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ABC’s Heart for Missions

ABC’s Distinct Symbol—Our Cupola 2Why Missions In America 4

The Reiter Chair of Pastoral Ministry 6

All of us have witnessed the impact of symbols. For example, the numbers “9/11” will continually remind us of the disaster of that day. The unfurling

of our nation’s flag—the red, white and blue—pro-duces a response of identity with our country as a symbol synonymous with the USA.

Appalachian Bible College has a distinct symbol of identity—our Cupola. Let me share why we have come to cherish this so much.

Humble facilities characterized our early years. The original borrowed facilities of the Pettus Baptist Church outside Whitesville, West Virginia, and the subsequent undeveloped dairy farm of Bradley, West Virginia, did not naturally offer much in the way of a symbol of identity. Those were challeng-ing days of extreme austerity. Resources were scarce so the thought of an “identifying symbol” only existed in the imagination of our leaders.

However, the day came in 1957 when the campus structure we now call Pipkin Hall was adorned with a custom-made cupola. This addition, centered on the roof above the main entrance to the only building on campus, would embellish the modest cinder-block structure. The beauty and stateliness of this cupola quickly became identified with the

college. Tracing our history from 1957, we find literature pieces, stationery heading, and pictorial collections including the cupola as the “symbol” of ABC.

But far more than just aesthetic beauty, the cupola captures the essence of why we exist!

Accompanying the original wooden cupola was a functioning weathervane placed on top of the fix-ture. With its bold directional letters N-S-E-W placed at the peak of the cupola, it was easy to observe every direction of the globe.

That this cupola truly did accurately identify us arrested my thoughts one day! As I observed “our symbol’s” global markings and its peak pointed toward heaven, two ideas raced through my heart.

First of all, Appalachian is seeking to draw students from every direction to come to our campus to be educated and equipped to serve the Lord. Through the years, we have seen

Daniel L. An-derson, Th.D.,

President—Psalm 84:11, 12

View Dr. Anderson’s itinerary online by visiting Office of the President at www.abc.edu.

God bring students to us both from our country and from countries around the world. Our symbol is right. North, South, East, West—all represent the scope of our campus family of servants.

Secondly, as I focused on that cupola, I was struck with this anal-ogy—we want to send forth servants to edify the Church all around the world. Our passion is a global one. North, South, East, West—we want to point souls to Heaven through the unlimited Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today if you were to visit our campus, you would see two prominent examples of “our symbol.” One continues in its location atop Pipkin Hall which now houses our administrative offices and our library. The second is located atop Anderson Hall which houses our chapel, the center of our spiritual emphasis, as well as housing our music facilities, illustrative of our commitment to ministry service.

Both of these examples of our identity stand out against the sky-line of our campus with their mes-sage of carrying the mission of the local church to the corners of the globe. Today these cupolas have actual globes on top of their white towers. Direc-tional lines intersect through these globes amplify-ing our message: “Go ye therefore and teach all nations.” (Matt. 28:19).

As you regularly see our symbol, the cupola, portrayed on our literature, please pause and reflect on our task to bring students from around the world to prepare to serve the church around the world pointing them to heaven …because Life is for Service.

FAR MORE THAN JUST

AESTHETIC BEAUTy, THE

CUPOLA CAPTURES THE

ESSENCE OF WHy WE ExIST!

from the PresiDenT’s HeArT

TRAVEL UPDATE

MINISTRY TEAM

Ladies ConferenceDuring the annual Ladies Conference hosted by the ABC Ladies Auxiliary on June 24-25, 2011, women from over 30 churches gathered to learn from Sue Fallin, founder of Gath-ering Manna Ministries, as she shared what God taught her during her “wilderness.” God allows time in the wilderness to purge us of sin and force dependance upon Him. Emerg-ing from the wilderness, we will either be bitter or beautiful. The key? Choose to trust. Choose joy.

Accompanying the ministry of the Word was the ministry through music presented by the ABC Gospel Heralds as well as three practical workshops. Fun activities, scrumptious food, and refreshing fellowship rounded out the weekend allowing the women to return home better equipped to be “Blossoming in the Wilderness.”

Gospel HeraldsThe Gospel Heralds travelled for ten weeks, encouraging believers and witnessing to the lost through their concert “So Great a Salvation.” God used them in a variety of settings including church concerts,

the ABC Ladies Conference, a Missions Confer-ence, and even a Bible Camp in Missouri! Through testimo-ny, drama, and song, the grace of our God was exalted.

JubilateWith 21 concerts in 13 days in 7 different states, the Jubilate, ABC’s English Handbell Choir, lived out the theme of their con-cert: “Required...Serve the Lord.” Whether playing dodgeball with Christian school students, spending time with host families, or ringing and singing, this team minis-tered both within and without the concert. With a spiritually uplifting program featur-ing familiar hymns, new choruses, and a humorous drama, the Jubilate members were used by God to challenge Christians regarding the depth of their commitment to the Lord’s service.

Nurturing Hearts for GodWhat You Can Expect form a Campus Visit

1. experience a personal touch. Recognizing the unique-ness of each potential student, we do not have a cookie cutter campus visit plan for every visitor. Instead, we strive to pair visitors to classes and faculty from their pre-ferred major and activities to their interests.

2. expect family centered. To get a feel for ABC be-fore enrollment, families are encouraged to visit together, lodged at no cost, and provided meals in the Hanmer Dining Hall while on campus.

3. exposure to a spiritual atmosphere. Visiting students may attend chapel services or be involved with our stu-dents in dorm devotions or prayer groups to see how our unique servanthood focus is “fleshed out.”

4. equipped by every resource. Like any campus visit, there is a campus tour as well as the opportunity to sit down with departments such as Financial Aid, Academ-ics, and Admissions.

5. encouragement in decision making. Searching for a school is a difficult and often pressure-filled task. We fully encourage every student to prayerfully seek the Lord’s leading and godly council in this important decision.

set up your personal campus visit today! Visit www.abc.edu or contact admissions@abc.edu or call 800-678-9ABC.

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CATCHing UP

Before we answer the why question, we first need to understand

the what question. Defini-tions of missions range from all the activities of all believers to the special activities of select individu-als (i.e., missionaries).

So, What is Missions?Scripture clearly reveals that it is the responsibility of all believers to “proclaim the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” while “having [our] con-duct honorable among the Gentiles” (1 Pet 2:9, 12). Therefore, believers must proclaim Christ with their mouths while living in such a way that the Christ they proclaim is reflected in their actions.

Does this mean that all believers living and pro-claiming Christ are mis-sionaries? Since all believers are sent to be witnesses of Christ, it may be legitimate to look at missions this way. However, if we consider the book of Acts, we see that there were also individuals set apart by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the church in Antioch for a specific purpose (Acts 13:1–4). Along the way others joined this team. Some

were involved primarily in evangelism and church planting, while others stayed behind to strength-en the church and train leaders [appoint elders] when the team moved on.

Therefore, a biblical defini-tion of missions could be the activities of committed, faithful believers, sent out by their local churches primarily for the purpose of making disciples, establishing new local churches, and training and equipping church lead-ers to reproduce this objec-tive both here at home and throughout the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 13:1-3; Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim 2:2).

Several things regarding missions should be recog-nized as we study Scrip-ture. First, it is the local church’s responsibility to identify and send out mis-sionaries—people who are already committed, faithful servants. It is not up to individuals to volunteer or para-church organizations to recruit. Second, local churches have the task of training and equipping the missionaries they are send-ing. Because not all local churches have the ability or personnel to train leaders, schools like Appalachian Bible College and mission

agencies exist—to assist the local churches in fulfilling their responsibility. Third, the work of missions is to be done both at home and throughout the world. We cannot justify neglecting home missions by boast-ing of our efforts in foreign fields. Where are those we are sending getting their training and experience? Someone once said, “Don’t send a lamp to the mission field that will not burn at home.”

Why Missions in America?Some may claim that America is already a Chris-tian nation, so why do missions in America?

According to a 2008 Pew Forum study, 70 percent of American adults endorse the statement, “Many religions can lead to eternal life;” more than half … of those self-identified as members of evangelical Protestant churches agreed. Not only a trend among Western Christians, there is also a rising movement of Muslim “followers of Jesus” who nevertheless remain Muslim….[1]

One-fourth of Americans ages 18–29 are not affili-ated with any religion, and while evangelical, pro-

testant church members account for slightly more than 25 percent of the overall adult population,[2] barely 15 percent of the total population consider themselves evangelical church members who at-tend church at least once a week, and only 9 percent identify themselves as evan-gelicals who believe that their “religion [Christianity] is the one, true faith lead-ing to eternal life.”[3]

These statistics do not describe a Christian na-tion. In fact, it appears that less than ten percent of the population have a clear understanding of the Gospel. There is an urgent need in this country for the faithful proclamation of the Gospel, for the diligent discipling of believers, for a committed effort in planting churches, and for the dedicated equipping of servants of the Lord.

Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (John 4:35–36).

[1] Michael Horton, The Gospel Commission: Recovering God’s Strategy for Making Disciples, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011), 91-92.[2] The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, http://religions.pewforum.org/reports[3] The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, http://religions.pewforum.org/portraits

25%of Americans ages 18–29 not affiliated with any religion

70%of American adults

believe many religions lead to eternal life

>90%of Americans do NOT

have a clear understanding of the Gospel

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“This summer, I was privileged to work as a summer missionary with a children’s ministry. I was over a team of teenagers who went into different homes, low income apartment complexes, and churches, and held Five Day Clubs or assisted the church with their Vacation Bible School. God allowed me to demonstrate to my teammates and the children we served the deeper appreciation for His Word which I learned here at ABC. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to both study here at ABC and to put what I have learned into action.”

Kasie Mills

“I served at Alpine Bible Camp as Guys Head Counselor, supervising the male counselors and making sure that they were serving the Lord and walking with Him on a daily basis. The Lord has given me a desire to serve young adults, discipling them in the area of serving Christ. I am a Youth and Family Ministry Major at ABC; God has really used the classes and the instructors to apply the things I’ve learned in the area of discipleship and serving others. Practical Christian Service in the area of camp is one of the greatest opportunities I have ever received…because life truly is for service.”

Jon Miller

“I had the great opportunity to serve in Northeast and Southern Brazil for my Mission Internship. Talking to people at ABC’s Missions Conference

really drew me to Brazil, and I believe it is where God is calling me to serve. God blessed me with many different speaking opportunities, for which my Homiletics class prepared me. I also got to use things I learned in missions classes to help the missionaries with whom I stayed.”

Jason Moreland

Alpine Ministries AlertAs Alpine wraps up this summer’s season having hosted nearly 3000 guests from 18 states, it’s time to start gearing up for next summer! That’s right! It is not too soon to start making plans to experience God’s creation through adventure recreation activities such as Whitewater Rafting, Caving, Rappelling, and more. Alpine Adventures offers opportunities to interact with God’s Word through hands-on experiences which bring biblical principles and practical application to life.

Equipping on the Front Lines

How is god using Alpine Adventures for His glory? Here is just one testimony:

“I am incredibly grateful to God for the selfless love you showed to our group, especially in the care the rafting guides gave to Jim (name changed), who needed assistance. Since he was a new contact for our church (and likely still in need of Jesus’ saving work), I was immensely thankful that God used you all in responding to that incident. More generally, through our visit to ABC I was repeatedly drawn to the Lord by the service of various individuals there. I’m so grateful that God gave us the chance to take such a positive trip . . .”

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New SupportBest supportAshville, OH, $100 a month Ashville, OH, $50 a monthDover, OH, $15 a month Grove City, OH, $25 a monthGrove City, OH, $50 a month Orient, OH, $65 a month Strasburg, OH, $25 a month Brandywine, MD, $50 a month Waldorf, MD, $50 a month Waldorf, MD, $50 a month Faison, NC, $25 a month Littleton, NC, $25 a month Littleton, NC, $25 a month Suffolk, VA, $100 a month

BurCH supportPleasant Gap, PA, $50 a month

Burrer supportFort Wayne, IN, $50 a month Saint Clair, MI $25 a month

CArfrey supportBell Creek Missionary Baptist

Church, Dixie, WV, $247.50 a month, and $165 a month to General Fund

CHesley supportDanville, VA, $10 a monthMcAllen, TX, $50 a month

rinker supportPiney View Bible Church, Piney

View, WV, $75 a month

sMitH supportFalling Waters, WV, $100 a month

One-time GiftsBest Sarahsville, OH $150Strasburg, OH $50 Factoryville, PA $100 Clinton, MD $100

BurCHPrinceton, WV $200

CHesleyPrinceton, WV $100

HAnsHewHuntsville, AL $300

kniCelyPrinceton, WV $100

pinterPrinceton, WV $100

skAggsHico, WV $25 Hico, WV $50

The Reiter Chair of Pastoral MinistryDr. Paul Reiter was a classroom institution here at

Appalachian Bible College. His Pauline exams were legendary and a rite of passage for students. But just as great as his passion for the Word was his heart for ministry.

It is because of the testimony and example of Dr. Reiter that ABC has established The Reiter Chair of Pastoral Ministry, named in honor of Dr. Paul and Mrs. Lou Reiter, who for over 50 years modeled faithful pastoral ministry as husband and wife. Dr. Reiter was an excellent example of effective expository preaching, pastoral care, local church administration, and world missions. After effective pastoral ministry in California and Ohio, Dr. Reiter served on the faculty of Appala-chian Bible College for 35 years (1976-2011), teaching Bible, Theology, and Pastoral Studies. He was also the College’s academic dean from 1976-1985. While serv-ing full-time at ABC, he also ministered extensively to many churches as an interim pastor. Mrs. Reiter was his faithful partner in ministry, encouraging many young women regarding the role of a pastor’s wife.

The Reiter Chair of Pastoral Ministry was initiated by Paul and Kathleen Ward, who were deeply impacted by the Reiters pastoral ministry while in Columbus, Ohio. They desire to honor the Reiters by promoting the advancement of biblical pastoral ministry. Earn-ings from the endowed fund will be used to fund the salary of a faculty member teaching in Pastoral Studies. Anyone interested in honoring the Reiters by contributing toward the endowment may contact the President�s Office.

Paul and Lou Reiter with their children and grandchildren after being honored at the 2011 Spring Bible Conference6

Dan & Vicki BestYouth and Family Ministry Chair

Growing up in the southern Maryland area, Dan Best was saved at a young age and reared in a

Christian home. After his junior year of high school, Dan went as a summer missionary to Ireland. While there, a friend also serving in Ireland found out that her intended college had closed. Upon returning, Dan’s friend visited and chose to attend Appalachian Bible College. This was Dan’s first exposure to ABC, but not his last.

At the recommendation of his friend and after much prayer, Dan enrolled at ABC in the Pastoral Greek program. Unsure of where God would have him,

Dan wanted a firm foundation in the Word, knowing it was critical to any future ministry.

When asked what he learned at ABC, Dan replied, “ABC gave a strong emphasis and value to the local church as well as the local church leadership.” Dan took what he learned and for five years after gradu-

ation, volunteered as the youth leader at his local church. Sensing the Lord’s leading into a more active role, Dan and his wife, Vicki, moved to Ohio where he served for 12 years, first as an Assistant / youth Pastor and then as an Associate Pastor.

As the Lord closed doors in Ohio, Dan and Vicki were unsure where their next ministry would be. Much like his friend from years ago, Dan was led to ABC, this time not as a student, but as the youth and Family Ministries Chair.

Dan was ordained in 2002 and completed his Mas-ters in Biblical Counselling from Master’s Seminary in 2011. He desires to nurture within students a balanced approach to ministry, “Methods change, principles don’t.” He also wants to teach the value of relationships within the pastoral team and help students develop a philosophy of ministry with an emphasis on a biblical world view.

Dan & Elizabeth HanshewVice President for Academics

Dan Hanshew was raised in a pastor’s home and saved at the age of six. After high school, he

enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, with whom he served for 4 years.

After his military service, Dan enrolled at Appalachian Bible College in the Pastoral Greek program. During his time at ABC, God impressed upon Dan the im-portance of teaching people God’s Word and having a biblical perspective in all areas of life and ministry. While influenced by the faculty in the classroom, it was the personal relationship with staff members out-side the classroom that most impacted him.

After graduating from ABC in 2001, Dan attended Capital Bible Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology in New Testament. During his summers, Dan travelled back to ABC to serve as an Alpine Adventure guide. After seminary graduation, Dan served for five years as a pastor in Maryland.

Now, as Vice President for Academics, Dan’s goal is to impress upon students, “What does the Bible say, not what is expedient.” He wants ABC to set an example among Bible colleges—offering the most Bible and having academic excellence combined with a biblical perspective among the faculty.

Dan and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children and are expecting their fourth in December. Dan desires to lead the faculty in producing scholarly servants for Jesus...because Life is for Service.

ABF Welcomes Two Staff Families

Dan, Vicki, Bridget (15), Breanna (13), and Brittany (17)

Elizabeth, Dan, Evelyn (1), James (3), and Charles (5)

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Appalachian Bible College161 College Drive, Mount Hope, WV 25880

Phone: 304-877-6428Fax: 304-877-5082Admissions: 1-800-6789-ABCE-mail: abc@abc.eduadmissions@abc.eduWeb Page: www.abc.edu

President: Dr. Daniel AndersonEditor: Rev. Jonathan RinkerManaging Editor: Mr. Jarod BurrerLead Writer: Mrs. Sarah RinkerCirculation: Mrs. Donna Chesley

ALPINE MINISTRIESPhone: 304-877-6427Fax: 304-877-5046Reservations: 1-800-806-2180Web Page: www.alpineministries.com

Introspect is published through the Public Relations Department of Appalachian Bible College, Mount Hope, WV 25880.

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oct. 31–nov. 4 Prayer Emphasis Week

nov. 7–9 Missions Conference

nov. 19–27 Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 3 & 4 Christmas Concerts

Dec. 17–Jan. 9 Christmas Break

Jan. 2–6 M.A. Module “The Church and Culture,” Dr. Anderson

Jan. 11 Classes begin

feb. 3–5 Winter Camp

feb. 10 Leadership Symposium / Spangler Seminar

feb. 20–22 Tweakage Camp Leadership Conference

Mar. 2–12 Spring Break / Chorale Tour

Mar. 5–9 M.A. Module “Foundations for a Text-Based Ministry,” Mr. Rinker

Mar. 26–30 Heritage Week

Mar. 28 Day of Prayer

Apr. 5–7 Spring Preview

Apr. 6–7 Spring Festival

Apr. 9–13 Expository Preaching Week

Apr. 20–21 Youth Impact

May 3–4 Bible Conference

May 5 Commencement

events Missions ConferenceThe 2011 Mission Conference, featuring Pastor Mike DeVries, will focus on proclaiming Christ to unreached and inaccessible people groups.

symposium / seminarGreg and Debbie Blake, founders of PepWorks, come with “a message of hope for a hope-seeking world.” The Blakes will bring a contagious energy to this year’s Daniel L. Anderson Leadership Symposium and Ada Spangler Ladies Seminar.

spring previewIf you are considering where God might have you, join us for Preview 2012. you’ll enjoy opportunities to visit with staff and students, devotional times with our presi-dent, and fun activities like go karts and laser tag.

spring festivalThe annual Spring Music Festival is a great opportunity to visit campus and enjoy an evening of uplifting music reminding you about the Promises of God.

For more information go to www.abc.edu.