ABC Begins Its 15th Year
Over 500 have graduated from Ambassador Bible Center (ABC) in the first fourteen years since its beginning in January 2000. The average size of the classes has been calculated at 37. Many more have availed themselves of ABC teaching through the week-long Cincinnati summer seminars and the seminars conducted in outlying church areas. Over 1,000 brethren have had a mini sample of ABC.
A welcome picnic and orientation were held on August 18-19. Some of the accepted students had not arrived due to other circumstances, so 37 were in attendance. When all are here we will have 42 students for this Class of 2014. The ABC Alumni served diligently at the picnic to provide fun and food to the new ABC students. Games were planned to help the students bond and get to know each other better. The delicious food was coordinated by Connie Sipes, our kitchen supervisor. The Scottish theme added to the bonding as each group of students was known as a clan and wore the tartan colors of that particular clan. The students seemed to have fun and the chatter from them was especially enthusiastic.
Monday morning began the orientation of the students for ABC. Coordinator for ABC, Gary Antion, welcomed the students and opened with prayer. Dean of the Faculty, Steve Myers explained portions of the orientation notebook that pertained to scheduling, the school calendar, the library and the attendance policy. Connie Sipes explained about her duties as kitchen supervisor and mentioned that she would need some students to work part-time with her. She directed any interested to fill out an application. She also asked any with special food needs to let her know so she may take care of their special needs. Darris McNeely and Aaron Dean explained about their classes and gave the students encouragement for a great year ahead.
After a break, Chris Stewart from the ITS area gave instructions about how to be connected with the Wi-Fi that the home office has for them. Randy Stiver, Dean of Students, explained the various segments pertaining to student affairs. He mentioned some of his classes and encouraged the students to have a good year. Gary Antion introduced Kathy de Campos to speak more completely about the attendance policy and her duties. Gary Antion concluded the formal portion with overall comments about ABC and urged the students to “Build Godly Character” as a main theme for ABC. He explained that “build” meant effort with the tools of prayer, study, meditation, fasting. Then “godly” meant doing it God’s way, not their own ways. Finally, he gave definitions of “character” and explained it was God’s righteous ness that they want and not their own. How do they want to be known? He cited Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians 2 and their sterling examples. He wished the students a wonderful year and said that the entire faculty was there to help them have “the best year of their lives.”
There was a lunch break with spaghetti and meatballs, garlic toast and salad bar. The meal was complete when the office staff was invited to share the dessert with the new students.
Tuesday, classes began at 8:30 AM with Mr. Frank McCrady III teaching the Gospels 1 module.
ABC is underway in its 15thyear and we are all excited by the energy and enthusiasm the students bring to the office and by their desire to learn the Word of God and become more like their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We ask for your prayers for a safe, inspiring and successful year at ABC.
--Gary Antion, ABC Coordinator