Fifteen years ago I attended one of my very first chapel services at Bethany Bible College. I was a student at the time. The speaker for the day was none other then the new president of the college, Dave Medders. In that chapel service and subsequent ones President Medders shared his dream for the Bible College and cast some extraordinary vision. He communicated to us that he wanted to see the student body increase. Of course this would help financially, but most importantly more men and women would be answering the call of God on their lives to enter ministry. There were also the dreams of better facilities, specifically dorms, classrooms, dining area, chapel etc. These dreams seemed larger than life for a small Bible College barely able to keep its head above water. However, they were not just President Medders dreams, they were God’s.

Recently, I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new chapel at Bethany Bible College. As I was part of this historic occasion I could not help but reflect upon the last fifteen years. Many students, faculty and staff have come through the doors of the College. Dorms have been refurbished and built. Classrooms and other facilities have been improved; attendance is at an all time high and now a new chapel. The energy at the Bible College is electrifying.

John Maxwell was the special speaker at the ground breaking ceremony and he communicated some very effective styles of leadership. One was about Rebecca, from the Old Testament. How she served others with a generous spirit. Dr. Maxwell shared how important it is to serve with no strings attached. Another character from the Old Testament that he singled out as an incredible model of a leader was David. While examining David’s life as a child/teen I marveled at the knowledge imparted. Don’t allow others to hold you back and hold you down. Others may not see the potential in you but God certainly does. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Today, as a pastor on the Atlantic District of the Wesleyan Church I am proud and pleased to be part of the heritage of Bethany Bible College. I look forward to having the opportunity to partner with the college in the future. As I reflect upon the last fifteen years I see in front of me many models of servant leadership. Some leaders are behind the scenes and others right there in front of me. President Medders has been one leader that has been right there in front of me. God has used this man and his family as a catalyst to communicate the need for workers for the Harvest. In the days, months, years to come may we as kindred spirits lend our thoughts, prayers and actions to God so that many other men and women will be able to fulfill their unique call to ministry.