Volume: 2 • Issue 8 • August 2002                         

A Name To Remember

In March of this year CCBI President Dr. Bill Sharples notified the Board of Directors that due to extensive demands of his evangelistic ministry, he found himself unable to devote time necessary to promote CCBI, and submitted his resignation with notice to the end of 2002 or as determined by the Board. He agreed to serve as Vice-president for Public Relations and to continue providing the office in Springfield, Missouri so that CCBI ‘s legal status will not need to change. Moreover CCBI Office Manager Paula Replogle agreed to continue with her many functions.

Upon the board’s request and after many weeks of prayer, Dr. Sharples submitted the name of Dr. Desmond Rose of Springfield as a possible candidate to replace him. Dr. Saunders and Rev. Ridley interviewed seven references, after which the board flew Dr. Rose from Missouri to Nashville for an extensive personal interview with the executive committee. We are happy to report that Dr. Desmond Rose accepted and was unanimously approved as the president-elect of Caribbean College of the Bible International, with official installation to take place during the October 4-6 Fall Conference at Cookeville Rescue Mission. All are invited to enjoy getting acquainted with Dr. and Mrs. Rose at this time.

The most awesome personage at this meeting, however; the one whose name was most often spoken and whose wisdom was most often requested, was none of the above. The Holy Spirit was there to encourage, to teach, to make known the will of God. Therefore all praise goes to Him for this significant step in the development of His school.

Dr. Rose is eager to win the lost through multiplication of trained teachers and evangelists by way of CCBI programs. As CCBI financial support increases he will be able to drop part-time jobs and eventually work full time with all divisions of the school both through the president’s office and in personal travel. His wife of 26 years, Anne, is committed to working with Dr. Rose, using her impressive financial, secretarial and administrative skills. Both Des and Anne gave up comfortable secular positions in their South African home to seek God’s direction in ministry, and they believe He led them to CCBI. Praise God!

You don’t want to miss CCBI’s annual Fall Conference the first weekend in October (4-6), to be held this year for the first time at the Cookeville Rescue Mission. Things will get off to a lively start Friday night at 7:00 with the Halleluia Hoedown, arranged by Rev. Larry Self and several singing groups who are well-known in the area. As always, everyone is urged to come prepared to participate in this informal, spirit-filled worship service.

Hotel, guest-home and/or meal reservations for those coming to the Fall Conference should be made before September 1 if possible. Contact Margaret Ridley by phone (1-931-526-1096) or e-mail (margaretridley@charter.net) if you are a Cookeville-area resident who would like to host a guest for Friday and Saturday nights with breakfast; or if you would like to request such housing.

Executive Lodge at Sparta/Cookeville exit has offered CCBI a special rate of only $39.95 per night for a room for two people with 2 queen size beds. The room will accomodate up to 4 people for an additional charge of only $5.00 per person. A single room for one person is $32.95. These rates include a continental breakfast. Their phone number is 931-526-9521 or 1-800-826-2791.

More about the Conference

Reservations should be made directly to the motel as soon as possible in order to assure a room. They can be cancelled if necessary.

The registration form, which is included in the envelope with the newsletter, should be mailed back to Paula Repolgle in the enclosed return envelope as soon as possible. It is very important to get a “head count” for meals for the conference. The conference fee, two meals on Saturday and all the snacks will only be $15 per person this year.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Conference this year and welcoming our new President, Dr. Desmond Rose and his wife.

From the Dean of Faculty

Dear CCBI Family,

Greetings in the name of Jesus, our soon coming King.

I became affiliated with CCBI over 10 years ago. I was teaching in the Upper Cumberland Bible Institute. Our Institute partners with CCIBI and many of our students earned degrees and studied with CCBI. It was then that I met Dr. Saunders and Jan. We started a friendship that has struck like Glue. I came on board as an instructor and later accepting the Dean of Faculty position.

When I was 12 years, a missionary from Ivory Coast, Africa came to my church and spoke about missionary service. It was that night I committed to doing my part in fulfilling ‘The Great Commission’ to go and teach. I claimed Proverbs 3:5,6 that night. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

While writing this, I realized that was the same year that CCBI started. Wow! How thrilling to know God in His sovereign plan really has directed my paths.

While listening to Dr. Jabini speak at the Cookeville Rescue Mission a few years back, the Holy Spirit quietly spoke to me saying that this was the work He had planned for me. I could tell you of literally hundreds of blessings I have received by being a part of CCBI. The greatest however is being able to reach the uttermost parts of the earth with the Word. Acts 1:8.

What an opportunity I have been afforded to reach Grenada, St. Lucia, Guyana, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad, Kenya and Belize through teaching tapes and written material in the A.C.T program. I never cease to be amazed at how God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

I am excited to see what God has in store for CCBI and I am so thankful He has lead us together to this point. I can say as the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 3:21... “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

In His Service,

Dr. Cindy Essex-Walker
CCBI Dean of Faculty