New England Baptist College

Fall Revival

I was asked to preach the Fall Revival at the New England Baptist College. What a wonderful honor and thrill to meet such a wonderful student body of young ladies and men wanting to serve the Lord. The Theme of the college is "A Heart for God" and such was the evidence of this each morning during the chapel time.

I believe the Holy Spirit was in control. The congregational music, the specials and preaching gave evidence of tender and yielding hearts for God. Each and every service was testimony of the heart of this school in being serious about serving God.

The students who come here have only ONE thing on their mind and heart. That is to be all that God wants them to be. To this end the college offers the best of Bible teaching, Godly staff and a real Spiritual atmosphere. Yet in its early years as a college, I believe, it will be an outstanding cornerstone for Fundamental Baptists in the training and development of men and women who are serious about "Having a Heart for God, A Mind for the Scriptures and Spirit of Revival."

Talent given by God - Talent used for God - Talent glorifying God

In keeping with the purpose of New England Baptist College, to encourage students to have a heart for God while preparing for Christian service, a very special and powerful event happened. Meeting early on a Saturday afternoon scores of young people from all over registered for a meeting that proved to change lives forever. The theme Nehemiah's Challenge was conceived from the Biblical account of God's man Nehemiah and his burden for see the walls of Jerusalem, being destroyed by the enemies of God, rebuilt. It took him fifty-two days to accomplish the task.

With the theme of rebuilding protective walls around the current Holy Temple of our bodies (and lives) the challenge was to allow God to search hearts for sin, have true repentance, then build the Spiritual walls of Godliness around our lives. The service began with testimony of some mature Christian ladies and Men. Much like the Lord told the younger generation to seek out the wisdom and ways of the spiritually mature. After some singing I preached. The was much liberty in the preaching as the Holy Spirit worked silently in the souls of all who attended. This inward silence was soon made public as young men and women were moved by the Spirit of God to the altar. There was much weeping over sin. Many tears of repentance flowed as a deep and sincere calling on God to "show me my sin" was answer.

All took as much time as they needed at the altar. No rushing, just the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Following this all broke into small groups with a Spiritual guide. By the way these Spiritual guides had been praying every day at the church for a week for this meeting. During this time of more personal openness, sin was discussed in the light of the Bible. All across the building in these small gatherings there was much humility before the Lord God of Heaven. Again no rush on time. No time schedule. No deadlines. We just let God work as he saw fit.

Gathering once more as a group we sang with a new heart, a clean heart, a cleansed spirit within us. God was in control as young person after young person, voluntary got up from their seats and walked to the front of the church and stood and told what great things the Lord had done during this time. It has been a very long time since I have heard such open confession of sin expressed with a broken and contrite heart. Many choked up barely able to speak. Tears ran down their cheeks while wiped away with a trembling hand, yet a strong word of testimony was given of forgiveness and consent to the will of God.

The New England Baptist College Choir

I again preached another message on the challenge of living for God. Walls that are rebuilt will still come under the attacks of evil. Those not walking in the fullness of the Spirit will soon fall. Yes, "Sin wants in". So a challenge was made. A challenge that for fifty-two days there would be a full heart felt attempt to "Put off the old man and put on the new man". I was not sure if how many, if any would really accept the challenge. I won't get into the details about it all but I can tell you that many would look at the list of challenge and just walk away thinking the cost was too high.

Once more wave after wave of young people came forward to accept "Nehemiah's Challenge" to build the spiritual walls of separation, prayer, Bible study and Godly living. In all the whole service lasted FIVE hours. Five hours of preaching, Bible discussion and prayer. No skits, no games no "fun" things that so many feel you need to have to reach the youth. Five hours of heart searching, surrender and praise. Oh yes, there is also personal accountably. Each of the Spiritual guides have been in contact with "their" group to encourage, stimulate and stir them to keep on for the Lord during the fifty-two day challenge.