Winter Blessings

Overcoming challenges in ministry was the message that Dr. David Price delivered to friends gathered at the recent Heritage Banquet. The focus of the evening was in partnering with the college to train 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 that night.

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

During the Covid outbreak and scare, I have been so grateful for the sacrificial giving of individuals and churches in the training of students at Heritage Baptist College.

The need is great and the time is now.

A study of history reveals that Baptist colleges in America have progressed in much the same way as Heritage.

The first Baptist institution in America, named Rhode Island College (Brown University), was founded in 1766 with less than five students. To raise money, Pastor Hezekiah Smith visited the scattered colonial churches to collect funds. His 1769 travel journal survives. The generous giving of the saints back then mirrors the giving that continues to this day.

My favorite example of this early-type fundraising involved Rev. Isaac Barton Kimbrough of Tennessee. During the mid 1800’s Preacher Kimbrough was riding his horse through a secluded area, and carrying money destined for his Bible college. The preacher was stopped by two desperate men who insisted that he dismount and hand over all his money.

The preacher got off his horse and laid his money in two stacks. Looking at the thieves he stated: “Gentlemen, this small pile of money is mine: you are at liberty to rob me of that; the larger pile is God’s money, and I dare you to touch it. I collected it for the young preachers of the state who are struggling for an education at Carson and Newman College.”

The men asked the Baptist preacher of his mission. After conversing together, one of the thieves stated: “We will not take either your money or the money of the young preachers.”

With great boldness, Preacher Kimbrough replied: “Young men, you are in a mighty bad business. I believe you ought to give it up. In the meantime, I will be grateful if you will help me in the work in which I am engaged.”

Following his appeal, the robbers each gave him $5 for the young preachers. Then the faithful minister collected his money, mounted his horse, and they rode away in separate directions. (B.F. Riley. >em. Dallas, TX: Author Published. 1907 [p. 302-303] )

The dedication of those who have gone before us, have blazed the trail for us to courageously follow.

Living Life to the Fullest

Some individuals just seem born to adventure. In my studies, few men have had more active lives than Kit Carson, Winston Churchill, and Eddie Rickenbacker.

Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973) lived a life of unparalleled adventure. He grew up in the Midwest, yet the pursuits of his life took him around the world. From his humble beginnings in Columbus, Ohio where he faithfully attended Sunday School, Rickenbacker began working as a boy, learning to be a mechanic in the early days of the automobile age. Later, he rose to become a famous race car driver, regularly competing in the early days at Indianapolis.

When WWI arrived, Eddie Rickenbacker rose to be America’s greatest fighter pilot by downing 26 enemy aircraft, and receiving the Medal of Honor.

After the war, Rickenbacker started his own company and produced cars that bore his name. Some years after that, Rickenbacker bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ran the famous race track until 1941. In the midst of all this, Rickenbacker scripted a national comic strip (Ace Drummond), and became the head of Eastern Air Lines. Eastern Air Lines grew to be the most profitable airlines in the country, and Rickenbacker remained its CEO until 1959.

During WWII, Rickenbacker, now in his 50’s, offered his services to his country. He was sent as a military envoy to both theaters of the war. On one trip, his B-17 crashed into the Pacific. He and the crew floated 24 days in a life raft before they were rescued.

As his full life began to slow, Eddie Rickenbacker wrote his autobiography. One statement in that book caught my attention: Rickenbacker said: “He who does most, lives most. He who lives most, gives most.” (Rickenbacker, E.V. Rickenbacker. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ 1967 p. 340).

Eddie Rickenbacker realized that giving plays an important part in living. In a successful life, we give of ourselves, and we give to others.

Christ said it years before: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Eleven and a Half Blessed Years

To say that we are blessed is an understatement.

Our little daughter was born 11½ years ago with the severe diagnosis of Trisomy 18. The condition was so serious, that when Lilliana was released from the hospital, we were given a letter to give to the police when the time came. The letter bluntly said that Lilliana has Trisomy 18, and that she is expected to die.

But God, hearing the prayers of hundreds of our friends, graciously intervened. She not only survived the first critical weeks, but God allowed Lilliana to become the first Trisomy 18 child in Indiana to receive vital open heart surgery, fixing her large VSD (hole in her heart).

Those that have prayed and followed Lilliana’s life know that there have been many challenges.

In 2019, Lilliana was diagnosed with liver cancer, and we saw God again work in her life. After 51 straight days in the hospital, six rounds of chemotherapy, plus a two-day surgery, God blessed her with healing.

Now at 11½ years old, Lilliana weighs about 43 lbs. and she is 44 inches tall. Lilliana eats with a feeding tube, and although nonverbal, she goes to school and is slowly learning. Lilliana is progressing in her walker, and she is the love of our life. God is so Good!

Heritage Baptist Bible Fellowship Winter Meeting

Where: Leesburg, FL