Over 700 local business leaders, area pastors, alumni, students, and friends of Bethany Bible College celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Saunders Irving Chapel on September 13.

It was a spectacular New Brunswick day as the crowd gathered under a giant tent pitched on the site of the new chapel, the perfect setting for this historic milestone in the life of the College. Mrs. Jean Saunders Irving, after whose family the chapel is named, was first to read the Word of God. Inspiring music was presented by several including the college chorale, CrossWind. In his keynote address, Dr. John Maxwell spoke on “God’s Passion for Spiritual Leaders,” encouraging students to face any obstacles that might keep them from being a leader with a faith of David and a servant heart of Rebecca. Mr. Ray McCabe, Board of Trustees member, and Mrs. Anne Medders, wife of President David Medders, unveiled the model of the chapel for all to see. At the close of the service, Rev. Mark Gorveatte, alumnus, Vice Chairman of the Board, and US Chair of the Church and District campaign, led the congregation in a litany of groundbreaking, and Dr. H. C. Wilson, Board Chairman, proclaimed, “Let construction begin.” With nimble handling of the excavator controls and encouragement from Dr. Maxwell, Mrs. Irving lifted up a full bucket of earth. She observed with delight, “ I believe that dirt just wanted to come up out of the ground!”

On the evening prior to the groundbreaking, Rev. Peter Moore, the Campaign Prayer Coordinator for Canada, and Tim Engelsman, student representative for the Campaign, led the students in an all-night prayer vigil on the very ground that the chapel will be built. Even though the night turned cold, students, wrapping up in blankets, faithfully petitioned for God’s anointing and blessing on the building of the chapel and the groundbreaking service. God honored those prayers!

The new Saunders Irving Chapel will be the heart of campus. Here, students will sing, pray, learn to preach and deepen their walk with God as they prepare for a life of ministry. The building will be over 25,000 square feet; 11,000 square feet on each of the main and lower levels, with a balcony to be added later. It will have a total seating capacity, including the 2nd phase balcony, of 1,000 people. A Celtic cross will crown the steeple rising 80’ over the crest of the hill, clearly distinguishing this as a place of Christian worship and the symbol of campus. The estimated completion date is Fall, 2006 and will cost $4.5 million.

This special service at the chapel site on Summit Avenue also launched the Decade of Development Capital Campaign that will complete funding for the chapel and subsequently, other major projects – a library/learning centre and an athletic/fitness centre.

Mrs. Jean Irving, whose family made the lead/naming gift, serves as Co-chair of the Decade of Development Campaign. Her association with the College began when she took art classes from Rev. Randolph Nicholson in 1978 and later published his biography that included reprints of many of his paintings. Mrs. Irving is widely recognized for her love for young people, her absolute faith in Christ and His Word, and for her tireless labours for God’s Kingdom all across the Maritimes.

Serving along side of Mrs. Irving as co-chair is Dr. John C. Maxwell, one of the most influential and highly recognized Bible college graduates in the Wesleyan Church. He first spoke at the College in 1981 and has watched Bethany produce many high caliber spiritual leaders. His passion for leadership development has literally taken him around the globe, speaking to thousands of church and business leaders. Dr. Maxwell is the founder of INJOY, INJOY Stewardship Services, and EQUIP, and he is one of the world’s most prodigious writers on leadership issues, producing 50 books with total sales in excess of 10 million copies. He is currently giving leadership in raising up 5 million spiritual leaders in nations around the world.

God has blessed Bethany with growing recognition as one of the premier places for ministerial education in North America. Since the early 90’s enrollment has more than doubled in size. Almost three hundred students came last year from nine provinces, twenty-six states and three overseas countries, representing fourteen Christian denominations. This growth has brought the college to a point of critical need for key anchor point buildings that will serve as the core of the campus: the Chapel, Library and Athletic & Fitness Centre. The Decade of Development Capital Campaign will fund the construction of these vital facilities and take Bethany to a new level of effectiveness and excellence.

Bethany Bible College was started in Woodstock, New Brunswick in 1945 by the Reformed Baptist Alliance of Canada to prepare men and women for Christian ministry. For sixty years this mission has remained the consistent focus and passion of the College. Fully accredited with the Association of Biblical Higher Education, Bethany offers four Bachelor of Arts degrees: Religion, Theology, Christian Education, and Christian School Education, with programs of study including over fifty combinations of program majors and minors.

The successful completion of the “Decade of Development” will strengthen the ministry of the College as more students choose Bethany as their place of training. By God’s grace, Bethany will continue to raise up workers for the harvest (Matthew 9:38).

“O for a thousand tongue to sing my great Redeemer’s praise…Assist me to proclaim, to spread thro’ all the earth abroad, the honors of Thy name.”

If you would like more information about the Saunders Irving Chapel and Decade of Development Capital Campaign, please call Mr. Robert N. Trafton, Executive Director of Advancement at 506.432.4404 or email at traftonr@bbc.ca.