel-saturated preaching. She shared about various trials that she had endured in recent years, including widowhood and caring for a family member with cancer. She recounted how Bethlehem-trained pastors had provided God-centered teaching and timely pastoral care for her at South Cities Church (formerly Bethlehem Baptist Church’s South Campus) and later at Ekklesia Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. When she moved to a small town in central Minnesota, she found it challenging to find a solid church with reformed doctrine and good preaching. That changed when she learned that a church nearby had called a new pastor who was a Bethlehem Seminary graduate! Kelli wrote, “After my first visit to the church and meeting Pastor Matt I knew this was my new church! Pastor Matt and his wife are a joy and an answer to prayer…. My heart is overflowing with serious joy being able to sit under the gospel-saturated preaching and teaching of these fine young men.”
This heartfelt letter illustrates the deep impact that Bethlehem-trained pastors are having near and far as they preach a big God and labor for years and even decades to see Christ formed in the men and women of their congregations.
Only ten days remain in Bethlehem College and Seminary’s fiscal year, and we are praying that God will supply full funding for the Serious Joy Scholarship to enable our outstanding students to receive such a God-centered, Bible-saturated, remarkably affordable education and launch debt-free into life and ministry. Please pray that God will provide for the needs of this institution, and consider making a year-end gift to help us finish this year strong.
Brian J. Tabb, Ph.D.
President
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the full funding of the Serious Joy Scholarships needed by June 30.
- Pray for full classes this fall for our college, seminary, and evening programs.
- Pray for continued favor on the various ministries of our alumni.
- Pray for the search for our next Director of Admissions.
- Pray for our faculty as they travel, speak, and write this summer.