In addition to offering new online courses, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute plans to unleash other new classroom opportunities for their 2013 fall semester, David Horton, president of Fruitland, told the Baptist Sate Convention of North Carolina’s Board of Directors during their January meeting.
In early January, Fruitland’s Board of Directors approved two additional ministry tracks, which include an associate degree in religion in either Church Planting or Christian Worldview.
“We’ve been listening to the Lord and … we’ve been listening to His people and to the needs of churches,” Horton told the board. “We believe the time has come for us to expand our curriculum.
“Our purpose is developing Christian leaders, those who will serve in the local church and Christian organizations, those who will serve as missionaries, those who will go out and make a difference in the kingdom of God.”
Rit Varriale, with the Christian Higher Education Committee, shared an update on the Fruitland Scholars Program. The scholarship is a partnership between the convention and its five affiliated schools – Campbell, Chowan, Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill or Wingate. It would be awarded to two students planning to graduate from Fruitland and continue their education at one of the five institutions. The scholarship would be based on academic excellence, and the chosen school would match up to $7,500 per student. The convention is putting forward $10,000 for the 2013-14 academic year for one student. The scholarship could receive contributions through a future endowment set up at the N.C Baptist Foundation.
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BR photo by K. Allan Blume Sandy Gregory, director of North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry, encourages Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention to pray about how they can get involved in NCBAM. |
Horton also reminded the board of Fruitland’s “One in a Million” campaign to raise a million dollars to pay off debt owed by Fruitland to the Baptist State Convention for the construction of the school’s chapel. The campaign is based on the idea that Fruitland can raise $1 million dollars if 1,000 individuals, groups or churches each contributes $1,000.
“We appreciate the good response that we’re receiving already,” Horton said. “It is a real tough challenge in the midst of an economy like this to raise a million dollars, but this is something that is doable, that we believe is going to happen.”
NCBAM
The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) announced several new ministry opportunities designed to help the elderly community.
Last April NCBAM, N.C. Baptist Men and Operation Inasmuch helped bring 3,000 volunteers together to build 327 wheelchair ramps. Sandy Gregory, director of NCBAM, announced the next Rampin’ Up! event will be held April 26, 2014. “Plan now,” he said. “Begin praying, talking to Baptist Men, your builders and others. Put it on your calendar and plan to be a part of this great event.”
NCBAM also has launched a ministry designed to assist ministers and church leaders who are 65 and older. Gregory shared how the ministry often receives calls from pastors who are alone and are in need of assistance or unable to leave their homes. One 86-year-old man called NCBAM a few months back to see if he could receive help with a move from N.C. to Maine.
“One of the hardest things is for ministers to ask for help,” Gregory said. “This minister reached out, and we as North Carolina Baptists are helping and serving him. What better way to help … than helping those who have served the churches and who need help.”
This past year, in addition to helping build 327 wheelchair ramps, NCBAM has served 2,267 individuals and families in need. NCBAM is also now working with N.C.’s State Fire Marshal office to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to the elderly.
For more information about how you can get involved with NCBAM contact their office at (877) 50-NCBAM.
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