Grads Around the World

Bill and Pam Smith

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:29:28 -0400

The Lord had been dealing with Bill Smith for about six months prior to his conversion, and at midnight, on July 4, 1977, as he was sitting at a traffic light, alone in his car, the Lord greatly convicted Bill of his need for salvation and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Shortly after this, he acknowledged God's call on his life and surrendered to serve Him.

Bill wanted to go to a Bible college to learn as much Bible as he could. A pastor gave him a short list of schools and then mentioned that Fairhaven Baptist Church was starting a college, but that it probably wasn't the school for him because it would be too tough. When Bill heard that, he knew instantly that Fairhaven was the place for him. Six weeks later he arrived on campus, never having seen Fairhaven.

Pastor Smith has many memories of his first experience at Fairhaven. When he first came, the men's sleeping quarters were not yet completed, and for the first month he stayed in the home of a church member. But this was now his home and his college and he decided that he would jump right in and help build his college. Bill concedes he wasn't much of a student, but he enjoyed his classes very much.

The thing that had the greatest effect on him was the pulpit ministry. Bill was an empty vessel waiting to be filled, and every time Pastor Roger Voegtlin stepped into the pulpit, the Holy Spirit reached down and spoke to him. Bill remembers that the theme of the preaching during that era was prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. This would have a tremendous effect on him, as Bill learned that it wasn't programs and "how to" books that build churches, it is the power of the Holy Spirit.

Another thing that had a powerful effect on him was the bus ministry. He was given a route to build in the Miller area of Gary, Indiana. Although he was involved in many ministries at Fairhaven, the bus route was the greatest training tool. He learned how to pray for the people that God had given him on the route. He learned how to serve people on the streets of Miller. He saw the bus route grow large enough that he needed several workers; this helped him learn how to train and lead others. It was through the bus route that he learned about the nature of people and learned, by faith, to watch God do great things.

After graduating in 1981, Pastor Smith stayed at Fairhaven teaching Bible in the academy and coaching for four more years. Then in the spring of 1986, a call came from a small town in Pennsylvania, where a good man had tried for three or four years to get a church started, but to no avail. The description given to Pastor Smith at that time was, "There are no people and no money, but we need someone to come." The Lord showed him that this was the place to which God was leading him. Upon arriving, Pastor Smith found that they had stopped holding services, but they owned three acres of ground and an old, burned-out trailer. He went to work re-establishing what is now known as Forest Area Baptist Church. After one year, they saw several families come to know Christ as their Savior and saw another family return. It was here in Pennsylvania, that God blessed Pastor Smith with his wife, Pam. God has given them two wonderful children, Abigail, who is now a sophomore enrolled at Fairhaven Baptist College, and Jonathan, who is a senior in high school. On Easter Sunday of 1996, he preached his last message there with a new pastor replacing him that day.

After his resignation from that pastorate, Pastor Smith and his family spent the next year as church members in Butler, Pennsylvania, filling pulpits as needed and seeking a place to serve. During this time the Lord used Romans 15:20 in his life concerning the idea of not building upon another man's foundation. God was challenging him to start a new work. In the summer of 1997, while visiting his family, the Lord burdened Bill about planting a church in his home town. In October of 1997, he moved to Traverse City, Michigan, his family faithfully and unquestioningly following. On February 1, 1998, Zion Baptist Church held its first service.

He and his family are greatly rejoicing in what God is doing but are very much aware that Traverse City is the ecumenical hub of the north. A new church of one form or another is started every year in Traverse City. They didn't go with rose-tinted glasses, thinking that it would be easy. They knew it would take much faith and hard work to plant a church in that area. Pastor Smith has learned that God always shows His purposes in His own time. God has saved and separated several families and has built a small, but solid, Baptist church.

Recently, Pastor Smith dedicated a new 15,000 square foot church facility. They built the building themselves over a two and a half year period and the church family has been faithful throughout the building program.

One of the unique blessings of the ministry at Zion Baptist Church is that those saved and baptized there are now carrying on all of the ministries of the church, including the teaching in the Sunday School classes and working in the bus ministry.

Has it always been easy? No! There are always challenges. The greatest challenge has been presented by so called "fundamental" churches who don't practice what they claim to believe. They become offended with sound, Biblical preaching and teaching and seldom stay. Pastor Smith has determined to preach and teach true Biblical separation, and to build a solid group of workers for the Lord.

Archie and Larissa Parrish

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:26:55 -0400

Archie Parrish grew up in a Christian home in Missouri. At the age of six Archie's parents took him to a week-long revival meeting at his church. As he listened to the preaching, he knew as a young boy that he was a dirty sinner, headed for hell. He knew he needed to be clean but was inadequate to clean himself. At the invitation, the youth pastor took Archie and dealt with him concerning salvation. He turned to Christ and asked the Lord to save his soul and forgive him of his sins.

In the spring of 1997, Archie had been looking for an old-fashioned Bible college with high standards. He was also looking for a college where true holiness, revival, and prayer would be emphasized. Many talk about these things, but Archie was looking for a college where it was practiced and lived daily. He first visited the campus in April of his senior year. From that time, Archie began to pray and seek God's will; and, following God's will for his life, he came to Fairhaven to begin his freshman year as a pastoral theology major in the fall of 1997.

When Archie came to Fairhaven, he jumped in with both feet and got busy right away. Many times young people are afraid to come to college because of finances; but Archie knew that if God called him to Fairhaven, He would meet his needs. Archie was able to secure work both on and off the campus, cleaning the men's dormitory, as well as working at fast-food restaurants, a janitorial service, a telemarketing firm, and a retail store at various times.

Of the many classes that Archie took, he especially enjoyed the Christian Education classes taught by Pastor Roger Voegtlin, which emphasizes many of the practical aspects of the ministry. He also enjoyed the Children's Ministries class, as well as Baptist Distinctives.

While in college, Archie had the privilege of serving in various ministries. However, the one ministry that he really enjoyed was his nursing home ministry. He would deal with the same people week in and week out, learning their needs and sharing in their burdens. This helped him to understand a little more the heart of a pastor and working with a group of people.

After graduating in 2001, Archie went to Pioneer Valley Baptist Church in Westfield, Massachusetts, where he served as a teacher under Pastor Jerry Cleveland. Then, in June of 2003, he went to Bible Baptist Church in New Franklin, Missouri where he served as an assistant pastor until 2008. It was during this time that he met his wife, Larissa. He was chaperoning some teenagers from his church to a school competition. Larissa was also chaperoning students from a home school to the same competition. Although their churches were only 45 minutes apart in Missouri, they had never met until they came to the competition. Soon after, Archie and Larissa were married. He is very thankful for the wonderful wife that God has given him. She is a tremendous helpmeet to him and encourages him in the ministry.

In 2008, Archie began praying about pastoring a church, and in October of that year, God led him to Mountain Valley Baptist Church in Idaho. He is very excited about this opportunity to pastor. Of course, the ministry also brings its challenges. Archie wants his congregation to see the danger of the world and the flesh and to understand fully that they can have spiritual victory. While there are battles, they have seen God bless in the addition of two families as regular attendees in the past year. They are also seeing spiritual growth in the members of their church in the areas of holiness and developing a burden for souls.

Archie is thankful that God has allowed him to be in full-time ministry, especially out in the "wild west."

Chris Steig

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:32:10 -0400

While in high school, he visited several Baptist colleges. Chris's visit to Fairhaven impressed him because of its serious students and their desire to serve God. It was around that time that God called him into the ministry. Like many, Chris struggled with God's call, but eventually he submitted to God's leadership in his life.

In the fall of 1998 Chris enrolled at Fairhaven in the Pastoral Theology (Greek) program. He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor's degree and again in 2003 with a Master of Arts in Bible. Although Chris enjoyed all of his classes at Fairhaven, he most appreciated the many Bible and theology classes.

While at Fairhaven, Chris was involved with the bus ministry in central Gary, Indiana, under Mr. Brian Rinehart. Visiting the kids' houses every Saturday helped him develop personal relationships, and share the Gospel with them and their parents. This experience would prove helpful for his future ministry.

Though he learned a lot academically, Chris says that it is safe to say that the greater half of what he learned was outside of the classroom-in the bus ministry, door-to-door evangelism, and simply taking part in the church. Dr. Voegtlin and the many other preachers at Fairhaven were a blessing to Chris, deepening his spiritual life. He was continually challenged by the themes of soulwinning, revival, and determination never to quit.

Just before graduating from the Master's program in 2003, Chris was seeking God's will as to where he should go. In prayer meeting one Saturday night, a fellow student, Joe Lemon, who is now a missionary to South Korea, introduced Chris to a missionary friend of his named Jim Taylor. Brother Taylor asked Chris to go to South Korea to be a part of his ministry. Surprise gave way to reluctance as Chris considered moving six thousand miles away to a foreign country. In the months following, he prayed about the opportunity as he corresponded with Brother Taylor by email. God gave him peace and reassurance, and he moved to South Korea in November 2003 to begin ministering among the Korean people.

Teaching English in Pastor Taylor's Lighthouse Institute in Gunsan not only provides Chris with a visa and income, but also gives him the opportunity to minister to the kindergarten and elementary students with Bible verses, Bible songs, and Bible-based English curricula. Chris tries to reach them with the Gospel as opportunities arise in class, and also during their monthly "story days," during which time he gives them an invitation to be saved. Chris says that one of the greatest blessings is being able to answer a kindergartener's question: "Why did Jesus have to die?" and be able to lead students to the Lord after story day.

A week after Chris's arrival in Korea, Pastor Taylor started Victory Baptist Church in nearby Jeonju. Chris's responsibilities there include teaching adult Sunday School, filling the pulpit when necessary, ministering at the local Korean Army base, as well as being the church pianist and treasurer. He enjoys being able to share the Gospel on the streets of Jeonju, or in the Buddhist mountain villages. He was also involved in starting Victory Baptist Bible College to train Koreans for ministry. He has been blessed with serious Korean students, as well as some students from India and Myanmar who have gone back to their own countries and started churches.

One of the main challenges Chris has faced is learning the Korean language. The spoken language has been much harder than the written language. However, God has given him the grace to be able to teach Sunday School and King's Kids in the Korean language. They are also in the midst of producing a translation of the Bible in Korean based on the Textus Receptus.
Chris is thankful for both the academic and practical training that he received at Fairhaven Baptist College, preparing him to face the many challenges of serving the Lord on the mission field.

Joel and Tina Dunbar

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:24:52 -0400

Joel and Tina Dunbar both graduated from Fairhaven Baptist College in the spring of 2003. Joel was born and raised in a Christian family. At the age of six, he accepted the Lord as his Savior after watching a Christian film at church. His father, Pastor David Dunbar, led Joel to the Lord that evening. Joel first heard of Fairhaven through the Larry Ingalls family, whose daughter Heather had come to Fairhaven and spoken highly of the college. Joel knew he needed a place where he could mature, learn responsibility, and develop the character to finish what he started.

At the age of fifteen, Tina Williams was attending church with her sister. She didn't like it when so many people kept asking her about her salvation. Tina decided that she would tell everyone she was already saved so that they would leave her alone. One day at church she realized that she couldn't continue to run from God and there in her seat, in the middle of the church service, she accepted Christ as her Savior. Tina also had a friend who attended Fairhaven Baptist College and who encouraged her to look into attending college here. After attending Preaching Conference at Fairhaven at the end of her senior year in high school, Tina knew that this was the college God had prepared for her.

Looking back on their time at Fairhaven, both Joel and Tina are thankful for the opportunity of working in the ministry of the church. The bus ministry in particular helped them learn how to deal with people from various backgrounds and with varying needs.

Among their favorite classes were Pauline Epistles, Pastoral Epistles, the Life of Christ, and Old and New Testament Survey, and especially the Christian Education class as it helped to prepare them for future service to the Lord.

Joel and Tina were married in the summer of 2003 after graduating from college and went to work at First Bible Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Harley Keck. Joel was first invited to work at First Bible Baptist Church after high school graduation in a "six by six ministry." In this ministry, Joel worked six months at the church and six months on the mission field in Brazil with the Rick Matthews family. During that time, God made it clear that He would eventually lead Joel back to Brazil as a missionary. Presently Joel and Tina are working as staff missionaries, training for the mission field. There at the church Joel preaches, leads singing, teaches Sunday School, leads their soulwinning program, and works with teens. Tina is busy running the nursery, teaching Sunday School, and also working with teens. God has blessed them with a son, Silas, who will turn three years old in September.

It is their desire to be on the mission field by 2009 and to work with the Rick Matthew's family in Bauru, Brazil.

Steve and Rebekah Boots

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:34:03 -0400

For Steve Boots, being born and raised in a Christian home and attending Fairhaven Baptist Church was a special privilege God gave him. Steve was born in 1983 and was saved at the tender age of five in his kindergarten Sunday School class. Although his testimony is simple, Steve is thankful that God was merciful and spared him from the snares of a wicked life.

Upon graduating from Fairhaven Baptist Academy in May of 2001, Steve began attending Fairhaven Baptist College in the fall of the same year, enrolling in the missions program. The decision to attend Fairhaven Baptist College was not a difficult one for him because he had grown up at Fairhaven and knew exactly where the college stood on every issue.

Looking back over his college experience, Steve is grateful that he stayed busy. To help pay for his tuition, he worked part time at night and attended classes during the day. He was also involved in the sports program, playing soccer for the college.

While Steve enjoyed all of his classes at Fairhaven, the one that gave him the greatest enjoyment and the one he appreciates the most now was the Christian Education class, taught by Dr. Roger Voegtlin. While he looks back on and uses the notes he took in many of his classes, he finds that he refers back to his Christian Education class notes more than any other. This was the most practical class he took, and it is the one that is most applicable to the day in and day out responsibilities that Steve faces in the ministry.

During his college years, Steve was involved in various ministries, but primarily he was involved in the bus ministry. Without a doubt, he believes that the years he spent serving on the bus route in Gary helped to prepare him and give him a heart for the ministry.

In the summers following his junior and senior years in college, Steve had the opportunity to travel for the college ensemble and present the college in many churches. Following his senior year, the ensemble travelled to Gill Grove Baptist Church where Steve met Pastor John Brothers, who introduced him to his daughter, Rebekah. Pastor Brothers was simply introducing them out of courtesy; but as they stood there that day, Rebekah caught Steve's eye, and as they say, "the rest is history." Steve and Rebekah were married a year and a half later on December 8, 2006. Steve is thankful for the godly wife God has given him.

After Steve graduated from college in May of 2005, Steve worked in our Academy. During that year, it became clear that God was leading him to move to Virginia to work under Pastor Brothers where he would be able to train further for the ministry. So in August of 2006, Steve moved to Virginia.

Working at Gill Grove Baptist Church has been a real blessing for Steve. As an assistant pastor, he thoroughly enjoys the many and varied ministries that God has given him there. He is excited about the dramatic growth they have seen in their bus ministry this past year, as well as several families who have joined Gill Grove. But the greatest blessing for Steve and Rebekah is that God has allowed them to prepare for their future ministry on the mission field there. They are thankful that Gill Grove is a church that holds to high standards and practices separation from the world and that they can serve in a church that has a love for God and a heart for souls.

As he thinks back over the years that he grew up at Fairhaven, he remembers Dr. Voegtlin stressing the need for revival. Seeing the desire of Dr. Voegtlin's heart for revival has burdened Steve's heart to see revival in his own life, family, ministries, and church.

Jason and Aimee Atwood

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:21:05 -0400

"Find God's will and do it!" These are the words that resonate in Jason Atwood's heart and mind as he remembers his years of instruction at Fairhaven Baptist College. These are also the words that he heard growing up at Beeville Baptist Church in Texas.

Born into a Christian home, Jason made an early profession of faith, but at age thirteen, during a revival meeting, he was convicted of his true need for salvation and was saved on January 4, 1994. The following spring, Jason's parents began attending Beeville Baptist Church. Although forty miles from their home, his parents made sure that they were at church every time the doors were open. Here they were exposed to a good youth group and a pastor who truly loved his people.

After graduating from high school, Jason began attending a secular college in Corpus Christi. There he had no peace and during a mission's conference at his church, he realized that he needed to obey God's calling. After talking and praying with his dad, Jason surrendered to go to Bible college. Although he had never stepped foot onto the campus of Fairhaven Baptist College, Jason had complete peace and knew that this was the college where God wanted him. He enrolled in the fall semester of 2000, majoring in Pastoral Theology. He enjoyed his time at Fairhaven and learned much through classroom instruction as well as practical training. Jason appreciated all of his classes, but really liked Hebrew History where the Old Testament came alive for him and gave him a better understanding of both its chronology and its relation to the rest of the Bible. Practically, Jason believes that his ministries gave him a good balance for working with all types of people, from the elderly in the nursing home ministry to children through the bus and junior church ministries.

Upon graduating in 2003, Jason married Aimeé Hoover, the daughter of Pastor Paul Hoover, pastor of Souls' Harbor Baptist Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aimeé is also a Fairhaven graduate. After spending a little over a year in Frederick, Maryland, Jason and Aimeé returned to Beeville Baptist Church to serve under Pastor Tim Stowe. There Jason became the bus captain of his own route, helped organize various church activities, and led the College and Career class. During this time, God solidified his calling to the pastorate and gave him a greater zeal. God blessed Jason and Aimeé with a son, Will, on March 2, 2006. The two years that he and Aimeé spent at Beeville gave them much insight and wisdom into the pastorate as he looked to and followed the example of his pastor.

In November of 2006, Heritage Baptist Church, a small struggling church in Corpus Christi, called Jason to be their pastor. Over the past year they have seen God bless tremendously. After outgrowing their original location in a house, they completely renovated a detached garage, turning it into a church with seating for forty to forty-five people. Although they are currently meeting there, they have quickly outgrown this location as well. God has miraculously provided a church building where they will move shortly. Here, in addition to classroom space, they will have the capacity for just over one hundred people in the auditorium.

There have been many challenges along the way, but Jason and Aimeé are thankful for their home church that encouraged and assisted them as they found God's will and Fairhaven Baptist College that gave them the training to do it.

Dave and Lisa Olson

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:19:28 -0400

Dave Olson is a missionary to the needy country of Zambia, Africa. He and his wife, Lisa, along with their three young children (Sarah, Deborah, and John) are content to be serving the Lord with their lives. They arrived in Zambia in 2002 and have been actively overseeing several churches since that time.

Battling serious physical problems, as well as experiencing a near-fatal car crash, has proven trying for Dave and his family, but God has been faithful. Several times over these past five years a serious debilitating disease has wreaked havoc on his physical strength, but each time, the Lord blesses with grace for another day. Dave's weekly schedule is filled with making new contacts, traveling between the various churches, and developing nationalist men to be leaders in their respective congregations.

Dave came to Fairhaven Baptist College in 1989. Though he had been saved earlier in life, his real happiness came when he surrendered his life to the Lord. For Dave, this meant leaving Connecticut and coming to Chesterton, Indiana to begin Bible college.

While a student, Dave busied himself with learning the drywall trade to pay his way through school. In addition to the rigors of the classroom, Dave worked diligently in the ministries. His Saturday visitation partner was a fellow student named Dave Schrock. Little did these two men know that after their graduation they would both be serving God on the mission field on different continents (Brother Schrock is now a missionary to Belarus, in the former Soviet Union).

Dave has seen the benefit of following the will of God one step at a time. After graduation, he spent time as a Christian school principal, and eventually as a pastor in Nebraska. Soon, the calling to the mission field, particularly the need in Zambia, Africa, was too strong to be ignored. He sought counsel and made preparations for deputation.

Because of his determination to get to the field as soon as possible, Dave completed deputation in a very short time, and five years ago left for Zambia. His first months on the field were spent in intensive language study and working with another Fairhaven graduate, missionary Pat Gordon.

The Lord has blessed his ministry with tremendous growth in the lives of his church members. He is now searching for land on which to construct a church complex. As he and his wife, Lisa, seek to be faithful, they are reminded that God's will is not distant, but daily. Doing right each day is a principle Dave recalls being stressed from the pulpit at Fairhaven, and indeed it is a truth he seeks to practice in his ministry.

Ruth Ann Larkly

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:36:34 -0400

Growing up, Ruth Ann never became too settled in one place. Because her father was in the Army, she lived in several different states in the U.S., as well as spending time overseas in Germany. Prior to her graduation from high school, Ruth Ann and her family moved to Arizona, where her father had chosen to retire. Beginning in 1996, Ruth Ann would travel to and from southern Arizona to attend Fairhaven Baptist College.

Ruth Ann kept very busy in college. She spent one year with the college ensemble, assisted those in charge of the Monday evening Spanish ministry, and knocked on doors regularly with one of her female college teachers. "I was always happy at Fairhaven," Ruth Ann recounts. Indeed, she was rarely seen around campus without her room-brightening smile. When she graduated four years later, it's certain that she had no idea of the astounding way that God's plan for her life would unfold.

After graduation, Ruth Ann moved back to the west - not to Arizona, but to the Northwest. In Oregon, she would apply her education degree for the next few years as a teacher at Westgate Baptist Church in Tigard. Her pupils? About twenty kindergarten students. While serving the Lord in Oregon, she held strong to some key principles that had been solidified during her days in college. Her understanding of music standards had been sharpened; she saw the "why" behind Biblical dress standards; she came to love reading the Bible. After teaching in this local church Christian school for six years, she received "the call" that would initiate the next chapter of her life.

Ruth Ann had some relatives living in the Red Rocks region of Arizona. One day, a young Bible college graduate invited a lady to attend Faith Baptist Church of Cottonwood, where he was pastoring. That lady was Ruth Ann's grandmother, and that single pastor was the man about whom Ruth Ann received "the call." After attending Pastor Tim Larkly's church for a while, grandmother did a little "match-making"! "When you visit your family down here in Arizona next, I'd like you to meet the man who will be your husband," Ruth Ann was told. Though understandably skeptical at first, multiple visits, much prayer, and godly counsel all proved to both Ruth Ann and Tim that they were meant for each other.

Pastor Larkly and Ruth Ann were married in June 2005, and they began their ministry together in Arizona. One year later, a beautiful baby girl, Tirzah Larkly, was born. When asked about her thoughts concerning Fairhaven Baptist College, Ruth Ann simply says, "I tell everyone that I am so thankful for Fairhaven." And it is with joy and thanksgiving that Fairhaven looks out at graduates like Ruth Ann who remain faithful to the will of God at each station in their lives.

Bill and Marcia Hardecker

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:21:50 -0400

Bill and Marcia Hardecker are busy serving the Lord at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Brogue, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Pastor Randy Starr.

Bill's father was in the military, and he married and settled in the Philippines when his service was finished. As a result, Bill grew up in the Philippines. He was contacted by one of the soulwinners of Shepherd's Baptist Church as a teenager and was saved there under Pastor Joey Guerrero's ministry. It was during this time of attending the Shepherd's Baptist Church in Angeles City that he surrendered to preach. Pastor Guerrero recommended that he train at Fairhaven Baptist College. "I am so glad that I listened to my pastor's advice for Bible college. I look back at my years at Fairhaven and praise the Lord for allowing me to attend a Bible college that prepared me for the work of the ministry." While in school, Bill was involved in the Gary bus route, always showing a real love for the work of God and for the lost souls on his route. He also served in the junior church ministries on Sunday mornings. Now he uses all these practical experiences ministering to children at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Bill earned a B.A. in Missions ('99) and a Master's Degree in Bible ('04).

Marcia was born in Ohio and raised in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, under her father's ministry there. At about 8 years old, she trusted Christ as her Savior. Upon graduating from high school in May 1999, she attended Fairhaven Baptist College and graduated in May 2003 with a degree in Elementary Education. In college she participated in the nursing home ministry and Bible club on Saturdays, and the bus ministry and junior church work on Sundays. One of the highlights of her college memories was traveling for two years as the Fairhaven College Ensemble pianist.

Since marrying in June 2004, Bill and Marcia have been actively involved in the Lord's work. Bill is an assistant pastor in charge of missions, music, and children's ministry. Marcia is working as a church secretary and is also using her training in music and teaching. Together they joyfully serve the Lord with thankful hearts to the many friends at Fairhaven Baptist Church and College who have invested their lives into training young people. "Fairhaven Baptist College provided for us a well-rounded education that extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Fairhaven's emphasis on soulwinning, strong preaching, and standards enabled us to serve in a like-minded ministry."

Both Bill and Marcia begin every task in life with enthusiasm. They enjoy the ministry and readily accept every opportunity to serve God. They are remembered at Fairhaven Baptist Church for their willing spirit, and they have many friends here who continue to pray regularly for them.

A.J. and Karis Potter

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:24:17 -0400

Both A.J. and Karis Potter were saved in their childhood, and both of their fathers are pastors. A.J.'s father, Kit, graduated from Fairhaven in 1984 and pastors Lighthouse Baptist Church in Bear Lake, Michigan. Karis' father is Randy Miller who pastors Ottumwa Baptist Temple in Iowa. As a teen, A.J. attended several Preaching Conferences, and through the preaching at the conferences and meeting the faculty here, God led him to come to Fairhaven for his college training. Karis' brother attended Fairhaven, and after much prayer and counsel, she felt led to attend Fairhaven also.

Through the course of his college education, A.J. was involved in the bus ministry, junior church, nursing home ministry, and visitation/soulwinning ministry. Karis also learned in the bus ministry, in addition to helping at various times in the nursing home ministry, a Sunday school class, and the 5th and 6th grade junior church. Both A.J. and Karis look back on the bus ministry as the most helpful to them now that they are out of college.

Currently, they are working at Ottumwa Baptist Temple where A.J. is the bus director and youth pastor. The practical aspect of their college training has helped prepare them to deal with people with diverse problems from different backgrounds as they minister in their church's bus ministry, Sunday school, junior church, jail ministry, Bible clubs, nursing home and teen choir. Karis also plays the piano for church services.

Reflecting on his college years, A.J. particularly enjoyed the youth ministry, speech, and cults classes, which have all been useful there in Ottumwa. A.J. summarized his training this way: "I appreciate the hands-on training that I was able to receive at Fairhaven to help me transition smoothly into a position after graduation. It was a great benefit to be able to work with faculty and adult church members who had years of experience to help train me to one day have the confidence to attempt these ministries here at Ottumwa Baptist Temple."

The Potters have one son, Trent, who is 2 and are expecting another son in November.

Eric and Rosanna Ramos

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:36:28 -0400

Eric and Rosanna Ramos have worked at Fairhaven Baptist Church since he graduated in 1999. Eric grew up here at Fairhaven and attended the academy along with his brother and sister. Eric's sister Christina is a graduate and pastor's wife in Texas, and his brother Bill also graduated and is serving the Lord in Michigan.

The Ramos family is a product of the bus ministry at Fairhaven Baptist Church. Their mother was saved and Mr. Ramos allowed the family to attend faithfully and even sent all his children to the Christian school, but he never trusted the Lord himself for salvation. After over twenty years of praying, Bill Sr., was saved during a climbing trip with some of the men of our church to Mt. Whitney in California.

Rosanna grew up in Monterey, Mexico, where her parents are missionaries. Her older sister Bonita came here to college and Rosanna followed in 1995. After graduating, Eric and Rosanna were married and began working with the junior high teens, the Spanish ministry, and the Rolling Prairie bus route. Rosanna has also worked in the business office and taught Spanish in the college.

When reflecting on his college training, Eric is still affected by the emphasis on service and intensity. He remembers that classes and ministries worked "hand in hand" to teach him that God's service demands our best efforts. He says he was shown an example of "all out" work for the Lord in a "first class" way.

The Lord has led Eric to be an evangelist and he feels a particular burden for teenagers. He is scheduling meetings every other week so that he can keep his family involved in his home church. He and Rosanna are expecting their second child in October.

Jason and Heather Brenenstuhl

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:30 -0400

Jason and Heather Brenenstuhl are serving the Lord with their four children in Chisekesi, Zambia. Jason came to Fairhaven Baptist College in the fall of 1992 and enrolled in the missions program. While in school he was involved in the bus ministry and also joined the college soccer team. Heather was enrolled in the Elementary Education program and also helped on a bus route. They met in college and were married in May of 1996.

Jason took his missions trip to Zambia, and God called him to minister to the people of that country. Currently Jason oversees the ministry of five churches. One is in the main city and there are four other mission churches. He was able to use some of his experience gained in the School Administration class when he set up the schedule of services and meetings for all five ministries that are under his direction. Heather has recently used information she learned in our Children's Ministries class to put together a three-year curriculum for all the Sunday Schools in the five churches.

Both Jason and Heather appreciate the training they received from the bus captains they worked under while in college. The experience alone was valuable, but the captains took time to teach them also. Jason is very glad he was involved in sports while in college. To him it was a place to "put the classroom in practice."

The Brenenstuhls are concentrating on training men to lead the churches under their care. Pray for them in this exciting ministry!

Eli and Mari-lyn Schrock

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:44:06 -0400

Eli and Mari-lyn Schrock's families are solid supporters of Fairhaven Baptist College. Both Mari-lyn's brother and sister have attended here, and Eli was the fourth of nine Schrocks to come. Eli received his degree in Missions in 1997, was in our first Master's graduating class in 1998, and was the first to go through our church's missionary internship program. Mari-lyn came in 1997 and graduated in math and music in 2001. They were married in August 2001 and Christopher, their son, was born in May 2003.

Eli and Mari-lyn have just returned from a wonderful opportunity of service in Siem Riep, Cambodia, where they were able to help John Kenderdine and his family for the last year. They were able to learn about the Cambodian people, learn the Khmer language, and begin to adjust to the culture, all while helping build the Victory Baptist Church. They both directed a bus (truck) route, held the children's services, taught English, and went soulwinning regularly. Mari-lyn played the piano for all the services and Eli eventually was able to preach about a dozen times in the Khmer language.

Now the Schrocks are on deputation to return to Cambodia. They would like to continue the ministry they had with the Kenderdines and continue learning the language until the Kenderdines return for furlough. Then they'll lead the Victory Baptist Church during the Kenderdines' furlough; and when the Kenderdines return, Eli and Mari-lyn envision starting a new work in northern Cambodia.

Eli is thankful for the many years of experience he had working with Todd Wright in the bus ministry while in college and also appreciates the structure, discipline, and emphasis on personal godliness that was taught them while here.

John Kenderdine, with whom they worked for the last year, is especially thankful for the help they were to his ministry. He feels their surrender and determination were two keys to their successful ministry there.

Please pray for the Schrocks as they prepare to return to Cambodia. They can be reached to set up meetings at eschrock@fairhavenbaptist.org, (219) 512-2089, or by contacting Fairhaven Baptist Church.

Dave and Cindy Bottrell

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:47:32 -0400

Dave is the second of six children to Pastor and Mrs. Rodger Bottrell. Being a pastor's son, he heard the Gospel at a very early age; and before he was a teen, he accepted Christ as his Savior. Two years later, the Lord called him to preach. Cindy grew up in a Christian home and was also saved as a young child. As an active member of an independent, fundamental, Baptist church youth group, she became involved in church ministries and dedicated her life to the Lord at youth camp.

God led both of them to Fairhaven to train for the ministry. Dave came to "College Days" during our annual Preaching Conference, and students treated him like an old friend. He did not think he belonged in college but thought he should at least try. After one year, he knew he was where God wanted him.

During college Dave was able to participate in many ministries. Some of these training opportunities were: Jolly 60's, nursing home ministry, Sunday School class, mission work in Chicago, bus ministry, and a special opportunity to preach at our New Year's service. Also, during the summer of 1989, he traveled as a Neighborhood Bible Time evangelist. The training and experience of preaching and leading children and teens to Christ across the nation was very helpful. He was also a member of the Fairhaven College Ensemble. During that time, he not only sang but also was able to preach and give testimony to many teenagers about finding God's will for their lives in choosing a college. Joining the ensemble enabled him to minister in over 200 churches. A major part of his training came from working on a bus route in Gary, Indiana, for four years. This really gave him a burden for what God's work is all about; and that is, simply leading others to Christ and salvation, and then seeing them grow through much prayer and work. Dave summarizes what he learned in college with these phrases: dependability in ministry, flexibility to grow, courage to stand, tenacity to stick, and loyalty to God.

After graduation, Dave and Cindy were married. The Lord led them to Brogue, Pennsylvania, to work with Pastor Randy Starr. God blessed their ministry as associate pastor, choir director, camp director, soulwinning director, youth pastor, and VBS director. Dave and Cindy have learned a lot about working with people, raising children, living by faith, leadership, and being an example. They also learned how to deal with disappointments. Their third child was stillborn. God has taught them many things through this trial.

God used all these experiences to prepare them to plant a church in the Hunt Valley region of Maryland on the north side of Washington, D.C. Hunt Valley Baptist Church held its first service on April 25 with 75 in attendance and 15 area families represented.

Steve and Becky Damron

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:15:14 -0400

Steve Damron grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, attending Cleveland Baptist Church with his family. He was saved at the age of eight after viewing a film at the church on the rapture. In his junior year of high school at Heritage Christian School, Steve answered the call to full-time service while on a trip visiting various colleges. His pastor, Dr. Roy Thompson, recommended that he enroll at Fairhaven Baptist College to train for the ministry.

As a student at Fairhaven, Steve busied himself with his studies, ministries, work, and athletics. He was able to maintain an A average in his classes while participating in the bus ministry, helping in the teen class and in a junior church, playing basketball and soccer on the college teams, and working full time. In his senior year, Steve was hired on staff at Fairhaven to work with the junior high teens as well as fulfill various other responsibilities.

It was also in his senior year of college that Steve began dating Becky Voegtlin. They eventually married in December of 1995. God has blessed their home with three children, Jennifer, Sabrina, and Jake, with a fourth child due in July.

The Damrons fulfill various roles in the ministry at Fairhaven. Steve is now the senior high youth pastor, a position he has held for the past eight years. He also is the church business manager, a bus captain, leads a junior church class, is the college basketball coach, teaches college Bible courses, and does some of the song leading for church services. Becky helps her husband with the teens and bus route as well as working as a secretary in the college office and coaching in the girls' intramural sports program.

Joel and Deena Royalty

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:50:19 -0400

Joel Royalty and Deena De Leon came to Fairhaven Baptist College from diverse backgrounds, but God brought them together and is using them in the ministry today in a wonderful way.

Joel was brought up in a preacher's home, Pastor Ron Royalty of Gospel Baptist Church, in Poland, Ohio. Deena was first introduced to church through the efforts of the bus ministry of Pastor Don Whitecar in Richfield Baptist Church of Richfield, Ohio. As a teenager, Deena desired to go further in her Christian life; and one of the men of Richfield Baptist sponsored her to go to Heritage Baptist School in Cleveland, Ohio, for her sophomore year of high school. Deena so wanted to continue her Christian education that she worked to pay her own way through school for her junior and senior years.

Joel and Deena met in college here and after Joel graduated left to serve as assistant pastor for Pastor Royalty. God has used them for six years there working with the youth group, teaching in the Christian school, helping with the music ministry, and assisting in any way they can.

Recently, they began to pray about the opportunity to go to Mongolia and continue the ministry of Jason and Becky Muller while they are home on furlough. God gave them definite leading to go; and within just a few short months, they will be on the field. They look forward to this opportunity to be drawn closer together as a family and be used of Him there.

When they return, Joel plans to go into the pastorate and believes that God will lead them to that place of service when the time comes.

The Royaltys have two children and are thankful for the teaching and preaching on the home received first from Joel's own parents and then from the emphasis placed on it during their college training.

Clint and Rebecca Schreiber

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:52:18 -0400

Satisfaction in goals, ambitions, and desires--this is what Clint Schreiber was searching for in life as he worked on a degree in engineering at college. He did not look forward to spending the rest of his life behind an engineer's desk, however; and so after 3½ years at school, he decided to enlist in the Marines when the Desert Storm War broke out. Four years in the service showed him that a military career was not for him either, and his search continued.

At this time, Clint felt the most logical thing for him to do was to go back to college and finish his degree. Through his acquaintance with John Hall, Jr., a member of Fairhaven Baptist Church, he applied for a position that was available in the engineering office where John worked. Clint was hired the next day. Clint began to notice that John didn't do some of the things the others in the office did. As a result of John's witness, Clint got saved. His life changed completely, his focus was off the things of this world, and he found complete satisfaction in his salvation and new direction for life.

After finishing his engineering degree, Clint came to Fairhaven Baptist College and graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degree. While here, he met Rebecca Bottrell, the fifth child that Pastor Rodger Bottrell sent to college at Fairhaven. Rebecca graduated in 1998 and married Clint on December 23, 1998.

After Clint's graduation from the Master of Art's program, they moved to Jackson, Tennessee, and began working with Dr. Rick Savage at Bethel Baptist Church. Clint works with the missions program, the Spanish ministry, the bus ministry, and administrates the Christian school. Rebecca is a teacher, runs the nurseries, and helps with special events.

As he recalled his education at Fairhaven, Clint said that some of the most important principles he learned here related to understanding the functioning of the local church and working under the authority of the pastor. Clint and Rebecca have two children, Andrew (2) and Michael (1).

Greg and Pam Kirk

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:53:43 -0400

Greg Kirk was a married student when he came to Fairhaven in 1985. With the help of his wife Pam, he provided for his family, reared his three children, and took classes toward a degree in Pastoral Theology.

Before coming to college, Greg always had a desire to live out west-in the wide open spaces. All during his college years, he prayed that God would send him to begin or take over a work in Montana. After graduation in 1989, however, the Lord led the Kirks to work in a church in Pennsylvania. Greg's first thoughts were, "This isn't Montana, Lord."

Several years later he accepted the call to work with his father at the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento, California. It was the west, but it sure wasn't the wide open spaces he longed for. Working with the homeless and downtrodden is often a thankless job. The mission work has faced opposition from groups of people who think the only reason the homeless are in Sacramento is because the mission is there. Greg has filled many positions at the mission, starting as an assistant to the director, then as a chaplain, and for several years as the director of development. While he was chaplain, he wrote and implemented the mission's 11-month recovery program.

After working in the mission for over 10 years, out of the clear blue came a call from a group of people in Montana who wanted Greg to pray about taking over the work there. It seemed like a dream come true. Greg and Pam fasted and prayed and sought God's face. During this time of seeking God's will, Greg was interrupted at the mission by a drunken, cursing man. The man was on the telephone outside Greg's office, and Greg asked if he could help him. The man's name was Ed and he said he was trying to get a ride but didn't know where he was. On the other end of the phone was a crying young lady, and Greg gave her information on the mission and their drug/alcohol program. Ed was urged to stay at the mission and enroll in their program. Two days later Ed was found dead in his bunk. Greg was disturbed because he hadn't had a chance to tell him how to become a Christian. Later that day, however, he found out that the chaplain had led Ed to the Lord after the morning Bible study.

Greg felt that this "chance" encounter with Ed outside of his office was God's answer to his prayer about whether to stay or move to Montana. He knew God was confirming his call to mission work. When Greg wonders about his work with the homeless in the inner city now, he remembers the words of a poet who penned, "Some want to be in church with a pretty sounding bell; I would rather be in a rescue shop a couple yards from hell."

Greg has faced other trials in his service for the Lord, including facing the 99% probability that a tumor in his lungs was malignant and that he only had a year to live. Before surgery, Greg asked the doctor not to share the dismal prognosis with his family. He also told the doctor he believed God could handle a 1% chance and whatever happened, he knew God was in charge.

But on the day of surgery, Greg was filled with fear and strained emotions at the prospect of dying on the operating table and leaving his family behind. After surgery, he even thought they couldn't remove the tumor and had just sewn him back up. He waited for the bad news. After a few days of recuperation, the doctor called Greg and his first words were, "Well, Mr. Kirk, your God sure is good." The tumor was benign! God answered his prayer. Pam wrote later, "To God be the glory, great things He hath done. Great is His faithfulness. We have a renewed sense of the power of prayer-which brings you to your knees and the throne of God knowing God is still in control of any and all situations."

In January, Greg became executive director of the mission. He will continue to raise money for the mission, speak in local churches, oversee the staff as well as set the future course of the mission. The mission promotes many differing services such as nightly gospel services, evening meals, men's and women's residential treatment programs, a farm program that houses 25 men, food boxes, bus tickets, vocational training, and others. Every opportunity is taken to present the gospel, and the mission saw 170 converts in 2002.

The Kirk children, Kevin, Erin, and Shandela, have grown up, and Greg and Pam are excited about being grandparents soon.

Sarah Castro

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:56:52 -0400

Sarah Castro was in a dilemma regarding a Christian college to attend until a friend handed her a copy of the Fairhaven Fundamentalist. What she read was exactly what she was looking for, and attending the annual Preaching Conference sealed her decision. Little did she know that she would come to Fairhaven Baptist College from Connecticut on the East Coast and end up teaching in El Sobrante, California, on the West Coast.

Pastor Kent Brandenburg, who is originally from Indiana, went to the San Francisco suburb in 1987 and founded Bethel Baptist Church. Sarah is the third grade teacher in their Christian school, Bethel Christian Academy. It has been a blessing to Sarah to be able to serve in a local church ministry where the preaching is straightforward and Biblical standards are upheld. Pastor Brandenburg also writes the gospel tracts and discipleship literature for the church.

Through teaching Sarah has opportunity to mold young lives and guide them both educationally and spiritually. On occasion she has had a student come to her desk to tell her that he accepted Jesus as his Savior, but it was especially rewarding when she was able to lead one child to the Lord personally. She also has a burden for the parents of her students, some of whom are Spanish-speaking due to the national diversity of the area. Sarah, having been raised in a bilingual home, is glad she is able to communicate with these parents in their native tongue and help them with their unique problems.

Looking back on her education at Fairhaven Baptist College, Sarah appreciates being totally prepared to take a teaching position. This gives her confidence not only in her teaching skills but also in knowing that God takes care of each detail in His will for her life.

Gary and Lisa Zdziarski

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:59:43 -0400

"Once a city boy, always a city boy" describes Gary Zdziarski. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and says anytime he has been away from Chicago he feels a little homesick. His pastor, Eddie Duracka, from Garfield Ridge Baptist Church, directed Gary to look into Fairhaven Baptist College. From college on, Gary sums up God's will for his life as a test of patience.

After college Gary went through an exercise of patience regarding finding a wife. It became a humorous highlight of the annual Alumni gathering to hear Gary stand up and read poems with pleas to any available prospect to please look his way. Patience proved perfect when he found Lisa Hummel, also a graduate of Fairhaven Baptist College. Lisa's father, Larry Hummel, was a pastor in Pennsylvania for several years and is now pastoring in South Carolina. Growing up as a pastor's daughter prepared Lisa for the tests of patience they were to face together.

After returning to his home church as assistant pastor for awhile, God led Gary to what he thought was the worst place on earth for him, Jefferson City, Missouri, with no people, no traffic, no noise, just the sound of crickets at night. He greatly missed city life, but God developed areas of his life there and gave him experience working in a small, growing church. When he was ready, God led him back to his "roots" in Chicago to start a church. Starting a church had its discouraging times, and Gary's patience was waning when positive developments started to happen that pointed toward a promising future. Gary now sees that each move, each step of faith, each test of patience, prepared him for the exciting challenge ahead. He will be taking the pastorate of a church in North Berwin from a retiring pastor where the people look forward to following his leadership and expanding their ministries. One area Gary sees a need is to reach the growing number of Spanish-speaking people in the neighborhood.

The Zdziarskis have four children, Joy, Anna, Daniel, and Julia.