Central Newsletter
March2011
Student Ministry Spotlight
Picture from summer camp at Camp Hope Haven
We are Ben and Bethany Jacob and we are currently working toward MBS degrees from Central Seminary. We are blessed to be able to serve with the Union Mission here in Virginia Beach as the directors of Camp Hope Haven, a ministry which provides children with a free Christian camping experience. As a result many children who attend have never heard the Gospel and have never attended church. Taking good care of the hundreds of children and staff who come to camp each summer is a big job, but it is always exciting to see how God is changing hearts and it is a joy to be a part of what He is doing at camp.
Seminary has played a critical role in training us to be able to teach our campers and staff the word of God. As Bethany leads the team which writes the staff devotionals and Ben works to develop lessons which help campers read and understand the Bible, we draw upon the understanding and skills we have gained at Central. It is exciting for us to be able to practically apply what we are learning in our classes and see how a class such as systematic theology contains truths that can change the lives of the children here in Hampton Roads.
While our studies at Central influence how we teach God’s word at camp, studying God’s word at seminary also impacts our own lives on a daily basis. Making wise decisions for camp is a big responsibility, and it is easy to become discouraged or overwhelmed. Being a part of the seminary is a consistent source of encouragement as we spend time in the Bible, absorbing its truth and being reminded of the love and faithfulness of God.
We are grateful for all of you who have invested in our lives and in the ministry God has blessed us with. Thank you for your prayers, your gifts, and your time, which have made a difference in the lives of so many people, beginning with us! Finally, we would like to thank all the seminary family for the sacrifices you make that enable to us to be able to attend a seminary which combines spiritual lessons with practical training.
Dr. Windsor's Trip to Romania
The last week of February I got to participate in a pastors' conference in Romania. The conference was sponsored by Union Mission (Norfolk) and hosted by Biserica Baptist Harul (Grace Baptist Church) of Lugoj, Romania. During the day we shared the Word in the pastors' conference. Each evening (and Sundays) we dispersed to various local churches around the region to preach the Word. Naturally we American preachers spoke through translators. Nevertheless it was thrilling to have the opportunity to preach the Gospel among the Romanians. Church work is growing in Romania.
This was my fifth opportunity to minister in Romania. The first occasion was in 1993. Then foreigners were met at the border by soldiers with automatic rifles, checking passports. Foreign visitors were rare. Excursions to the department store revealed more empty space on the shelves than items on the shelf. Very few computers were to be found. How things have changed in Romania over the last 18 years. Clearing customs was a breeze. Stopping at a store revealed shelves ladened with items for sale. The hotel provided wireless access to the internet. But the Romanian pastors told of another kind of change coming into Romanian culture. In 1993, soon after the collapse of Communism, everyone seemed interested in spiritual things. Now the pastors told stories of increasing secularism, especially among the youth who grew up with freedom and an awareness of secular American culture. Church work also has its challenges in Romania.
-Dr. Mike Windsor
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Alumni Daniel Steinman
Pastor of Freedom Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA
“That you may be able to comprehend … the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God,” was Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers. That, too, is the prayer of my heart for the fellowship of believers at Freedom Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. Our theme for the year is All Glory to God. I am continually amazed and dazzled by God’s multifaceted grace – common grace toward all, effectual grace toward the believer, sanctifying grace toward the redeemed, empowering grace for the quickened, and sustaining grace for the suffering. Only God can truly join fallen, broken members of the human race that are filled with selfish ambition in their hearts into one new community empowered by love. Selfishness, hatred, and violence are direct results of the fall of man into sin powerfully illustrated in the first few chapters of Genesis. The remedy for these things can only be truly found in Christ. Christ said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.” God has brought us together into this community because He is a God who delights in fellowship and unity of purpose in His tri-unity. We are His trophies to display His marvelous grace. May God be praised for His unspeakable gift!
Prayer Requests
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Pray for those who are going. 20 graduates will be facing new decisions and places in life.
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Pray for those who are staying. It is not enough to take classes at CBTS. We want students to grow "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
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Pray for those who are coming. During the summer a new group of students will be joining us. They will need housing and jobs as they face the task of studying. Pray for their smooth transitions.
Upcoming Events
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April 10 Bonhoeffer's Corner: A time for the seminary family to discuss the Text. The gathering will be from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Call Central for more details: 757.479.3706.
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April 16 Women of CBTS meeting: A time to honor the wives of this years graduates. The meeting will be from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Email Kris Keiser for more details: krissppie@gmail.com
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April 29 Baccalaureate and President's Reception: A time to honor those graduating from Central Seminary this 2011. By invitation only.
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May 1 Central Seminary Graduation: We invite you to attend the ceremony. It will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Colonial Baptist Church. Call Central for more details: 757.479.3706
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