MORE EVEN August 2016 | Advancement Office

Even More Than A Student The Stories Behind LBC’s Accelerated Undergraduate Program

“Some people still saw me as a convicted felon, but God didn’t. He knew what was in my heart. Next thing you know I’m applying to Lancaster Bible College. God put LBC on my heart.” - Terrance Jackson (‘15)

Terrance Jackson sat alone in a life. Without a father to look up to, Army’s highest court, the Criminal muggy, dark cell in Chatham County discovering what it took to be a man Investigation Command, on a felony Prison, contemplating how his life proved problematic for Terrance. He count of fraud. had derailed so severely. A young didn’t grow up going to church; he Facing the trial of a lifetime, Terrance man with an infectious personality, didn’t know God or want to know had nowhere else to turn. Even his he could never have imagined God. “Every man for himself” was a family had a hard time coming to ending up there, sharing space worldview all too real to him. grips with what he had done. It was with convicted murderers and drug His search for meaning and purpose in the midst of these dark times dealers. Despite his circumstances, led him into the military at the age of that God gave Terrance a reason to God was beginning to use Terrance 21. Unfortuantly, Terrance traveled believe. When everything else was in a mighty way. down a troubled path, far from God, slipping away, God gave Terrance Growing up in New Jersey, raised while in the military. Despite his hope. by his mother and grandmother, reputation as a good soldier, Terrance Story Continues on Page 6 Terrance was accustomed to the street found himself in front of the Even More Than Students: Accelerated Undergraduate Degree Program

Beyond the everyday of Lancaster program, “Since we interact with ministries of their own. Every one of Bible College there is a group of adult these students from admissions to them has a ministry mindset. The students who have either returned graduation, it is amazing to watch students really help one another with or begun their college educations them become so confident in their life situations, sharing quite deeply at LBC. In 1994 the Accelerated abilities, in and out of the classroom.” about what is going on in their lives.” Undergraduate Program (AUD) There is something special about The environment surrounding the was created by then-president the AUD program that traditional AUD program is one of excitement Dr. Peterson, off of the model of undergraduates don’t experience. for what God is doing through accelerated night classes. This design AUD students have the ability these individuals, right now. allows adults with careers, families, to take what they learn in the For the LBC Staff involved in serving and everyday life responsibilities classroom and apply it to their the AUD program, there is no doubt to be able to focus on one class at families, careers, and ministries that God is doing big things through a time. They move toward earning immediately. these students’ lives. Sherri Colton their degree and achieving a goal at a Dr. Gordon Gregory, a Bible and sums it up with this, “The AUD flexible pace. theology professor of both AUD and Program gives adults the opportunity Director of AUD Student Experience, traditional undergraduate students, to go back to school and finish Sherri Colton and Assistant Dean enjoys the classroom environment something they may have started of AUD, Dr. Mark Menga are of his AUD classes, “There is life decades ago or to pursue a college passionate about their roles as they experience that these students degree for the first time in their lives. walk alongside AUD students. Sherri have that changes the questions It is an amazing thing.” reflects on all the students who she they ask in the classroom. A lot of has seen blossom under the AUD these students are already involved in Dr. Gregory

Photo on Left of AUD Staff (from left to right): Sharon Stephens, Sherri Colton (Director of Adult Learning Service), Chela Crouse, Mark Menga (Associate Dean of AUD), Tricia Nicholls, Mark Wilson, Angie Holsinger.

2 | Advancement Dear Friend,

With Christ-centered leadership, LBC remains dedicated to our mission. It frames our success. We are steadfast in educating “Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society.” Yet, we also know that times have changed since our founding in 1933. To remain relevant in today’s fast-paced society, we have enriched our educational methods without sacrificing our mission. When Dr. Peterson spearheaded our Accelerated Undergraduate program, he set the stage for transformational educational experiences for these adult students. Terrance’s story is an incredible example. Our AUD students are life-engaged. They have families and jobs. They volunteer in their communities and churches. They are mission minded. Attending college courses adds to their already demanding schedules. LBC proactively navigates road blocks our adult students face so they can concentrate on their education. We strategically journey with them from admission to graduation as they focus on earning their degrees. The Charles Frey Academic Center (CFAC) has also transformed our students’ educational experience. It is the nerve center for our AUD programs. With our student support specialists working next to our academic departments, the CFAC has created a collegiate synergy never before seen on campus. Our online education department assists the faculty in creating course content. The technology-driven classrooms enhance collaboration between students and faculty. The CFAC provides the structure for the creation, delivery and support of LBC education. We have increased efficiency, increased communication and condensed the academic engine of LBC. LBC made a strategic investment in adapting our educational methods. This investment has launched new programs and led to growing enrollment. Join us in this investment in LBC students. Support the growth of biblical higher education with a gift to the Charles Frey Academic Center. Our campaign goal is $8.57 million for this $12 million transformative building. With your gifts, you are investing in the future Church, as our students and graduates are the head, heart and hands of Christ around the world.

Sincerely,

Dr. Phillip Dearborn, Provost

Learn more about Charles Frey Academic Center and how your investment impacts our students. Visit LBCGive.com

LBCGIVE.COM | AUGUST 2016 | 3 “I prayed for God to wreck Ashley Porter my life. He didn’t waste any time” A Life Surrendered:

It was only a few years ago that Ashley called Goal Getters which focuses on a more effective speaker and teacher, Porter had an encounter with God youth seeing the potential of their life. to receiving biblical knowledge that that changed the direction of her life She began to use her life experience as reminds her of her identity in Christ, forever. “I had been trying to do life she impacted youth in her community. Ashley reflects on her time at Lancaster on my own, trying to make everything Through Goal Getters, Ashley began Bible College with joy, talking about go right on my own strength. I had speaking, mentoring, and equipping some of the impactful books she’s dropped out of school and isolated young people to be able to pursue read in classes and the guidance she my son and myself from community. their life’s purpose in Christ. As Goal has received from professors. The Then one night as I was walking up Getters grew, Ashley became aware of difficulty of running a ministry, raising the steps of my apartment, I became her need for education and training. a son, and being a full time student overcome with the inability to move She soon came across Lancaster Bible can weigh on Ashley’s focus. Amidst any further. I heard God tell me in College and felt drawn to it right away. all the chaos of life, Ashley wouldn’t that moment that I wasn’t going to get She was accepted and is now studying change a thing. She reflects on her any further in life on my own.” Ashley towards a degree in Biblical Studies time as a student, “Through going recalls that moment with clarity. That and Counseling. back to school at Lancaster Bible night, she didn’t waste time as she As Ashley approaches her final year College I have not only furthered cried out to God to wreck her life. before graduation, she is grateful my education, but I have found a After that pivotal moment, Ashley’s for the ways that Lancaster Bible new freedom in Christ - A freedom life began to transform. College has already impacted her, as to be authentic in who He has created Months later, Ashley started a ministry well as her ministry. From becoming me to be.” “I love you and like you at school because I want you to learn more.” - Ashley’s Son Daniel (Age 5)

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4 | Advancement Finishing What She Started “I felt the pull to come back and finish...”

It’s hard to define Carollynn Pettis was already teaching Sunday school what I started so long ago. I called LBC with just one word. She wears a classes. After high school, her desire to not knowing anything about the AUD multitude of hats: a mom of three, a teach brought her to Lancaster Bible Program at all. I was told about the homeschool teacher, a wife, a nanny, College. With just a semester left, her program and got very excited about it. and a youth leader. On top of all of those college career came to a grinding halt. I was really nervous about coming back responsibilities, Carollynn is back in Her mom was diagnosed with Multiple to school because it had been so long, school full-time, pursuing her bachelor’s Sclerosis. Carollynn, as the oldest of six but my professors like John Smith made degree in Bible. Hers is one of the many siblings, took on the responsibility to me really comfortable. I am so glad that stories we encounter as we take a look care for her mom and her family. God saw fit to give me Mr. Smith as my at a diverse group of Lancaster Bible Almost thirty years have passed and first professor.” College students enrolled in the AUD Carollynn is back on the campus After decades of selfless sacrifice for her Program. They are students, but EVEN of LBC. Those years have taken her family, Carollynn now gets to follow MORE, they are moms, pastors, through marriage, the death of loved her dreams. She is not only pursuing bankers, construction workers, foster ones, seeing her husband go to college, a degree, but she is pursuing a deeper care parents, and business owners - raising and homeschooling three kids, relationship with God. each one with a unique story to share. to even earning her Associate Degree in “Learning more about the Lord has Carollynn grew up in a Christian home early childhood education at Harrisburg been the most rewarding part of going encircled with godly role models. She Area Community College. Through it back to school - feeling like some of accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and all, her desire to finish what she started the things I struggled to understand, Savior at a young age. Eager to share at LBC has always remained. I’m now beginning to understand.” her faith with others, she loved teaching “I felt that pull to come back and finish about the Bible. By the age of 15 she

Carollynn “My kids always have a smile on Pettis their face when they talk about their mom being back in school.”

AUD Students Capital Seminary and Graduate Students Our AUD Students 32.7% are from 33 States 24.6% reaching as far south as Texas and as far west as California. 42.7%

Traditional Undergraduate Students LBCGIVE.COM | AUGUST 2016 | 5 Terrance Jackson (Continued from Page 1.) Sitting alone in his empty barracks, loomed, Terrance was bracing for the who God was and how to put his Terrance found an orange Bible and worst. For a felony count of fraud, he trust in Him. Terrance spent his time immediately opened it up to the was facing a dishonorable discharge in prison engaged in God’s Word and book of John. He started praying from the military, loss of his benefits sharing his faith with inmates through out to God, unsure if God was and pension. And he was facing a one-on-one conversations and Bible even listening or even existed. His minimum of fifteen years in prison. studies. cries out to God that night stirred As Terrance sat in the courtroom With a deep desire to grow in his something deep within his heart awaiting the judge’s verdict, he was relationship and knowledge of and the prayers continued. With a stunned by what he heard. TheGod, Terrance sought out a Christ- remarkable transformation at work, judge reduced his felony count of centered education and found himself Terrance starting praying daily and fraud. Instead of facing fifteen years, at Lancaster Bible College where opening up that orange Bible he had Terrance was sentenced to six months he enrolled in the AUD Program. discovered. One Sunday morning in prison! The judge even allowed him Terrance graduated in December he found himself at a local church to remain in the military. A miracle 2015 from the Greenbelt, MD and eventually got connected with only God could produce! Campus and hopes to continue his a men’s Bible study. He was soaking education through Capital Seminary up every chance he could to learn That moment, God poured out His favor on Terrance as he intentionally and Graduate School. Through the more about God and grow in his mess of life Terrance saw God take relationship with Jesus Christ. As pursued the Lord. It was in his darkest moments that he learned it and turn it into a message of grace his court date and prison sentence and purpose. Even More Than A Student

One of the technology-centric classrooms in the Charles Frey Academic Center, providing a collaborative classroom environment. 6 | Advancement “Sometimes God sets us aside for a time or in some way. We may not understand why or like it very much, but we can rest assured that He has a purpose in it and will use it for our good and His glory. Nothing is ever wasted with God!” Tracy Palmer Always Serving A Lancaster County native, Tracy Having completed her degree as journey of almost a year.” (Moore) Palmer grew up around an adult student, Tracy related to Unknown to her, Tracy’s journey LBC. Her father and brother are both “her students” and what they were would take a detour. In August LBC graduates. Following in their going through: balancing full-time of 2014, she was diagnosed with footsteps, Tracy earned her Associates work, evening classes, church and leukemia. Tracy went through of Arts degree from LBC in 1984. In family obligations. It could easily chemo again as well as a bone marrow 2002, Tracy returned to LBC to serve overwhelm or discourage students. transplant and more chemo. During in the Advancement Department. Tracy was able to walk beside them, this battle, she worked part time She didn’t come to LBC merely to encouraging those who wanted to from home until June 30, 2015. In work; she came to LBC to serve. give up. the midst of her cancer fight, Tracy When she was not at LBC, she could When Tracy was diagnosed with still wanted to serve “her students.” still be found serving donors and breast cancer in August of 2013 the students on her own time. Ever focused on serving others, Tracy tables turned and “her students” gave monthly to LBC’s Scholarship Always pursing improvement, Tracy started to encourage her. She bravely, Fund. But, she also wanted to make re-enrolled in the degree completion and full of humor, faced surgery, a significant gift to the college in program (Accelerated Undergraduate chemo and radiation. Many students the future. After researching several Degree program), completing her sent emails, notes or gifts. A student options, in 2002 Tracy designated bachelor’s degree in 2004. In 2010, of Tracy’s in the AUD program, LBC as the beneficiary of her life a position opened in financial aid, also fighting cancer, was devastated insurance policy. and Tracy was encouraged to apply to to hear about Tracy’s battle and advance her career. committed to fasting and praying for God had a plan for Tracy, and she Tracy. Dedicated to serving students, planned to live for and serve Him Karen Fox, Director of Financial and others…even after her life on Aid recalls, “Tracy was meticulous Tracy was back to work in six weeks, all the while going through chemo. earth ended on March 28, 2016. Her and detail oriented…but even final gift of over $100,000 to LBC, more significant was her heartOn her blog, Tracy wrote in October via her insurance policy, benefitted and compassion for students and 2013: “… if everything went as LBC students to serve Him in the customer service.” Karen continues, planned, by November 2nd, I would Church and society. Tracy gave with a “It was more than a job to her. She be able to put this little detour behind servant’s heart in both life and death. went above the call of duty. She me and return to life as normal. But wanted the students to succeed; God had other plans… My journey their success was her success.” of just a few weeks will now be a

Insure Your Legacy... Contact Scott Keating to discuss how your planned gift can serve our mission and students, making a lasting impact for generations One of the technology-centric classrooms in the Charles Frey Academic Center, providing a collaborative classroom environment. to come. Call 717.560.8279 or vist PlannedGiving.LBC.edu. LBCGIVE.COM | July 2016 | 7 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANCASTER, PA PERMIT NO. 1242 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601-5036 | 717.560.8211

In his darkest A Look at The AUD INSIDE moments he LBC’s AUD Program Gave learned who Program Her a New God was Freedom in Christ Even More Than Students The Stories of LBC’s Accelerated Undergrad Students