Witnessing History

Yesterday (May 24, 2009) may very well prove to be an historic moment in conservative fundamentalism. What happened? Pillsbury Baptist Bible College graduated their 52nd and final class.

My wife and I attended the small graduation ceremony, which in itself was unique from other commencements of the like in that it was not held at their campus in Owatonna, MN but at a small church in St. Paul. There was a reason for this of course - the college campus was closed in December, 2008.

So, how did they graduate this 52nd and final class when their campus closed? The small graduating class of '09 had been there for three and a half years and the school wanted them to be able to not only have a PBBC diploma, but also to be able to have a commencement together because the class had split up to various Bible Colleges throughout the country to finish their last semester. This in itself was momentous, that all the colleges of like faith and practice would open their doors and absorb these students in an hour of great need. Actually, it is not that surprising, for what else is a sister college to do when a dying institution is in need?

The thing that got me to thinking about this was the closing prayer by Dr. Julian Suarez. In this prayer, Dr. Suarez mentioned the fact that this was the 52nd and final class and that for the past 50 years the world had been feeling the effects of PBBC graduates who have gone into the ministry, and now, with this final class, if the Lord would tarry, those who walked across the platform yesterday would have the opportunity to make the final impact on the world for Pillsbury. Obviously it is understood that they would make an impact for the Lord, but the point is that they received their Bible training at this institution.

There has been discussion about the causes leading up to PBBC's closing and whether or not it could have been prevented. That need not be addressed here for it is 'water-under-the-bridge' so to speak (unless one is discussing the current institutions and strategies to survive in the present economic situation). The fact is, what Dr. Suarez said is true, that for the next 50 years, if the Lord tarries, these young men and women will be able to be a testimony of the value of training at a Bible college, and more specifically, at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College.

Only eternity will fully tell the impact that these 52 graduating classes will have had for Christ, and my prayer is that it is widespread and meaningful.

Churches will come and go, and so will academic institutions, but the Word of God will never pass away. I am thankful for the vision of such men as R.V. Clearwaters, the first president, to Greg Huffman, who presided over the school in its last days (see a brief history here, though Dr. Huffman is not mentioned - he succeeded the presidency after Dr. Crane and his tenure was extremely short).

My last musing on this topic occurred as we drove away from the commencement, namely that it is too bad that schools don't do more together, especially those who are on the same page doctrinally. Upon further reflection, this will probably never take place, and that's okay, but bear with me. I realized that when I went through my undergraduate, at what is now Northland International University, I didn't know many people from the other institutions. I suppose that is largely unavoidable due to geographical differences as well as the focus (which should legitimately be there) on academics and study, but it is encouraging to see other young men and women who are passionate to serve the Lord in ministry graduating from these other schools.

Pillsbury Baptist Bible College has now passed into history, but its story is still being written as its students go into the ministry and continue to share the gospel, preach the word, and be a light in a dark and dying world.