Students will have no problem spotting the April Fools joke here. Do you know what it is?
Thanks to Dr. Anderson for being a good sport!
ABC News
Commencement delayed until Labor Day weekend:
"In light of President Trump's March 29th announcement to extend the social distancing guidelines for at least another month, ABC's Administration has decided to delay the 2020 Commencement. We understand that graduation is an important event celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates, and we want to make sure they are honored in the tradition of ABC. At this time, we are tentatively planning for Commencement on September 5th, 2020 in lieu of May 2nd so that the entire campus family can celebrate this significant moment with our graduates and their families. If circumstances require this to change again, we will announce that as soon as possible. Until then, we will continue to uphold our students and families in prayer as we trust the Lord to work His will in each of our lives."
- abc.edu/coronavirus
Campus is blooming, even with few people to appreciate the beauty. Students, we wish you were here to experience another Appalachian spring!
Unique challenges = unique opportunities for ministry.
This year's annual Day of Prayer at ABC coincided with a statewide Day of Prayer declared by West Virginia's Governor Justice. Dr. Anderson moderated the virtual event, and two other ABC graduates were among those leading in prayer and music: Dr. Mark Johnson and Michael Rowe.
As the engraved rock in the Prayer Gazebo reminds us, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Staff and students are spending extra time in prayer today, especially the 11:00 hour (EDT). Join us.
Pray for:
- Our President, Vice President and national leaders
- Our state and local leaders
- Our churches and pastors facing adjustments and opportunities in these days
- Our ABC family – students, staff, alumni, board
- Our prospective students – “Pray ye the Lord of the Harvest to send forth servants”
- Our fellow believers around the world facing this crisis
- Our missionaries serving in various countries of need and opportunity
- Our amazing opportunity to witness in these days
This year's Heritage Week is different than ever before, as will be the rest of this semester. Still, we rejoice in the 70 years of ministry God has given ABC! Here's a beautiful piece of art by student Hilary Greenwald.
"This piece is inspired by the school I am attending (now online), Appalachian Bible College. Not only has this past year at ABC changed my life (and continues to), the school's rich physical and spiritual heritage has touched many lives from all over the world for 70 years. The theme of this school year is 'the servant's invincible heritage' and as God has been faithful to His people in the past and enabled them to carry out His perfect will, He will continue to that until the end of this age. The building in the painting is Pipkin Hall, an iconic building on campus. I also included the motto and theme as well as two hemispheres of the world. The rainbow colors reflect how God keeps His promises since He put the bow in the cloud in Genesis 9. This painting will memorialize God's faithfulness in my life and the legacy ABC has made in my life. Fabric paint and acrylics on glass."
--From Dr. Anderson--
Have you seen a robin yet as spring begins?
I had a wonderful “robin reminder” this past Sunday as I unexpectedly had to meet with our Administrative Committee regarding the “virus plan” for our campus. You know the fluidity and uncertainty of these days. Urgency led to this emergency meeting. As I drove onto campus, a robin fluttered across the road in front of me. Its carefree flight arrested my preoccupied mind. With a sense of relief and a measure of shame, I verbally expressed a word of thanks to the Lord.
"Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
At a time of great anxiety and unknown circumstances, we can experience in a fresh way God’s promise of care. Here’s my suggestion. Look for robins! Let every robin sighting be a reminder of your Heavenly Father’s love and control. “Robin Reminders” (and that’s even alliterated!). These are special times to demonstrate our trust in the Lord Who is the “Author and Finisher” of our faith.
Be reminded of Christ's authority over all things; listen to this chapel message from Mark chapters 4 and 5:
https://abc.edu/news-and-events/chapel-messages/play-message.php?file=files%2F2019-2020+Chapel+Messages%2F2019-09-23_van_marsceau.mp3
Be reminded of Christ's authority over all things; listen to this chapel message from Mark chapters 4 and 5:
https://abc.edu/news-and-events/chapel-messages/play-message.php?file=files%2F2019-2020+Chapel+Messages%2F2019-09-23_van_marsceau.mp3
Today has been full of hurried packing and rushed goodbyes, but see if you can still spot some smiles on students' faces. God gives grace in unexpected challenges.