Second Semester Begun
We are excited about the second semester of classes that started on January 20th. Pastor Matt Roller preached in the opening chapel service with a fine message on the subject of prayer. Brother Roller is the new senior pastor at Indianapolis Baptist Temple.
After 38 years serving at IBT, Brother Greg Dixon now focuses onhis heart's desire, starting Baptist churches and reaching the lost worldwide. Over the past 15 years, Brother Dixon and IBT havefounded 26 new works. Many of those churches were started in the inner city, where there is a great need. You can read more of Brother Greg Dixon's ministry goals on his website: gregadixon.com.
How fitting it was to be reminded after Pastor Roller's message of the faithful prayers that so many displayed in the founding of Heritage Baptist College. From prayer, to a meeting of preachers, and then to a banquet, these were all little steps of faith. God and God's people have helped in the progress of the school. From the initial investment of friends, to the continual sacrifice of others, the school has acquired a beautiful campus with a historic setting in which to train servants for the Lord.
God has been so good!
Three in a Row
On June 6, 1954, Russell Dennis, Sr. was ordained to the gospel ministry. He was the first preacher in the family, since his maternal grandfather Rev. M.M. Wiles pastored in Indiana at the turn of the 1900's.
Following in the work of the ministry, Russell Dennis, Jr. was ordained on a very snowy day on January 10, 1984. Many of those men who sat on thatordination council have gone on to heaven, but several, such as Dr. Gerald Stokes, Dr. Bob Baker, Ronald Royalty, and Murrell Hounshell are still serving the Lord.
On January 24, 2016, Russell Dennis, III was ordained for the ministry at the Brownsburg Baptist Church. The ordination council of 11 preachers met a few days earlier, and after three hours of questioning, Russ III was heartily recommended to be ordained as a Baptist minister. More than one minister stated that he was the best prepared candidate that they had ever had the joy to question. The truth is, over the years, Bible graduates of Heritage do very well during their ordination review, reflecting their thorough training.
As We Progress
On February 3rd, we received the notification that the site plan for the new dormitory was approved by Johnson County. This approval has taken nine months, and the Lord has helped to teach us in the virtue of patience. During thistime, because of the heavy spring rains, we relocated thedorm site to the north edge of the property along the back side of our large parking lot.
The next phase still involves approval from the state and the final issuing of the permits, but we have at last cleared a major hurtle.
Over $60,000 waits in the bank, ready to begin the foundation phase of the building. Hopefully, in the spring the work can begin. We are trusting the Lord to help us complete this goal
Love's Worth
"But the greatest of these is love."
The grandest example of love is that of God who gave, but finite man has found that love can indeed be a great motivator.
Their backgrounds were as different as day and night. Her name was Augusta, and she came from a wealthy New England family firmly planted in the mercantile business. His name was Augustus, and he grew up poor in New York City, the son of a French shoemaker. Over a hundred years ago, the romance of "Gus" and his sweetheart "Gussie" would begin.
The couple met in Rome, Italy where they both had one thing in common, a love of art. Gussie enjoyed painting, while Gus showed skills in engraving and sculpting.
Evidently, Gus quickly fell "head over heels" in love, although Gussie wrote to her mother in 1874 stating: "I am not dead in love as they say, but perhaps would be if I thought I ought."
As their friendship became more serious, Gus wrote to her father of his honorable intentions. The main problem that stood in the way of his happiness was finances. Gus was poor. Gussie's parents would not grant their permission for the marriage until he could show financial stability.
Gus boarded a ship for America, taking a berth in steerage. In New York City, he rented a shabby studio, and began to make inquiries for sculpting projects.
Gus lost the bid to design the statue of Charles Sumner in Boston, but soon after, he applied to create the bronze statue of Admiral David Farragut. Gus made two models, a large drawing, and a bust. He knew that his career and his marriage were riding on it. Gus won the bid.
Although it would take seven years to complete the bronze statue, with his signing bonus, Gus and Gussie were married on June 1, 1877. Love had finally conquered.
Gussie would be a help to her husband Augustus Saint-Gaudens all throughout his life. The Farragut statue, New York's first monument to the Civil War, started the career of one of America's leading sculptors. Augustus Saint-Gaudens created many famous Civil War statues and even designed America's classic $20 gold piece (McCullough, David. The Greater Journey. New York: Simon & Schuster. 2011. p. 357ff)