ABC News Archive - October 2022
October means Missions Conference at ABC, and student committees are busy preparing!
All are welcome at the sessions, which will also be streamed at abc.edu/live A Children's Conference and nursery will be provided during evening sessions.
"We must be consistently trusting in the sovereign, superior One Who knows all things."
Missionary Pink Davis, a 2002 graduate of ABC, spoke in chapel about some lessons from Job.
The 2022 Alumnus of the Year is Ed Chesley.
The Alumnus of the Year Award is presented to a diploma or degree graduate of at least 10 years ago, who demonstrates an exemplary testimony as a servant of the Lord in full-time ministry, and actively supports Appalachian Bible College and its ministries.
One word that comes to mind which encapsulates Ed Chesley’s character and lifestyle is "faithfulness." Before he started his vocational ministry as a professor at Appalachian Bible College, Ed had dreams to either join the Air Force and become a pilot, or work as an engineer, using his talents and appreciation for math and art to make a very good living.
However, as time went on, it became clear that God was directing him down a drastically different path. Rather than rejecting the Lord’s leading, Ed walked through the new doors being opened, and accepted that the other doors were being firmly closed. To do such a thing, one must believe fully that God is God, perfectly faithful. This has always been one of Ed’s biggest motivations for his faithfulness to God in his personal life and ministry.
It was this belief and motivation that led Ed to accept a teaching position during his senior year at Appalachian Bible Institute. From that point, he faithfully served as an educator for over 30 years, as well as serving as Librarian. Ed has always been a wonderful example of the fact that true faithfulness does not depend on comfortable circumstances. Rather, true faithfulness has love for God as the anchor, and God’s glory as the goal.
This faithfulness was not limited to Ed’s work at ABC. His life of faithfulness can be seen just as clearly at his local church, Mt. Tabor Baptist. Ed has been a member, deacon, music leader, and Bible teacher at Mt. Tabor for over 40 years. While these ministry opportunities brought challenges and difficulties, he remained a constant in these ministries. This is due to Ed's living his life and working for an audience of One, His dear Lord and Savior.
Ed’s son, Chris, states “In what is a long list of admirable, honorable qualities, [faithfulness] is by far my Dad’s best trait and defining characteristic. It’s what has always caused me to be the most proud of him, and it’s what I aspire to in my own life. I continue to want to be a lot like my dad, because he continues to be a lot like our Heavenly Father.”
Ed, for your persevering commitment to love Christ and serve His cause, it is our honor to recognize you as our 2022 Alumnus of the Year.
Richard Shelton is named the 2022 Honorary Alumnus.
The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to loyal friends of Appalachian Bible College who, while not alumni, demonstrate the heart of an alumnus through faithful support and participation in the mission of the College.
Richard is known as a humble man with a huge heart and an infectious passion for serving those he is around. Gifted with the ability to “fix almost anything” along with the talent to make friends everywhere he goes, Richard was equipped by the Lord to serve on the North American mission field for more than 60 years as a truck driver based in Stuart, Virginia. Richard would often arrange his trucking schedule to include layovers in specific states such as Arizona, Oklahoma, and Alabama. There he served alongside other missionaries to make repairs on equipment and encourage the missionaries in their ministries. Because of his specialized training and experience, Richard has worked with many organizations, some of which are The Voice of the Martyrs, Rescue America Baptist Missions, and 4 Corners Baptist Association, to help meet physical needs for families all over the United States, including being given special access to serve on the Navajo Indian reservations out west.
Richard’s deep passion for disciple-making has led to developing lifelong relationships with ministry leaders across a variety of platforms and places that to this day encourage men and women to prioritize a relationship with Christ over the ministries they have been given care over. As a result, Richard has not only served on advisory boards of Bible colleges, but has also played critical roles in the revitalization of ministries that impact generations for the sake of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instead of kicking back in retirement, Richard moved to ABC, where he volunteers his time and skills to assist the Maintenance Department.
Richard, due to your faithful service and friendship with ABC it is our privilege to make you an Honorary Alumnus.
Recognizing God's goodness over the last half-century, these 1972 graduates were presented with 50-year medallions at Homecoming:
Sandra (Collins) McLaughlin
Carol (Ganus) Armstrong
Rachel (VanGorp) Bollinger
Kathleen (Marsceau) Merrell
Ed Chesley
Watch the ceremony: https://youtu.be/Mn55c7-4HWY?t=1187
The 2022 Diakonos Award recipients are Patrick Turner and his wife, in absentia, Donna Turner. They are 1987 graduates of ABC.
The Diakonos Award is named for the Greek word “diakonos” translated in the New Testament as "servant," "minister," or "deacon." This award is given to dedicated and faithful graduates who serve as laypersons in the church and demonstrate commendable Christian testimony in their family and work.
Patrick Turner is a loving father and husband. He has made it evident throughout his life that he cares deeply for those with whom he comes into contact. Patrick worked hard to provide for his family, but never allowed his work to come in the way of his ministry to his family as well as his service in his local church. Donna has served alongside her husband, faithfully ministering to her family and church as well as being a bright light for Christ in her place of work.
When the Turners’ church decided to start a church plant, their family moved to that plant and began to serve steadfastly in that church. Patrick took on the role of a deacon, using the skills God has given him to work and help this church grow and become effective in their community. Whether it was visitation or cleaning, the Turners were there alongside everyone else seeking to glorify God in the ministry He had placed before them.
It is our honor to present them with the Diakonos Award in recognition of their faithful ministry as lay workers.
The 2022 Servants of the Year are Dr. Jerry and Judy Fisher.
The Servant of the Year award is presented by the ABC Alumni Association to current or former staff members whose testimony in ministry exemplifies the Appalachian Bible College distinctive of servanthood.
Dr. Jerry Fisher and Judy, his wife of 53 years, have exhibited ABC’s motto "...because Life is for Service" throughout their marriage. They began their life together serving in the United States Army, he as an officer serving in both combat and noncombat duties and she as the supportive officer’s wife, maintaining the household, caring for the children, and serving her husband. After 25 years of distinguished military service, Dr. Fisher retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel and an earned doctorate in educational leadership from West Virginia University.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Fisher and Judy entered another phase of service, this time in the Lord’s army, as the executive director of the West Virginia Christian Education Association and as a board member of ABC. Although officially retired from WVCEA now, the Fishers continue to serve the Lord through their involvement at ABC and in various ministries of Maranatha Baptist Church in Sissonville, West Virginia, where they currently reside.
Dr. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher, we are honored to recognize you, due to your faithful years of ministry, as our Servants of the Year.
The faculty selected two alumni for honorary membership in the Delta Epsilon Chi Society of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. The society gets its name from the commendation in Romans 16:10, "approved in Christ."
1. Linda Hammons
Linda’s education includes a B.A. in Biology from Colby College in 1980, a bachelor's in Med. Science from Emory University in 1984, and a master's from ABC in 2010 with a focus in Women’s Ministries. In May of this year she received a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling from Bob Jones University Seminary.
Linda and Spencer served as missionaries with Biblical Ministries Worldwide in Military Evangelism and Discipleship from 2009 until they came to ABC in 2013. Linda has assisted with the Ladies Auxiliary and Student Wives Fellowship, as well as speaking for a Ladies Conference workshop and Anderson Leadership Symposium. Linda has faithfully served as the Missions-Nursing Coordinator, a class sponsor, HLC Steering Committee Chair, and the Academic Assessment Assistant. She has served on several committees and is a valuable contributor to each. She displays intellectual excellence, impeccable servanthood, and has a wonderful ministry with counseling women.
2. Duane Pease (in absentia)
Duane is a 1991 graduate with a bachelor's degree in the Bible and Pastoral/English program. He served as a faithful pastor of Glenview Baptist Church for over 20 years. He has been an active supporter of ABC and encourages students. Duane is currently a very active worker with Brian’s Safehouse and in his local church. He displays strong Christian character in his life and work.
From Monday Color Wars to Flannel Friday, Student Council's Spirit Week pitted the classes against one another in competitions all week long. Who came out on top? The seniors!
Our annual Missions Conference begins today, featuring speakers Dr. Keith Wiebe, Jr. and Rev. Travis Gravely, along with about 50 missionaries from 26 mission agencies. Pray for God's work in hearts.
You can watch general sessions at abc.edu/live
"We can't live the gospel from a distance." -Dr. Keith Wiebe, Jr.
This year's Missions Conference was all about taking the good news "Into the Streets"—to the outcasts, vulnerable, and forgotten. The Lord blessed us with challenging messages from the keynote speakers and encouraging fellowship with 50+ missionary guests—and even perfect fall weather.
Watch sessions on demand: abc.edu/live
Look for the video stream today at abc.edu/live or on the ABC Warriors page. Go Warriors!
Fall at Appalachian Bible College. Without question, one of the four most beautiful seasons here!
#westvirginia #fallfoliage
