Republished from a Letter Sent to Bethlehem Baptist Church
Dear Bethlehem,
As the school year gets underway, I want to thank God for Bethlehem College and Seminary and encourage us to rejoice in the partnership we share with the school. That partnership is especially worth noting this Fall in two ways:
First, the former Bethesda Apartment building, now Tomlinson Hall, is the newest student housing facility for the school and is filled with students. When Bethlehem purchased the building, we took a significant step of faith, trusting that God might use it someday to serve students and strengthen the ministry of Bethlehem College and Seminary. By his grace, that hope has now become a reality.
This summer, Bethlehem sold the building to Bethlehem College and Seminary and contributed significantly toward its renovation to help prepare Tomlinson Hall for students. What we prayed for when we first purchased the building is now being fulfilled: students are living there, studying there, and being equipped for a lifetime of faithfulness to Christ.
Praise God. And thank you, Bethlehem, for stepping forward in faith and, by God’s grace, investing generously to help make this possible. It is a joy to see Tomlinson Hall filled with students preparing to spend their lives for the cause of Christ.
Second, last weekend our building was filled with prospective students, parents, pastors, and ministry-minded men and women who attended the Godward Life Conference, a Christ-exalting weekend of preaching, teaching, conversation, and fellowship. Thank you to so many who welcomed, served, and participated.
The Partnership Between the Church and School
Why am I glad the church is linked arm-in-arm with the school? Because we share a joyful embrace of the same Elder Affirmation of Faith and a God-centered, Christ-exalting, gospel-centered, Bible-saturated vision of life and ministry.
Bethlehem shares with Bethlehem College and Seminary a vision of the Christian life in which “knowing Christ” and “enjoying Christ” belong together. We want students not only to understand what is true, but to see the beauty and worth of Christ, treasure him above all, and find their deepest and most satisfying joy in him.
Bethlehem College and Seminary takes seriously both rigorous learning and Christian formation—not merely what students know, but what kind of men and women they are becoming.
And we share more than a building. Many students and faculty worship with us, join our church, serve among us, and become part of our lives.
Welcoming the Next Generation
Just this week, I completed a membership interview with a Bethlehem College freshman who is new to Bethlehem. I was freshly reminded what a grace it is to welcome young men and women into the life of our church.
What a grace from God that students from all over the world are being brought into the life of our church through Bethlehem College and Seminary, the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, and other colleges and universities in our area.
I am thankful for the Campus Outreach staff here at Bethlehem, led by Billy Kor. Campus Outreach disciples college students during formative years of life, helping point them again and again to the all-surpassing treasure of Jesus Christ.
So thank you, Bethlehem, for warmly welcoming the college, seminary, and university students among us.
Pray With Me
Please continue to welcome these students into your homes, small groups, and ministries. Pray that they would treasure Christ above all, make wise and godly life choices, and grow in faithful friendships. Pray also for wisdom, grace, and endurance for the faculty and staff who teach and shepherd them.
And pray that God would use these years in the lives of these students to teach, mentor, and disciple them to live for the glory of God through Christ.
I thank God for this grace entrusted to us—a stewardship for the advance of our mission: to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.
For the advancement and joy of your faith,
Pastor Kenny
Kenny Stokes, M.Div.
Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church &
Associate Professor for Church Planting, Bethlehem College and Seminary