The Institute Update
by Dr. Robert E. Nix, President
Estimated Time to Read: 4 Minutes
I have never been much for New Year’s resolutions. Mostly, it is because, when I have made them in the past, I usually did not stick to them for very long. While the obvious problem is usually not the resolution but the one making the resolution (me), setting goals and realigning one’s focus can be very beneficial and is needful for every believer. When we set goals or determine to accomplish something new in our lives, we are, in a way, saying that we don’t want to settle for the status quo, but that we want to grow.
I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul told Timothy in the letter that bears his name. In I Timothy 4:7,8 Paul challenged Timothy to maintain his focus and “…exercise (discipline) yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
With that in mind, I want to issue a challenge to all of us as we enter the New Year. Let’s set goals and realign our focus on godliness. If you take the opportunity to study the prayers of the Apostle Paul, you will find they all contain the idea of growing in the knowledge and wisdom of God. In a world full of “noise,” let us make sure we are taking steps to listen and follow the Savior and to grow deeper in our knowledge of Him.
Mission Focused
As we face the New Year, there will be undoubtedly many challenges. We have seen this firsthand in the last couple of years. With that in mind, I want to start off this January Update reminding you of the mission of Berean Bible Institute. For any organization or ministry, it is imperative that its mission remain at the forefront. In doing so, we are able to measure what we do and who we are by the standard for which we were founded.
With that being said, the mission of Berean Bible Institute is to train pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Grace of God given to and through the Apostle Paul. This is why we exist and this is the standard by which we measure our success and progress. I also want to thank all of you who faithfully support BBI financially and pray for us regularly. You are an essential part of this ministry and support us because you too believe in our mission.
Berean Bible Institute Brazil
We are pleased to announce the second round of courses beginning soon for our Brazilian students. As you may know, BBI Brazil recently taught through all of the courses required to receive our Certificate of Dispensational Studies. Several students met the requirements and received their certificates. Now we will be repeating the cycle so those who are new or came into the program mid-stream can work to achieve their certificates.
I especially want to thank Paul Craesmeyer for his work in heading up the BBI Brazilian extension, and Mariana Craesmeyer for her work as the Office Administrator. Please keep this endeavor in your prayers. It is our desire to continue to grow the program and eventually offer many more courses in Portuguese. Please also consider supporting BBI financially because these types of projects and others take financial resources to see them through.
Administrative Specialist
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to search for an Administrative Specialist. In November, our Administrative Specialist, Ms. Kayla Traxler, moved back to her hometown in central Wisconsin. Kayla was a blessing and while it was hard to see her go, we now are in need of finding a replacement. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek the Lord’s leading in finding a new BBI team member.
Consider Leaving a Legacy
Over the years BBI has been funded primarily by the monthly gifts of individuals and churches that see the need for an Institute with the goal to train students to be leaders in the Grace Movement. Since the founding of Berean Bible Institute in 1996, we have on occasion been blessed with various estate gifts. It has been the desire of these donors to see BBI continue to train leaders for the Grace Movement long after they have gone to be with the Lord.
We want to ask that you prayerfully consider BBI as you plan for the future. Please note that there are also various Trusts and/or Charitable Annuities that may allow one to give and also receive some tax benefits through their giving. If you have any questions about this process or need more information about Berean Bible Institute don’t hesitate to call us.
Berean Bible Institute: (262) 644-5504
Serving Together,
Dr. Robert E. Nix
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