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I love to explore the biblical record of God's active presence in the affairs of His people. Dramatic moments like the crossing of the Red Sea or the deliverance of the three

Hebrew children from the fiery furnace are exciting demonstrations of God's direction.

While the drama of those occasions elicit amazement and wonder, the "God moments" that impact me the most are the records of God's call to individuals to serve Him in some way. The illustrations are too numerous to note, but a couple of my favorites are the childhood call of Samuel as he lay on his bed in the temple or the arresting call of the young Jeremiah who responded with fear and protests of inadequacy. The list could go on—Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, Peter, or Paul.

God faithfully calls forth servants to do His work.

Answering God's call led Dr. Lester Pipkin to leave a secure pastorate in Minnesota and relocate his precious family to Pettus, West Virginia, to estab-lish Appalachian Bible Institute in 1950. What a testimony of a present-day call of God! Heroic faith and sacrifice laid the foundation for the effective leadership he and his wife Gretchen provided over the next 33 years.

The call of God graciously directed the sequel chapter of that story, allowing my dear wife Rosalie and me the honor of continuing the ministry of Appalachian Bible College. For the past 30 years it has been our privilege to obey the "stewardship from above to lead from below." God has called me to share this passion, which I have come to see as "Biblical Slave Leadership," in a leadership book soon to be published.

We here at Appalachian are fervently committed to seeking God's call upon the lives of His children to go forth into the fields of ministry around the world. The command of Matthew 9:36–38 to pray the Lord to send forth servants resonates with a constant pulse on our campus. We are beseeching God to send forth servants through His Church! As God directs these called servants to our campus, we are dedicated to fulfilling the assignment of 2 Timothy 2:2 to equip them to go forth and likewise equip others.

Tragically, one of the hurdles students regularly face is the lack of sufficient funds to be able to train

Daniel L. Anderson, Th.D., President—Psalm 84:11, 12

View Dr. Anderson’s itinerary online by visiting Office of the President at www.abc.edu.

for ministry. We are attempting to address this dilemma in a variety of creative ways. We keep our charges down through measures such as the diligent personal support raised by our missionary staff. We have also developed several financial aid opportunities to assist our students. You can read about some of these in this issue of Introspect.

Without compromising integrity, we are determined to respond to this urgent concern: eligible, available servants eager to receive quality preparation whose primary hurdle is money!

The desperation of our lost world demands that we find a solution to this crisis!

Thank you for your partnership in helping us advance the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ around the world by supporting these who have been called of God to go forth to serve. . .because life is for service.

His Slave,

from the PresiDenT’s HeArT

APPALAcHiAn BiBLe FeLLowsHiP

Appalachian Bible Fellowship depends on a host of churches and individuals who give sacrificially for the advance of the gospel.

Consider participating through a one-time gift. Or, to learn more about estate planning or supporting a missionary, contact:

Jonathan Rinker (V.P. for Development)

development@abc.edu

800.678.9ABC

God’s Gracious Gifts

MISSIONARY SUPPORT

AndersonFellowship Baptist Church,

Barboursville, WV, increase $25 per month

BestCouple from Littleton, NC, $20 per

month

Anonymous gift of $300

BurrerCouple from North Ridgeville, OH, $600

First Baptist Church, Elyria, OH, $300 per quarter

BurchIndividual from Mount Hope, WV, $10

per month

ChildsBethel Bible Church, Winimac, IN,

increase $20 per quarter

Westchester Bible Church, Westchester, IL, increase $150 per quarter

GoldenCouple from Edna, KS, $25 per month

Couple from Auckland, New Zealand, $30 per month

Individual from Elkhart, IN, $10 per month

Individual from Mount Hope, WV, $15 per month

HanshewIndependent Bible Church, Martinsburg,

WV, increase $50 per month

HollowayCouple from Elverson, PA, $5,000

Couple from Northridge, CA, $100

Couple from Birdsboro, PA, $50

KnicelyCouple from Bellingham, WA, increase

$25 per month

Couple from Frostburg, MD, increase $25 per month

Couple from Bel Air, MD, $100

Couple from Beckley, WV, $25

LillyCouple from Beckley, WV, $100 per

month

LustgartenLandmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV,

$100 per month

PinterCouple from Frostburg, MD, increase $25

per month

RinkerLandmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV,

$100 per month

Couple from Westchester, IL, $30 per month

Couple from Moweaqua, IL, increase $40 per month

Individual from Naperville, IL, increase $50 per month

RoweLandmark Baptist Church, Elkins, WV,

$100 per month

Couple from Moweaqua, IL, increase $40 per month

Couple from Beckley, WV, increase $10 per month

SkaggsLighthouse Worship Center, Ansted, WV,

increase $50 per month

Individual from Hico, WV, increase $5 per month

Couple from Ansted, WV, $25

Couple from Charleston, WV, $50

Couple from Mount Lookout, WV, $25

SmithIndependent Bible Church, Martinsburg,

WV, increase $62 per month

GENERAL FUNDTri-City Baptist Church, Parkersburg, WV,

$100 per month

Individual from Covington, VA, $25 per month

MEMORIALSIn memory of Lloyd Matics:

Gift from Jeff & Connie Matics

In memory of her husband: Gift from Janice Boyd

In memory of her parents Art & Pauline Lorch: Gift from Christena Walsh

In seArcH of servAnTs

Most Christians would affirm the importance of surrendering to the will of God (Romans 12:2) and to the call of ministry. The struggle comes with

the implications to that concept: sacrifice, separation, transformation, and the proving of God’s will. I have observed numerous families not encourage their children to explore further biblical education or a lifetime in ministry, giving the impression that a year of Bible College or a Bible degree might leave their child out of work or penniless. In talking with hundreds of parents each year, thousands of prospective students, and many Christian educators, I have concluded that the quest to answer God’s call is being underemphasized in today’s Christian home. Parental safeguards against material poverty are resulting in life decisions based on a secular worldview rather than a biblical calling. I believe most Christian children would run the race Paul talked about if we did not erect hurdles discouraging them from it.

Hurdle 1 The VisionI sometimes fear that our hopes for our children mirror secular thinking. Many parents equate living a successful life with a good paying job. What happened to the missionary vision of a William Carey or the ministry vision of a D.L. Moody? Many children are now given a temporal vision of satisfaction through wealth or “success.” Far too few parents believe in conditioning their children for the Christian race by equipping them with an eternal vision.

Hurdle 2 The CostChristian education is rarely a bargain basement deal. Many Christians homeschool or send their children to Christian schools at a high financial cost. Most see it as

necessary to provide a good education, but many also see it as a way to uphold their home’s value system. The problem usually arises when families have to absorb the costs for a private Christian college rather than a state or community college. Families discard the very reasons they insisted on a Christian education because of the extended financial cost to them and the potential loss of a future high-paying career. Many believe that the cost of education and the future job market outweighs the benefit of biblical instruction within Christian institutions. Because of the extended cost, we ignore the biblical mandates directing us not to set our children under false doctrine. On which course are our children heading; the way of the ungodly or the way of the righteous?

Hurdle 3 The Obligation Obligation to service is often missing in today’s generation. Lack of commitment to the mission of the local church is producing a callousness to future ministry demands. We tell our children how bad the world has become, but we do not encourage them to be a part of the solution through ministry. The advice we should be consistently giving our

children is that commitment to the call of God has eternal worth! Christians are going to give an account to our Lord Jesus Christ one day; therefore, we must prepare our children to engage and commit to that good and perfect will of God. Ministry is a privilege on which every believer should set their expectations.

While running the Christian race can be challenging, it is also a privileged calling. By encouraging our children to keep their “eyes on the prize” instead of erecting hurdles, concerned loved ones both demonstrate surrender to the will of God as well as enable their children to follow God’s call for their lives.

TRAVEL UPDATE

MINISTRY TEAM

Contact the Admissions Department at www.abc.edu

or call (800) 678-9ABC.

ABC’s Spring & Summer ministry teams will have reached the following:

“I believe most Christian children would run the race Paul talked about if we did not erect

hurdles discouraging them from it.”

What is the call of God?

In the New Testament, the call of God primarily refers to God’s activity of inviting people to salvation through the gospel (John 7:37–38). For those who by repentant faith heed this call, it is often described as God’s effective call through the gospel (Rom. 8:30; 1 Pet. 2:9). The apostle Paul describes this concept as he recounts God’s saving work among the Thes-salonian believers. God’s Spirit powerfully worked through the human proclamation of the gospel such that those who believed were considered called by God (1 Thess. 1:4–5; 2:12–13; 2 Thess. 2:13–14).

Are believers called to serve?

The purpose of God’s effective calling is conformity to Jesus Christ, finally realized in the redeemed sin-ner’s glorification (Rom. 8:28–30). Therefore, because

“Samuel—Samuel.”

“Speak, Lord, for your servant hears!”

The story of the child samuel and his midnight message from God is a familiar one. Also familiar are noah and the ark, the life of Abraham, and Paul on the road to Damascus—all occasions when God spoke to individuals detailing his desire, his call, for their lives. what about today? Does God still call people? if so, what does it look like? what role, if any, does the local church play in determining God’s direction for their members?

conformity to Christ requires the imitation of his character, following God’s Ultimate Servant is nothing less than a call to a life of service (Phil. 2:5–8; 1 Thess. 1:9–10). Every believer, called according to God’s purpose, is designed and predestined to be a servant, both now, and ultimately in the age to come where the redeemed will be God’s servant-priests in his eternal kingdom (Rev. 5:10; 7:15; 20:6).

The motto of Appalachian Bible College is Be-cause Life is for Service. This passion becomes reality in each believer when Christ, God’s Ser-vant, becomes their life (Col. 3:4). Put simply, life is for service because the Servant is our life. Jesus is our compelling motivation and empow-erment (Gal. 2:20). If you have experienced God’s call in the gospel, are you living out your purpose of servanthood? Are you following the Servant (Matt. 16:24; Mark 10:42–45)?

Does God call individual believers to particular areas of service?

If God is sovereign in salvation, it follows that he is also sovereign over service; that is to say, he chooses how to use each individual in his church (1 Cor. 12:18). This is evident when Paul calls the church a “body.” God not only gifts the members of the body in various ways but also arranges them in the church according to his wise and good will (Eph. 2:10; 4:7–16).

The Scriptures also show that God calls individuals to specific ministry roles. The call of God for specific ministry is well known in the Old Testament; for example, the call of Moses (Ex. 3) and prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah (Isa. 6 and Jer. 1). In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to a specific ministry and used their church to affirm and send them (Acts 13:1–4). God directed Timothy into vocational ministry, being commended by the church, selected by Paul (Acts 16:2-3), and affirmed by the elders for his ministry gifts (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6; cf. 1 Tim. 6:12, 20).

God may also direct individuals through inward desires (1 Tim. 3:1). Such desire for ministry should be guided by Holy Scripture (Ps. 37:5; 119:105). Together through Scripture-filled, Spirit-led desires, one’s unique giftedness, and the affirming guidance from one’s church, God does call and direct individuals to particular areas of service.

Acts 13:4a summarizes the various factors: Paul and Barnabas were “sent out by the Holy

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The following questions and answers explore the relationship of God’s work in individual lives and local churches, and the role of Appalachian Bible College in God’s work:

a cLoser Look

The “voice of God” will not likely be audible in believers lives today; however, through his Living word he is still calling individuals to repentance and a life of service. God also calls some servants to vocational ministry in the church. in partnership with local churches, Appalachian Bible college is committed to training those servants for the harvest fields of the world.

Sprit.” In the final analysis, The Holy Spirit super-intends the whole process; he powerfully speaks through the written text of Scripture (Acts 1:16; Rev. 2:11; cf. 1 Thess. 2:13), he uniquely gifts each believer for ministry (1 Cor. 12:11), he leads each believer according to God’s will (Phil. 2:13; Eph. 3:20), and he works in the church to equip and direct specific members for particular ministries (Acts 13:2–3).

What is the role of the church toward those who believe they are called to vocational ministry?

Christ’s mission for his church includes the church’s responsibility of equipping its own members for ministry (Eph. 4:11-16), and in some cases, affirm-ing and sending some members for the extension of the church’s mission. In the example of Acts 13:1-4, members of the church were fasting and praying - a posture of seeking God’s will - when the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barn-abas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (13:3).

The Spirit had called these two men for a specific work of ministry. It was now the church’s respon-sibility to act. “After fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Or, as ABC’s president Dr. Anderson has said, the church was inconvenienced (“fasting”) and had interceded (“praying”) for its missionaries; and it identified with (“laid their hands”) and invested in them (“sent them”). In other words, the advance of the gospel was central in this church, and the Spirit worked within the church to call individuals for specific ministries.

Should a local church train their members for vocational ministry without the help of others in the Body of Christ?

Some have occasionally said that if the church “did its job” there would be no need for Bible colleges.

This claim is not new; nor is it peculiar to academic institutions like Bible colleges. In the same way, one might say that if the church did its job there would be no need for mission boards, homeless shelters, or any other para-church ministry. However, in the

case of many para-church ministries, this claim can be turned on its head. That is to say, because the church has done, and is doing, its job, these para-church ministries exist.

This is certainly the case with Appalachian Bible College. We were birthed in 1950 as the ministry of a local church, the Pettus Independent Baptist Church, led by pastor Bob Guelich. This specific church was “doing its job,” taking seriously its responsibility to train believers for ministry. While no longer housed on the property of a specific church, ABC continues in accountability to, and dependence upon, a growing number of like-minded churches. These churches are still “doing their job,” especially as they commission and support the faculty and staff missionaries that serve here, and as these churches work together for advanced biblical training of their members at ABC.

Far from abdicating their responsibility, these churches see ABC as an effective means to help fulfill their responsibility.

How can Appalachian Bible College assist churches in equipping their members who are called?

Churches that partner with ABC can be confident that their members will be rooted in three foundational commitments. First, they will grow in their commitment to the absolute necessity and sufficiency of the Scriptures for all of life and ministry. Loving God’s authoritative Word is the source of a transformed mind and a life that matters for God’s glory. Second, they will grow in a love for the Lord Jesus and serving him through the church. Each student is nurtured toward active commitment in a local church family. Third, they will be challenged with a philosophy of ministry that prizes true biblical servanthood as the only way to live and lead.

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In ConClusIon:

Pell Grant

wv Grant

wv Promise

scholastic Achievement

Merit scholarship

christian workers' children

church Matching

I am very grateful for the Christian Workers' Children

Scholarship that I have received while here at ABC. I have

received this scholarship because my parents, Daniel and Betsy

Delavan, are the pastor and pastor's wife of a church in Jay,

Maine. As I study Youth and Family Ministries here at ABC,

this scholarship continues to be a great blessing to my parents

and me. I am planning on going into full time ministry when I

graduate, and it is wonderful to know that I will not have the

burden of college loans to pay.

To learn more about financial aid, grants and scholarships at ABC visit: www.abc.edu.

Kristen Delevan

Financial Aid Possibilities

Did You Know?95% of ABC students receive financial aid through grants and scholarships!

The average amount is $7,586 per student.

Most churches budget for their various ministries—from the nursery to senior

saints. However, many overlook the important area of setting aside money for the advanced biblical training of members called to ministry. With this in mind, ABC has established the Church Matching Scholarship.

We want to encourage churches to support their members whom they identify as worthy candidates for advanced Bible and ministry train-

ing. Through the Church Matching Scholarship, ABC will match, up to $2,000 annually, what a church invests in its own members who are training at Appalachian Bible College. That’s a potential $4,000 help to the student! For more information regarding this scholarship and others, contact ABC’s director of financial aid:

Deana steinkefinancialaid@abc.edu800-678-9ABcwww.abc.edu

Colonial Baptist Church, located in Blue Ridge, VA, has

played an integral role in my education in Youth and

Family ministries at Appalachian Bible College. As

I prepare for youth ministry in the future, Colonial

Baptist Church has partnered with me not only in

prayer support but also in financial support through

the Church Matching Scholarship. Because of

their generosity, I am able to continue my studies at

ABC knowing that the Lord will always provide.

Chris Hollish

Church Matching Scholarship

ALPine ALerT

Report of Winter CampWe had an amazing Winter

Camp this year! With over 135 campers and sponsors, it was our largest winter camp in 5 years. Guests included 4 new churches who had never been to Alpine before, plus 1 church that had only previously attended summer camp. Our speaker, Greg Alderman, challenged the campers to be good gatekeepers—to guard their hearts and minds from the influences of the world and to use biblical discernment. Several of the campers were convicted regarding influences in their lives and expressed the desire to replace them with more Christ-like influences. The weather was a bit of a challenge, but what’s winter camp without a little snow?! Several campers spent the day snowboarding or skiing; others had a blast racing down the tubing slopes at Winter Place. Guests then enjoyed coffee and hot chocolate at our coffee shop and cheered on their favorite team in our first annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Winter camp was a powerful weekend of spiritual refreshment, exciting adventure, and sweet fellowship.

Upcoming Summer ActivitiesAlpine has something for everyone. For more information visit www.alpineministries.com.

Alpine Bible Camp: Superheroes Unmasked!What makes a person “super” to God? Fly, drive, or leap tall buildings to get to Alpine Bible Camp this summer and find out what’s hiding behind the mask. Visit www.alpineministries.com to view camp week dates and to download a brochure.

Family CampWhere can a family spend time around God’s Word and with each other while enjoying excit-ing adventure activities and fun programming for each member? Alpine’s annual Family Camp, of course! Join us for Family Camp and take a vaca-tion with eternal impact.

Alpine AdventuresWhether you prefer your adventure underground, dangling from a cliff face, or plunging through a raging rapid, Alpine Adventures has the trip for you. Each trip includes an opportunity for spiritual application by an experienced guide. Contact us today to schedule your personalized encounter with God’s thrilling creation.

“Is There NOT a Cause?”

One of the most familiar stories even to an unbeliever is that of David and Goliath. David

boldly advanced toward that from which others more skilled than he retreated.

Like David, the guest speakers from the National Center for Life and Liberty, Attorney David Gibbs III and April Campbell, believe in standing up for what is right. During the 2013 Daniel L. Anderson Leadership Symposium and Ada M. Spangler Women’s Seminar, students, staff, spouses, and guests were encouraged to first be prepared personally to face the causes of our day and then made aware of things that could hinder our ability to face the causes.

Attorney Gibbs, Mrs. Campbell, and the speakers of the three workshops opened eyes and encouraged believers to realize that there is a cause worth standing up for—the cause of Christ.

MA Module

From 587 to 539 B.C., how did the Jewish people fare in Judea, Babylon, and Egypt?

Students found out as they participated in the Spring Master’s Class “Exile and Restoration” with Dr. Jerry Knoblet. The class studied Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther as well as selections from other exilic texts such as Daniel and Ezekiel. In addition, the class explored issues of chronology, geography, and archaeology. Learn about the summer module, Biblical counseling with Dr. James newcomer, by visiting www.abc.edu.

To learn more about Alpine Ministries visit: www.alpineministries.com.

cATcHinG UP

news and evenTs

April 26 Campus Work Day

April 29–May 1 Final Exams

April 29–30 Spring Board Meeting

May 2–3 Spring Bible Conference

May 4 Commencement

May 4–19 Jubilate Tour

June 1–Aug. 4 Gospel Heralds Tour

June 3–Aug. 10 Alpine Summer Camps

June 3–7 M.A. Module Week: “Biblical Counseling” Dr. Jim Newcomer

June 21–22 Ladies Conference

July 1–6 Family Camp

Aug. 5–9 M.A. Module Week: “Research & Writing” Dr. Charles Bethel

Aug. 28 Fall Classes begin

Aug. 30 All School Reception

Sept. 23–24 Fall Board Meeting

Oct. 7–11 M.A. Module Week: “The Local Church & its Mission”

Oct. 10–11 Alumni Homecoming

Oct. 12 Ladies Fall Luncheon

Oct. 17–19 Senior Saints Fall Foliage Retreat

Oct. 28–Nov. 1 Prayer Emphasis Week

UPCOMING EvENTS

Summer Ministry ToursThe Jubilate, ABC’s English Handbell Choir, and the Gospel Heralds, ABC’s small vocal ensemble, may be coming to a church near you! Visit www.abc.edu to find out!

Spring Bible ConferenceA highlight of the school year from ABC’s inception, the 2013 Spring Bible Conference will feature Pastor Larry Clouse from Merrimack Valley Baptist Church in Merrimack, NH, and Dr. Richard Van Heukelum from Shawnee Baptist Church in Shamong, NJ.

In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Timothy to begin a self-perpetuating training program—faithful believers training

faithful believers who will train even more faithful believers. Members of the ABC Alumni Association have a unique opportunity to participate in a similar training program—granting a scholarship to an incoming student who will one day be in a position to help the next generation of students.

Hayley Gray is a recipient of an Alumni Scholarship. The daughter and granddaughter of ABC alumni, Hayley was a last-minute applicant to ABC. She had been accepted at three other schools but felt the Lord’s direction to attend here. A student in the Bible Certificate program, Hayley is confident that the classes here will lay a good foundation for the rest of her life and ministry. ABC’s spiritual environment and the godly friends she has made have been her favorite aspects of this stage of her training.

As she prepares for future ministry, Hayley participates in a variety of current ministries within her local church from playing the violin to teaching Sunday School to toddlers. Hayley’s favorite ministry is helping care for a special needs child thus allowing his mother to attend Wednesday evening prayer meeting.

After a missions trip to South Africa this summer, Hayley plans to attend another institution. Her dream is to hone her art skills to use as an avenue of missions whether that be illustrating children’s songs, Bible storybooks, or any other task to further the Gospel.

A strong chain is still composed of individual links. All it takes is one generation for the training program to cease. Join the Alumni Association. Grant a scholarship. Keep the legacy alive.

Alumni news!The year 2012 was exciting for ABC’s Alumni Association. The Executive Committee implemented changes to Homecoming, increased efforts to stay connected, and awarded over $35,000 in scholarships to current students. In addition, over 35 new alumni partnered with the association through membership for the first time making more alumni scholarships available.

If you haven’t been able to connect with us in a while, join us for this year’s Homecoming, October 10–12. We’ve made the cost affordable for families big or small and the events enjoyable for all. We hope to see you there!

CommencementJoin us as we celebrate ABC’s 61st Commencement. Rejoice as we send out laborers to serve in the harvest fields of the world.

Campus Work DayAs the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.” On April 26, the ABC family will scrub, sweep, polish, and prepare our campus and its buildings to receive end-of-the-year visitors.

Alumni invest in eternity

HAyLey GrAyAlumni Scholarship Recipient

Appalachian Bible College161 College Drive, Mount Hope, WV 25880

Phone: 304-877-6428

Fax: 304-877-5082

Admissions: 1-800-6789-ABC

E-mail: abc@abc.edu

admissions@abc.edu

Web Page: www.abc.edu

President: Dr. Daniel Anderson

Editor: Rev. Jonathan Rinker

Managing Editor: Mr. Jarod Burrer

Writer: Mrs. Sarah Rinker

ALPINE MINISTRIES

Phone: 304-877-6427

Fax: 304-877-5046

Reservations: 1-800-806-2180

Web Site: www.alpineministries.com

Introspect is published through the Public Relations Department of Appalachian Bible College, Mount Hope, WV 25880.

Lisa Potter with G.L.A.M. (Girls Living Above Mediocrity)

I n 1963, a group of ladies looked around the Appalachian Bible Institute campus and saw a wonderful opportunity. Forty-nine women, representing sixteen churches, banded together to pray for the school,

advance its mission, participate in student-related projects, and sponsor women’s conferences.

Fifty years later, a new group of ladies carry the same vision—entreat the Lord on behalf of ABC and facilitate others’ prayers through our Prayer Calendar; enhance the appearance of ABC’s campus through various projects; encourage students through granting scholarships, hosting receptions, sponsoring the Student Wives Fellowship, and facilitating our Heart-to-Heart program; and exhort women to live godly lives through our three annual events.

One of those events is our June Conference, and this year, because of our desire to nurture the next generation of servants, we will be hosting special sessions for pre-teen / teenage girls. So bring your daughter, granddaughter, or any other special young woman! Come celebrate with us as we rejoice in what God has done through the lives of His servants over fifty years of faithful service!

To register, find more information, or download a brochure visit www.abc.edu.Joy Rice Martin

from Joyful Christian Ministries

Reba Bowman from Dare for More Ministries