Why The
Need For A Tuition-Free Faith School?
By Michael
O'Connor
ATTENTION:
It has been our purpose
for a number of years to make available to the Lord’s People quality articles
and writings for personal devotion, and Bible study. At the present time, Calvary School of the Bible is an
on-line study-center; but we sincerely request your
earnest prayers on our behalf, as the vision we carry, is for a Residential-Student School
of the Bible. Please agree with us in prayer for
our Lord’s provision of the place of His choosing,
to facilitate this worthy vision. Thank
you, and God bless you everyone!
I wish to
speak to you straight from my heart, with the
earnest prayer that as you read, our Lord shall impart to you an understanding
and comprehension of our vision and purpose in establishing this school.
First and
foremost, a “Faith-School” is designed to operate
far differently than a secular school or schools depending upon endowments and
tuition, etc. In a Faith-School, all present must learn faith’s lessons,
by believing God for His supply and provision. Students will learn very
quickly the value of “praying through,” and trusting the Lord for their needs,
and even for their daily bread. Considering that our main focus will be
upon the training of missionaries and ministers, who will be related to the
foreign fields; these lessons will prove to be invaluable. It is well
understood by most mature Believers, that the Church is indeed facing hard
times. This has become very apparent, especially with the recent
“economic shake-up” in our nation.
As in the
Early Church, I sincerely believe
the time will again come when Believers will find it necessary to pray for, and
thank God for their daily bread.
Church history
will bear out very clearly, that down through the
corridors of time, a sense of “merchandising” crept into the Church.
This has been manifested by the various practices of paying for “ministry,” as
though “for services rendered!” This practice grew to gigantic
proportions during the Dark Ages, and sporadically peaked at other
junctures. Without rendering undue attention to such an embarrassing
“history,” we must be brave enough to acknowledge that even in modern times
(especially in the 1950's and again, approximately from the early 1980's until
the present), there has existed an overwhelming preponderance, in some segments
of Christianity, of a grossly exaggerated emphasis upon money. It seems
that today, in many groups, everything revolves around the
"Dollar."
What a glaring
contrast to the “Lowly Nazarene,” who so
freely gave of Himself, and of His very life, so that others could live.
This fact evokes a vision of the spotless Lamb of God, hanging upon a crude
Roman cross; savagely beaten, whipped, and bleeding profusely. This
vision has been burned into our hearts as an indelibly branded image. We,
with the hymnologist of yore, are compelled to cry out with agony of soul, “WHO
FOLLOWS IN HIS TRAIN?...WHO FOLLOWS IN HIS TRAIN?”
“MAN
OF SORROWS, WHAT A NAME,
FOR
THE SON OF GOD WHO CAME;
RUINED SINNERS TO RECLAIM,
HALLELUJAH!
WHAT A SAVIOR!"
“Oh, Lord Jesus, that we may learn to follow
you outside the camp; deny ourselves; become servants
of all; and learn to have little, so that others
may have SOMETHING!”
Our hearts
are ever filled with praise and thanksgiving for
the “manifold blessings of God,” of which we have partaken, but with a view to
this terribly lost and perishing generation, we are compelled as in
olden-times, to: “…send portions unto them for whom nothing is [has been]
prepared…’” (Nehemiah 8:10). His intention was, and is that His Gospel be
entrusted to faithful men and women, who would in turn, give of their lives as
“meal and drink offerings,” and thereby give unto others freely, the Bread of Life.
While it is true that probably
(at least in the Western World) 95% of all Christian
schools of ministerial training, demand significant
(and sometimes exorbitant) tuition costs: Pinecrest Bible Institute has chosen
to do otherwise! However, I personally refuse to place myself as a judge or
critic of any of my brethren in Christ, who are engaged in any form of
Christian ministry and endeavor. There are many noble and venerable
Christian schools and institutions with long and illustrious histories, which have
trained and sent forth able and gifted graduates to the four corners of the
World, to labor in our Lord's vineyard. How dare I speak negatively
against any of them? To do so is not in my heart!
One thing
I must speak and declare, without apology; is the
vision which our Lord Jesus has given unto us! For this, shall we be held
responsible and accountable.
I was led
very dramatically at age 21, to enter, what I consider
to be one of the finest Ministerial Schools in America. My years there
remain the happiest and most spiritually significant of my entire life!
Without divulging details, suffice to say that half-way through my Senior year,
my finances ran out. It was then necessary for me to withdraw, prior
to graduation. Of course, as is so often the case, it was my plan to earn
money, pay off the balance, and return to complete the course of study.
Also, as is so often the case, such noble aspirations are seldom realized.
I was enabled at a later juncture to earn two Theological Degrees from a
Baptist Seminary, and I was also afforded the privilege of serving upon the
Faculties of two Theological Schools. For this, I am thankful beyond words, but
realistically, the occasion of having to leave my Alma Mater prior to
graduation was most traumatic. Without belaboring the point, this event nearly
shattered my life. It caused me a great set-back in every area,
and precipitated some misguided decisions, which would affect, for
many years, the course of my life.
Many pages
could be written concerning others I have personally
known, and of whom I have been informed, who in some similar way,
were so effected by finding it necessary (due to financial lack), to withdraw
from their ministerial studies. I suppose no one can truly understand the
weight of such a scenario, without having themselves been in the same
situation.
I have over
the years, and even recently heard of such cases,
where brilliant and promising young persons who were aware of a genuine
calling of the Lord to prepare for ministry, found themselves suddenly,
"out in the cold.” Such found themselves shattered, disappointed, and
disillusioned; all because their bank accounts ran dry before reaching
graduation ("BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?").
Financial
considerations in Christian schools are not the
only problematic area for aspiring students. There has come to be a very
unhealthy and unrealistic over-emphasis upon “Academia.” I have studied
diligently, and as afore-mentioned, carry two legitimate Degrees. Thusly, I
certainly am not opposed to scholarship! What I am opposed to is when a
“false-academia,” and the flaunting of degrees and titles creeps in, bringing
with it a prideful arrogance and hierarchal “pecking-order,” amongst
brethren.
Space will
not permit the sharing of numerous heartbreaking
stories of which I have been made privy. Only recently I learned of a
fine young man who was called by the Holy Spirit, to the Ministry. He is
a brilliant lad with fine intelligence, but sustains a mild reading impairment.
In his applications to two different Bible Schools, he felt obliged to be
candid concerning this problem. One school flatly refused him admittance,
and another, very sarcastically advised him to engage upon a “remedial reading
program;” then to, at some later time, re-apply. Can you imagine how such
callous treatment served to crush and injure a precious young man of God?
He applied to yet another school and all seemed well, except for the fact that
a three-year course of study would necessitate tuition costs of approximately
$40,000.00.
While I do not consider myself
a “rocket scientist,” I somehow feel
it does not require an “Einstein” to conclude that something is
very far afield in all of this! In conclusion, the lad, though crushed
and disappointed, was nevertheless called and chosen of God! After man’s
rejection, he has served faithfully, and done a fine job as a pastor.
The Apostles,
chosen by our Lord Jesus Christ, as the foundation
of His Church, were “unlearned and ignorant men” (Acts 4:13), yet in a few years time they “turned the
world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Likewise, through all of Church history,
many of the greatest and noblest servants of our Lord were not titled, nor
degreed; nor were they polished academicians. It has been oft’ said: “God
places no premium upon ignorance.” While this is very true, it must also
be said: “God places no premium upon human achievement, and mental
ascent.” It is after all, the ANOINTING which breaks the yoke!
(Isaiah 10:27). HALLELUJAH!!!
At Calvary
CollegeSchool of the Bible, we will be striving for
excellence in every area. We believe that the Word and the Spirit agree,
therefore, our faith and practice, and methods of teaching and instruction,
must share a divine balance (everything done decently and in order…line upon
line and precept upon precept).
"NOT TO THE STRONG IS THE BATTLE,
NOR
TO THE SWIFT IS THE RACE;
BUT TO THE TRUE AND
THE FAITHFUL,
VICTORY IS PROMISED
THROUGH GRACE!!!"
The pain,
heartbreak, and devastation I have witnessed in so
many lives, weighs heavily upon me: It has burdened and troubled me for
years! For this cause, I hereby pledge the unflinching position of myself
and of those working with me, that at Calvary School of the Bible, no one shall
be turned away, ever, because of: financial need; race; creed; color;
denominational affiliation; academic ability or physical impairment; neither
shall any be judged because of previous lifestyles in an unregenerate
state! What is under the blood of Jesus Christ must there remain!!!
We thank you
for your interest in Calvary School of the Bible.
At present, we are an online Study-Center, but we carry a significant vision
and burden for a residential Bible School. Please be praying with
us for this vision to become a tangible reality. Thank you most cordially for
your kindness in praying with us!
I have spoken
to you with great conviction and have shared with
you my innermost heart. “May my life be spent in the glad service of
the King; as a servant of Christ and of His Body; as a helper to the weak; as a
provider to the poor; as a comforter to the suffering; and
as a father to the young.”
I
Samuel 12:23, 24.
