Why
The Need For A Tuition-Free Faith School?
By Michael
O'Connor
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: Calvary College of the Bible 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 Baptist Church, and
in our educational wing, Calvary School 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 Pinecrest Bible Institute, 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 Pinecrest Bible Institute. 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.
