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After 4 years of study with my Savannah Sound students and 2 years completed with the Hatchet Bay crew, we’ve finally made it to graduation day. The School of Antioch has provided a robust program to develop the Christian leader in sound doctrine, ministry skills, and maturity of character. For the student who desires the program is designed to build into a B.Min or M.Min, although all of our students are yet to complete their requirements to earn their degree. Therefore, while in the process of finishing we have recognized their efforts over the past years with a degree of certificate from the Windermere Bible College.
The missionaries who have been part of the history of the High School have always been in full support of our work at the Bible College. They reference how it has been their desire to train pastors all the way back at the inception of the school in the 1960’s. Now, we are pleased to report that we have finally graduated our first class ever.
My good friend and colleague Pastor Jeff Larson made the last minute trip to the island to serve as our keynote speaker for the service. His message was predicated upon the unique challenge to those who have been through the careful study of the scriptures for an extended period of time. He warned that true love for the Lord will not be automatically produced through study, but rather, the beginning of wisdom is found in the “fear of the Lord,” and this must be manifest through the life of His servant in humble service to others through the Spirit.
We had a couple of our students bring remarks at the service. Here is an excerpt from her speech: “After completing a two year course of study at the Eleuthera Bible Training Institute in April 2011 under the leadership of pastor Ryan Flunker, I realized that I had developed an unquenchable thirst for theology.
“In September 2012, I was elated to discover that Pastor Ryan and the Windermere Bible College had partnered with the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development and they were offering a Four year course of study in which Christian leaders will be trained in the way of Christ and His apostles.
“I felt the urgency in my spirit to take this course in theology so that I might learn more about God and how to share this knowledge with others. I contemplated the long drive I had to make at night and four years sounded like an eternity. However, the unquenchable thirst for knowledge overpowered me. I quickly registered for the class and the rest is history.
“I would like to thank the faculty and administrators of the Windermere Bible College and the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development for having the vision to offer a ten course Bible curriculum for Pastor’s, Deacons, elders and church leaders at an affordable cost to the people of Eleuthera, therefore giving these leaders an opportunity to receive solid Biblical information which will enhance their lives and those they come into contact with.”
Before we conveyed certificates upon the graduates, I was able to give them my final challenge. My last lesson came from 2 Timothy, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” 2 Ti 1:13-14. I challenged them as did the Apostle Paul, not knowing when he might see his student again, he commended them onto the Lord. After 4 years together, I have high expectations that they will continue to use what has been invested in them to pour into others.
To leave them with the resources they will need in ministry, we had two of our churches very generally donate the funds necessary to purchase each graduate their very own copy of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary Set (a set of 13 volumes, covering every book, chapter, and verse). When we come back in March we will have the privilege to go through these volumes with them as auxiliary training. At the end of the ceremony, the students added their own recognition for our service to them, and honored us with a gift card. We thanked and embraced them in a group hug, that will long last in my memory of the joy of serving in training.
Graduation day was a hallmark moment, as we prepare to leave the island. We are thankful for the opportunity God has given to train these leaders, and we ask you to continue to pray with us for their growth and support through their service to the Lord in the church.
“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
– Ephesians 4:12