If you’re like me, you’ve grown accustomed to daily updates on the Coronavirus pandemic and numbers associated with it. You’ve also, no doubt, experienced the impact of this on how we go about our daily lives—mostly in lock-down mode. For those who are thinking about their future plans, much is unknown and uncertain. Colleges and universities across the country are also making tentative plans for the coming school year.
At Bethlehem College & Seminary, however, we are making plans full of hope and faith in God Almighty. While there is currently much hand-wringing in higher education circles, we are confident in our great God. We are unencumbered by debts, we operate with extremely low overhead costs, we are not dependent upon government financial aid funds, and we are institutionally nimble. We believe the Lord has positioned us remarkably well to navigate this global crisis. Therefore, we are announcing today that it is our intention to resume in-person, on-campus education at the beginning of the fall semester. (We will, of course, have contingency plans if the pandemic has a resurgence later this summer).
Because of our intentionally small size, we are confident that we can provide face-to-face instruction that is also appropriately exercising proper, social distancing guidelines. Our classes are under 25 students in size and our classrooms are large enough to provide adequate spacing for all. We are eager to resume doing education in community and to continue our emphasis on serious learning and growth in discipleship.
Another effect of the pandemic has been the economic impact on so many families and businesses. Because of this many are likely to be cautious about beginning a college education. However, we would encourage prospective students not to delay their education, but consider the value proposition of Bethlehem College & Seminary. As you may know, every student at our school receives a Serious Joy Scholarship of $10,000 which allows us to charge tuition of only about $6,000/year. We offer a great education at a remarkable price!
Our professors are top-notch. I’ve been in higher education all my life and I believe our faculty rank with the best I’ve known. They have degrees from some of the most well-known and well-respected universities and seminaries in the world. They have written many books and articles and speak at events and conferences around the world. And, they all care as much about the souls of our students as they do their minds.
These are truly life-changing, tradition-shaking times. Perhaps it’s also time, then, to consider an education at a radically God-honoring, Christ-exalting, mold-breaking institution like Bethlehem College & Seminary. If you are a prospective student, or the parent of one, please consider our school. You might be very surprised at what you discover. If you are one of our many supporters and contributors, thank you for your bold and generous support of our school and our mission to raise up the next generation of God-glorifying men and women who will carry on our gospel-spreading mission in the marketplaces and ministries around the globe.
With full confidence in God Almighty,
Tim
Tim Tomlinson
President
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray that we would finish out this semester well and that our students, faculty, and staff would be bold in their witness to the world that our hope is in Christ.
- Please pray that the Lord might be pleased to keep our community healthy and virus-free.
- Please continue to pray for the Board of Trustees as they search for our next president. Pray that the Lord would raise up a clear, top candidate who will be able to lead us into the future.
- And, as always, please keep praying for our school’s finances. There are many institutions of higher learning out there that are struggling over financial matters, and the Coronavirus situation isn’t helping. Please pray for the benevolence of God to continue to be upon us, and that we would finish out our fiscal year strongly.