Bible college is not what you think it is. At least, that’s what I would say to myself when I was 17. Your faith gets shaken to the core. Your theology gets sharpened. Your friendships change. Your search for a church is difficult. Your daily devotion is challenged.
What are the most important things I would do again or try to do if I could start Bible college all over again? What if I started over with all the same circumstances in place? Well, I would do five things.
1. I would find and go to a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, Bible-structured, Bible-obedient church.
I would go to and serve at Armitage Baptist Church. The pastors there—Drew, Jeremy, and Steve—have all been a blessing to me and the church. I have grown so much because of their faithful handling of the Word and servant-hearted leadership. I also remember when an older couple, Kurt and Janice, invited me and my friends to their house for dinner to get to know one another. This showed me that the Armitage church members were true examples of Christ’s love and acceptance. Unity in Christ was also evident in the fact that the congregation consisted of more than 10 different nationalities. For me, worshipping the same God with believers from different nations at Armitage was truly a glimpse of Heaven.
2. I would set aside time every day to be in the presence of God.
I would remember that reading the Bible for homework should not be a substitute for my daily devotion. I often thought that reading the Bible for class or homework was enough for me, but I was wrong. Most of the Bible knowledge went into the head and not the heart. I would strive to be alone with God whenever I can to remind and refresh myself of who He is and who I am in Him. To yearn for His presence is to know and love Jesus, not just theology. If theology doesn’t lead me to love Jesus more, it is dead theology.
3. I would rely on God above others.
I would always run to God first before running to others. I often ran to my college community first rather than God. I depended on human love, which wasn’t altogether wrong. If the love of others is where my sole dependence is, I would see that that kind of love is prone to fail. However, I am also most definitely not saying that depending on the community is bad. I am saying that, unlike our love, God’s love is unfailing. Therefore, I would primarily rest my full assurance on God before others.
4. I would remind myself every single day why I am there.
I would remember why God has called me, firstly, to a new life in Christ and, secondly, to pastoral ministry because they drive me to do all for the glory of the Lord. It is easy for me to be distracted by the whims of college life. However, I must take seriously my studies and remember why God called me so that I don’t lose sight of my calling and purpose for His glory. I would be diligently trained and equipped for the ministry by remembering these things.
5. I would surround myself with a God-fearing, Jesus-loving, Bible-believing community that keeps me accountable.
I would remember that my daily battle with sin and temptation is real. The daily battle to be more like Jesus is real. Living with God-fearing people who genuinely care about me is vital to my spiritual growth. Instead of having people try to figure out why I am not acting like myself, I need to be honest with them about where I am spiritually and seek accountability from them. I need to realize that I cannot do it on my own.
I was blessed to have several loving and caring communities, and there is nothing I would do to change who they were. I would do it all over again with the same beloved friends—my very own brothers and sisters in Christ—specifically, Joe Waite, Genna Laesch, Hannah Kim, and Andrea Maxwell.
Conclusion
If I could go back to the beginning of my Bible college years, I would do those five things. My experience at Moody Bible Institute was a blessing, and it brought so many valuable lessons for friends, faith, and life. I could not have done anything without God and others. I could not have grown without the grace of God. Soli Deo Gloria.
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