by David Melton
W e are pretty happy in Boston these days. After months of planning and hard work by our entire college family, our privilege to host the BBF for three days has passed — now we are back to the business of doing college. Many of you have commented with real kindness about your experience in Boston in September. Almost all have made positive remarks about our students and staff — and I am, of course, extremely proud and grateful!
Maybe in the larger scheme of things, though, it might be easy to miss what you did for us. I don’t think it takes away from the servant spirit of our college family to remind those of you who came to visit us that you were a huge part of “making history” in Boston.
Many of our students had never seen so many pastors in one place. I know there is a lot of talk about larger crowds in decades gone by. But in this era of endless, valuable ministry conferences, limitless electronic communication, and incalculable demands on all of our time, I, for one, think it is amazing that a few hundred pastors get together in one place at one time for the better part of a week. You gave our students a picture of who we are collectively — impressing them, just as I hope they impressed you. I have multiple stories from students saying, “A pastor I didn’t even know talked with me, encouraged me.” The best line from a student to me was, “I didn’t know what a national BBF meeting would be like. I would go to a meeting like this every year.” That from a 20-year-old. You did that.
Something else to thank you for — rolling with the flow. The concept of our meeting all over the city was intentional. We wanted you to experience our city. Our college is in Boston, and Boston Baptist College is more than five acres on Metropolitan Avenue. We wanted you to understand us better by understanding our home. And you agreed to do it! I know that meant more walking. It meant really early dinners or really late ones. It meant we ran you pretty hard for all three days. But you jumped in and became one of us. You even acted like you had some fun doing it. Thanks.
One last thing you did. You stood with us to say that together there are good days ahead. An effort like Boston Baptist College is either a fusion of partners or it is nothing. Some supporting pastors actually saw our campus and met our students for the first time at the September meeting. Others came back to see we are growing, improving, thriving. Our college family got to say thanks for making our work a reality. Hopefully you left Boston inspired, encouraged — we hope you took home a little piece of the spirit of Boston. What you left in Boston is your impact on us. You left quite a mark here. Thanks for making the Boston days happy days.