Dear Friends and Family,

Forty days after Christ’s death and resurrection, he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3-9).  A few days later the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples (Acts 2:3-4).  What happened next is just amazing!   A crowd of Jews, who were awed, confused, and maybe even a little scared started questioning what was going on and tried to rationalize that maybe the disciples were drunk.  But no, this was not so!

Peter stood up then and spoke to the people, one of our first examples of a disciple sharing God’s message of salvation to a large gathering of people. He is direct and clear. He tells the crowd what had been prophesied and how those same prophesies have came true.  His message was heard! and still many people did not know what to do.  So he tells them again, even more simply than before, “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins my be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). And he keeps going!  “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). About three thousand people became Christians on that day.

Can you imagine yourself there?  In the middle of the large crowd seeing something you don’t understand happening and someone else explaining to you that what you’ve been taught all of your life is finally come true.  Would you believe?

And try standing in Peter’s shoes – he’s speaking to a crowd of more than 3,000 people, without the leader he loved so much standing there with him or leading the crowd himself.  Could you do it?

Peter’s standing on his own for the first time. But he’s not really alone. The other disciples are there with him, but even more important, Christ said that he would send the Holy Spirit to them and He did.  He’s always there for us whether we are wondering or doubting or standing on our ‘own’ for the first time.

We have come to the close of another semester and with that came graduation for many of our students. For some, they’ll be going out into the ministry for the first time ‘on their own’.  But our graduates are never alone as God is with them and with us.

As we move into summer we ask for your prayers:
• for our graduated students as they prepare for their next step in life – whether further studies or full-time ministry
• for our students who still have studies ahead of them- for their summer ministries and studies
• for our faculty and administration as we prepare this summer for the next school year
• for our alumni for the support and encouragement they need in their ministries to keep moving forward with God’s message.
• for us all that we always remember the simple message of salvation and keep the joy of that remembrance in our hearts and share it often with others.

Sincerely in Christ,

Peter A. Lillback
President