Lectures in Ministry and Theology: Pneumatology

One of the staple classes of Calvary Chapel Bible College Seattle is Lectures in Ministry and Theology. It gives the opportunity to ask pastors from our region who would not be available to teach a whole class to drop by during the semester and encourage our students with what God has taught them personally. Although it has always been a great class, we found it to be somewhat of a junk-drawer of issues and topics.

This semester we decided to take a new approach. We picked an overarching topic for the semester and then broke that topic down into parts and passages. We then sought out teachers from the region to teach on the assigned curriculum. One obvious challenge of this approach is what topic to teach on. As a Bible college, we do not want lectures to be redundant and cover something we already offer as a standalone class. That being said, this semester's (Fall 2009) topic seemed an obvious choice. Calvary Chapels have always put a great emphasis on the Holy Spirit; His guidance, His empowerment, His gifts. However we do not offer any classes specifically on the Holy Spirit or Pneumatology. Our new approach to Lectures allowed us to emphasize this doctrine, as well as clearly state our movement's views on the Spirit. So how has it gone so far? This experience has been excellent, we have really seen our guest lecturers rise to the occasion and our students have been greatly benefited from the diversity of teachers within the unity of a topic. As the speakers play off and compliment each other, the students have come to a deeper understating of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, as well as the great need for that work in their lives and ministries.

We look forward to further implementing this approach in coming semesters and are adding it to the long list of distinctions we love about our campus here at CCBC Seattle.

--Justin Thomas

Challenging Growth

Patience is not a strong suit for most of us. We don't like to wait for anything, not in line, not for food, and not for answers. This generation is all about drive thru's, express lanes, and Google. We pray to God, often selfishly, and expect an answer now! But that is not how God works. If I could put a headline on what it is that I have learned most this semester it would be, "Wait on the Lord." This doesn't mean sitting around doing nothing. It means that I am to be preparing myself in anticipation for what is to come. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." I have to do my part in trusting that God is going to do what he promises.

Being here at CCBC has been such an amazing growth opportunity. As students we are surrounded by an excellent staff who make it a point to help shape each of us into the best men and women of God that we can be. We each make the choice to separate ourselves for a short time by being here in this place, preparing ourselves for the things to come and seeking the Lord wholeheartedly. While it is often challenging, stretching our faith and endurance is important so that we can continue to grow stronger and gain a more lasting faith. It has been such a joy to be a part of this community where I am surrounded by other believers who are willing to put themselves out there for each other, whether that be by going out to coffee, praying for one another, or just being there. I feel completely at home here and CCBC has become a second family to me. It is with great anticipation that I await my return next semester. I hope to see you there!

--Elizabeth Paul

Mission: Vancouver, BC

There is a familiar ache your body feels when it is cold, raining, and your feet are soaked. It is similar to the feeling your soul gets looking into the eyes of a person who neither knows nor wants to know the love of Jesus. I sat on a bench next to a petite older woman. She was fascinating to me. Wearing a powder blue rain coat, black gloves and a red beanie, her breath was thick in the cold air as she blew smoke from her cigarette. Having noticed my bright red Bible and highlighter green gospel track, she said to me, "You should not be carrying that. I know you have come to tell me about "The One," but there are many." She cut right to the chase so I followed her lead by saying, "You really believe that?" She nodded and looked away. I then said, "Because I believe in Jesus. And He said, "I am THE WAY, and THE TRUTH and THE LIFE and no one comes to the Father but through me." There is One, He is Jesus, and He loves you." As you can imagine, the bench got very uncomfortable for the two of us, and the air only seemed colder. She laughed and looked at me as her bus pulled up and said, "This conversation is over."

That woman from Vancouver, BC was the first stranger I had witnessed the name of Jesus to since I rededicated my Life to the Lord, and she awakened my burden for the lost.

We, as CCBC Seattle students, will never forget how this missions week challenged our faith, gave us a love for the people of Vancouver, and increased our love and care for one another! This trip was full of prayer as we volunteered at the Salvation Army, the Union Gospel Mission, Woman's drop in center, and helped out the Calvary Chapel. We were also able to hand out sandwiches, blankets and socks to the people on the streets. As a body of broken students, we were able, by the grace of God, to walk in what we had previously been taught in our classes. Continuing to pray and thank Jesus for the people there, we praise God for the lives and souls He loved and saved! What power is in the name of Jesus!
John 13:46-47 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world."

-- Heather W.

Orientation Weekend

Whether you're going into junior high, high school, or college, one thing you dread is orientation. The fact you have to wake up early, set up your classes, and meet a bunch of people who you'll be spending what seems like eternity with always freaked me out. When I got the letter of acceptance to CCBC Seattle, I wasn't too thrilled to see "Orientation Breakfast" on there. Just the sight of the word brought back memories.

Upon arrival, I realized it wouldn't be too bad. Luckily the 'meeting people' part is out of the way as soon as you get here; you'll already have someone to sit by! Orientation with CCBC Seattle wiped away the past awful memories of it. The Bible college director, Jordan Taylor, revealed to us what God had been promising for our semester and that was extremely encouraging. It gave me such excitement for what God had in store. The teachers also revealed a lot about what their classes would entail, making it a lot easier to choose what would suit me. Once I was all signed up, books in hand, I was so anxious to just begin. To begin what the Lord had in store for me, to begin to learn, to begin to be poured into, and to just begin my new beginning at CCBC Seattle.

--Maritza Skidmore

Mission Trip Fall '07: Salt Lake City, UT

Each semester we choose a different area for the students to minister. Whether it is foreign or domestic, the opportunity for students to share their faith and what they have learned in their classes is a vital part of the Bible College. Some of our mission trips revolve around caring for physical needs, and others are entirely focused on reaching out to the community by sharing our faith through evangelism. For the first time, CCBC Seattle was invited to visit Brigham Young University - a Mormon school in Salt Lake City, Utah. While we were there we took part in a Question and Answer forum for one of their religion classes. It was a unique chance for us to shed light on the true Jesus Christ of the Bible and tell the students what He has done in our lives.



Along with reaching out to the students at BYU, we also took a trip to American Fork, UT. There we partnered with Calvary Mountain View Church reconditioning parts of their building. Giving the walls a facelift with a fresh coat of paint, each day was filled with service, laughter, and crazy antics.

Northwest Pastors Conference

As Christians in the ministry, we can at times forget we are part of a bigger mission -- pieces of a puzzle that God is faithfully putting together. Each September CCBC Seattle joins with pastors from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana in showing Christ to one another. The Northwest Pastors Conference is a chance for the students, pastors, and pastor's wives to join together in exalting our Lord Jesus Christ. We are privy to the struggles and the rewards the ministry brings and are encouraged with rich teaching.

For a glimpse of our experience, check out some of the audio.

Of course the week isn't only about the teaching. We also get to hang out with each other at a great cabin on the Puget Sound. It's a conference and a retreat neatly packaged into one all-inclusive week.

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