Revival: a Hoax or Hope?

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Spring 2011 Revival: a Hoax or Hope? a word from the president, by dr. alton beal Revival. When is the last time you prayed for it? When is the last time you heard a message preached on revival?

Sadly, there seems to be a growing contingency of people in our churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries that scoff at the idea of revival.

I was shocked, to say the least. Hearing that message caused me to think that maybe the statement Seminary is cemetery was right after all.

Every Christian college and seminary should promote the cause of revival, not hinder it.

He believed that God could not send a revival in our day. He said that we are too far gone.

His story is told in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23.

1 Spring 2011 Revival: a Hoax or Hope? a word from the president, by dr. alton beal Revival. When is the last time you prayed for it? When is the last time you heard a message preached on revival? The answers to these two questions reveal our attitude about revival in the church today. Sadly, there seems to be a growing contingency of people in our churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries that scoff at the idea of revival. I will never forget attending a preacher s meeting in Ohio years ago as an impressionable graduate student and hearing a seminary president preach a message that downplayed the idea of revival. I was shocked, to say the least. Hearing that message caused me to think that maybe the statement Seminary is cemetery was right after all. While I am not against higher education in the Christian realm, I am against an intellectual approach to the power and might of God. Every Christian college and seminary should promote the cause of revival, not hinder it. A few months ago, I was preaching on the subject of revival, and I was met by an older gentleman at the end of the service. This man shared with me his pessimistic view of revival. He believed that God could not send a revival in our day. He said that we are too far gone. I will be the first one to admit that America has gone a long way in the wrong way, but Biblical examples of revival give me hope. One such example in the Old Testament is Josiah, the boy king. His story is told in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23. Imagine walking into the throne room of the king of Judah and finding an eight-year-old boy sitting on the throne, entertaining himself with some childish game or trick. This young boy grew into a mighty king and was used by God to bring a revival to a nation. We need young servants of the Lord with hearts like Josiah. In 2 Kings 22:2, we see Josiah s unswerving commitment to the Lord. He did what was right in God s sight and was not distracted to the right or left in his pursuit of God. The word commitment is a foreign word in our churches and culture today. Commitment in the church is lacking because commitment to the Lord is at a low ebb. Some Christians today are more concerned about living right in the sight of man rather than the sight of God. Others have been turned to the left or right by pride or doctrinal error. Commitment to God is a precursor for revival. Josiah also had an unquestioning respect for the Word of God and a response to it. In 2 Kings 22:8, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law and it was brought to the king to be read. After hearing the law read, Josiah rent his clothes because the law revealed the wicked state of the CONTINUED INSIDE Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:45 am 7:00 pm Pastor Benny Bagwell Pastor Terry Coats Dr. Marc Monte Pastor Dan Reed Pastor Walt Coles Pastor Steve Love Dr. John Godfrey, Sr. Pastor Mike Edwards Pastor Dan Reed Dr. Ron Comfort Local Church Midweek services Pastor Mike Edwards Dr. Ron Comfort Ensemble Concert Dr. Ron Comfort

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To the Regions Beyond: Paul and Loretta Hitz Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Arctic Canada Paul Hitz surrendered to missions as a teen and then attended Ambassador Baptist College to prepare for

Now the Hitz family is newly arrived at their field of labor. Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, is the capital of Nunavut, the new independent part of Arctic Canada. This area is the Far North.

But there are over 6,000 people in this boomtown, and they have no Gospel. After graduation and marriage in 2006, Paul and Loretta joined Points North Baptist Missions in New Philadelphia, Ohio.

After deputation, the Hitzes moved to Rankin Inlet, on the shores of Hudson Bay in Canada, to work with Nathan and Becky Jones.

For this first year in Iqaluit, language study is taking first priority. The Hitzes are newcomers to the city, and it will take time to establish rapport with the people.

Without the leavening effect of the Gospel, Baffin Island has become a very wicked place where people are consumed with greed.

PRAISE PRAYER& & R PRAYER God s power on Ensemble Spring Tour services and Spring Bible Conference God s direction for students summer ministries and internships Graduation Offering & PRAISE God s

Bob Dalton Ambassador Baptist College A study of the movement called Fundamentalism, beginning with the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy of the early 20 th century, up to the present time,

2 ? Would you prefer to receive The Ambassador electronically rather than by snail mail? The Ambassador sador is now available by in PDF format. To change subscription, visit request that your?l?your?w.ambassadors.edu/n?and? Ambassador subscription be?anged changed from postal mail to format. To the Regions Beyond: Paul and Loretta Hitz Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Arctic Canada Paul Hitz surrendered to missions as a teen and then attended Ambassador Baptist College to prepare for ministry. While he was in college, God directed his heart toward the peoples of the North. God also led him to Loretta Schrock, who just wanted to serve the Lord wherever her husband wanted to go. Now the Hitz family is newly arrived at their field of labor. Iqaluit, on Baffin Island, is the capital of Nunavut, the new independent part of Arctic Canada. This area is the Far North. There are no trees of any kind on Baffin Island. Prices are high; for example, a regular box of ice cream costs more than $10. Modest homes sell for $300,000. But there are over 6,000 people in this boomtown, and they have no Gospel. After graduation and marriage in 2006, Paul and Loretta joined Points North Baptist Missions in New Philadelphia, Ohio. They now have 3 children: Paul John, Kenny, and Micah, who was born in Iqaluit on August 16, Their home church is Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dallas, NC. After deputation, the Hitzes moved to Rankin Inlet, on the shores of Hudson Bay in Canada, to work with Nathan and Becky Jones. They lived there for 9 months, learning from the Jones family how to get along in the Arctic. After a brief trip home, they moved to Baffin Island. For this first year in Iqaluit, language study is taking first priority. The Hitzes are newcomers to the city, and it will take time to establish rapport with the people. Paul s goal is to be able to preach in the Inuktitut language a year from now. Without the leavening effect of the Gospel, Baffin Island has become a very wicked place where people are consumed with greed. Paul and Loretta are needed there, and any help those of us in warmer climates can send their way would be greatly appreciated. PRAISE PRAYER& & R PRAYER God s power on Ensemble Spring Tour services and Spring Bible Conference God s direction for students summer ministries and internships Graduation Offering & PRAISE God s financial provision for many students to return for spring semester Several new students for the spring semester Powerful Opening Revival services History of Fundamentalism Dr. Bob Dalton Ambassador Baptist College A study of the movement called Fundamentalism, beginning with the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy of the early 20 th century, up to the present time, focusing primarily on the development of various fundamental Baptist groups and their distinctives. June 6 10, 2011 Cost: $800 for Credit (4 hours of Masters-level credit) $200 for Audit Special tuition discount for pastors of churches that support ABC monthly: $200 for Credit Any interested student may audit the course. To receive credit, the following criteria must be met: ABC graduates may enroll in the program if they have more than two years of ministry experience. Non-ABC graduates may enroll if they have more than ten years of ministry experience, have a bachelor s degree, and are in agreement with Ambassador s philosophy and doctrinal statement. If you would like more information about the M.Min. program, please info@ambassadors.edu. For specific questions about enrollment, please contact our Academic Dean Dr. Charles Surrett at csurrett@ambassadors.edu. For information about on-campus housing, call or info@ambassadors.edu. For more information, visit

THE AMBASSADOR BAPTIST COLLEGE ENSEMBLE 2 0 1 1 You are invited to come hear the ABC Ensemble during this year s Spring Tour!

3 THE AMBASSADOR BAPTIST COLLEGE ENSEMBLE You are invited to come hear the ABC Ensemble during this year s Spring Tour! Each evening will feature several selections of special music, followed by a message preached by Dr. Alton Beal. Your heart is sure to be blessed by the combination of music and preaching. One of these concerts includes a Friends Banquet. Please look to see if it is in your area. To have a reservation ticket mailed to you, please kguisinger@ambassadors.edu or call Friday, March 11 Saturday, March 12 S P R I N G Mikado Baptist Church, Macon, GA (YOUTH RALLY) Grace Baptist Church, Columbus, GA Sunday, March 13 (am) Oakside Baptist Church, LaGrange, GA Sunday, March 13 (pm) Somerville Baptist Church, Somerville, AL Monday, March 14 Smyrna Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL Tuesday, March 15 Memorial Baptist Church, Ocala, FL Wednesday, March 16 Thursday, March 17 (am) Thursday, March 17 Friday, March 18 Saturday, March 19 T O U R Dr. Alton Beal Gospel Baptist Church, Bonita Springs, FL Gospel Christian School, Bonita Springs, FL Volusia County Baptist Church, Orange City, FL Deltona Christian School, Deltona, FL Mountain View Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL (FRIENDS BANQUET) Sunday, March 20 (am) Harvest Baptist Church, Acworth, GA Sunday, March 20 (pm) Oakwood Baptist Church, Anderson, SC Ambassador Baptist College Lattimore, North Carolina Check for updates. 101 Stockton Street PO Box 158 Lattimore, North Carolina Dr. Alton Beal President Dr. Ron Comfort Chancellor

4 Are you a young person in grades 7 12 who is serious about serving the Lord? Are you considering full-time Christian service? Join the Scouts and the Explorers and learn the importance of seeking the old paths as a young person in order to impact your generation! +

A Word From the President CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE people. I am afraid that we have raised a generation which has a familiarity with the Bible but little appreciation for it.

Perhaps it was a tear in your eye, a smile on your face, or a bent knee at an altar.

5 A Word From the President CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE people. I am afraid that we have raised a generation which has a familiarity with the Bible but little appreciation for it. As a result, there is no response to it. Josiah was so moved by the book of the law that he tore his clothes. When is the last time that you visibly responded to the Word of God? Perhaps it was a tear in your eye, a smile on your face, or a bent knee at an altar. If we are going to see revival in our day, we must regain a deep respect for the Bible and be willing to respond to it. The last thing we see about Josiah and the revival in his day was an uncompromising purging of sin. He burned the vessels and images of Baal and broke down the high places of false worship in 2 Kings 23. Idolatry is alive and well in the church today. While Christians today are not The 2011 Graduation Offering May 6, 2011, will be a special day for many people. Graduates will receive their hard-earned diplomas or certificates. Parents will rejoice as their children pass a major milestone in their ministry preparation. Another special thing about Commencement night will be the Graduation Offering. The first annual Graduation Offering will be received on the night of Commencement. This offering will be used to offset the rising expenses incurred while training men and women for the ministry. In the past, this increase has been passed directly to our students in the form of tuition increases. We need your help. We are praying that God will provide our goal of $100,000 by May 6 th, so we can refrain from raising the tuition rate for the school year. During the school year, we have seen more students struggle financially than ever before. How can you help? Churches across the country will be receiving a special offering for ABC between now and May 6 th, to help our students. Pastors will be designating a night to receive a special offering for the Graduation Offering and sending it to the college before May 6 th. Individuals are also welcome to contribute and participate in the Graduation Offering. Please join us in prayer for the first annual Graduation Offering! For more information, or to donate online, visit our website at worshiping gods of stone or gold, some are bowing to the gods of entertainment and pleasure. Many gather around the television on weeknights to see who will be the next American Idol. Whatever happened to Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex. 20:3) or I will not give my glory unto another (Isa. 48:11)? What idol are you refusing to surrender? If we are going to see revival in our day, we must be willing to deal with the sin in our lives. Revival is not a hoax. It is the hope of our churches and our nations. We need Josiahs who will be committed to the Lord, sensitive to His Word, and willing to deal with personal sins and strongholds. May the subject of revival be on our hearts more this year than ever before. It s an honor to be in the ministry. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12) Church Music Ministry Seminar July 21 22, 2011 Lloyd Smith Ambassador Baptist College will be hosting a Church Music Ministry Seminar on Thursday and Friday, July 21 22, 2011, during our annual Landmark Conference and Camp Barnabas. Lloyd Smith will be the guest speaker, and he will teach on subjects such as Dynamic Congregational Singing, Enlisting Choir Members, and Use of the Orchestra in Church, among others. The seminar will cost $50 and includes meals, conference sessions, and materials, and is intended for anyone who serves in the music ministry at their church. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a full choir and accompanying orchestra. For more information, visit our website:

6 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID CHARLOTTE NC PERMIT NO AMBASSADOR BAPTIST COLLEGE P.O. Box Stockton Street Lattimore, NC RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED FEBRUARY Ron Comfort Evangelistic Ministry FEBRUARY - APRIL Gospel Light Baptist Church Pastor Bobby Roberson Walkertown, NC Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Bill Wingard New Bern, NC Westgate Baptist Church & School Pastor Bill Bethea Spartanburg, NC Tabernacle Baptist Church Pastor Scott Hooks Hickory, NC MARCH 6 11 Bible Baptist Church Pastor Ron Allen Matthews, NC Apr.1 Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Lloyd Donica Hampton, VA APRIL 3 8 Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Jody Jenkins Gray, TN Heritage Baptist Church Pastor Mike Edwards Woodbridge, VA Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at Alton Beal Evangelistic Ministry FEBRUARY - APRIL 2011 FEBRUARY 6 (am) Northside Baptist Church Pastor Mike Felber Charleston, SC (pm) Kennerly Road Baptist Church Pastor Gary Ledbetter Irmo, SC (am) Vernon Forest Baptist Church Pastor James Brown Winston Salem, NC (pm) Mount Bethel Baptist Church Pastor Bobby Watts East Bend, NC Westgate Baptist Church & School Pastor Bill Bethea Spartanburg, SC (pm) Fellowship Baptist Church Pastor Bryce Hager Taylors, SC MARCH 6 10 Cashmere Baptist Church Pastor John Offenburger Cashmere, WV ABC Ensemble Spring Tour see newsletter insert APRIL 3 8 Calvary Baptist Church Pastor Dean Bowser Covington, VA Please check our website for updates to the itinerary at COMING Ev ve nt EVENTS Spring Break Saturday through Sunday, March Bible Conference Monday through Friday, March Founder s Day Thursday, March 24 Graduate s Banquet Saturday, April 30 Commencement Concert Thursday, May 5 Baccalaureate Chapel Friday, May 6, at 10:00 AM Commencement Exercises Friday, May 6, at 7:00 PM

the Spring 2013 The Bible teaches that God can be grieved. Grieving God A Word from the President by Dr. Alton Beal

the Spring 2013 The Bible teaches that God can be grieved. Grieving God A Word from the President by Dr. Alton Beal the Ambassador Spring 2013 Grieving God At the beginning of the year, I decided to try a Bible reading plan that I have never tried before. Like most Bible reading plans, it had me starting in the book