Fourteenth Year at Hopewell

On Thursday, October 28, 2010, we were invited to attend the auction of the Hopewell School near Franklin, IN. We had only been notified the afternoon before, yet it isalways amazing how the Lord works. Before the morning was over, we found ourselves in possession of this beautiful 30,000+ square foot building including a 12 acre campus.

Now, it is easy to win an auction, but it is another thing to pay for your winnings. I can confidently tell you that the Lord did it all, using God’s people. To begin, a fine Christian family offered their home as collateral on a large Line of Credit. In the beginning we could only pay the monthly interest. Later, a target date of September 2024 was given by the bank for repayment. The generosity of many of God’s people let us make the final payment on April 8, 2024. It is very special to begin the Fall semester, debt free. Thank you!

What a wonderful testimony this is to the students, the teachers, and the local community. To God be the Glory!

The President’s Perspective

As I walk through the front door of my house, I regularly see this hand sewn quilt that hangs on our bannister. The quilt is my only heirloom from my great grandfather, a Hoosier preacher. His daughter, my grandmother, gave it to me over 20 years ago. The quilt was a loving memory from his church. A century ago, each member had their name stitched in red, and some included a sketch.

A couple of weeks ago, my wife came across my great grandfather’s picture. Not knowing whom it was, she left it on my desk. I instantly recognized his portrait as a young preacher in the late 1800’s.

Rev. M.M. Wiles was a beloved pastor and evangelist in the counties northwest of Indianapolis. He had a very nice farm, which helped supply his needs while preaching. God blessed him, as he put the ministry first. My Grandmother Dennis would tell me how at 12 years old, she would drive their Willy’s Knight automobile and play the piano for his meetings (1915). He would sing and share the Word. One of the last churches he pastored, was a little country church up towards Frankfort named “Lookout.”

And then my Grandmother recalled the day his focus changed. Rev. M.M. Wiles sat down with his oldest son, and said, “Lawrence, we are going to make money.” He invested heavily in stock of Poland China Hogs. When they arrived, the expensive hogs got a disease and died. Then in the 1920-21 Depression, the mini depression that preceded the Great Depression, my great grandfather lost almost all of his farm land (nearly 480 acres). When he died in 1933, he was buried without a gravestone. I remember that my Dad & grandmother paid for one to be erected in the 1990’s.

My Dad nor me personally knew Rev. M.M. Wiles. I only have the good stories of his love and care for people, and the tragic mistake when he put his blessing (farm) ahead of his calling (ministry).

The story of the man behind the quilt is a constant reminder to me.

Great Trial - Great Triumph

Captain Samuel Brady had already built his reputation as a courageous patriot. The 24 year-old had served in General Washington’s army and fought in each battle during the first two years of the American Revolution: at Boston, New York City, wintered at Valley Forge, and he joined the crossing of the Delaware River.

During the Revolutionary War, many Indians sided with the British, and Samuel Brady was sent to America’s frontier to help defend and organize the settler militia. His name became legendary, even among his enemies, as he protected the pioneers and made rescues against Indian kidnappers.

In a skirmish in 1780, Captain Brady was captured by the Indians, and taken back to their village to be tortured. Escaping his captors, Samuel Brady sped through the forest, but stopped at a 25 foot cliff high over the Cuyahoga River. The distance across the chasm ranged from 23 to 30 feet. Samuel Brady ran back into the woods, and in a burst of speed raced toward the edge and jumped, barely landing on the other side. The Indians, right behind him, came to the edge and stopped.

Several years ago, I visited this spot which is located near downtown Kent, OH. A later canal, and railroad bed, have greatly reduced the rocky bluff, and the place now stands as a small park in Samuel Brady’s honor.

As I walked down the path, I thought how one man, under extreme pressure, did something that seemed impossible.

“Brady’s Leap” took place 240 years ago. What Samuel Brady did, under less than ideal circumstances, was equal to an Olympic long jump. When the first Olympic long jump record was set (1901) by Evan Vennes of Ireland, it was 24’ 11”.

In our lives, sometimes God allows us to get into extreme situations, so that He can enable us to perform some very unusual tasks. The Bible is filled with these exploits from Moses to David to Paul.

Great Trial, Great Triumph. And so it can be in the Christian life.

Meet Our Student

Growing up in the Texas countryside, Scott Moore’s early introduction to God, was by a Sunday School teacher that picked him up for church.

Scott’s parents were not church goers, and when they later moved, religion went out of focus.

Without the influence of a good church, Scott began to drift spiritually. He eventually did not even believe there was a God.

Scott’s salvation story is different than most Christians. He began to question his beliefs as tragedies unfolded in the world. As he started to research sin, the Lord led him to John 3.

For six months, without the aid of a church, Scott read his Bible and searched. In time, the Holy Spirit led him to salvation. Scott knew that he needed to follow the Lord in baptism, but he didn’t know a church. A random call from work, connected him with Pastor Rick Stone of Grace Baptist Church. He was bap- tized within a couple of weeks, and has been faithful ever since.

Scott told the Lord that he would serve Him, and as he says, “I battled for four years, but I surrendered this summer. I am enjoying learning this year at Heritage.”

Fall Banquet

Friends of Heritage Baptist College are invited to attend this year’s Fall Banquet. Please set aside two hours for some great food, music, and fellow- ship. Please call today for your reservation.

Date: Friday, November 1, 2024

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Hopewell Campus

Speaker: Dr. David Price