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.

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.

One of the things that I like most about this time of year is the excitement that accompanies each new beginning. With the opening of the dorms, new students arriving on campus, returning students moving back in, and everyone looking forward to the first day of classes there is certainly a lot of excitement around here these days!

Of course, this is a new beginning for the incoming freshmen, but it is certainly a new beginning for every other student as well. The victories and defeats of last semester are now in the past. Each person has the opportunity to succeed in the semester that lies ahead. We must press forward, concerned only with what we can accomplish for the Lord between now and graduation on May 7.

With each new beginning, we would do well to remember the words of Paul. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Last night I had the privilege to preach with Dr. Trieber at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Fallon, Nevada. Brother Trieber was preaching in a revival meeting there and Pastor Darren Robinson also invited the Victory Trio (Dr. and Mrs. Zachary and my wife and me) to sing in the services. The auditorium was packed and extra chairs were set up in the foyer. There were a several pastors there from around the state as well. The singing and the preaching were very well received and the altars were filled in the invitation time. I also met several young people who will be students here at GSBC in the fall. We had a wonderful time and I am so encouraged by what I can see the Lord doing these days here in the West.

Though you may not find a lot of good news in the headlines these days, God’s Word has a great deal of encouragement for those who love the Lord. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). If we as Christians will trust God and allow Him to lead us, He will give us His best in 2010.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Last night I had the privilege to preach at the Mid State Baptist Church in Paso Robles, California for our graduate, Pastor Bruce Fore. They normally meet on Thursday evening, but their service was moved this week because of Christmas Eve. There was a good crowd and we had a great service. It was such a blessing to see how God is using another one of our graduates to make a difference in the lives of people.