by Jim Edge
Since my arrival on campus, my vision for the students has been to train a new generation of Christian leaders. I understand that many of our students will graduate from BBC to become youth pastors, children’s workers, worship leaders, and serve in many other areas of specialization within the church and society. But the chances of that young man or woman remaining in the same position for a lifetime are minimal at best. While we spend a great deal of classroom time training in the specifics of specialized ministry models, as president, my vision is that our graduates be transformational leaders, no matter what their particular area of expertise might be.
Looking at the American scene, John Gardner, in his “Leadership Papers,” pointed out that at the time the United States was formed it had a population of around three million. Out of that emerged perhaps six world-class leaders — Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Hamilton. Today, with a population of around 240 million, the U.S.A. might expect to have 80 times as many world-class leaders. But, he asks, where are they? (Arthur Levine, When Dreams And Heroes Died San Francisco/London: Jossey Bass Publishers, 1981)
At BBC we are deeply committed to the process of building world-class Christian leaders. Transitioning an institution like Baptist Bible College into a viable world-class Christian leadership-training center cannot be accomplished quickly. It must be done strategically, with careful planning and with the counsel of our trustees and other advisors. That is the track we are on and that is the process we are committed to accomplishing.
Even though Baptist Bible College, like many other educational institutions, is experiencing significant economic challenges, we continue to make significant progress toward our goals. I have seen ample evidence during my tenure at BBC that our Heavenly Father is more than a spectator to the financial “perfect storm” that we have faced. Instead, I have seen Him come through for us each time at just the right time to meet the many specific challenges. Often he has moved in the heart of a pastor, Christian businessman, or grateful alumni of our college.
As we move forward toward our vision of becoming a world-class Bible and leadership-training center, we welcome the partnership of those who share our vision. Education in general, and private education in particular, has been one of the key areas of inflation in recent years. Throughout this time we have remained diligently committed to see our tuition remain one of the best values in private quality Christian education in America. God has given us a specific vision for Baptist Bible College, and we are making progress toward our goals. But to remain on course, we need your help. Would you consider investing in the next generation of transformational Christian leaders?
I welcome your questions and concerns.