My heart was blessed today as we welcomed hundreds of students back to this campus to begin a new school year. Of course, it was wonderful to see the students who were gone for the summer break once again, and hear about how the Lord has blessed them in the last few months. It was also exciting to meet the many new students from all over America and the parents who were able to bring their children to college. With so many wonderful young people here, I am looking forward to what God is going to do here at GSBC this semester.

With the beginning of the fall semester only two months away, it is exciting to know that students can now register online for classes. Online registration simplifies the registration process, saves time, and helps ensure that students are able to enroll in the classes they need. Find out more at www.gsbc.edu.

We are looking forward to our 27^th Annual National Youth Conference here at North Valley Baptist Church. Our campus will be teeming with teens, and we will hear great preaching, laugh at hilarious skits, participate in amazing competitions, and enjoy exciting activities throughout the week.

Don’t miss this fun-filled adventure! Learn more at http://www.nvbc.org/nyc.

Earlier this week I said goodbye to the Blessed Hope Quartet and our graduate Brother Stephen Russ took up the baton as group leader. I truly enjoyed the time I spent with these young men and I believe that the Lord is using them in a great way. Since my last post, we had wonderful meetings with the group at the Mountain View Baptist Church in Kelso, Washington, First Baptist Church of Rose Hill in Redmond, Washington, and Bethel Baptist Church in Spanaway, Washington. The group is pictured below with Pastor Brent Fore in Redmond. Please pray for these men as they continue to travel throughout the summer.

The Blessed Hope Quartet with Pastor Fore

I have been so encouraged by all of the churches that we have visited here in the Northwest, and last night was no exception. Brother Jared Rhodes, who has been at the church almost from its very beginning led the service and also took us to Red Robin afterwards. The Lord has given these folks a beautiful facility in an excellent location, but I was most impressed with the people of the church. There was a great spirit in the service and it was obvious that these folks love the Lord.

Please pray for us as we travel today to Kelso, Washington to the Mountain View Baptist Church.

Last night we were at the Greater Portland Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. The quartet did a great job singing in the service, and I was honored that Pastor Rick Adams allowed me to preach. We had a great time in the service. The people seemed to really enjoy the music, and the altars were filled during the invitation time.

After the service, Brother Greg Adams hosted a fellowship for all of the senior high teenagers. It was a blessing to spend some time with the teens and, of course, the food was great.

This morning, Brother Brad McFeters took us to a public high school in the area for a Bible club meeting. The men sang and testified and I was able to give a brief challenge. We were amazed to see 43 teens in attendance! My heart was touched by the testimony of these young people who are doing their best to maintain a Christian testimony in a public school.

After the Bible club meeting Brother McFeters and his family took us to Burgerville and I had deep-fried asparagus for the first time. Delicious!

Tonight we will be at the Timberline Baptist Church in Sherwood, Oregon.

For the next several days, I have the privilege of travelling with the Blessed Hope Quartet. Last night we were at the Liberty Baptist Church in Fircrest, Washington. We had the opportunity to go out soul winning before service and the Lord allowed us to see one person saved. God gave us a great service last night. There was a great crowd in attendance and the people were very responsive, both the fellow’s singing and to the preaching, and a man was baptized at the close of the service. Yesterday was Isaac Young’s birthday (Isaac sings bass in the quartet) and so we all sang “Happy Birthday” to him in the service.

After the service Bro. Faulkner and Bro. Boyer took us out to Famous Dave’s BBQ along with some young people from the church for a great time of food and fellowship.

Please pray for us tonight as we travel to Portland, Oregon to be at the Greater Portland Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Adams.

On Friday night, our college family had the opportunity to watch as our 2010 graduates crossed the platform of the North Valley Baptist Church and received their diplomas. My heart was encouraged as I thought about these young people going out into the Lord’s work. We certainly live in a day of great need for Christian workers, not only in our own country, but also around the world. I believe with all my heart that our graduates are going to make a difference as they labor for the Master.

Last night we had a great meeting with the Hope Trio and Pastor William Wallace at the Coast Hills Baptist Church in Marina, California. There was a good crowd in attendance and the people were very responsive. Their teen choir sang during the offertory and did a beautiful job. Praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity!

On Tuesday and Wednesday we had the privilege to have many of our graduates here for our annual Alumni Days celebration. What a blessing it was to see our graduates and hear about the work that they are doing for the Lord. Several of our graduates preached in the chapel services and also in the Wednesday night service at NVBC (see photos). On Wednesday, some of our alumni who are youth pastors taught sessions on the subject of youth ministry.

What an encouragement it is to see how God is using our graduates in His harvest field! It is our prayer that as the Lord tarries in His coming we will be able to see many more young people trained to work for Him.