It’s no secret that anyone who really
knows me knows just how much love and passion I have for the Nazarene Bible
College! When
I finally answered God’s Call on my life back in 1972 and came out here to Colorado Springs to study
for full time Christian service here at NBC, the Lord knows that my years here
literally changed my life! Truth is, I don’t know where I would be today if it
wasn’t for this precious school! However, because I obeyed God’s will and came
out here (thank you Dr. Chic Shaver for advising me back then), as a
result my ministry as a Tenured Evangelist has taken me to all 50 States, and
from one side of Canada to the other, (and all points in between!) And what a
journey it has been! PTL! I’ve also had the privilege and honor of serving on
the Committee for the God-Called Evangelists for our denomination the
last 8 years under the leadership of my dear friends and colleagues Dr.
Chuck Millhuff, and Reverend Gary Bond. And it’s been an honor and blessing
to do so! PTL!
Well, I can’t begin to explain it, but
about a year ago I felt an “ inward stirring” in my spirit that God was
preparing me for something and I really didn’t know what it was. But I can tell
you this, it just wouldn’t go away. Then, back in June of this year a
communication process started taking place between NBC and me about the
possibility of my accepting a position here at my alma mater. The way it
happened is amazing, but it would take too long here to explain how it all
started to develop. This “process” went on for four months, June, July, August,
and September. Then, at the end of September, after much prayer and processing
with Marti, I “prayed through” on this “new call” from God
on my life to accept the position of National Alumni Pubic Relations and
Recruiting Representative for the Nazarene
Bible College!
Can you believe it? I still can’t! In fact, I was with Dr. Steve Anthony
at the Eastern Michigan Family Camp back in July (Steve is the very
first alumnus to ever be elected a District Superintendent from NBC) and I said
“Steve, how can this be happening at my age?” He just laughed and said, “Haines,
Dr. G.B. Williamson (who was the founder of NBC) was older than you when
he went out and started the college, so what’s your problem!!!” I can’t tell
you how many times I thought about that during this process.
Recently, our current president at NBC, Dr.
Harold Graves, sent out a letter to all our District Superintendents (and a
second one to all pastors) throughout the United States, informing them that
recruiting new students has been named our number one priority of the college.
I called Dr. Graves and asked him permission to insert his first letter here,
and he responded “absolutely Gary.”
Greetings from Nazarene Bible
College.
I trust that God is blessing you and your district in these
days. Today, nearly 25% of all Nazarene pastors in the U.S. received at
least a portion of their
ministerial training from NBC. Ten of our graduates
are serving as district superintendents on 11
districts. This
fall, over 850 individuals enrolled in
ministry preparation classes at NBC.
Recruitment of new students has been named the number
one priority of the college. I am
happy to announce that, in October, Dr. Gary Haines joined our recruiting staff as a
nation-wide
recruiter. We
all know Gary
has served the church for
years as an
evangelist. Thousands have
been blessed by his ministry. Now, as he travels the
country holding meetings in churches, he
will be meeting
with prospects, alumni,
and current students.
He will recruit new
students,
encourage current ones, and talk to alumni about referring others that God is
speaking to about
ministry. We are excited to have Gary
on our recruiting team.
In a few days we will be sending a letter to all Nazarene churches in the U.S. asking pastors to
send us names and addresses of local and
district licensed ministers who are part of their
church,
as well as any that
are praying about a possible call to ministry.
We want to reach out
to
these individuals to talk with them about how NBC can
prepare them for a lifetime of
ministry.
We would appreciate
it if you would encourage the pastors on your district to send us these
names and addresses.
Any assistance you can give us will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Harold B.
Graves
As Dr. Graves stated in his letter, we
want to reach out to those that are praying about a possible call to ministry,
and talk to them about how NBC can prepare them for a lifetime of Christian
service. If ever our sin-sick world needed to hear the Good News of the gospel,
it’s today. And we desperately need to raise up men and women of God to go out
and touch our world for Christ! Amen? So, if you know of anyone (maybe
yourself) that’s dealing with a call of God on their life, have them get in
touch with me, ok? Truth is, if they truly have received a call of God on their
life, it’s irrevocable, and it’s never going to go away, and they won’t have
any peace emotionally, mentally, or spiritually until they follow through on
it. Believe me, I know!
Let me say in closing, that I am truly
honored to now be on staff at NBC. Right now, it’s a part time position, so
hopefully God will continue to open doors for revivals, camp meetings, and
retreats (as mentioned above), “Lord, let it be so!” Also, for those of you
that are ministry partners for GHEA, INC, we need your love, prayers, encouragement,
and support now more than ever, and you should know by now just how grateful we
are for the same. You are our “lifeline” and I truly thank the Lord for each
and every one of you. I am fully aware that you have always prayed and
supported for me as I’ve done my best to sing/preach for our Lord and reach
people on His behalf, now will you continue to help me as I serve the Lord in
this new position that He has called me to? This is a whole new deal for me,
and I really need your prayers and support. Dr. G.B. always used to say, “Just
do your best; and let God do the rest!” Amen!!! Folks this is, without a
doubt, an awesome and daunting assignment and I truly covet your continued
prayers and support.
So, as you can see, God has brought me
full circle. I started out here at NBC as a student, and now I am serving here
on staff. It’s been so surreal, and I still can’t believe it. I promised the
Lord and everyone here at the college that I’ll do the very best that I can do,
and with His help and grace we are going to see His continued blessing and
favor poured out on NBC and men & women are going to be equipped and
prepared to go out and reach our world for Christ! Amen? Amen!
