Journey to Cebu-Part Two
Founders Day is a celebration in the Philippines colleges and universities of Higher Education to mark the history of the institution as well as celebrate the present and plan for the future.
The “Founders Day” celebration in CPBC takes the greater part of the week. The students have special programs they put on in the evening including a talent night and Bible knowledge efforts. In addition there are sports activities during the afternoons often with other colleges. The students prepare for their open house as well and put a lot of effort in to it. But the high light is the special service of commemoration and it is followed by a special meal and open house.
Many of us gathered Wednesday morning for the special service at the CPBC rented chapel. It is very nice and has open walls and large doorways so a good breeze will come through. It is at the edge of the mountain overlooking the city of Cebu. The chapel was decorated by the students and staff and was very attractively set out. A welcome banner was also displayed.
As the service began Carol and I took our places and the small private David Livingstone grade school marched in as well with their principal and staff. The rented compound belongs to the David Livingstone foundation. The students and other visitors took their places for the singing of the processional and the service began.
The choir and ensemble performed and were dressed up very nice in formal blue shirts for the boys and nice dresses for the girls. The history of the school was read and there were special greetings and special numbers. The college used power point and had a real great music praise time that moved the service along and was very tasteful.
Darryl and Carol were introduced and Darryl presented the keynote message and stressed the importance of the Bible Colleges training strong, Bible based and Bible centered preachers. He also reminded those in attendance of our Restoration heritage and the fact that the Philippines was the birthplace of our Direct-support missionary giving program still used over a hundred years later here in our current world missionary scenario. Preachers were encouraged to put Christ first and train well as this is the preparation needed for a great harvest of souls both here in the Philippines and worldwide. Students were encouraged by Darryl to embrace “servant hood, sacrifice, and sanctification” as they seek to serve God.
Following the message the school song was sung and Darryl and Carol were presented thank you plagues to acknowledge that they are co-founders of Central Philippines Bible College and also the special speaker for the 13th Founders day.
Following the Recessional there was lunch and a time to visit with staff, students and visitors around the campus. Junior took us around to his dorm as well as the girl’s dorm and the boys and girls had nice and clean places to sleep and also a place to prepare their meals with wood charcoal open fires. One new student from Davao to the south of the islands had attended dental college for three years and then had a call to change courses and come and study for a preaching ministry. He had been an orphan in our orphanage in the north in Apparri since he was three and then in Mindanao. Sadly both orphanages are now closed. Also another boy named Anthony again a first year student surprised many at the Bible Quiz night by his memorization of 290 scriptures in English and still counting. His family was opposed to his going to Bible College and will not help him but he said he has been following Jesus since he was 17 years of age and will continue to do so no matter. His task was made more interesting since English is not his first language. Many of the girls are preparing for teaching in Christian schools and will go on to University after Bible College. Several graduates are already teaching at the David Livingstone School and other early education Christian schools of our churches throughout the central Philippines.
It was a great day and one in which we witnessed firsthand young people with great abilities ready and willing to let God be the Potter and mold them and make them what He wants them to become. Please pray for these students and staff at Central Philippine Bible College that God will continue to grow in their lives and have a firm resolve to serve Jesus all of their days.
Serving Christ here in the Philippines,
Darryl & Carol Krause
Pacific Rim Ministries
Forwarding Agent:
Mrs. Joanne McKenzie
Pacific Rim Ministries
P.O. Box 323
Weston, Ohio 43569
