End of Year Blessings

Cheerful Giving was the message that Dr. Don Strange delivered to friends gathered at the recent Heritage Baptist College Banquet. The focus of the evening was in partnering with the college to train future faithful servants for the Lord.

We appreciate all those who attended the Autumn Banquet and gave towards the evening’s offering. A number of friends mailed their donations in early, and we are so happy to report that the goal of $10,000 was reached.

The college still has many needs as we go forward, and we are very thankful to all those that realize the importance of training the next generation for the Lord.

Little by little, God has allowed us to make progress in building a quality school for preachers. We are thankful to each and everyone who prays, loves, and gives to make Heritage Baptist College a success.

The President’s Perspective

The Christmas card is one of my favorite parts of the Holidays. In 2022 we sent out 184 Christmas cards, although some seasons I have exceeded 250 cards. Over the years I have categorized Christmas cards as basically two types: the Thoughtful card, and the Signature card.

The Thoughtful card gives to the recipient a personalized message, and many times conveys sweet memories. This type of card can be handmade, computer printed, or even store bought. Their common bond is the “personal touch.” Individual notes from friends and family are very special.

The Signature card is marked by one main item, the identity of the sender, which can be signed, stamped, printed, or even computer generated. I get many signature cards, some strikingly beautiful. Although not personal, the Signature card gains more importance with the addition of a gift. Signature cards bearing gifts are always looked upon favorably and can even exceed the status of the Thoughtful card... so never forget to shake out the envelope.

Whatever types of cards you receive this year, consider Spiritually recycling your Christmas cards.

For over 30 years, it has been our after-Holiday tradition to gather each Christmas card into a basket. Then starting after New Year’s Day, at family devotions, we select at least one card, and pray for those individuals. Getting a second value from the Christmas cards brings pleasant memories, while helping our family to recall that prayer for our friends is important.

Get extra worth from your Christmas cards this year!

To Fondly Remember

Remembering the blessings of the Lord is always helpful. For the Israelites, Deuteronomy was one long book filled with the remembrance of God’s goodness. Remembrance is also good for us at Heritage Baptist College.

Thirteen years ago, the college needed a campus. Only a few weeks before, a realtor going house to house, stopped by the Dennis’ house in Indianapolis. He was trying to “drum up” business. Well he did!

On Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2010, I was in Franklin, when that realtor, Joe Class, knocked on my office door. He shared with me about the Hopewell School property, and how advantageous it would be for Heritage Baptist College. The only negative was that in just 16 hours this property would come up for sale at auction.

That next day, fifty people gathered in the first upstairs room, most standing, as the auction prepared to begin. I’ll never forget the words of our realtor. He patted me on the shoulder, and said “There’s a lot of money in this room...good luck.”

At that, my heart sank, since we had no money. But as the bidding began, our hearts began to beat fast. When the auction closed, Heritage Baptist College had won a 32,000+ square ft. building with 12.25 acres of property for the sum of $113,360. To imagine all of this property plus a beautiful brick building for less than the cost of a tiny house, was as some called it...“a miracle.” Twenty-four hours before, we had no idea that a lovely campus was in the immediate future for the college.

God also provided the means to financially secure that purchase. Gifts were given as a down payment and towards renovations, but one of the college director’s tagged a Line of Credit to his house to secure the initial $93,000.

In the beginning, we could only pay the interest, and later we began paying back the principle. God has helped us to greatly reduce that debt.

Remembering God’s Goodness helps us to build our Faith.

Twelve and a Half Special Years

I have come to partially understand the phrase: Bloom where you are planted.

In the Spring of 2011, the Lord blessed my wife and me with our fifth child, and our first daughter. Soon after birth, Lilliana was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a serious genetic anomaly. Doctors gave us no hope for our little girl’s survival.

Much of our focus the first year was helping our baby to live. Open heart surgery, breathing, & feeding issues dominated our attention.

When Lilliana turned one year old, she had attained the age reached by only 10% of surviving T-18 kids. A few months later a Christian TV documentary was produced. The 22 minute video can still be seen on YouTube at: Hope for Lilliana.

As we learned, we shared with others families as they entered their T-18 journey. With social media, we made contacts around the world, careful to always point them to the Great Physician.

We have also been able to show comfort to the families whose little ones have passed on to heaven. Recently, we mailed our 390th sympathy card. With each card comes a message, a gift, and a tract written by one of our students. Over the past 121⁄2 years our disabled daughter has become a blessing to so many, including ourselves.

Each one of us have challenges, but if we look closely, we will also see that there are opportunities to share the mes- sage of hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Heritage Baptist Bible Fellowship Winter Meeting

Where: Webster, FL