Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 35, No. 23 Home Page
"The last time I spent any significant time behind this pulpit was to clean off some honey that had been smeared on it," said Petker. "I wasn't the one who did it that time though."
Following the introduction of the chairpersons, the BBI chorale performed for the 85 delegates. BBI faculty member Phil Siebert was back directing the group after a two-year sabbatical during which he obtained his master's degree in music at Asuza Pacific University in California.
Jerry Letkeman, pastor of Hepburn Gospel Church and BBI Board member, delivered the message. This event marked a first for the school, as Letkeman's church is a member of the Saskatchewan Conference of Evangelical Mennonite Mission Churches. The EMMC conference was accepted as a co-sponsor for BBI only last year.
Through a message based on the story of King David and his relationship with Abigail, the wife of Nabal (I Samuel 25), Letkeman emphasized a theme that was to be repeated by many other speakers throughout the day: "When a godly vision is pursued, positive things come together." He related how in the midst of unrest between David and Nabal, both Abigail and David kept the will of God as their highest priority, and, as a result of their obedience, the corrupt Nabal was struck down by God and Abigail became David's wife.
Letkeman was not the only one with a slogan for the day. After a short break, the convention resumed with the presentation of the Bethany reports. The first report came from chair Ray Lepp. He encouraged people to adopt the new catch phrase "Finishing Well" in regard to the completion of capital obligations on Bethany Place. Both Lepp and BBI business manager Harvey Mathies assured the crowd that things were going well financially for the school, but they highlighted the need to maintain the level of donations in order to sustain the school's good financial situation. The board has set a goal of raising $390,000 over the next three years to eliminate the money owed on Bethany Place. This amount includes interest over the three years, a sound and lighting system, and the repayment on the outstanding principal. The goal is really repayment as a means of reducing the amount of interest that must be paid. Delegates were encouraged to hear that $40,000 has already been donated towards sound and lighting equipment.
The finance commission joyfully reported that BBI managed to achieve a surplus of $23,000 in its operating budget last year. Despite the good news, Mathies cautioned the delegates that there is an ever-narrowing gap between giving from constituency churches and giving from other sources. He also noted the rising costs of maintaining existing programs at BBI. Jack Braun has been hired as a part-time development officer to address some of Bethany's financial concerns. One of his main focusses is getting BBI alumni more actively involved in the school.
"I want to encourage alumni to continue to support Bethany, not just financially, but also through prayer," said Braun. "This is a place of spiritual warfare."
Lepp also discussed BBI's accreditation status with the American Association of Bible Colleges. Candidate status was granted to the school in February, and a time line of four years was given for BBI to reach full accreditation. A steering committee and several self-study groups are in place to achieve this goal. In their presentation of the academic commission report, chair Wayne Dyck and faculty representative Doug Heidebrecht assured delegates that even with Bethany's reinstatement to candidate status with AABC, significant changes to the curriculum are not anticipated. A new curriculum was implemented in the 1995-96 year in order to lay the groundwork for the transition to accreditation.
After lunch, delegates were entertained by the Bethany drama group Mirror Image and the ensemble Steadfast. Student bursaries and recognition of service by faculty and staff were next. Carmen Soulie of Saskatoon received a bursary from the Saskatchewan MB Conference, and the Alberta MB Conference bursary went to Jared Nickel of Wembley. Of the faculty and staff, Clarence Block, Susan J.S. Goerz, Doug Heidebrecht and Flo Wall received recognition for five years of service, and Orla Block, Phil Siebert and Ben Wohlgemut received recognition for 15 years of service at BBI.
The chief portion of the afternoon was spent in a strategic planning exercise for the future of Bethany. The exercise was led by BBI youth ministries director and instructor Derrick Mueller. He challenged delegates to let their imaginations run wild.
"I have been accused of being a dreamer," Mueller said. "But I believe great things can happen because I have a partner who helps me out. That partner is God. And I know that if I do my part, He will take care of the rest. That may sound a little naive, but it works every time."
During the exercise, delegates broke into groups and gathered around their tables to discuss questions such as: "What has Bethany been doing right?", "Whom should we be trying to impact?" and "If resources were no problem, what would your desires/goals for Bethany be?" The exercise was met with great enthusiasm by everyone present. Responses were collected from each group at the end of the session and will be reviewed by the Board and compiled into a report.
BBI Board elections rounded out the afternoon. Three positions came up for re-election this year. Bob Beesley and Lloyd Ratzlaff stepped down but Carol Siebert of Main Centre, Sask. allowed her name to stand. She was re-elected, and Florence Summers of Saskatoon and Steve Bergen of Waldheim, Sask. were elected to fill the other two vacant positions.
Throughout the day, debate over issues was conspicuously absent, while the desire to seek and obey the will of God was readily apparent. The convention was perhaps best summed up in the words of co-chairman Peters as he concluded the proceedings: "Your spiritual commitment is beautiful. I know you came with the work of the Lord on your mind, and it has been done." Kevin Miller
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 35, No. 23 Home Page