She settled down a little, closed her eyes, and asked me to lower the angle of the mattress so she could rest more comfortably. I introduced myself—I don’t think she remembered from the first time—and briefly thanked her for her Charitable Gift Annuity with Baptist Bible College. It was then that she shared in painfully brief but profound words her feeling about her gift to BBC: “I guess that’s why the Lord left me here—I wish he would take me home—but perhaps I’m here so that I can help those boys and girls study the Word in Bible college.” I smiled, patted her hands, and told her again how her gift was enabling students to become missionaries and preachers. Then I prayed and asked God’s blessings on her for comfort and healing.

  As I walked away from my incredible encounter with one so soon to be in heaven, I was reminded again that the giver is more blessed than the one who receives. Giving to BBC is really all about stewardship. By asking for a gift from you, we are opening the windows of heaven and allowing God to touch you with His blessings. We are also allowing young men and women to better prepare for the Christian ministry to which they are called. Certainly we are blessed by receiving your gift because it enables us to complete our mission, but you receive the greater blessing as God uses you to wisely invest in expanding His Kingdom.

   “And how shall they preach, except they be sent. As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them who preach the gospel of peace,and bring glad tidings of good things.” (Romans 10:15)

 Change is in the air at Baptist Bible College, and it is good change indeed. Our streamlined budget shows wonderful improvement over the bloated budget of two years ago. In fact, by God’s grace and your gift to the 2010 May offering, our budget could actually show a surplus of $250,000 at the end of our fiscal year in June.

  Certainly we want to be wise in our use of the resources that God gives us. At Baptist Bible College we evaluate our budget regularly and closely, seeking to be economical in every way we possibly can be. By giving to BBC, you are making a wise investment that reaps a lifetime of rewards. Did you know that in 2009 our graduates who are BBFI missionaries led more than 85,000 people to Christ and planted more than 600 churches worldwide? And here in the U.S. our graduates are planting churches and partnering with pastors to do the work of the ministry with renewed urgency.

  My newfound friend will not be here much longer to see the fruit of her investment in our college. Surely she only has months, perhaps just days to live. But for eternity she will be grateful as she meets men and women who are in heaven because God used her faithful gift to train others to proclaim His Gospel.

  You see, friend, it is really about laying up treasures in heaven. As we gather on campus May 10-13 to celebrate the blessings of a Bible college experiencing renewed life, would you help us reclaim the future by giving your portion to the May offering? Whether you are a pastor who leads his church to give, or an individual who gives from his own resources, I am convinced you will be blessed and Baptist Bible College will move forward because of your generosity.

  To give, simply make out a check to Baptist Bible College and send it to:

 Sandy Wise
Baptist Bible College
628 East Kearney
Springfield, MO 65803

  Be sure to identify in the memo portion of your check that it is for the 2010 May Offering, and please write me to let me know of your gift at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have questions about the college, or any of our stewardship opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me.