Volume: 3 • Issue 8 • September 2003                    

From the Desk of the President

Dear Friends of CCBI:

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus.

I want to take the opportunity to say, “Thank You” to those who have been ongoing contributors and to the ones who responded to my need for personal support; it is appreciated very much. Since the article appeared in the newsletter a couple of months ago only a few responded to my request, so we still have a way to go before this president can be fully active in the leadership role of the college.

Therefore, during this month I will be personally calling on all of you to commit to contributing to CCBI. It is a miracle to see how this college has managed to pay all its bills over the past three months, and I give Him the praise! I do know this: all of us can make a difference if we pull together in this endeavor. Continue to pray for the faculty, students and the leadership so that we will know the will of God and continue to follow by His side.

Your co-worker in the Harvest Fields,

Dr. Desmond Rose
CCBI President

Fall Conference

Please be sure CCBI Fall Conference is on your calendar for the last weekend in October at Camp Overton in Rock Island, Tennessee. Send your meal fees ($20 each person) to CCBI right away, along with the completed form, in the envelope provided.

Pastor Desmond Khanoo, recently designated as Bishop in Surinam, brought his wife, son and daughter for their first visit to America in July. Both Brother Desmond and Sister Baby are CCBI students.

The Khanoos were guests of Dr.Cindy Walker and husband Dale in their home near Sparta, also visiting with other faculty and former students of CCBI including Lance and Angella Even, Pastor and Sandra Gansham, Ray and Jan Saunders.

The Little Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
“God, how could you do this to me?” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It’s easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

God says: “All things are possible.” (Luke 18:27)
God says: “I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28-20)
God says: “I love you.” (John 3:16 - John 13:34)
God says: “My grace is sufficient.” (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)
God says: “I will direct your steps.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God says: “You can do all things in Me.” (Phil 4:13)
God says: “It will be worth it.” (Romans 8:28)
God says: “I forgive you.” (I John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)
God says: “I will supply all your needs.” (Phil 4:19)
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear.” (II Tim. 1:7)
God says: “Cast all your cares on Me.” (I Peter 5:7)
God says: “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3)
God says: “I give you wisdom.” (I Cor. 1:30)
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5)

Missions

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, has declared, “In the next 365 days 2.3 million Americans and 54 million people around the world will die without knowing Christ. Is anybody going to heaven because of you?”

Our many readers and supporters who serve as short-term volunteer missionaries in needy areas of America or in foreign countries are acutely aware of Jesus’ admonition “..to whom much is given, from him much will be required..” We American Christians are uniquely those who have been given much:

The good news of salvation in our heart language...
Political freedom and material resources to grow as disciples
through every kind of media known to man...
Easy access to a healthful lifestyle...
Income beyond necessities to enable travel outside our borders

When one of us makes the effort to become personally involved, those masses of pagan strangers focus into individuals for whom Jesus had such love that He gave His life to save them. Whether you touch those lives through intentional witnessing in your family, prayer, contributions, teaching with CCBI or others, or travel to mission areas, you are helping to implement The Great Commission. It is a serious question to ponder, “Is anybody going to heaven because of you?”

~Thank You~